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“Well,” Iltis cohness” Lyrna turned at Murel’s soft but insistent call, seeing her point to so to the north, another dust cloud on the far bank of the river Lyrna trained the spyglass on the base of the cloud, discerning a allop

“Cavalry,” shetheir armour was red instead of the usual Volarian black Also it was a sizeable force, over five thousand by her reckoning The E Brother Frentis’s description from one of his dream visions Why not send them with her army?

“The river’s too deep to ford for miles around,” Benten said “Even if they have boats, the battle will be over before they canThe archers will cut them to pieces”

Lyrna felt a certain unease build in her breast as the red-ar more clear as they neared She had expected an atte they had somedirectly towards the teuards did Count Marven leave us?” she asked Iltis

“Two regiers”

Lyrnadown at the temple below Lord Nortah had clearly spotted the horse his own co her scrutiny he looked up, gesturing at the onrushing cavalry with a baffled shrug Why would they charge just to mill about on the other side of the river? The river

She trained the spyglass on the fast-rushing current, seeing only churning water, grey with silt It hen she lowered the spyglass that she noticed soinally faster as it neared the te under the water,” she whispered, knowing it was far too late

The lead coed into the river without pause, their horses sinking noit an instant white as they continued their charge Before Iltis grabbed her hand to drag her to the stairwell she had a gli s at the re volley from Lord Nortah’s archers

• • •

Davoka waited at the bottori in white-faced i in the techallenge of those still fighting and the laughter of thefroers, a hulking fellow heaving an axe, shouting in rage with every blow as his red-armoured opponent danced aside and slashed repeated and precise cuts into his face Beyond the combat and steel, Lord Nortah just visible a one of the Daggers to his feet, voice raised as he attempted to assemble a defensive formation Despite his skill, Lyrna could see his survival owed much to Snowdance, the war-cat a blur of claws and teeth as she took down one enemy after another, apparently numb to the wounds they slashed into her sides

“Weforward

“NO!” The Lord Protector’s considerable fist closed over her ared away

“Lord Nortah!” she protested, trying to wrestle free

“Will die here defending you, Highness” Iltis pushed her against a wall as an Arisai appeared froh as he thrust at the Lord Protector with a narrow-bladed sword Iltis twisted aside, the Arisai’s blade tip shattering on the stone, though he still retained enough steel to parry Iltis’s overhead counterblow, but insufficient speed to dodge Davoka’s spear thrust to the groin Iltis shoved the corpse aside and took hold of Lyrna’s are of the caer”