Rage of a Demon King Read Online Free PDF

who had traveled with Calis had seen the army of the Emerald Queen, had been a part of it for a time, and he knew that when that host of hired killers arrived on the shores of the Kingdom, chaos would ensue. In the midst of that chaos, only well-trained, disciplined, hard men might survive. And it would be upon those men that the fate of the Kingdom—and the rest of the world of Midkemia—would rest, not on the Kingdom’s traditional armies.
    “Very well, Captain. I accept,” said Erik.
    Calis smiled and put his hand upon Erik’s shoulder. “You didn’t have a choice, Sergeant Major. Now you need to promote some men; we need one moresergeant for the balance of this year, and a half-dozen corporals besides.”
    “Alfred of Darkmoor,” said Erik. “He was a corporal and a bully until I got through with him. He’s ready to take on the responsibility, and at heart he’s still a brawler and we’ll need that when the time comes.”
    “You have that right,” said Calis. “Every man a brawler, for that matter.”
    Erik said, “I suppose we have enough potential corporals around. I’ll make up a list this evening.”
    Calis nodded. “I must talk to Patrick before this turns into a full-blown reception. Excuse me.”
    Roo returned when he saw Calis leave, and asked, “Well, did you get promoted or did Jadow?”
    “I did,” answered Erik.
    “My condolences,” said Roo. Then he grinned and struck his friend on the arm. “Sergeant Major.”
    “What about you?” asked Erik. “You were telling me how things are at home.”
    Roo smiled weakly and shrugged. “Karli is still upset I took off to go after you on such short notice, and she was right: the children don’t recognize me, though Abigail does call me Daddy, and little Helmut just gives shy grins and gurgles.” He sighed. “I got a warmer welcome from Helen Jacoby, truth to tell.”
    “Well, from what you told me, she is in your debt. You could have turned her and her children out on the streets.”
    Roo chewed on a piece of fruit a moment. “Not really. Her husband had no part in the plot to kill my father-in-law.” He shrugged. “I’ve got a few loose ends to tie up; Jason, Duncan, and Luis have been careful in seeing to my company while I was gone,and my partners in the Bitter Sea Company haven’t robbed me too outrageously.” He grinned. “At least, I haven’t found any proof yet.” His expression turned serious again. “And I also know that this army you’re about to become a significant part of will need provisions, weapons, and armor. Those don’t come cheaply.”
    Erik nodded. “I have some small idea of how we’re going to meet the Emerald Queen, and while we’ll never put as large a force in the field as she will send against us, we’ll have to mount the most ambitious campaign since the Riftwar, and one never matched before.”
    “How many men under arms do you think?”
    “I’m speculating,” said Erik. “But at least fifty, sixty thousand more than the current armies of the East and West.”
    “That’s close to a hundred thousand men!” said Roo. “Do we have that many?”
    “No.” Erik shook his head. “We have twenty thousand in all the Armies of the West, including the ten thousand directly under the Prince’s command. The Armies of the East number more, but many of them are honor garrisons. With our long-term peace with Roldem, the other eastern kingdoms are calm, not willing to try anything without Roldem distracting us.” Erik shrugged. “Too much time spent with Lord William, I guess, talking strategy . . . We now must start building for the battle here.” With a shake of his head he said softly, “We lost too many of our key men on our last trips to Novindus.”
    Roo nodded. “There is a large debt to be repaid to that green bitch.” Then he sighed audibly. “And a huge billing to finance it.”
    Erik smiled. “Our Duke is getting into your pocket?”
    Roo returned the smile, though his was far