Lord of Ashes (Steelhaven: Book Three) Read Online Free PDF

shuddered in response before it gave a whicker of annoyance. ‘The Wyvern Guard have no match with sword and shield. But behind the wall we’ll be as much use as any other man. On horseback, out on the field, we’ll be bloody invincible.’ He flashed Merrick a mad grin. ‘Sounds glorious, doesn’t it?’
    No, it sounds fucking insane.
    ‘Glorious indeed,’ Merrick replied, imagining himself at the head of the column as they charged towards forty thousand Khurtas. How glorious it would be as he was hacked into tiny pieces. How proud he’d be of himself as his severed head stared gloriously from the top of a Khurtic spear.
    Jared barked a laugh in his usual gruff tone. ‘That’s the spirit, lad,’ he said, before slapping Merrick on the arm and walking back towards the barracks.
    Merrick barely felt the sting of that slap as he stared at the row of stabled horses, wondering which one he’d have the pleasure of being killed on.
    The afternoon seemed to pass a little slower after that as he began to picture all the ways he could die. By the time he’d finished mucking the horses and someone had arrived with their feed he could hardly feel the cold sweat on his skin or hear the laughter of the other men.
    What was wrong with them? Didn’t they realise what was in store? Did they really want to die that badly?
    Of course they do. They’re looking forward to it. Haven’t you worked it out yet that every single one of them wants to die in battle, serving the Wyvern Guard faithfully, obeying your father’s every word?
    But that couldn’t be true. Could it? Surely Tannick wouldn’t have asked Merrick to join this mob if all that was in store for him was a certain death.
    Slowly he made his way back towards the courtyard, looking for some water to wash in. The prospect of a cold bath wasn’t a welcome one but it was preferable to stinking like a horse’s arse.
    When he made it back, the courtyard was clear but for a single figure sitting beneath the eaves to one side. Tannick Ryder rested his huge sword on one knee, rubbing oil into the blade with reverent care, his arm moving in long, careful strokes.
    For an instant Merrick felt out of place. Over the past few days since he’d joined the Wyvern Guard he had spoken little with his father. He wasn’t sure if now was the best time.
    Nevertheless, he made his way across the courtyard, hoping Tannick wouldn’t notice him, but deep down he knew that was futile.
    ‘Been keeping busy, boy?’ said Tannick without looking up from his labours.
    ‘Er … yes,’ Merrick replied, without wanting to go into too much detail about what he’d been busy with, though from the smell of him it was pretty obvious.
    There was silence then, but Merrick couldn’t just wander off. Part of him had to know.
    ‘I hear we’re to ride out and face the horde head on,’ he said.
    ‘That we are,’ replied Tannick, still rubbing at that blade. ‘We’re the Wyvern Guard. We don’t hide ourselves away behind walls. Besides, most of these lads have waited an age for a good fight. Wouldn’t be fair to keep them from it.’
    It’s so nice of you to take their feelings into consideration like that.
    ‘Won’t it be a slaughter?’
    Tannick stopped wiping at the blade and looked up, a wicked glint in his eye. ‘That’s what I’m counting on, boy.’
    This did little to fill Merrick with any confidence. A mad charge into a mad enemy led by his mad father was nothing to look forward to.
    ‘I can’t wait,’ he said, not wanting to show any reluctance, any weakness.
    As Tannick looked at Merrick his mad-eyed stare softened and a smile crept up one side of his face. ‘This must seem like lunacy to you. I can understand that, and I don’t think any less of you for it.’
Oh, how good of you
. ‘That’s why I want you close. By my side, where I can keep an eye on you.’
    ‘There’s no need—’
    ‘There’s every need, boy. No harm must come to you. There’ll be chance enough