Steel and Sorrow Read Online Free PDF Page A

shuffling off.
    It shouldn’t.
    “Commander,” said a soft voice.
    Kaz turned as Yanasi cleared her throat, eyes down. Rygar stood a step behind her, blond hair falling over his forehead. “Yes?”
    “Rygar and I just made another round of the barracks and everyone else is fine.”
    “The armory?”
    “All clear. Cisod was up working late and threw one in his forge. And despite being drunk, Raker still managed to kill one too.”
    Drunk again? Figures. “Good.” He turned to Rygar. “Go tell Hag to wake Wiqua. I want him to double-check the injured.”
    “Aye, Commander.”
    Rygar pivoted and ran off. Kaz turned back to Yanasi. “Anything else?”
    “No, sir. I think that’s it.”
    “Then get some sleep. Training will be at the same time tomorrow. This is no time to become complacent.”
    * * *
    The morning sun reflected off the melting snow, shining bright in Elyse’s tired eyes. She struggled to walk on the wet ground, but drudged on nonetheless. She needed to be outside, away from the nightmare, only hours old. The dead bodies and frightful terror of the previous night reminded her of the atrocities inflicted by High Mage Nareash when he had slaughtered so many before her eyes. She still dreamed of that terrible day and the events surrounding it, doubting she would ever shake those helpless feelings or the dread that accompanied them. Her life had improved little since that day with court intrigue, spies, victories, defeats, and countless nightmares along the way.
    Jonrell’s death had become her most bitter memory, one that she thought of often.
    One Above, I wish he was still here.
    She let out a long puff of air that fogged before her face.
    The stresses of running a kingdom weighed heavily. Less than a year ago, she had even wanted to hand the crown over to her brother.
    But not anymore. I know I can do this.
    Elyse walked through the army barracks and into the training grounds. She pulled her cloak tighter as a breeze sent a chill up her back. Spring approached, but winter had given the land one last memory of its wrath with a late snowstorm, the remnants of which still clung to the ground. In patches where the sun hit the frost more directly, Elyse saw the first shoots of grass peeking through.
    It won’t be long before fighting begins anew.
    Elyse halted as she spotted Kaz on his knee talking to a young boy. A woman that looked to be the boy’s mother stood at his side with an arm draped over the child’s shoulder. Kaz leaned in while speaking to him. A moment later, he handed him a sword. The commander rose and took the woman’s hand. He placed a pouch into it. Elyse saw the woman’s eyes widen as she shook her head and tried to pull away. Kaz held her firm and said something that caused her to weep. After a few more words, the woman kissed Kaz innocently on the cheek and walked off with the boy.
    Elyse came upon Kaz while he watched them leave through the gate of the training yard.
    “Is everything alright?” she asked.
    Kaz turned and bowed. Straightening, he nodded. “Yes. Fine. I was just about to make my rounds,” he said, quickly changing the subject and walking ahead of her.
    Before Elyse could press him, Kaz began talking about Yanasi’s archers as they passed the castle’s range. The young mercenary woman drilled her soldiers with admirable proficiency.
    Elyse decided to drop her questions about the mysterious encounter for now. “It still amazes me how far they’ve come,” she said as another flight of arrows hit their targets.
    “Yanasi pushes them hard.”
    “And none resent being commanded by a woman?”
    “Many did at first. But in time she earned their respect and trust. Now it’s as if being commanded by her is a badge of honor. The last man from another division to say something cross about Yanasi had an arrow in his backside before he finished his sentence.”
    Perhaps I should learn the bow then, she mused.
    As they continued on, Elyse heard heavy footsteps and