Vitiosi Dei (Heritage of the Blood Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

being.”
                  “So what do we do now?” Ashur asked, returning to his seat.
                  “We rebuild. We recruit and train as many men and women as we can. We prepare for a war like we have never fought before, or we might not walk away from this one, which is why we need the best men and women leading us," Cantel said. "Nim, I need you to come out of retirement and take over your office again. I would give you a promotion, but I don't think Elyse would be keen on a demotion, even for you, nor would Adrian. I know you don't want...”
                  Nim's hand had slipped into the pocket where he kept a note that he had been given before all of this began as Stewart had been speaking. “Ok.”
                  “... to be a General again, but I think it’s for the best.” It took a moment for the High Commander to realize that Nim had already agreed, but when it finally dawned on him, his eyes widened in shock. “Ok? Just like that? I'm not going to have to give you the treasury, one of the princesses, or anything like that to get you to come back?”
                  Nim saw Ashur grinning in amusement at Stewart Cantel's surprise. Ashur knew about the letter that Victor had left Nim, and was in fact the only other person that had seen the entire note. He was obviously enjoying seeing Cantel so off balance.
                  “A wise friend of mine told me that I should accept new challenges when they arise,” Nim said, his hand running along the edge of the paper in his pocket.
                  “Well, in that case...” Stewart Cantel said as he turned towards Ashur. “How about you Major General?”
                  “Major General?” Ashur mouthed the words first, as if to check if he had heard correctly. “That's a two rank promotion. Are you sure you want me running a division?” As he said this his eyes glanced towards the wall, where the wagon wheel slowly rotated in the wind.
                  “There are few others that I would trust with one,” Cantel said, though he looked thoughtful for a moment as he followed Ashur's gaze.
                  “Well, I guess if Nim is going to accept, you have me on board as well.”
                  “For the moment, you will both be mainly utilized as instructors at the Institute, along with most of the senior staff. I need my best leaders teaching these people—we are going to need to push them to their limits.” Stewart said, the mantle of High Commander settling into place. “I would like you to come as well Dunnagan. You are one of the longest surviving campaigners that I know, and we could use a man like you. We could easily make you a Colonel.”
                  “Laddie, any other time and I would take ye up on that, but Field Marshall Bannis was wounded beyond healing and is no longer fit for combat.” Dunnagan looked up at his friends and sighed. “The Wardens have asked me to take over as Field Marshall.”
                  This was the first that Nim had heard anything about a change of ranks in the Wardens, so he became fully alert at his friend's words. Looking around the fire, he was glad to see that he wasn't the only one who had been taken by surprise by his friend’s announcement. Even Cypherious, who had been sitting quietly and unobtrusively, as was his way, allowed one of his eyebrows to rise in surprise—a rare showing of emotion from the young man.
                  “Well, congratulations!” Ashur said, clapping the old Dwarf on his back.
                  “I haven't accepted yet,” Dunnagan grumbled.
                  “But you will,” Nim said. A slight nod from his friend was the only confirmation he needed.
                  “Sounds like our other friend here,” Stewart Cantel said, turning to Cypherious, who squirmed