WINDWEEPER Read Online Free PDF

kept from him, Conar looked at Sentian Heil. He knew he had chosen wisely that day, long ago, when Sentian asked to join the troop leaving for Norus. He also knew Sentian was now his wife's Sentinel, her guardian, her helper in the magic she wielded.
    The young village man had become a leader, it seemed, and it was obvious the others now looked to him for guidance. Conar felt a great deal of pride in Heil. It wouldn't surprise him if Heil was voted second in command of the Elite behind Thom, since that position changed yearly.
    "See that our departure is made easy, my friend," Conar asked, laying a restraining hand on Sentian's shoulder.
    "Does Her Grace travel back with us, Your Majesty?" Sentian inquired, asking what was obviously on the mind of every Elite.
    Conar drew on every ounce of his strength to look his friend in the eye. He knew his men would view his answer as defeat; his face burnt with the humiliation. They were willing to fight for him, and even though circumstance forced him to deny them that right this day, he knew in his heart they would come back for his lady. "No, she does not, Sentian."
    Grice could have told him differently, but he saw the looks passing between Conar's men and he folded his arms over his chest, curious as to what would happen next.
    "If your lady does not leave these shores, Majesty, neither will we!" Storm Jale spoke up for all the men.
    Smiling grimly at his friends' words, Conar drew a deep breath, his heart filling with pride. "I appreciate what you are willing to do, all of you, but I have given my word we will cause no further trouble."
    "We didn't give our word!" Marsh shouted, his eyes blazing. "We will fight to the death, if need be. You have only to say the word, Commander."
    "She's our Princess!" Thom snapped. "Our lady goes home with us!"
    "Else we stay here," Marsh snarled. "Under Oceanian soil, if need be, but we'll take a few of these bastards with us! I'd give my life for her, Milord!"
    A lump formed in Conar's throat. "I am honored by your offer, but I gave my word for all of you. Would you shame me before these barbarians?"
    Grice threw Conar a challenging look, but remained silent. He was intrigued by the loyalty these men were showing his sister.
    "If it is your wish, given without duress, that we go to the ship, then we will. We would never do anything to shame you, Commander," Thom told him.
    "Then lay down your weapons and go with these men to the ship." Conar glanced at Grice. "You have His Grace's personal word that no harm will come to you."
    Grice nodded.
    "And do we have his word that no harm will be done to you ?" Sentian asked Conar.
    "He'll be on that ship with you," Grice replied. "I promise."
    "Unharmed?" Storm wanted clarified.
    "Unchained?" Thom added.
    Grice turned to the man he considered the leader. "Aye, Heil. Unharmed, unchained and unlikely to be of any further nuisance to me!"
    "Don't count on it," Sentian replied. His dark look glazed with ice. "If his lady doesn't go with us, expect plenty of nuisance."
    "He can expect more than nuisance!" Thom put in.
    "Don't talk to His Grace like that, you gods-ugly troll!" one of Grice's men snarled, taking a step toward Thom, although the Elite had at least fifty pounds and seven inches in height on him.
    "Rest easy, Kristoffer," Grice warned. "Insults are like maggots, they only hurt men who have open wounds." His furious glance went to Conar. "This fellow's toadies haven't even struck blood yet, let alone wounded me."
    "I'd say we struck plenty of blood when your man fell," Thom gloated.
    "Aye, and anymore blood you shed will see your ass swinging from the highest yardarm!" Petrov, Kristoffer's brother, growled.
    "Treat my men well, Wynth, or I promise you'll regret not doing so," Conar warned.
    Grice stared at him. "You are nine to my…what?…hundred or more in this keep? Don't threaten me, McGregor!"
    Conar's smile returned with a deadly sheen. "It wasn't a threat, Wynth; it was a promise."
    * *