The Wind and the Void Read Online Free PDF

I’ve received no reply. There is a blizzard in the pass threatening to close it early. I fear we may not hear what happened to the First.”
    There was commotion outside Akira’s command tent. A messenger entered.
    “The First has emerged from the pass, my lord. News just came from riders, still covered in snow. They barely made it through.”
    Akira’s initial reaction was one of joy. It would be good to see Toro again. But the news also meant the pass would be undefended for the first time in over sixty cycles. Akira feared what the next spring would bring.
    The messenger continued. “There are letters from General Toro, my lord. He did not come through the pass with the First.”
    Akira’s heart sank. He grabbed the letters from the messenger and dismissed him. Makoto and Mashiro watched in silence as Akira read the letters. He scanned them quickly and threw them to the ground in anger.
    “That honorable fool!”
    Silence settled over the small group as Akira raged. It was Makoto, the soft-spoken giant, who asked, “What happened, my lord?”
    “He stayed behind with a few hundred soldiers to defend the retreat of the First. He knew they couldn’t hold the fort against the Azarians. They were getting picked off one at a time by hunters. He sent the First back so they could better defend the kingdom, but he stayed behind, even though I asked him to return.”
    No one spoke, honoring Toro’s memory with silence. He had been one of their best: experienced, thoughtful and strong.
    Akira straightened. “I’m going to need some time. Would you two ensure the First is given the same orders as the Second and the Third? Give them time to go home and rest. They will be needed soon enough. Find out how solid their command structure is. I’ll want recommendations for commanders in front of me before the treaty is signed.”
    The two generals bowed low and left the tent. Akira scooped up the letters he had thrown down and organized them neatly. He wanted to throw them in the flames, but they were the last words from a man who was as close to a friend as a lord could have. He couldn’t bring himself to destroy them. Instead, he sat down and started reading them again, carefully, savoring every word. His eyes blurred with tears, but he wiped them away and kept reading.
     
    Akira sat in the tent next to his own, looking down at one of the most beautiful women he had ever met. Today all he could see was her back, but even so, he still found her lovely. Her back was bare except for the makeshift bandages covering the deep cut that went across her spine and the back of her arm. Not only had the cut paralyzed her, it had also gotten infected. Several times a day Akira’s best healers came in and cared for her, but still he wasn’t sure if she would live or not. It had been almost a half moon since the attack, and still she clung tenuously to life.
    Rei stirred slightly, and Akira knew she was awake.
    “How do you feel?”
    Rei turned her head to look at him. She grimaced at the pain the movement caused, but she didn’t cry out. She was strong, although her voice was soft.
    “I’ve had better days.”
    Akira smiled despite himself. Even in incredible pain, she still kept her attitude. He was humbled.
    His thoughts were interrupted by her question. “How is your day going?”
    “I’ve had better days.”
    She laughed and then sucked in her breath. “Oh, that hurts.”
    Akira continued, trying to distract her. “Tomorrow Tanak and I sign the treaty to join our two kingdoms. I know it is the right thing to do, but still the action pains me. It is a bitter task to give up my throne.”
    “Perhaps, but it is the only thing you can do to save your people.”
    A silence settled in the room. Akira had come here with purpose, but now that the moment was at hand, he found himself nervous.
    “And what about you? What do you want to do next?”
    Rei sighed. “I’m not sure. I miss my home, but I can’t think of any way to