Aaden bit back his feelings and proceeded to tell the entire tale to Mara in one long breath, trying to get out everything as fast as he could.Aaden bit back his feelings and proceeded to tell the entire tale to Mara in one long breath, trying to get out everything as fast as he could. The voice that came over next was masculine and soothing, and he relaxed when he realized it was Captain Gregor. "M'Lord, that is some tale. You have the Sazknife in your possession?" "I do not, Gregor. I have left it with the lady; it is her burden. "Now one we share. The Luccas have had a pogrom." A chill crept up Aaden's spine. "They burned a farmhouse on the edge of the Alliance territory. Seven dead. Although they burned, Mara tells me that the family was tortured before death. They did not 'touch' the family, however." "Luccas," Aaden hissed. "What was the family?" "Centaurs, M'Lord." Aaden closed his eyes in pain, visions of young Lerea, a handsome boy-stallion who lived with his family at Degranni searing in his head. "Gregor, a reward for whoever knows of the animals that did this, and where they might be found." "Aye, M'Lord. I have news that would interest you as well." "Such as?" "I shall bring it to you personally. Tomorrow, at noon." "We are three days from Degranni, Gregor. How do you propose to deliver it personally?" "That shall be the news, M'Lord. Speed has come to Degranni." The dawn spread slowly over the land, and Kitty awoke to the sounds of fighting. Looking up she saw two of Aaden's men practicing in a corner of the field, striking at each other with swords made of wood. She turned over to see Sergeant Ahamo peering at her with a slight smile in his face. "So, you're awake?" he asked. Kitty nodded. "Here, Lord Aaden told me to feed you when you awoke. It's not sweet, but it will fill you." Kitty nodded and took the bowl from Ahamo. It was a thick, almost pasty gruel, and she downed it quickly, thinking to herself that it tasted vaguely like a combination of Elmer's glue and wet cardboard. |