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.This makes what I have to tell you so much more exquisite. Hisgrin grew wider. Whatever the folly of youth once wrought, your love of my sister isunrequited, exile.While you spent your lovelorn seed on memories of the past, she hasspent the intervening time sharing her bed with another man.Arrin felt his heart still within his chest, the calm of the grave.He looked to Maltis inhopes of seeing denial in the warrior s eyes, but the commander lowered his face tostare at the stone floor.The strength drained from Arrin as though it were blood froman open wound.He looked to the prince to see the satisfaction painted in broad strokesacross his face.His advisor s expression mirrored that of Olenn.He spoke the truth.Tears filled Arrin s eyes, but he said nothing.The prince needed no encouragement to continue.His words cut deeper than thewhip. She has been wed for nearly thirteen summers, my sister.It was a beautifulceremony.All of Lathah turned out to watch the lovely couple exchange their marriage105Tim Marquitzvows before the royal court and the goddess Ree herself. Olenn s stare felt like daggerspiercing Arrin s skull. Malya has been so truly blessed since you ve been gone, Arrin;blessed twice, in fact.The words settled in Arrin s ears like pebbles dropped into a well, their meaningsinking ever deeper until they struck the murky bottom.His stomach roiled with thenews, a storm of sickness and betrayal threatening to break.The blade embedded, Olenn sunk it to the hilt. She has two sons with her husband,ages twelve and nine; Argos and Kylle.Handsome lads, the both of them.Willful andindependent as their mother once was, before she wed a true man worthy of her hand.They ll make fine kings one day, much like their uncle.Arrin s tears ran free, warming trails down his cheeks.The prince climbed the dais and dropped down lightly upon the throne, retrievinghis goblet. When I first heard you had returned, Arrin, I had intended to take yourhead.I d envisioned posting it upon the outer wall for all the people of Lathah to see, amessage to those who might dare to defy my will.However, I see that killing you nowwould be a kindness I just can t bring myself to offer. Olenn downed his wine in asingle gulp, his red-stained lips forming a smile as he pulled the cup away and lookedto his guard. Escort the exile to the gates and cast him out into the night once more.Letthe truth be his punishment.The men sheathed their blades and clasped Arrin s arms tight. Return to my kingdom again, whatever your cause, I promise you the sorrow youfeel now will be but a pale shade of the torment I will inflict upon you and those youcare for. He cast his gaze to Commander Maltis. Feel free to join your old sword-companion on his final walk through the streets of Lathah.Oh, and be sure to informme should the Grol come to call.I would see their magic with my own eyes. He wavedhis men away with a laugh.Arrin went with them without complaint.Though he no longer had any reason tocomply, Olenn unwittingly freeing him from the binds that had held his fury in check,he could find no will to resist.106Tim MarquitzAs he was led through the grand archway and back out into the quiet Lathahn night,Arrin could think only of Malya and the bitter sting of Olenn s words.She had waitedbut two years before wedding another.Though it sickened him, Arrin could almost excuse her marriage, the politics of courta difficult taskmaster, especially given her situation after their relationship had beendiscovered.But for her to have borne the man two sons, one so soon after their binding,spoke of her feelings for her husband.Willful and determined, Malya had done verylittle in her life she did not agree with, and only at her father s insistent urging, neverOlenn s.She would not have a family forced upon her as though she were somebroodmare.Her brother had spoken true.The words were a killing blow.Arrin stumbled at the thought, the men catching him before he struck the ground.Maltis shouldered the soldiers out of the way with a growl and latched his arm aboutArrin s waist. Come, brother.If this must be your last night within the walls of your homeland, letit be a friend who sees you to the gate.107Tim MarquitzChapter FourteenThe dark forest seemed to part before the Sha ree as Cael followed in their wake.Beasts growled in the distance, piercing shrieks whipping by overhead, just beyond theglow of the crystal orb he held.Though he could see the glowing red and yellowed eyesof creatures that lurked within the shadows, they kept their distance.Be it through fearof the light Cael carried or the presence of the mystical pair, he didn t know, but he wasgrateful nevertheless.The Sha ree said little to him as they walked without sound through the wild trees,though they cast regular glances at him over their shoulder to ensure he was still therewith them.They stayed a distance away, not too far, yet never too close [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]