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Cardo shrugged. Oth be thanked, not against Nold.
Troubled, Dain squinted at the crackling fire. He knew Mun-cel had taken
Gavril and Pheresa hostage before handing over their church soldiers and
priests to Gant. Small wonder even a man as peace-loving as King Verence had
been provoked to war.
Of course, Verence s ire was all to Dain s advantage. Perhaps he would be able
to join forces with the Mandrian king against Muncel.
It was time to fight, Dain told himself with resolve. Ever since the night
he d walked the Field of Skulls, he d felt a growing sense of urgency. The
only reason he was not already on his road was Thum, who d needed more time
for mending than Dain had anticipated. He would not leave his friend behind.
Aye, war, Cardo repeated gloomily, sipping from his cup. His square face,
leathered and wrinkled
like a piece of dried-out wood, was thrown partially into shadow by the
firelight. I hear the rebels are rising again in Nether. Sanfor s family have
talked of nothing but that since they first arrived for this gathering.
They ve been delivering goods to Count Votnikt s hold for years, but this time
there were king s soldiers crawling everywhere, ready to think Sanfor a spy
for the rebels. Dain half-smiled. Isn t he?
Aye, of course! Cardo replied with a hearty laugh. He s built up a great
treasure for his burrow over the years, trading information for gold.
Tis late in the year for armies to march, Dain remarked.
It s fight or let Gant rule us all, Cardo said. I will share a secret with
you, because once you were
Jorb s boy. This week, the clan elders have discussed uniting all the dwarf
clans together to keep Nold strong against Gant. We fear those devils will
turn against us too. Our sages warn us of terrible trouble in the future.
Take heed of such warnings, Dain said, his voice low and serious. The Chief
Believer means to consume every kingdom he can. He would have used me for the
purpose, had I not escaped.
The gods were kind to you.
Aye, Dain said worriedly, but I fear that in my flight, I have provoked the
Gantese into full-scale war.
Cardo shrugged. If there must be war, then let it be fought with hearts brave
and true. And let it be fought hard and fierce, with no holding back.
Aye, Dain agreed with a nod. No holding back.
Now he stood outside Alexeika s tent in the crisp morning air, blowing on his
hands to keep them warm, and wished she would hurry. There was much to be done
before they could leave. He was anxious to get at it.
Maug, the yellow-eyed dwarf who d first brought Alexeika and Thum here from
the river, came by with a bundle on his shoulder. He squinted up at Dain. You
will not wait one more day and share the final ceremonies? he asked in his
gruff way.
Dain shook his head. I respect them, but they are not for me.
Maug grunted in satisfaction. You understand our ways well.
Have you brought it? Dain asked.
Maug shifted the bundle off his shoulder and held it in his arms as though it
was heavy. All here. My brother thanks you for the purchase, but he says the
sizing
Never mind that, Dain broke in impatiently. He handed Maug the gold pieces
they d agreed on earlier in sharp bargaining, and shook the tent flap.
Alexeika, come! Hurry!
The flap twitched aside, and she stepped out. Garbed in her red mail hauberk,
she wore her hair braided for battle. From head to toe, she was clean and
polished. Even the tears in her cloak had been mended, and Dain could smell
the honing oil she d used on her sword and daggers. He d seen her yesterday
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bargaining for whetstone and oil from one of the swordmak-ers. Apparently
she d been able to strike a deal, and she must have been up half the night
taking care of her gear. The dark smudges beneath her stormy eyes confirmed
his guess.
With a smile of greeting, Dain gestured for her to take the bundle from Maug.
When she did so, she looked startled by its weight.
Too heavy? Dain asked.
At once her head snapped up, and her mouth tightened with determination. Nay,
sire.
Amused, he let her shoulder the burden and led her across the camp to one of
the forges. The sun had not yet risen above the treetops. Light filtered into
the clearing in lateral beams, dancing golden among the pines. The air was
very cold and still, with scents of the forest overlaying the smells of the
camp.
Old memories of dwarf mead, of burrows fragrant with soil, moss, and live wood
filled Dain s mind.
His childhood had been secure and happy, busy with chores, and always marked
by the steady plinking of Jorb s hammer in the background.
Stopping at one of the portable forges now, its fire still banked in ashes,
and the anvil cold and idle at present, Dain glanced back at Alexeika as she
trudged up beside him. She was puffing a little with
exertion, her breath misting white. Puzzlement filled her eyes, but Dain only
smiled and swung around to face the dwarf who appeared.
A well morn to you, he said cheerfully.
This dwarf looked secretive and unfriendly, the way many of the armorers were.
Dwelling too much with fire and metal, they sometimes lost the ease of dealing
with other folk.
You pay, he said sharply.
You hand over the goods, Dain replied with equal sharpness.
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