respect and admiration for what you do.”
Aminda and Lilalian looked at each other and shifted in their seats. “We appreciate the spirit in which you offer these gifts,” Aminda said, “but I’m afraid we cannot accept. The Viragon Sisterhood has a strict rule prohibiting adornment. We believe that vanity undermines the warrior spirit.”
Brodas put on a disappointed frown. “These are not gifts of adornment but of protection. In fact, they should be worn underneath the clothing, not outside it. Consider them part of your armor.”
Lilalian turned to Aminda and said softly, “Such an amulet might have saved Riina and Hathien from the Renegade.”
Aminda gave him a polite smile, and both women took the offered amulets with thanks. Lilalian slipped the chain over her head and caressed the deep black stone against her skin. Aminda hesitated. At first, Brodas thought he might have to coax her, but after a short pause, she hooked the chain behind her neck. They were like whores, selling themselves for the price of a mere trinket.
The servant began bringing in plates of food: lamb and duck, potatoes and bread, beans and stewed tomatoes. The two swordswomen wasted no time digging into their meals. These were not dainty women who pushed more food around their plates than they swallowed. They ate with the same fervor as the men of their ranks. While Brodas was taken aback by their lack of modesty in shoveling food into their mouths, Warrick apparently enjoyed it. He couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off Lilalian.
Her blonde hair hung in a long braid behind her head, but a few strands in front that had worked themselves loose found their way into her mouth with a bite of food. She pulled them back out with her little finger and tucked them behind her ear. With hands that looked calloused and scarred, she reached for her wine glass, gripping it more as she would a tankard of ale than fine crystal. Tossing her head back, she downed at least a half dozen civilized sips in one swallow.
Warrick smiled at that. Perhaps he found her as amusing as Brodas found her disgusting.
Aminda’s manners were not quite so barbaric. While she did not clench the fork in her fist the way Lilalian did, she did not have the refined elegance of a lady either. At least she had the decency to swallow one mouthful before opening her mouth for the next.
They made light conversation during the meal, but Brodas imagined Aminda shared his eagerness to get to business. Once the food and plates were cleared away, and another bottle of wine brought and poured, he set his napkin on the table.
“Now then. I’m sure you’re wondering why I invited the two of you to dine with us today. While Warrick and I always appreciate the company of ladies as lovely as you both are--“ Lilalian’s brows dipped. “--there’s a purpose for your visit. I am in need of an army, and yours is the largest guild of battlers in the realm. I’ve seen your women train, I’ve seen them in the wilds, and I know that your battlers are as tough, as clever, and as dedicated as any group of men.”
Aminda inclined her head. “What need have you of an army?”
Brodas settled back in his chair. “To defend my right to rule Thendylath,” he said, and raised his wineglass to drink. Over its lip, he watched her face. Yes, she was surprised. And she was interested.
“You’re the one solving the King’s Runes?” she asked in a low voice.
“No need for secrecy. No one in this manor doubts my fitness for the throne.”
Aminda smiled. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“No, I have not solved the runes,” he said, “but Thendylath has long suffered without the benefit of a ruler and has fallen into chaos. Our children beg in the streets for their meals, our land’s overrun with abominations from the basest of the seven realms, and our cities have crumbled into desolate wastelands. We have a crisis of the utmost magnitude, and it’ll take a person of spiritual
Aminda and Lilalian looked at each other and shifted in their seats. “We appreciate the spirit in which you offer these gifts,” Aminda said, “but I’m afraid we cannot accept. The Viragon Sisterhood has a strict rule prohibiting adornment. We believe that vanity undermines the warrior spirit.”
Brodas put on a disappointed frown. “These are not gifts of adornment but of protection. In fact, they should be worn underneath the clothing, not outside it. Consider them part of your armor.”
Lilalian turned to Aminda and said softly, “Such an amulet might have saved Riina and Hathien from the Renegade.”
Aminda gave him a polite smile, and both women took the offered amulets with thanks. Lilalian slipped the chain over her head and caressed the deep black stone against her skin. Aminda hesitated. At first, Brodas thought he might have to coax her, but after a short pause, she hooked the chain behind her neck. They were like whores, selling themselves for the price of a mere trinket.
The servant began bringing in plates of food: lamb and duck, potatoes and bread, beans and stewed tomatoes. The two swordswomen wasted no time digging into their meals. These were not dainty women who pushed more food around their plates than they swallowed. They ate with the same fervor as the men of their ranks. While Brodas was taken aback by their lack of modesty in shoveling food into their mouths, Warrick apparently enjoyed it. He couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off Lilalian.
Her blonde hair hung in a long braid behind her head, but a few strands in front that had worked themselves loose found their way into her mouth with a bite of food. She pulled them back out with her little finger and tucked them behind her ear. With hands that looked calloused and scarred, she reached for her wine glass, gripping it more as she would a tankard of ale than fine crystal. Tossing her head back, she downed at least a half dozen civilized sips in one swallow.
Warrick smiled at that. Perhaps he found her as amusing as Brodas found her disgusting.
Aminda’s manners were not quite so barbaric. While she did not clench the fork in her fist the way Lilalian did, she did not have the refined elegance of a lady either. At least she had the decency to swallow one mouthful before opening her mouth for the next.
They made light conversation during the meal, but Brodas imagined Aminda shared his eagerness to get to business. Once the food and plates were cleared away, and another bottle of wine brought and poured, he set his napkin on the table.
“Now then. I’m sure you’re wondering why I invited the two of you to dine with us today. While Warrick and I always appreciate the company of ladies as lovely as you both are--“ Lilalian’s brows dipped. “--there’s a purpose for your visit. I am in need of an army, and yours is the largest guild of battlers in the realm. I’ve seen your women train, I’ve seen them in the wilds, and I know that your battlers are as tough, as clever, and as dedicated as any group of men.”
Aminda inclined her head. “What need have you of an army?”
Brodas settled back in his chair. “To defend my right to rule Thendylath,” he said, and raised his wineglass to drink. Over its lip, he watched her face. Yes, she was surprised. And she was interested.
“You’re the one solving the King’s Runes?” she asked in a low voice.
“No need for secrecy. No one in this manor doubts my fitness for the throne.”
Aminda smiled. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“No, I have not solved the runes,” he said, “but Thendylath has long suffered without the benefit of a ruler and has fallen into chaos. Our children beg in the streets for their meals, our land’s overrun with abominations from the basest of the seven realms, and our cities have crumbled into desolate wastelands. We have a crisis of the utmost magnitude, and it’ll take a person of spiritual
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