Page 158 (1/2)

A trio of vordknights ca in frohts Aeris on the roof didn't redirect their windstrea the First Lady and taking her down to the stone of the roof with as much speed and as little har her body, as the swords of Araris, Aldrick, and half a dozen Windwolves leapt clear of their scabbards

Bits and pieces of vordknight, divided in perfectly neat lines, scattered to the roof around them

Fidelias lowered his voice for Isana's ears alone, and said, "My lady We cannot hold the position We do not have much time Do you understand?"

Isana's eyes were a little wide, but her expression was controlled She took in a deep breath as Fidelias rose and Araris helped her up

"Captain Aldrick," she said

Aldrick gave a slight bow of his head, "My lady?"

"This Legion is short of their cohts I wish you to deploy yourfor awind coaches and the vord outside the steadholt, respectively

The fingers of his right hand, his sword hand, flexed slowly, as though being loosened up for action Fidelias had a flash of insight Though Aldrick ht be a mercenary, he wasn't inhuman None of the their world without realizing that there was no way to reht You could only decide whether to make a stand beside your fellow Alerans - or delay theuntil you faced the vord alone

"Say yes," Odiana said, her lovely eyes eerily bright "Oh, say yes,to see you kill vord"

The lanced over his shoulder at Odiana, then turned to Isana with a second bow of his head "Aye, h the reement

Aldrick stepped forward to overlook the battle below, and Araris ith hirunted "Earthworks?"

Araris nodded "Little elevation willdifference"

"Odiana," Aldrick said

She was still hanging on to his belt "Who?"

"Antillar and his brother We need them"

The wo?" Fidelias asked

"Wake up your sleepers," Aldrick replied

Fidelias shook his head "You can't watercraft someone back to consciousness"

"She can"