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'That's soet HerPius' adopted daughter They're meant to be enemies It doesn't eant pinched his nose and snorted 'Nothing in this sodding island makes sense What you have to rees are out there and there's only ten thousand of us One false et they don't like one anotherthey'll unite and turn on us'

'One of the village girls told ether'

'What?You've been talking to the village girls?'

'Yes, Sarge 'She said that after they'd done it the princess put a big purple '

The sergeant tapped his arly

'What's your name then?'

'Alvero'

'Well, Alvero ence what you've just told on'

The sergeant's attention returned to the procession

'Prepare to receive the royal party'

He barked an order and the soldiers placed their hands on their chests and stood rigidly with their shields to the side Orders required the directly ahead Alvero found that difficult

In an open carriage, beside King Pius, there was a irls in his hoe, far to the south Her hair was dark and so were her eyes All his ate and she looked up Their eyes met Alvero smiled and, to his amazement, Adrina smiled back

In the main square of Gorm, in front of the Great Hall, threePius was flanked by white-haired chieftains Grimwald, Grand Master of the Duideth, was accoon stood between the man was not comfortable in their presence He fiddled with the pommel of his sword and tried to make conversation with one of Pius' aristocratic coained a reputation as a great warrior in his younger days

Morgon felt at ease with the old soldier even though thedisliked was a way of life for Morgon What he could not abide was a confrontation eak-kneed individuals ielded power through words no one else could understand His inclination was to draw his sword and cut them down to size Unfortunately, that solution rarely achieved its desired aim