Read Online Kingsteel (The Dragonkin Trilogy Book 3) by Michael Meyerhofer - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Michael Meyerhofer
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“I wouldn’t put much stock in the military prowess of an Ivairian.”
Still, the Lancers had shed and spilled more blood fighting the Dhargots than the Knights had.“Either way, according to the last report, the Dhargots outnumber us by hundreds to one.”
Crovis shrugged. “Skill counts more than numbers. Besides, even the Dhargots would never be so daft as to incur the wrath of the Lotus Isles when they’re already in the middle of a war.”
Aeko shivered as a sudden gust of wind blew a smattering of snowflakes between them. Crovis had said the same about Fadarah’s army—right before the Shel’ai laid siege to Lyos.“I am privileged to have your expertise on this campaign—if campaign is the right word.”
Crovis reached back and smoothed his dark braid with sun-weathered fingers. “As fine a synonym for fools’ errand as any, I suppose.”
Aeko decided to let that go. She eyed the horizon again, still half fearing that she might see the ghastly banners of the Bloody Prince thundering down on them. To her relief, the hours wore on without incident. By sundown, hungry and tired with frayed nerves, she called a halt.
Immediately, the Knights went to work, glumly going about tasks that would have otherwise been delegated to the squires. Some set up tents while others tended horses. Still others dug a trench all around the camp, while still more Knights fortified the trench with sharpened stakes. By the time they were finished, the tents had been erected, fires built, and a meager meal of rice and vegetables. The Knights ate in silence, still armored, swords close at hand. There was lotus wine, but even the most aggravated Knights knew better than to get drunk amid the possibility of battle.
Aeko made her way through the camp, letting all the Knights see her. She was careful to avoid appearing too friendly, lest they think she was desperate for their approval. She even scolded a Knight of the Crane for staring too long into his campfire, as that could hamper his night vision in the event of an attack. She had considered banning campfires altogether, but she knew the Dhargots were likely aware of their presence already. She stationed more sentries than usual and even sent a handful of Knights to patrol a half mile beyond the camp.
Not that a bit of advance notice will mean much difference if the Bloody Prince decides to march in force.
She had nearly completed her second walk through the camp when she spotted Crovis stalking toward her, his face taut. She interpreted his expression and hurried to meet him, one hand straying for her sword hilt.
“Lady Shingawa, I have been looking for you—”
“What’s wrong?”
“A lone Dhargothi ambassador just arrived at the perimeter. He has requested the honor of addressing the leader of this company.”
Aeko caught the subtle rebuke. “You say he came alone?”
Crovis nodded. “No bodyguards. Just one haughty bastard in silk.”
For one rare moment, Aeko almost liked her rival. “Lead the way, Sir Ammerhel. Best not keep the haughty bastard waiting.”
To Aeko’s surprise, Crovis had already shown the ambassador to her tent. A newly minted Knight of the Crane who had been tasked with acting as her servant had given the man wine and a chair but otherwise loomed over him with arms crossed.
Aeko sized up the Dhargot. He was middle aged and short but thickly built. Like nearly all the Dhargothi men she had ever seen, he had a shaved head, painted eyes, and a braided goatee. He was armed with a matching dagger and shortsword, both inlaid with black pearls in the pommels. He wore scale armor and black silk, plus a ghastly necklace of human ears: trophies from enemies he’d killed.
Aeko counted six ears and smirked to conceal her revulsion. Rumor had it that Karhaati, the Bloody Prince, wore forty-seven ears—though if that had been true, Aeko figured he’d added a few pairs since then. She cleared her throat.
The Dhargothi ambassador turned, looked at
Still, the Lancers had shed and spilled more blood fighting the Dhargots than the Knights had.“Either way, according to the last report, the Dhargots outnumber us by hundreds to one.”
Crovis shrugged. “Skill counts more than numbers. Besides, even the Dhargots would never be so daft as to incur the wrath of the Lotus Isles when they’re already in the middle of a war.”
Aeko shivered as a sudden gust of wind blew a smattering of snowflakes between them. Crovis had said the same about Fadarah’s army—right before the Shel’ai laid siege to Lyos.“I am privileged to have your expertise on this campaign—if campaign is the right word.”
Crovis reached back and smoothed his dark braid with sun-weathered fingers. “As fine a synonym for fools’ errand as any, I suppose.”
Aeko decided to let that go. She eyed the horizon again, still half fearing that she might see the ghastly banners of the Bloody Prince thundering down on them. To her relief, the hours wore on without incident. By sundown, hungry and tired with frayed nerves, she called a halt.
Immediately, the Knights went to work, glumly going about tasks that would have otherwise been delegated to the squires. Some set up tents while others tended horses. Still others dug a trench all around the camp, while still more Knights fortified the trench with sharpened stakes. By the time they were finished, the tents had been erected, fires built, and a meager meal of rice and vegetables. The Knights ate in silence, still armored, swords close at hand. There was lotus wine, but even the most aggravated Knights knew better than to get drunk amid the possibility of battle.
Aeko made her way through the camp, letting all the Knights see her. She was careful to avoid appearing too friendly, lest they think she was desperate for their approval. She even scolded a Knight of the Crane for staring too long into his campfire, as that could hamper his night vision in the event of an attack. She had considered banning campfires altogether, but she knew the Dhargots were likely aware of their presence already. She stationed more sentries than usual and even sent a handful of Knights to patrol a half mile beyond the camp.
Not that a bit of advance notice will mean much difference if the Bloody Prince decides to march in force.
She had nearly completed her second walk through the camp when she spotted Crovis stalking toward her, his face taut. She interpreted his expression and hurried to meet him, one hand straying for her sword hilt.
“Lady Shingawa, I have been looking for you—”
“What’s wrong?”
“A lone Dhargothi ambassador just arrived at the perimeter. He has requested the honor of addressing the leader of this company.”
Aeko caught the subtle rebuke. “You say he came alone?”
Crovis nodded. “No bodyguards. Just one haughty bastard in silk.”
For one rare moment, Aeko almost liked her rival. “Lead the way, Sir Ammerhel. Best not keep the haughty bastard waiting.”
To Aeko’s surprise, Crovis had already shown the ambassador to her tent. A newly minted Knight of the Crane who had been tasked with acting as her servant had given the man wine and a chair but otherwise loomed over him with arms crossed.
Aeko sized up the Dhargot. He was middle aged and short but thickly built. Like nearly all the Dhargothi men she had ever seen, he had a shaved head, painted eyes, and a braided goatee. He was armed with a matching dagger and shortsword, both inlaid with black pearls in the pommels. He wore scale armor and black silk, plus a ghastly necklace of human ears: trophies from enemies he’d killed.
Aeko counted six ears and smirked to conceal her revulsion. Rumor had it that Karhaati, the Bloody Prince, wore forty-seven ears—though if that had been true, Aeko figured he’d added a few pairs since then. She cleared her throat.
The Dhargothi ambassador turned, looked at
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