The Mercenary's Marriage Read Online Free PDF Page B

four or more hours at a time. The
king's needs vary and he sends for me when he needs me. I travel
when the king travels, unless he wishes for me to be protecting
someone or something else.”
    “Like the queen?”
    He nodded. “Like the queen or one of the
princes.”
    They rode in silence for a while. Brice's
head kept dropping forward and the curls escaping her braid would
fall into her face. Jerking herself awake, she would suddenly
straighten and push them out of her face again. After a
particularly sudden movement from Brice, their horse snorted a
complaint and sped up briefly.
    “You really should lean back against me,
Brice,” Darius pointed out. “Next time, he might bolt. I promise I
will not let you slip.”
    At first, Brice continued to sit poker
straight and face forward as though she had not heard him. Then,
slowly her shoulders lowered and reluctantly she responded, “Very
well.”
    Allowing his arm to pull her closer, she
leaned back against him. Bringing his shoulders forward and
tightening his grip, Darius fitted her smaller frame against his.
Drawing his cloak about them, he almost hid her from view. “Sleep
easy,” he murmured, although he suspected from the relaxed way she
sank against him, she was already almost asleep.
    What have I gotten myself into? He
wondered as he caught the King's amused glance their way.
     
    “We can send out messengers,” Arcan, King
Jenran’s chief advisor, announced his solution to the group. They
were gathered in King Jenran’s tent after a long day of travel.
Darius stood at attention at his post to Jenran’s left. To the
king’s right stood Darius’ friend, Ewian. Gathered around them were
the highest-ranking men in their army. General Trinight frowned at
Arcan.
    “Even if we sent men yesterday, the Lords
would not have sufficient time to send help for our arrival at
Kiylin.” The General gestured toward Trenar, the chief of the
King’s intelligence and declared, “I vote we use those men to scout
out ahead. I would like to know what we are walking into. That way
we can strategize our assault, if necessary. It will increase our
chances of success. If Kiylin is indeed under rebel control, we
will need the best strategy we can develop.”
    “First, we need to know how widespread this
rebellion is.” Lord Tiren pointed out as he rose to his feet. “We
do not know if Micrey received support or rejection from those
stops he made on his way from Kiylin to his vargar. If he received
support, Kiylin is the least of our worries, for we will have to
find an ally and gather forces for defense of the King. If Micrey
received a cool reception, we can focus our efforts on Kiylin and
plan accordingly.”
    “So,” Arcan said as he looked over at the
General. “We are back to sending messengers.”
    “No.” Trenar’s voice cut across Arcan’s with
a tone of authority. “We know that Micrey received very cold
greetings from all but one of the lords he sought.” Then, he fell
silent.
    “And…” Arcan prompted.
    “The king has already been informed and the
traitor will be dealt with.” Trenar glanced at the King and
received a nod in return. The room fell silent. “As to the current
situation, I would advise that we send a scout ahead to Kiylin to
assess what awaits us there. Meanwhile, the army should follow at
the fastest pace possible. My quickest man should be able to make
the trip there and back in three days.”
    “Then that is what we will do.” The King
announced his decision before any could comment more. “You may
leave me,” he said standing to his feet. Then he turned to Darius
and Ewian. “You both come with me.”
    Darius and Ewian followed him through the
flap into his sleeping area. A meal lay on a low table and the king
seated himself at the end. Motioning for them to stand before him,
he leaned forward with a frown. “I am not content with waiting. The
Queen was not in the best of health when we left Kiylin and I am
eager to hear