Instruments of War (Iron Kingdoms Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF

brother’s.”
    “So speak plainly, elder teacher, and tell me what is on your mind.”
    “Our lack of reinforcements was suspicious. We should be dead.” Zabalam took his time, choosing his words carefully. “Akkad has always desired glory. Abandoning you in a battle is as sure a murder as a knife in the back, and it is not unheard of for siblings to murder each other in order to rule a house.”
    Makeda shook her head. “But Akkad is the eldest. He is already Telkesh’s heir. Ancient tradition declares that the eldest must rule.” Despite any of her personal opinions about her brother, she would never go against the traditions of her caste, to do otherwise would cause chaos and weaken their house. “The order of succession has been decreed. Telkesh rules and has declared it so. If I believed Akkad unfit to lead, I would declare a challenge. Anything else would be dishonorable.”
    “Ah, Makeda, not everyone shares your devotion. They do not follow the old ways so closely. They merely talk of it while having no devotion in their hearts. They assume all are like them. So they whisper and talk. They are not like us. They lurk in the shadows and play politics with their birthright.” Zabalam spit on the ground. “Their words are poison, and it would not surprise me if one such as that would whisper to your brother that you are a threat to his eventual rule.”
    There had to be another explanation. She knew Akkad was ambitious, and he was a fine warrior. She had no doubt he would make a decent archdominar when the time came. Violating the wishes of their father, Telkesh, was unimaginable, and she did not know which idea she found more disturbing, that her brother would leave her to die, or that anyone would doubt her honor so much.
    “Incoming riders!” the shout went up along the column. “They fly the colors of Balaash.”
    Scouts for the army. They would be reunited soon enough. “Do not worry, Zabalam. I will speak to my father about today’s events. I’m sure there is an explanation for Akkad’s delay.”
    “As you wish.” The Primus bowed.
    She could see the cavalry now. The scouts tore down the road, heading straight for Makeda’s tattered banner. The first rider came up to Makeda, riding upon a ferox, one of the swiftest predators of the plains. The messenger wore the insignia of a Dakar, and her mount foamed from the journey. The creature snarled at Makeda, so the rider punched it in the back of the head. It wheeled about and snapped at her legs with is long razor teeth, but she struck it again harder. Dominance established, that stroke finally settled it down.
    “Second Born Makeda,” the messenger dipped her helmet. It was as close as could be approximated to a bow while on the back of an enraged ferox. “You are alive?”
    “Obviously,” she answered. “Where is the army?”
    “Encamped a few miles to the north,” the rider seemed rattled. “We were told your cohort had been destroyed by Tyrant Naram.”
    “He tried. It was an excellent battle, but Naram was the one who was destroyed. Who told you such lies?”
    “Forgive me. It was all over the camp. Ancestors! You have not heard?”
    “Spit it out, Praetorian!”
    The rider was obviously terrified. Her mount sensed the unusual fear, and turned back curious and sniffing. “Your father — Archdominar Telkesh is dead.”

    The ferox was unbelievably swift. The powerfully muscled beast moved in great leaping bounds, its talons ripping up tufts of grass and dirt as they moved across the plains. A sudden plunge down a ravine forced Makeda to place one hand against the reptilian skin before her saddle. It was softer than expected. The ferox turned one curious eye back toward her. Perhaps, if it had been any other unfamiliar rider, the vicious thing may have attempted something, but it could sense the danger in Makeda, and simply did as it was told.
    Her mount jumped high into the air, taking them over the edge of the ravine and into the