Sacrifice (Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

himself out of sight behind the rock opposite from Khairn, “explain to me how you can be brutal and cruel to everyone on Ki’Hal yet treat Mena as if she were a goddess of some sweet religion unknown to the rest of us?”
    “Ah, Gen, you should know better. Love is capricious! I first saw Mena when she was five years old placing my wine before me at dinner. I cannot explain how her dark looks and innocent, fierce eyes threw a net over my heart, nor do I wish to understand it. I think understanding would ruin it. She was the dearest of my soul from that instant, and I have labored to elevate her against her culture. My affection for her came from no will of mine and was contrary to my nature. It was meant to be just as the sun was meant to shine or the wind to blow. That’s the best explanation I have.”
    Gen grinned and turned his gaze to canyon. The sound of marching feet and the pattering Uyumaak swelled as they army narrowed the distance. “So you think we have one chance in four?”
    “Of course not. This will see us both dead. The only question is how long we can hold out, which is a question I am quite excited to find the answer to. As for my bogus odds, the Chalaine seemed so overwrought that I thought I might soften the blow of your demise a bit so she would be quiet and leave. I really can’t abide such blubbering.”
    “And here I thought you had at last learned to be considerate.”
    “No. Isn’t it strange that if you give people even the smallest sliver of hope they will grasp it and build their lives and dreams around it, regardless of how ridiculous and unreasonable it is? Owing to our illustrious reputations, the Chalaine and her companions probably think we really do have one chance in four.” He paused, the din of the Uyumaak horde complicating their conversation. “Any regrets, Gen?”
    “Plenty, and none I wish to talk about.”
    “I have just one: I never got to fight you. I so hoped that you would do the noble thing and challenge me during the birthday celebration in Rhugoth.”
    “You shouldn’t have been so persuasive in your letter, then.”
    “Was it good? I’ve always felt I was a rather pedestrian writer.”
    A skittering on the loose gravel on the other side of the rocks ended their banter and brought them to the ready.
    “Fight well,” Torbrand shouted, and as one they charged the gap.
    The first two Hunters met the men’s blades at a full gallop up the hill, falling beheaded without a chance of defense. Gen and Torbrand yelled at the top of their lungs as they waded into the midst of the vanguard. So fierce was their initial assault that the army stopped, the Hunter advance hastily retreating backward. Gen and the Shadan returned up the incline and hid behind the rocks.
    “That will give them something to think about.” Torbrand grinned. “How many did you kill?”
    “Seven.”
    “Ha! I downed eight. One thousand nine hundred eighty-five to go. Did you see a Chukka or a Shaman?”
    “No.”
    “Me neither,” Torbrand yelled over the thumping and pattering that erupted from their enemies. “Well, they are cooking up something. If they use magic, we are done for.”
    “Yes,” Gen agreed, “but they won’t try it yet. They have no idea what is waiting for them on the other side of this hill, and they’ll save their strength. Let’s pick at them while they discuss their options.” They sheathed their swords and pulled bows.
    “Youth first,” Torbrand offered, signaling Gen forward. Gen nocked an arrow and turned the corner, catching his first good glimpse of what they faced. The army stretched down the canyon ahead of them, disappearing behind a bend in the towering walls. Formations of Bashers, Warriors, and Archers waited anxiously as a Chukka consulted with the Hunters at the head. To Gen’s dismay, two towering Gagons hunched in the middle of the army hefting massive crossbows. Throgs loping along the flank released their yellow eyes into the air.
    The