AFEASTOFDRAGONS

(Book#3intheSorcerer’sRing)

MorganRice

AboutMorganRice

MorganRiceisthe#1BestsellingauthorofTHEVAMPIREJOURNALS,ayoung adult series comprising eight books,which has been translated into sixlanguages.Morgan is also author of the #1 Bestselling THE VAMPIRE LEGACY, a

youngadultseriescomprisingtwobooksandcounting.Morganisalsoauthorofthe#1BestsellingARENAONEandARENATWO,

the first two books in THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic actionthrillersetinthefuture.Morgan is also author of the #1 Bestselling epic fantasy series THE

SORCERER’SRING,comprisingthreebooksandcounting.Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit

www.morganricebooks.comtostayintouch.

SelectAcclaimforMorganRice

“Rice does a great job of pulling you into the story from the beginning,utilizing a great descriptive quality that transcends the mere painting of thesetting….Nicelywrittenandanextremelyfastread.”--BlackLagoonReviews(regardingTurned)

“An ideal story foryoung readers.MorganRicedidagood job spinninganinteresting twist…Refreshing and unique, has the classic elements found inmanyYoungAdultparanormalstories.Theseriesfocusesaroundonegirl…oneextraordinary girl!...Easy to read but extremely fast-paced....Recommended foranyonewholikestoreadsoftparanormalromances.RatedPG.”--TheRomanceReviews(regardingTurned)

“Grabbedmyattentionfromthebeginninganddidnotletgo….Thisstoryisan amazing adventure that is fast paced and action packed from the verybeginning.Thereisnotadullmomenttobefound.”--ParanormalRomanceGuild{regardingTurned}

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BooksbyMorganRice

THESORCERER’SRINGAQUESTOFHEROES(Book#1intheSorcerer’sRing)AMARCHOFKINGS(Book#2intheSorcerer’sRing)AFEASTOFDRAGONS(Book#3intheSorcerer’sRing)

THESURVIVALTRILOGYARENAONE:SLAVERSUNNERS(Book#1oftheSurvivalTrilogy)

ARENATWO(Book#2oftheSurvivalTrilogy)

THEVAMPIREJOURNALSTURNED(Book#1intheVampireJournals)LOVED(Book#2intheVampireJournals)

BETRAYED(Book#3intheVampireJournals)DESTINED(Book#4intheVampireJournals)DESIRED(Book#5intheVampireJournals)

BETROTHED(Book#6intheVampireJournals)VOWED(Book#7intheVampireJournals)FOUND(Book#8intheVampireJournals)

THEVAMPIRELEGACYRESURRECTED(Book#1oftheVampireLegacy)CRAVED(Book#2oftheVampireLegacy)

Copyright©2013byMorganRice

Allrightsreserved.ExceptaspermittedundertheU.S.CopyrightActof1976,nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,distributedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,or stored inadatabaseor retrieval system,without thepriorpermissionoftheauthor.

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Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,businesses,organizations,places,events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or areused fictionally.Any resemblance to actual persons, livingor dead, is entirelycoincidental.

“Comenotbetweenthedragonandhiswrath.”

—WilliamShakespeareKingLear

CHAPTERONE

KingMcCloudchargeddowntheslope,racingacrosstheHighlands,intotheMacGil’ssideoftheRing,hundredsofhismenbehindhim,hangingonfordearlifeashishorsegallopeddownthemountain.Hereachedback,raisedhiswhip,andbroughtitdownhardonthehorse’shide:hishorsedidn’tneedprodding,buthelikedtowhipitanyway.Heenjoyedinflictingpainonanimals.McCloud nearly salivated as he took in the sight before him: an idyllic

MacGil village, its men out in the fields, unarmed, its women home, tendinglinensonstrings,barelydressedinthesummerclime.Housedoorswereopen;chickensroamedfreely;cauldronsalreadyboilingwithdinner.Hethoughtofthedamagehewoulddo,theloothewouldgarner,thewomenhewouldruin—andhissmilebroadened.Hecouldalmosttastethebloodhewasabouttoshed.They charged and charged, their horses rumbling like thunder, spilling over

the countryside, and finally, someone took notice: it was the village guard, apathetic excuse for a soldier, a teenage boy, holding a spear, who stood andturnedatthesoundoftheirapproach.McCloudgotagoodlookatthewhiteofhiseyes,sawthefearandpanicinhisface;inthissleepyoutpost,thisboyhadprobablyneverseenbattleinhislife.Hewaswoefullyunprepared.McCloudwastednotime:hewantedthefirstkill,ashealwayshadinbattle.

Hismenknewenoughtogiveittohim.Hewanteditsobadhecouldtasteit.McCloud whipped his horse again, until it shrieked, and gained speed,

headingoutfartherinfrontoftheothers.Heraisedhisancestor’sspear,aheavythingofiron,leanedback,andhurledit.As always, his aimwas true: the boy had barely finished turningwhen the

spear met his back, sailing right through it and pinning him to a tree with awhooshing noise. Blood gushed from his back, and it was enough to makeMcCloud’sday.McCloudletoutashortcryofjoyastheyallcontinuedcharging,acrossthe

choicelandoftheMacGils,throughyellowcornstalksswayinginthewind,uptohishorse’sthighs,andtowardsthevillagegate.Itwasalmosttoobeautifuladay,toobeautifulapicture,forthedevastationthattheywereabouttoenact.They charged through the unprotected gate of the village, this place dumb

enough to be situated on the outskirts of theRing, so close to theHighlands.Theyshouldhaveknownbetter,McCloud thoughtwith scorn,asheswunganaxeandchoppeddownthewoodensignannouncingtheplace.Hewouldrenameitsoonenough.

Hismenenteredtheplace,andallaroundhimscreamseruptedofwomen,ofchildren, of oldmen, of whomever happened to be home in this godforsakenplace. There were probably a hundred unlucky souls, and McCloud wasdeterminedtomakeeachoneofthempay.Heraisedhisaxehighoverheadashefocused on onewoman in particular, runningwith her back to him, trying fordearlifetomakeitbacktothesafetyofherhome.Itwasnotmeanttobe.McCloud’saxehitherinthebackofhercalf,ashehadwanted,andshewent

downwithashriek.Hehadn’twantedtokillher:onlytomaimher.Afterall,hewanted her alive for the pleasure hewould havewith her afterwards.He hadchosen her well: a woman with long, untamed blond hair and narrow hips,hardly over eighteen. She would be his. And when he was done with her,perhapshewouldkillherthen.Orperhapsnot;perhapshewouldkeepherashisslave.Hescreamedindelightasherodeupnexttoherandjumpedoffhishorsein

mid-stride,landingontopofherandtacklinghertotheground.Herolledwithheronthedirt,feelingtheimpactoftheroad,andsmiledasherelishedwhatitfeltliketobealive.Finally,lifehadmeaningagain.

CHAPTERTWO

Kendrickstoodintheeyeofthestorm,intheHallofArms,flankedbydozensofhisbrothers,allhardenedmembersof theSilver,and lookedcalmlybackatDarloc,thecommanderoftheroyalguardsentonanunfortunatemission.WhathadDarlocbeen thinking?Didhereally thinkhecouldmarch into theHallofArmsandtrytoarrestKendrick,themostlovedoftheroyalfamily,infrontofallhisbrothersinarms?Didhereallythinktheotherswouldstandbyandallowit?HehadvastlyunderestimatedTheSilver’sloyaltytoKendrick.EvenifDarloc

hadarrivedwithlegitimatechargesforhisarrest—andthesecertainlywerenot—Kendrickdoubtedverymuchthathisbrotherswouldallowhimtobecartedaway.Theywereloyalforlife,andloyaltothedeath.ThatwasthecreedofTheSilver. He would have reacted the same way if any of his brethren werethreatened.Afterall, theyhadall trained together, fought together, forall theirlives.Kendrickcould feel the tension thathung in the thicksilence,asTheSilver

held theirweapons drawn at themere dozen royal guards,who shiftedwheretheystood,lookingmoreuncomfortablebythemoment.Theymusthaveknownitwouldbeamassacreifanyofthemtriedfortheirswords—andwisely,nonedid.Theyallstoodthereandawaitedtheorderoftheircommander,Darloc.Darlocswallowed,lookingverynervous.Herealizedhiscausewashopeless.“Itseemsyouhavenotcomewithenoughmen,”Kendrickrespondedcalmly,

smiling.“AdozenoftheKing’sGuardagainstahundredofTheSilver.Yoursisalostcause.”Darlocflushed,lookingverypale.Heclearedhisthroat.“Myliege,weallservethesamekingdom.Idonotwishtofightyou.Youare

correct:thisisafightwecouldnotwin.Ifyoucommandus,wewillleavethisplaceandreturntotheKing.ButyouknowthatGarethwouldjustsendmoremenforyou.Differentmen.

And you knowwhere thiswill all lead.Youmight kill them all—but do youreallywantthebloodofyourfellowbrothersonyourhands?Doyoureallywanttosparkacivilwar?Foryou,yourmenwouldrisktheirlives,killanyone.Butisthatfairtothem?”Kendrickstaredback,thinkingitall through.Darlochadapoint.Hedidnot

wantanyofhismenhurtsolelyonhisaccount.Hefeltanoverwhelmingdesireto protect them from any bloodshed, nomatterwhat thatmeant for him.And

howeverawfulhisbrotherGarethwas,andhoweverbadaruler,hedidnotwanta civil war—at least, not on his account. There were other ways; directconfrontation,hehadlearned,wasmostoftentheleasteffective.Kendrick reached over and slowly lowered his friend Atme’s sword. He

turnedandfaced theotherSilver.Hewasoverwhelmedwithgratitude to themforcomingtohisdefense.“My fellow Silver,” he announced. “I am humbled by your defense, and I

assureyou it isnot invain.Asyouallknowme, Ihadnothing todowith thedeath ofmy father, our former king.Andwhen I find his true killer,whom IsuspectIhavealreadyfoundfromthenatureoftheseorders,Ishallbethefirstto have vengeance. I stand falsely accused.That said, I do notwish to be theimpetusforacivilwar.Soplease,loweryourarms.Iwillallowthemtotakemepeacefully. For onemember of theRing should never fight another. If justicelives,thenthetruthwillcomeout—andIwillbereturnedtoyoupromptly.”ThegroupofSilverslowly,reluctantly,loweredtheirarmsasKendrickturned

backtoDarloc.KendricksteppedforwardandwalkedwithDarlocforthedoor,the King’s Guard surrounding him. Kendrick walked proudly, in the center,erect.Darlocdidnottrytoshacklehim—perhapsoutofrespect,oroutoffear,orbecauseDarlocknewhewasinnocent.Kendrickwouldleadhimselftohisnewprison.Buthewouldnotgiveinsoeasily.Somehowhewouldclearhisname,get himself freed from the dungeon—andkill his father’smurderer.Even if itwashisownbrother.

CHAPTERTHREE

Gwendolynstoodinthebowelsofthecastle,herbrotherGodfreybesideher,andstaredbackatSteffenashestoodthere,shifting,twistinghishands.Hewasan odd character—not just because he was deformed, his back twisted andhunched,butalsobecauseheseemedtobefilledwithanervousenergy.Hiseyesneverstoppedshifting,andhishandsclaspedeachotherasifhewerewrackedwith guilt. He rocked in place as he stood, shifting from foot to foot, andhummedtohimselfinadeepvoice.Alltheseyearsofbeingdownhere,Gwenfigured,alltheseyearsofisolationhadclearlyforgedhimintoanoddcharacter.Gwenwaited in anticipation for him to finally open up, to revealwhat had

happened to her father. But as seconds turned into minutes, as the sweatincreasedonSteffen’sbrow,asherockedevermoredramatically,nothingcame.There continued to be just a thick, heavy silence, punctuated only by hishummingnoises.Gwenwasbeginning to sweat herself downhere, the roaring fires from the

pitstoocloseonthissummerday.Shewantedtobefinishedwiththis,toleavethis place—and never return here again. She scrutinized Steffen, trying todecipher his expression, to figure out what ran through his mind. He hadpromisedtotellthemsomething,butnowhehadfallensilent.Assheexaminedhim,itappearedhewashavingsecondthoughts.Clearly,hewasafraid;hehadsomethingtohide.Finally,Steffenclearedhisthroat.“Somethingfelldownthechutethatnight,Iadmitit,”hebegan,notmaking

eyecontact, lookingsomewhereon the floor,“but I’mnotsurewhat itwas. Itwasmetal.Wetookthechamberpotoutthatnight,andIheardsomethinglandintheriver.Somethingdifferent.So,”hesaid,clearinghisthroatseveraltimesashewrunghishands,“yousee,whateveritis,itwashedaway,inthetides.”“Areyoucertain?”Godfreydemanded.Steffennoddedvigorously.GwenandGodfreyexchangedalook.“Didyougetalookatit,atleast?”Godfreypressed.Steffenshookhishead.“Butyoumadementionofadagger.Howdidyouknowitwasadaggerifyou

didnotseeit?”Gwenasked.Shefeltcertainthathewaslying;shejustdidnotknowwhy.Steffenclearedhisthroat.

“IsaidsobecauseIjustassumeditwasadagger,”heresponded.“Itwassmallandmetal.Whatelsecoulditbe?”“But did you check the bottom of the pot?” Godfrey asked. “After you

dumpedit?Maybeitisstillinthepot,atthebottom.”Steffenshookhishead.“I checked the bottom,” he said. “I always do. There was nothing. Empty.

Whateveritwas,itwaswashedaway.Isawitfloataway.”“Ifitwasmetal,howdiditfloat?”Gwenasked.Steffenclearedhisthroat,thenshrugged.“Theriverismysterious,”heanswered.“Tidesarestrong.”Gwenexchangeda skeptical lookwithGodfrey, and shecould tell fromhis

expressionthathedidnotbelieveSteffen,either.Gwenwasgrowingincreasinglyimpatient.Now,shewasalsobaffled.Ithad

seemedjustmomentsbeforethatSteffenwasgoingtotellthemeverything,ashehadpromised.Butitseemedasifhehadsuddenlychangedhismind.Gwen took a step closer to him and scowled, sensing that this man had

something to hide. She put on her toughest face, and as she did, she felt thestrength of her father pouring through her. She was determined to discoverwhateveritwasheknew—especiallyifitwouldhelpherfindherfather’skiller.“Youare lying,” she said,hervoice steelycold, the strength in it surprising

evenher. “Doyouknowwhat thepunishment is for lying toamemberof theroyalfamily?”Steffenwrunghishandsandnearlybouncedinplace,glancingupatherfora

moment,thenquicklylookingaway.“I’msorry,”hesaid.“I’msorry.Please,Ihavenothingmore.”“Youaskedusbeforeifyouwouldbesparedfromjailifyoutolduswhatyou

knew,” she said. “But you have told us nothing. Why would you ask thatquestionifyouhadnothingtotellus?”Steffenlickedhislips,lookingdownatthefloor.“I…I…um,”hestartedandstopped.Heclearedhisthroat.“Iwasworried…

thatIwouldgetintroublefornotreportingthatanobjectcamedownthechute.Thatisall.Iamsorry.Idonotknowwhatitwas.It’sgone.”Gwennarrowedher eyes, staring at him, trying to get to thebottomof this

strangecharacter.“Whathappenedtoyourmaster,exactly?”sheasked,not lettinghimoff the

hook.“Wearetoldhewentmissing.Andthatyouhadsomethingtodowithit.”Steffenshookhisheadagainandagain.“Heleft,”Steffenanswered.“ThatisallIknow.I’msorry.Iknownothingthat

canhelpyou.”

Suddenlytherecamealoudswooshingnoisefromacrosstheroom,andtheyallturnedtoseewastecomeflyingdownthechute,andlandwithasplatinthehugechamberpot.Steffenturnedandranacrosstheroom,hurryingovertothepot.Hestoodbesideit,watchingasitfilledwithwastefromtheupperchambers.Gwen turned and looked at Godfrey, who stared back at her. He wore an

equallybaffledexpression.“Whateverhe’shiding,”shesaid,“hewon’tgiveitup.”“We could have him imprisoned,” Godfrey said. “That might get him to

speak.”Gwenshookherhead.“Idon’tthinkso.Notwiththisone.He’sobviouslyextremelyafraid.Ithinkit

hastodowithhismaster.He’sclearlytornaboutsomething,andIdon’tthinkithastodowithfather’sdeath.Ithinkheknowssomethingthatmighthelpus—butIsensethatcorneringhimwillonlymakehimshutdown.”“Sowhatshouldwedo?”Godfreyasked.Gwenstoodthere,thinking.Sherememberedafriendofhers,whenshewas

young, who had once been caught lying. She remembered her parents hadpressuredhereverywhichwaytotell thetruth,butshewouldnot.Itwasonlyweeks later, when everyone had finally left her alone, that she had steppedforward voluntarily and revealed everything. Gwen sensed the same energycoming off of Steffen, that backing him into a corner would make him shutdown,thatheneededspacetocomeforwardonhisown.“Let’sgivehim time,” she said. “Let’s search elsewhere.Let’s seewhatwe

canfindout,andcirclebacktohimwhenwehavemore.Ithinkhe’llopenup.He’sjustnotready.”Gwen turned andwatched him, across the room, examining thewaste as it

filled the cauldron. She felt certain that he would lead them to her father’smurderer.Shejustdidnotknowhow.Shewonderedwhatsecretslurkedinthedepthsofhismind.Hewasaverystrangecharacter,Gwenthought.Verystrange,indeed.

CHAPTERFOUR

Thortriedtobreatheasheblinkedbackthewaterwhichcoveredhiseyes,hisnose,hismouth,pouringdownallaroundhim.Afterslidingacrosstheboat,hehadfinallymanaged tograbholdof thewoodenrailing,andheclung to it fordear life as the relentlesswaterworked away at his grip.Everymuscle in hisbodywasshaking,andhedidnotknowhowmuchlongerhecouldholdon.Allaroundhimhisbrothersdid the same,clinging todear life forwhatever

theycouldfindasthewatertriedtodrivethemofftheboat.Somehow,theyheldon.Thesoundwasdeafening,anditwashardtoseemorethanafewfeetinfront

of him.Despite the summer day the rainwas cold, and thewater sent a chillthroughhisbodyhecouldnotshake.Kolkstoodthere,scowling,handsonhishipsasifimpervioustotherainwall,andbarkedoutallaroundhim.“GETBACKTOYOURSEATS!”hescreamed.“ROW!”Kolk himself took a seat and began rowing, and withinmoments the boys

slippedandcrawledacrossthedeck,headingbackforthebenches.Thor’sheartpoundedasheletgohimself,andstruggledtocrossthedeck.Krohn,insidehisshirt,whined,asThorslippedthenfell,landinghardonthedeck.Hecrawledtherestoftheway,andsoonfoundhimselfbackinhisseat.“TIEYOURSELFIN!”Kolkscreamed.Thor looked down and saw the knotty ropes beneath his bench, and finally

realized what they were for: he reached down and tied one around his wrist,chaininghimselftothebenchandtheoar.Itworked.Hestoppedslipping.Andsoon,hewasabletorow.Allaroundhimtheboysresumedtheirrowing,Reesetakingaseatinfrontof

him, and Thor could feel the boat moving. Within minutes, the rain walllightenedupahead.Asherowedandrowed,hisskinburningfromthisstrangerain,everymuscle

in his body aching, finally the sound of the rain began to subside, and Thorbegantofeellesswaterpouringdownonhishead.Inafewmoremoments,theyenteredasunnysky.Thorlookedabout,shocked:itwascompletelydry,bright.Itwasthestrangest

thinghehadeverexperienced:halftheboatwasunderadry,shiningsun,whiletheotherhalfwasbeingpouredonastheypassedthroughtherainwall.Finally, theentireboatwasunderaclearblueandyellowsky,thewarmsun

beatingdownonthem.Itwassilentnow,therainwalldisappearingfast,andall

ofhisbrothersinarmslookedateachother,stunned.Itwasasiftheyhadpassedthroughacurtain,toanotherrealm.“YIELD!”yelledKolk.All around Thor boys dropped their oars with a collective groan, gasping,

catching their breath. Thor did the same, feeling every muscle in his bodytremblingandsogratefultohaveabreak.Heslumpedover,gaspedforairandtriedtorelaxhisachingmusclesastheirboatglidedintothesenewwaters.Thorfinallyregainedhimselfandstoodandlookedaround.Helookeddown

atthewater,andsawthatithadchangedcolor:itwasnowalight,glowingred.Theyhadenteredadifferentsea.“TheSeaofDragons,”Reesesaid,besidehim,alsolookingdowninwonder.

“Theysayitrunsredwiththebloodofitsvictims.”Thorlookeddownatit.Itbubbledinplaces,andinthedistancestrangebeasts

surfaced from the water momentarily, then submerged. None lingered longenoughforhimtogetagoodlookat them,buthedidnotwant to tryhis luckandleandownanycloser.Thorturnedandtookitallin,disoriented.Everythinghere,onthissideofthe

rainwall,seemedsoforeign,sodifferent.Therewasevenaslightredmistintheair,hoveringlowoverthewater.Hesurveyedthehorizonandspotteddozensofsmallislands,spreadout,likesteppingstonesonthehorizon.AstrongbreezepickedupandKolksteppedforwardandbarked:“RAISETHESAILS!”Thorjumpedintoactionwithalltheboysaroundhim,grabbingtheropes,and

hoisting them to catch thebreeze.The sails caught andagustofwindcarriedthem.Thorfelt theboatmovingbeneaththemfaster thaniteverhad,andtheyaimedfortheislands.Theboatrockedonhuge,rollingwaves,whichroseupoutofnowhere,gentlymovingupanddown.Thormadehisway towards thebow, leanedagainst therailand lookedout.

Reesecameupbesidehim,andO’Connorcameuponhisotherside.Theyallstood side-by-side, andThorwatched as the chain of islands fast approached.Theystoodthereinsilenceforalongtime,Thorrelishingthemoistbreezesashisbodyrelaxed.Finally,Thor realized theyaimedforone island inparticular. Itgrew larger,

andThorfeltachillasherealizeditwastheirdestination.“TheIsleofMist,”Reesesaid,inawe.Thorstudiedit inwonder.Itsshapebegantocomeintofocus—itwasrocky

and craggy, barren, and it stretched several miles in each direction, long andnarrow,shaped likeahorseshoe.Hugewavescrashagainst itsshore, rumblingeven fromhere, creatinghuge spraysof foamas theymet enormousboulders.

Therewasthetinieststripoflandbeyondtheboulders,andthenawallofcliffswhichsoaredstraightup,highintotheair.Thordidnotseehowtheirboatcouldsafelyland.Addingtothestrangenessofthisplace,aredmistlingeredallovertheisland,

like a dew, sparkling in the sun. It gave it an ominous feel. Thor could sensesomethinginhuman,unearthly,aboutthisplace.“Theysay it’s survivedmillionsofyears,”O’Connoradded.“It’solder than

theRing.Older,even,thantheEmpire.”“Itbelongstothedragons,”Eldenadded,comingupbesideReese.AsThorwatched,suddenlythesecondsunplummetedinthesky;inmoments

thedaywent fromsunnyandbright tonearlysunset, thesky taintedwithredsandpurples.Hecouldnotbelieveit:hehadneverseenthesunmovethatquicklybefore.Hewonderedwhatelsewasdifferentinthispartoftheworld.“Doesadragonliveonthisisle?”Thorasked.Eldenshookhishead.“No.Ihearitlivescloseby.Theysaythatredmistisforgedfromadragon’s

breath.Hebreathesatnightonaneighboringisland,andthewindcarriesitandcoverstheislandbyday.”Thorheardasuddennoise;atfirstitsoundedlikealowrumble,likethunder,

longandloudenoughtoshaketheboat.Krohn,stillinhisshirt,duckedhisheadandwhined.Theothers all spun andThor turned too and lookedout; somewhere on the

horizonhe thought he could see the faint outline of flames licking the sunset,thendisappearinginblacksmoke,likeasmallvolcanoerupting.“TheDragon,”Reesesaid.“Weareinitsterritorynow.”Thorswallowed,wondering.“Butthenhowcanwebesafehere?”O’Connorasked.“You’renotsafeanywhere,”camearesoundingvoice.ThorspuntoseeKolkstandingthere,handsonhiships,watchingthehorizon

overtheirshoulders.“ThatisthepointofTheHundred,tolivewiththeriskofdeatheachday.This

isnotanexercise.Thedragonlivesclose,andthere’snothingtostophimfromattacking.Helikelywillnot,becausehejealouslyguardshistreasureonhisownisle,anddragonsdon’tliketoleavetreasureunprotected.Butyouwillhearhisroars, and see his flames at night. And if we anger him somehow, there’s notellingwhatcouldhappen.”Thor heard another low rumble, saw another burst of flameon the horizon,

andwatchedastheygotcloserandclosertotheisle,wavescrashingagainstit.Helookedupatthesteepcliffs,awallofrock,andwonderedhowtheywould

evergetuptothetop,toitsflatanddryland.“ButIseenowhereforashiptodock,”Thorsaid.“Thatwouldbetooeasy,”Kolkshotback.“Thenhowdowegetontotheisland?”O’Connorasked.Kolksmileddown,anevilsmile.“Youswim,”hesaid.Foramoment,Thorwonderedifhewaskidding;butthenherealizedfromthe

lookonhisfacethathewasnot.Thorswallowed.“Swim?”Reeseechoed,unbelieving.“Thosewatersareteamingwithcreatures!”Eldensaid.“Oh,that’stheleastofit,”Kolkcontinued.“Thosetidesaretreacherous;those

whirlpoolswill suckyoudown; thosewaveswill smashyou into those jaggedrocks; thewaterishot;andifyoumakeitpast therocks,you’llhavetofindaway to climb those cliffs, to reachdry land. If the sea creaturesdon’t get youfirst.Welcometoyournewhome.”Thor stood there with the others, at the rail’s edge, looking down at the

foamingseabeneathhim.Thewaterswirledbeneathhimlikealivingthing,thetidesgrowingstrongerbythesecond,rockingtheboat,makingithardertokeephisbalance.Downbelow,thewatersraged,churning,abrightredwhichseemedtocontain thebloodofhell itself.Worseofall,asThorwatchedclosely, thesewatersweredisturbed every few feet by the surfacingof another seamonster,risingup,snappingitslongteeth,thensubmerging.Theirshipsuddenlydroppedanchor,sofarfromshore,andThorswallowed.

Helookedupatthebouldersframingtheisland,andwonderedhowtheywouldmakeitfromheretothere.Thecrashingofthewavesgrewlouderbythesecond,makingothershavetoshouttobeheard.As he watched, several small rowboats were lowered into the water, then

guidedby thecommanders far from theship,agood thirtyyards.Theywouldnotmakeitthateasy:theywouldhavetoswimtoreachthem.ThethoughtofitmadeThor’sstomachturn.“JUMP!”Kolkscreamed.For the first time,Thor felt afraid.Hewondered if thatmadehim less of a

Legionmember,lessofawarrior.Heknewthatwarriorsshouldbefearlessatalltimes.Buthehadtoadmittohimselfthathefeltfearnow.Hehatedthefactthathedid,andhewisheditcouldbeotherwise.Buthedid.ButasThorlookedaroundandsawtheterrifiedfacesoftheotherboys,hefelt

better.Allaroundhimboysstoodclosetotherail,frozeninfear,staringdownatthewaters. Oneboy inparticularwassoscared thatheshook. Itwas theboyfromthedayoftheshields,theonewhohadbeenafraid,whohadbeenforcedto

runlaps.Kolk must have sensed it, because he crossed the boat towards him. Kolk

seemed unaffected as the wind threw back his hair, grimacing as he went,looking ready to conquer nature itself.He came up beside him and his scowldeepened.“JUMP!”Kolkscreamed.“No!”theboyanswered.“Ican’t!Iwon’tdoit!Ican’tswim!Takemeback

home!”Kolkwalkedrightuptotheboy,ashewasbeginningtobackawayfromthe

rail,grabbedhimbythebackofhisshirt,andhoistedhimhighofftheground.“Thenyoushalllearntoswim!”Kolksnarled,andthen,toThor’sdisbelief,he

hurledtheboyovertheedge.The boy went flying through the air, screaming, as he plummeted a good

fifteenfeettowardsthefoamingsea.Helandedwithasplash,thenfloatedtothesurface,flailing,gaspingforair.“HELP!”hescreamed.“What’sthefirstlawoftheLegion?”Kolkscreamedout,turningtotheother

boysonship,ignoringtheboyinthewater.Thorwasdimlyawareof thecorrectresponse,butwastoodistractedbythe

sightoftheboy,drowningbelow,toanswer.“TohelpafellowLegionmemberinneed!”Eldenscreamedout.“Andisheinneed?”Kolkyelled,pointingdowntotheboy.Theboyraisedhisarms,bobbinginandoutofthewater,andtheotherboys

stoodondeck,staring,alltooscaredtodivein.At thatmoment, something funny happened to Thor.As he focused on the

drowningboy,everythingelsefellaway.Thornolongerthoughtofhimself.Thefact thathemightdieneverevenenteredhismind.The sea, themonsters, thetides…itallfadedaway.Allhecouldthinkofwasrescuingsomeoneelse.Thorsteppedupontothewide,oakrail,benthisknees,andwithoutthinking,

leapt high into the air, heading face first for the bubbling red of the watersbeneathhim.

CHAPTERFIVE

Garethsatonhisfather’sthroneintheGrandHall,rubbinghishandsalongitssmooth,woodenarmsandlookingoutatthescenebeforehim:thousandsofhissubjectswerepackedintotheroom,peopleflockinginfromallcornersofTheRingtowatchthisonce-in-a-lifetimeevent,toseeifhecouldwieldtheDynastySword.ToseeifhewastheChosenOne.Notsincehisfatherwasyounghadthepeoplehadachancetowitnessahoisting—andnooneseemedtowanttomissit.Excitementhungintheairlikeacloud.Garethhimselfwasnumbwithanticipation.Ashewatchedtheroomcontinue

toswell,moreandmorepeoplepackedinside,hestartedtowonderwhetherhisfather’sadvisorshasbeenright,whether indeed ithadbeenabad idea toholdthehoistingintheGrandHallandtoopenittothepublic.Theyhadurgedhimtoattempt it in the small, private Sword Chamber; they had reasoned that if hefailed,fewwouldwitnessit.ButGarethdidnottrusthisfather’speople;hefeltmore confident in his destiny than his father’s old guard, and he wanted theentire kingdom to witness his accomplishment, to witness that he was theChosenOne,asithappened.Hehadwantedthemomentrecordedintime.Themomenthisdestinyhadarrived.Garethhadenteredtheroomwithaflair,hadstruttedthroughaccompaniedby

his advisors, wearing his crown andmantle, wielding his scepter—hewantedthemall toknowthathe,nothis father,was the trueKing, the trueMacGil. Ithad not taken him as long as he had expected to feel that thiswas his castle,thesehissubjects.Hewantedhispeopletofeelitnow,thisshowofpowertobewidelyseen.Aftertoday,theywouldknowforcertainthathewasthereoneandonlytrueking.ButnowthatGarethsatthere,aloneonthethrone,lookingoutatthevacant

ironprongsinthecenteroftheroominwhichtheswordwouldbeplaced,litupbyashaftofsunlightpouringdownthroughtheceiling,hewasnotsosure.Thegravity of what he was about to do weighed down on him; it would be anirreversiblestep,andtherewasnoturningback.Whatif,indeed,hefailed?Hetriedtopushitfromhismind.Thehugedooropenedwithacreakonthefarsideoftheroom,andwithan

excited hush, the room fell silent in anticipation. In marched a dozen of thecourt’sstrongesthands,holdingtheswordbetweenthem,allstrugglingunderitsweight. Six men stood on each side, and they noticeably struggled under itsweight.Theymarchedslowly,onestepatatime,carryingtheswordtowardsthe

vacantprongsinthecenteroftheroom.Gareth’sheartquickenedashewatcheditgetcloser.Forabriefmoment,his

confidence wavered—if these twelve men, larger than any he had ever seen,couldbarelyholdit,whatchancewasthereforhim?Buthetriedtopushthesethoughts from his mind—after all, the sword was about destiny, not strength.Andheforcedhimselftorememberthatitwashisdestinytobehere,tobethefirstbornoftheMacGils,tobeKing.HesearchedthecrowdforArgon;forsomereasonhehadasudden,intensedesiretoseekhiscounsel.Thiswasthetimeheneededhimmost.Forsomereason,hecouldthinkofnooneelse.Butofcourse,hewasnowheretobefound.Finally,thedozenmenreachedthecenteroftheroom,carryingtheswordinto

theshaftofsunlight,andtheyplaceditdownontheironprongs.Itlandedwithareverberating clang, the sound traveling in ripples throughout the room. Theroomfellentirelysilent.Thecrowdinstinctivelypartedways,makingapathforGarethtowalkdown

andtrytohoistit.Gareth slowly rose from his throne, savoring themoment, savoring all this

attention.Hecouldfeelalltheeyesonhim.Heknewamomentlikethiswouldnever come again, when the entire kingdom watched him so completely, sointensely, analyzing everymovehemade.Hehad lived thismoment somanytimesinhismindsincehehadbeenayouth,andnowithadcome.Hewantedittogoslowly.Hewalkeddownthestepsofthethrone,takingthemoneatatime,savoring

eachstep.Hewalkedontheredcarpet,feelinghowsoftitwasbeneathhisfeet,closer and closer towards the patch of sunlight, towards the sword. As hewalked,itwaslikewalkinginadream.Hefeltoutsideofhimself.Apartofhimfeltasifhehadwalkedthiscarpetmanytimesbefore,havinghoistedtheswordamilliontimesinhisdreams.Itmadehimfeelallthemorethathewasfatedtohoistit,thathewaswalkingintodestiny.Hesawhowitwouldgoinhismind:hewouldstepforwardboldly,reachout

with a single hand, and as his subjects leaned in, he would suddenly anddramaticallyraiseithighoverhisheadwithasinglehand.TheywouldallgaspandfalltotheirfacesanddeclarehimtheChosenOne,themostimportantoftheMacGil kingswho had ever ruled, the onemeant to rule forever.Theywouldweepwithjoyatthesight.Theywouldcowerinfearofhim.Theywouldthankthegods that theyhad lived in this lifetime towitness it.Theywouldworshiphimasagod.Gareth approached the sword, just feet away now, and felt himself tremble

inside.Asheenteredthesunlight,althoughhehadseentheswordmanytimes

before,hewastakenabackbyitsbeauty.Hehadneverbeenallowedthisclosetoitbefore,anditsurprisedhim.Itwasintense.Withalongshiningblade,madefromamaterialwhichnoonehaddeciphered,ithadthemostornatehilthehadeverseen,wrappedwithafine,silk-likematerial,encrustedwithjewelsofeverysort, andemblazonedwith the falconcrest.Ashe tooka step closer, hoveringoverit,hefelttheintenseenergyradiatingoffofit.Itseemedtothrob.Hecouldhardlybreathe.Injustamomentitwouldbeinhispalm.Highabovehishead.Shininginthesunlightforalltheworldtosee.He,Gareth,theGreatOne.Gareth reached out and placed his right hand on the hilt, slowly closing it,

feelingeveryjewel,everycontourashegraspedit,electrified.Anintenseenergyradiatedthroughhispalm,uphisarm,throughhisbody.Itwasunlikeanythinghehadeverfelt.Heknewthatthiswashismoment.Hismomentforalltime.Garethreacheddownandclaspedhisotherhandonthehilt,too.Heclosedhis

eyes,hisbreathingshallow.Ifitpleasethegods,allowmetohoistthis.Givemeasign.ShowmethatIam

King.ShowmethatIammeanttorule.Gareth prayed silently, waiting for a response, for a sign, for the perfect

moment.Butsecondswentby,afulltenseconds,theentirekingdomwatching,andheheardnoresponse.Then,suddenly,hesawthefaceofhisfather,scowlingbackathim.Garethopenedhiseyes in terror,wanting towipe the image fromhismind.

Hisheartpounded,andhefeltitwasaterribleomen.Itwasnowornever.Gareth leaned over, andwith all hismight, he tried to hoist the sword.He

struggledforallhehad,untilhisentirebodyshook,convulsed.Thesworddidnotbudge.Itwasliketryingtomovetheveryfoundationofthe

earth.Gareth triedharderstill,harder,andharder.Finally,hewasvisiblygroaning

andscreaming.Momentslater,hecollapsed.Thebladehadnotmovedaninch.A shocked gasp spread throughout the room as he hit the ground. Several

advisers rushed to his aid, checking to see if he was okay, and he violentlyshovedthemaway.Embarrassed,hestood,bringinghimselfbacktohisowntwofeet.Humiliated, Gareth looked around at his subjects, looking to see how they

wouldviewhimnow.Theyhadalready turnedaway,werealreadyfilteringfromtheroom.Gareth

could see thedisappointment in their faces, could see thathewas just anotherfailedspectacle in theireyes.Nowtheyallknew,eachandeveryoneof them,thathewasnottheirtrueking.HewasnotthedestinedandchosenMacGil.Hewasnothing.Justanotherprincewhohadusurpedthethrone.Garethfelthimselfburningwithshame.Hehadneverfeltmorelonelythanin

thatmoment. Everything he had imagined, from the time hewas a child, hadbeenalie.Adelusion.Hehadbelievedinhisownfable.Andithadcrushedhim.

CHAPTERSIX

Garethpacedinhischamber,hismindreeling,stunnedbyhisfailuretohoistthe sword, trying to process the ramifications.He felt numb.He could hardlybelievehehadbeensostupidtoattempttohoistthesword,theDynastySword,which noMacGil had been able to hoist for seven generations.Why had hethoughthewouldbebetterthanhisancestors?Whyhadheassumedhewouldbedifferent?He should have known. He should have been cautious, never should have

overestimated himself. He should have been content with simply having hisfather’sthrone.Whyhehadhehadtopushit?NowallhissubjectsknewhewasnottheChosenOne;nowhisrulewouldbe

marredbythis;now,perhaps,theywouldhavemoregroundstosuspecthimforthedeathofhisfather.Hesawthateveryonelookedathimdifferentlyalready,asifhewereawalkingghost,asiftheywerealreadypreparingthemselvesforthenextkingtocome.Worsethanthat,forthefirsttimeinhislife,Garethfeltunsureabouthimself.

Hisentirelife,hehadseenhisdestinyclearly.Hehadbeencertainhewasmeantto take his father’s place, to rule and towield the sword.His confidence hadbeenshakentothecore.Now,hewasnotsureaboutanything.Worst of all, he could not stop seeing that image of his father’s face, right

beforehe’dhoistedit.Hadthatbeenhisrevenge?“Bravo,”cameaslow,sardonicvoice.Gareth spun, shocked that anyone was with him in this chamber. He

recognized thevoice instantly; itwasavoicehehadbecometoofamiliarwithovertheyears,andonehehadcometodespise.Itwasthevoiceofhiswife.Helena.Thereshestood,inafarcorneroftheroom,observinghimasshereachedup

andsmokedheropiumpipe.She inhaleddeeply,held it, thenslowly let itout.Hereyeswerebloodshot,andhecouldseethatshehadbeensmokingtoolong.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”heasked.“This is my bridal chamber after all,” she responded. “I can do anything I

wanthere. I’myourwifeandyourqueen.Don’t forget. I rule thiskingdomasmuchasyoudo.Andafteryourdebacle today, Iwoulduse the termruleverylooselyindeed.”Gareth’sfaceburnedred.Helenahadalwayshadawayofstrikinghimwith

thelowestblowofall,andatthemostinopportunetime.Hedespisedhermore

than any woman in his life. He could hardly conceive that he had agreed tomarryher.“Do you?” Gareth spat, turning and marching towards her, seething. “You

forget that I amKing, youwench, and I could have you imprisoned, just likeanyoneelseinmykingdom,whetheryouaremywifeornot.”Shelaughedathim,aderisivesnort.“And then what?” she snapped. “Have your new subjects wonder of your

sexuality?No,Idoubtthatverymuch.NotintheschemingworldofGareth.Notin themindof themanwhocaresmore thananyoneelsehowpeopleperceivehim.”Gareth stopped before her, realizing she had a way of seeing through him

whichannoyedhim to thecore.Heunderstoodher threat,andhe realized thatarguingwithherwoulddonogood.Sohejuststoodthere,quietly,waiting,hisfistsbunched.“What is it that you want?” he said slowly, trying to control himself from

doingsomethingrash.“Youdon’tcometomeunlessyouwantsomething.”Shelaughed,adry,mockinglaugh.“I’ll takewhatever it is that Iwant. Ihaven’tcome toaskyouforanything.

But rather to tell you something: your entire kingdomhas justwitnessedyourfailuretohoistthesword.Wheredoesthatleaveus?”“Whatyoumeanus?”heasked,wonderingwhereshewasgoingwiththis.“YourpeopleknownowwhatIhavealwaysknown:thatyouarefailure.That

youarenottheChosenOne.Congratulations.Atleastnowitisofficial.”Hescowledback.“My father failed towield the sword.That didnot prevent him from ruling

effectivelyasKing.”“Butitaffectedhiskingship,”shesnapped.“Everymomentofit.”“Ifyou’resounhappywithmyinabilities,”Garethfumed,“whydon’tyoujust

leavethisplace?Leaveme!Leaveourmockeryofamarriage.IamKingnow.Idon’tneedyouanymore.”“I’mgladyouraisedthatpoint,”shesaid,“becausethatispreciselythereason

I’vecome.Iwantyoutoendourmarriageofficially.Iwantadivorce.ThereisamanIlove.Arealman.Oneofyourknights,infact.He’sawarrior.Weareinlove,atruelove.UnlikeanyloveIeverhad.Divorceme,soIcanstopcarryingonthisaffairinsecret.Iwantourlovetobepublic.AndIwanttobemarriedtohim.”Garethstaredbackather, shocked, feelinghollowedout,as ifadaggerhad

justbeenplungedintohischest.WhyhadHelenahadtosurface?Whynow,ofall times? Itwas toomuch for him.He felt as if theworldwere kicking him

whilehewasdown.Despite himself, Gareth was surprised to realize that he had some deep

feelings for Helena, because when he heard her actual words, asking for adivorce, it did something to him. It upset him. Despite himself, it made himrealizethathedidnotwantadivorcefromher.Ifitcamefromhim,itwasonething;but if itcamefromher, itwasanother.Hedidnotwanther tohaveherway,andnotsoeasily.Most of all, he wondered how a divorce would influence his kingship. A

divorcedKingwould raise toomanyquestions.Anddespitehimself,he foundhimselfjealousofthisknight.Andresentfulofherrubbinghislackofmanhoodinhisface.Hewantedvengeance.Onbothofthem.“You can’t have it,” he snapped. “You are bound tome. Stuck asmywife

forever. Iwill never let you free.And if I ever encounter this knight you arecheatingwith,Iwillhavehimtorturedandexecuted.”Helenasnarledbackathim.“Iamnotyourwife!Youarenotmyhusband.Youarenotaman.Oursisan

unholy union. It has been from the day it was forged. It was an arrangedpartnershipforpower.Thewholethingdisgustsme—italwayshas.Andithasruinedmyonechancetotrulybemarried.”Shebreathed,herfuryrising.“Youwillgivememydivorce,orIwillrevealtotheentirekingdomtheman

youare.Youdecide.”With thatHelena turnedherbackonhim,marchedacross the roomandout

theopendoor,notevenbotheringtocloseitbehindher.Garethstoodaloneinthestonechamber,listeningtotheechoofherfootsteps

andfeelingachillpervadehisbodythathecouldnotshake.Wasthereanythingstablehecouldholdontoanymore?AsGarethstoodthere,trembling,watchingtheopendoor,hewassurprisedto

see somebody else walk through it. He had barely had time to register hisconversationwithHelena, to process all of her threats,when inwalked a too-familiar face. Firth. The usual bounce to his stepwas gone as he entered theroomtentatively,aguiltylookonhisface.“Gareth?”heasked,soundingunsure.Firth stared at him, wide-eyed, and Gareth could see how bad he felt. He

should feel bad, Gareth thought. After all, it was Firth who put him up towielding the sword,whohad finally convincedhim,whohadmadehim thinkthathewasmore thanhewas.WithoutFirth’swhispering,whoknew?MaybeGarethwouldhaveneverevenattemptedtowieldit.Garethturnedtohim,seething.InFirthhefinallyfoundanobjectinwhichto

directallhisanger.Afterall,Firthhadbeentheonethatkilledhisfather.ItwasFirth, this stupid stable boy, that got him into thiswholemess to beginwith.NowhewasjustanotherfailedsuccessortotheMacGillineage.“I hate you,” Gareth seethed. “What of your promises now?What of your

confidencethatIwouldwieldthesword?”Firth swallowed, looking very nervous. Hewas speechless. Clearly, he had

nothingtosay.“Iamsorry,myLord,”hesaid.“Iwaswrong.”“Youwerewrongaboutalotofthings,”Garethsnapped.Indeed, themoreGareth thought about it, themore he realized howwrong

Firth had been. In fact, if itwere not for Firth, his fatherwould still be alivetoday—andGarethwouldnotbeinanyofthismess.Theweightofthekingshipwould not be on his head, all these thingswould not be goingwrong.Garethlongedforsimplerdays,whenhewasnotKing,whenhisfatherwasalive.Hefelt a suddendesire tobring themall back, theway thingsused tobe.Buthecouldnot.AndhehadFirthtoblameforallofthis.“Whatisityouaredoinghere?”Garethpressed.Firthclearedhisthroat,obviouslynervous.“I’veheard…rumors…whispersofservantstalking.Wordhasreachedmethat

yourbrotherandsisterareaskingtoomanyquestions.They’vebeenspottedinthe servants’quarters.Examining thewastechute for themurderweapon.ThedaggerIusedtokillyourfather.”Gareth’sbodywentcoldathiswords.Hewasfrozeninshockandfear.Could

thisdaygetanyworse?Heclearedhisthroat.“Andwhatdidtheyfind?”heasked,histhroatdry,thewordsbarelyescaping.Firthshookhishead.“Idonotknow,mylord.AllIknowisthattheysuspectsomething.”GarethfeltarenewedhatredforFirth,onehedidnotknowhewascapableof.

Ifitwasn’tforhisbumblingways,ifhehaddisposedoftheweaponproperly,hewouldnotbeinthisposition.Firthhadlefthimvulnerable.“I’monlygoingtosaythisonce,”Garethsaid,steppingclosetoFirth,getting

inhisface,gloweringbackathimwiththefirmestlookhecouldmuster.“Idonot want to see your face ever again. Do you understand me? Leave mypresence,andnevercomeback.I’mgoingtorelegateyoutoapositionfarfromhere.And if you ever step foot in these castlewalls again, rest assured Iwillhaveyouarrested.“NOWLEAVE!”Garethshrieked.Firth,eyeswellingwithtears,turnedandfledtheroom,hisfootstepsechoing

longafterherandownthecorridor.Garethdriftedbackto thinkingof thesword,ofhisfailedattempt.Hecould

nothelpbutfeelasifhehadsetinmotionagreatcalamityforhimself.Hefeltasifhehadjustpushedhimselfoffacliff,andfromhereonin,hewouldonlybefacinghisdescent.Hestoodthere,rootedtothestoneinthereverberatingsilence,inhisfather’s

chamber,trembling,wonderingwhatonearthhehadsetinmotion.Hehadneverfeltsoalone,sounsureofhimself.Wasthiswhatitmeanttobeking?

*Gareth hurried up the stone, spiral staircase, rushing up floor after floor,

hurrying his way to the castle’s uppermost parapets. He needed fresh air. Heneeded time and space to think.Heneeded a vantagepoint of his kingdom, achance to see his court, his people, and to remember that itwas allhis.That,despiteallthenightmarisheventsoftheday,he,afterall,wasstillking.Gareth had dismissed his attendants and he ran alone, up flight after flight,

breathinghard.Hestoppedononeofthefloors,bentoverandcaughthisbreath.Tearswere streaming down his cheeks.He kept seeing the face of his father,scoldinghimateveryturn.“Ihateyou!”hescreamedtotheemptyair.He could have sworn he heard mocking laughter in return. His father’s

laughter.Gareth needed to get away from here. He turned and continued running,

sprinting,untilfinallyhereachedthetop.Heburstoutthroughthedoor,andthefreshsummerairhithimintheface.Hebreatheddeep,catchinghisbreath, reveling in thesunshine, in thewarm

breezes.He took off hismantle, his father’smantle, and threw it down to theground.Itwastoohot—andhedidn’twanttowearitanymore.Hehurried to theedgeof theparapetandclutched thestonewall,breathing

hard,lookingdownonhiscourt.Hecouldseethenever-endingcrowd,filteringout from thecastle.Theywere leaving theceremony.Hisceremony.Hecouldalmostfeeltheirdisappointmentfromhere.Theylookedsosmall.Hemarveledthattheywereallunderhiscontrol.Butforhowlong?“Kingshipsarefunnythings,”cameanancientvoice.Garethspunandsaw,tohissurprise,Argonstandingthere,feetaway,wearing

awhitecloakandhoodandholdinghisstaff.Hestaredbackathim,asmileatthecornerofhislips—yethiseyeswerenotsmiling.Theywereglowing,staringrightthroughhim,andtheysetGarethonedge.Theysawtoomuch.

Thereweresomany thingsGarethhadwanted tosay toArgon, toaskhim.But now that he had already failed to wield the sword, he could not recall asingleone.“Why didn’t you tell me?” Gareth pleaded, desperation in his voice. “You

couldhave toldme Iwasnotmeant to hoist it.You couldhave savedme theshame.”“AndwhywouldIdothat?”Argonasked.Garethscowled.“YouarenotatruecounseltotheKing,”hesaid.“Youwouldhavecounseled

myfathertruly.ButnotI.”“Perhapshewasdeservingoftruecounsel,”Argonreplied.Gareth’sfurydeepened.Hehatedthisman.Andheblamedhim.“I don’t want you aroundme,” Gareth said. “I don’t knowwhymy father

hiredyou,butIdon’twantyouinKing’sCourt.”Argonlaughed,ahollow,scarysound.“Yourfatherdidnothireme,foolishboy,”hesaid.“Norhisfatherbeforehim.

Iwasmeanttobehere.Infact,youmightsayIhiredthem.”Argon suddenly took a step forward, and looked as if hewere staring into

Gareth’ssoul.“Canthesamebesaidofyou?”Argonasked.“Areyoumeanttobehere?”HiswordsstruckanerveinGareth,sentachillthroughhim.Itwasthevery

thingGarethhadbeenwonderinghimself.Garethwonderedifitwasathreat.“Hewho reigns by bloodwill rule by blood,”Argon proclaimed, andwith

thosewords,heswiftlyturnedhisbackandbegantowalkaway.“Wait!” Gareth screamed, no longer wanting him to go, needing answers.

“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”GarethcouldnothelpbutfeelthatArgonwasgivinghimamessage,thathe

wouldnotrulelong.Heneededtoknowifthatwaswhathehadmeant.Gareth ran after him, but as he approached, he could hardly believe what

happened:rightbeforehiseyes,Argondisappeared.Gareth turned, looked all around him, but saw nothing. He heard only a

hollowlaughter,somewhereintheair.“Argon!”Garethscreamed.He turned again, then looked up to the heavens, sinking to one knee and

throwingbackhishead.Heshrieked:“ARGON!”

CHAPTERSEVEN

Erec marched alongside the Duke, Brandt and dozens of the Duke’sentourage,throughthewindingstreetsofSavaria,acrowdgrowingastheywent,towardsthehouseoftheservantgirl.Erechadinsistedthathemeetherwithoutdelay,andtheDukehadwantedtoleadthewaypersonally.AndwhentheDukecame, everyone followed. Erec looked around at the huge and growingentourage, andwas embarrassed, realizinghewould arrive at this girl’s abodewithdozensofpeopleintow.Sincehehadfirstseenher,Erechadbeenabletothinkoflittleelse.Whowas

this girl, he wondered, who seemed so noble, yet worked as a servant in theDuke’scourt?Whyhadshefledfromhimsohastily?Whywasitthat,inallhisyears, with all the royal women he had met, this was the only one who hadcapturedhisheart?Being around royalty his entire life, the son of a king himself, Erec could

detect other royalty in an instant—andhe sensed from themoment he spottedherthatshewasofamuchmoreregalpositionthantheoneshewasoccupying.Hewasburningwithcuriositytoknowwhoshewas,whereshewasfrom,whatshewasdoinghere.Heneededanotherchancetosethiseyesuponher,toseeifhehadbeenimaginingitorifhewouldstillfeelthewayhedid.“My servants tellme she lives on the city’s outskirts,” theDuke explained,

talkingas theywalked.As theywent,peopleonallsidesof thestreetsopenedtheir shutters and looked down, amazed at the presence of the Duke and hisentourageinthecommonstreets.“Apparently,sheisservanttoaninnkeeper.Nobodyknowsherorigin,where

shecamefrom.Alltheyknowisthatshearrivedinourcityoneday,andbecameanindenturedservanttothisinnkeeper.Herpast,itseems,isamystery.”They all turned down another side street, the cobblestone beneath them

becoming more crooked, the small dwellings closer to each other and moredilapidated,astheywent.TheDukeclearedhisthroat.“Itookherinasaservantinmycourtonspecialoccasions.Sheisquiet,keeps

toherself.Nooneknowsmuchabouther.Erec,”theDukesaid,finallyturningtoErec, laying a hand on his wrist, “are you certain about this? This woman,whoever she is, is just another commoner. You can have your choice of anywomaninthekingdom.”Ereclookedbackathimwithequalintensity.“Imustseethisgirlagain.Idon’tcarewhosheis.”

The Duke shook his head in disapproval, and they all continued walking,turningdownstreetafterstreet,passingthroughtwisting,narrowalleyways.Astheywent, thisneighborhoodofSavariabecameevenseedier, thestreets filledwith drunken types, lined with filth, chickens and wild dogs roaming about.They passed tavern after tavern, the screams of patrons carrying out into thestreets. Several drunks stumbled before them, and as night began to fall, thestreetsbegantobelitbytorches.“MakewayfortheDuke!”screamedhisleadattendant,rushingforwardand

finally pushing drunks out of the way. All up and down the streets unsavorytypespartedwaysandwatched,amazed,astheDukepassed,Erecbesidehim.Finally, they arrived at a small, humble inn, built of stucco,with a pitched,

slate roof. It lookedas if itcouldholdmaybefiftypatrons in its tavernbelow,with a few rooms for guests above.The front doorwas crooked, onewindowwasbroken,anditsentrylamphungcrookedly,itstorchflickering,thewaxtoolow.Screamsofdrunksspilledoutthewindows,astheyalltheystoppedbeforethedoor.Howcouldsuchafinegirlworkinaplacelikethis?Erecwondered,horrified,

asheheardtheshoutsandjeersfrominside.Hisheartbrokeashethoughtofit,ashe thoughtof the indignity shemust suffer in suchaplace. It’s not fair,hethought.Hefeltdeterminedtorescueherfromit.“Whydoyoucometotheworstpossibleplacetochooseabride?”theDuke

asked,turningtoErec.Brandtturnedtohimtoo.“Lastchance,myfriend,”Brandtsaid.“Thereisacastlefullofroyalwomen

waitingforyoubackthere.”ButErecshookhishead,determined.“Openthedoor,”hecommanded.OneoftheDuke’smenrushedforwardandyankeditopen.Thesmellofstale

alecameoutinwaves,makinghimrecoil.Inside,drunkenmenwerehunchedoverthebar,seatedalongwoodentables,

screamingtooloudly,laughing,jeeringandjostlingeachother.Theywerecrudetypes, Erec could see that at once, with bellies too large, cheeks unshaven,clothesunwashed.Noneofthemwarriors.Erectookseveralstepsin,searchingtheplaceforher.Hecouldnotpossibly

imagine that a woman like her could work in such a place. He wondered ifmaybetheyhadcometothewrongdwelling.“Excuseme, sir, I’m looking for awoman,” Erec said to theman standing

besidehim,tallandwide,withabigbelly,unshaven.“Are you then?” the man yelled out, mocking. “Well, you’ve come to the

wrongplace!Thisisnotabrothel.Althoughthereisoneacrossthestreet—andIhearthewomentherearefineandplump!”Themanstartedlaughing,tooloudly,inErec’sface,andseveralofhisfellows

joinedin.“It isnotabrothel Iseek,”Erecanswered,unamused,“butasinglewoman,

onewhoworkshere.”“You must mean then the innkeeper’s servant,” called out someone else,

anotherlarge,drunkman.“She’sprobablyinthebacksomewhere,scrubbingthefloors.Toobad—Iwishshewereuphere,onmylap!”Themenallscreamedoutinlaughter,overwhelmedwiththeirownjokes,and

Erecreddenedat the thoughtof it.Hefeltashamedforher.Forher tohave toserve all of these types—it was an indignity that was too much for him tocontemplate.“Andyouare?”cameanothervoice.Amansteppedforward,widerthantheothers,withadarkbeardandeyes,a

deep scowl, a wide jaw, accompanied by several seedy men. He had moremuscleonhimthanfat,andheapproachedErecthreateningly,clearlyterritorial.“Areyoutryingtostealmyservantgirl?”hedemanded.“Outwithyouthen!”HesteppedforwardandreachedouttograbErec.ButErec, hardened by years of training, the kingdom’s greatest knight, had

reflexesbeyondwhat thisman could imagine.Themomenthis hands touchedErec, he sprang into action, grabbing his wrist in a lock, spinning the manaroundwithlightningspeed,grabbinghimbythebackofhisshirt,andshovinghimacrosstheroom.Thebigmanwentflyinglikeacannonball,andhetookseveralmenoutwith

him,allofthemcrashingtothefloorofthesmallplacelikebowlingpins.Theentireroomgrewsilent,aseverymanstoppedandwatched.“FIGHT!FIGHT!”themenchanted.Theinnkeeper,dazed,stumbledtohisfeetandchargedforErecwithashout.ThistimeErecdidnotwait.Hesteppedforwardtomeethisattacker,raisedan

arm,andbroughthiselbowstraightdownontheman’sface,breakinghisnoseashecharged.The innkeeper stumbled backwards, then collapsed, landing on the floor on

hisrear.Erecsteppedforward,pickedhimup,anddespitehis size,hoistedhimhigh

abovehishead.Hetookseveralstepsforwardandthrewtheman,andhewentflyingthroughtheair,takinghalftheroomdownwithhim.Allthemenintheroomfroze,stoppingtheirchanting,growingquiet,starting

to realize that someone special was among them. The bartender, though,

suddenlycamerushing forward,aglassbottleheldhighoverhishead,aimingrightforErec.Erecsawitcomingandalreadyhadhishandonhissword—butbeforeErec

coulddrawit,hisfriendBrandtsteppedforward,besidehim,drewadaggerfromhisbelt,andheldthetipofitoutatthebartender’sthroat.The bartender ran right into it and stopped cold, the blade just about to

puncture his skin.He stood there, eyeswide open in fear, sweating, frozen inmid-airwiththebottle.Theroomgrewsosilentatthestandoffonecouldhearapindrop.“Dropit,”Atmeordered.Thebartenderdidso,andthebottlesmashedonthefloor.Erecdrewhisswordwitharesoundingringofmetalandwalkedovertothe

innkeeper,wholaymoaningonthefloor,andpointeditathisthroat.“I will only say this once,” Erec announced. “Clear this room of all this

riffraff.Now.Idemandanaudiencewiththelady.Alone.”“TheDuke!”someoneyelled.ThewholeroomturnedandfinallyrecognizedtheDukestandingthere,bythe

entrance,flankedbyhismen.Allofthemrushedtotakeofftheircapsandbowtheirheads.“IftheroomisnotclearbythetimeIfinishspeaking,”theDukeannounced,

“eachoneofyouherewillbeimprisonedatonce.”Theroombrokeintoafrenzyasallthemeninsidescurriedtovacate,rushing

past the Duke and out the front door, leaving their unfinished bottles of alewheretheywere.“Andoutwith you, too,”Brandt said to the bartender, lowering his dagger,

grabbinghimbyhishairandshovinghimoutthedoor.Theroom,whichhadbeensorowdymomentsbefore,nowsatempty,silent,

saveforErec,Brandt,theDuke,andadozenofhisclosestmen.Theyshutthedoorbehindthemwitharesoundingslam.Erec turned to the innkeeper, sitting on the floor, still dazed, wiping blood

fromhisnose.Erecgrabbedhimby theshirt,hoistedhimupwithbothhands,andsathimdownononeoftheemptybenches.“You’veruinedmybusinessfor thenight,” the innkeeperwhined.“Youwill

payforthis.”TheDukesteppedforwardandbackhandedhim.“I canhaveyoukilled for attempting to lay a handon thisman,” theDuke

scolded.“Doyounotknowwhothisis?ThisisErec,theking’sbestknight,thechampionofTheSilver.Ifhechoosesto,hecankillyouhimself,rightnow.”Theinnkeeper lookedupatErec,andfor thefirst time,realfearcrossedhis

face.Henearlytrembledinhisseat.“Ihadnoidea.Youdidnotannounceyourself.”“Whereisshe?”Erecdemanded,impatient.“She’sintheback,scrubbingthekitchen.Whatisitthatyouwantwithher?

Didshestealsomethingofyours?Sheisjustanotherindenturedservantgirl.”Erecdrewhisdaggerandheldittotheman’sthroat.“Callhera‘servant’again,”Erecwarned,“andyoucanbesureIwillcutyour

throat. Do you understand?” he asked firmly as he held the blade against theman’sskin.Theman’seyesfloodedwithtears,asslowlyhenodded.“Bringherhere,andhurryaboutit,”Erecordered,andyankedhimtohisfeet

andgavehimashove,sendinghimflyingacrosstheroom,andtowardsthebackdoor.As the innkeeper left, there came a clanging of pots from behind the door,

mutedyelling,andthen,momentslater, thedooropened,andoutcameseveralwomen,dressedinrags,smocksandbonnets,coveredinkitchengrease.Therewerethreeolderwomen,intheirsixties,andErecwonderedforamomentiftheinnkeeperknewwhohewasspeakingof.Andthen,shecameout—andErec’sheartstoppedinhischest.Hecouldhardlybreathe.Itwasher.Sheworeanapron,coveredingreasestains,andshekeptherheaddownlow,

ashamedtolookup.Herhairwastied,coveredinacloth,hercheekswerecakedwith dirt—and yet still, Erec was smitten by her. Her skin was so young, soperfect. She had high, chiseled cheeks and jawbones, a small nose covered infreckles,andfulllips.Shehadabroad,regalforehead,andherbeautifulblondehairspilledoutfrombeneaththebonnet.Sheglancedupathim,justforamoment,andherlarge,wonderfulalmond-

greeneyes,whichshiftedinthelight,changingtocrystalbluethenbackagain,held him rooted in place He was surprised to realize that he was even moremesmerizedbyhernowthanhehadbeenwhenhe’dfirstmether.Behind her, out came the innkeeper, scowling, still wiping blood from his

nose. The girl walked forward tentatively, surrounded by these older women,towardsErec,andcurtsiedasshegotclose.Erecrose,standingbeforeher,asdidseveraloftheDuke’sentourage.“Mylord,”shesaid,hervoicesoft,sweet,fillingErec’sheart.“Pleasetellme

whatI’vedonetooffendyou.Idon’tknowwhatitis,butI’msorryforwhateveritisIhavedonetowarrantthepresenceoftheDuke’scourt.”Erecsmiled.Herwords,herlanguage,thesoundofhervoice—itallmadehim

feelrestored.Heneverwantedhertostopspeaking.

Erecreachedupandtouchedherchinwithhishand,liftingituntilhergentleeyeslookedathis.Hisheartracedashelookedintohereyes.Itwaslikegettinglostinaseaofblue.“Mylady,youhavedonenothingtooffend.Idonotthinkyoushalleverbe

abletooffend.Icomeherenotoutofanger—butoutoflove.SinceIsawyou,Ihavebeenabletothinkofnothingelse.”The girl looked flustered, and immediately dropped her eyes to the ground,

blinking several times. She twisted her hands, looking nervous, overwhelmed.Shewasclearlyunusedtothis.“Pleasemylady,tellme.Whatisyourname?”“Alistair,”sheanswered,humbly.“Alistair,”Erecrepeated,overwhelmed.Itwasthemostbeautifulnamehehad

everheard.“ButIdonotknowwhyitshouldserveyoutoknowit,”sheadded,softly,still

lookingatthefloor.“YouareaLord.AndIambutaservant.”“Sheismyservant,tobeexact,”theinnkeepersaid,steppingforward,nasty.

“Sheisindenturedtome.Shesignedacontract,yearsago.Sevenyearsiswhatshepromised.Inreturn,Igiveherfoodandboard.Sheisthreeyearsin.Soyousee,thisisallawasteoftime.Sheismine.Iownher.Youarenottakingthisoneaway.Sheismine.Doyouunderstand?”Erecfeltahatredfor the innkeeperbeyondwhathehadeverfelt foraman.

Hewaspartlyofamindtodrawhisswordandstabhimintheheartandbedonewithhim.Buthowevermuchthemanmayhavedeservedit,ErecdidnotwanttobreaktheKing’slaw.Afterall,hisactionsreflectedontheking.“The King’s law is the King’s law,” Erec said to theman, firmly. “I don’t

intend on breaking it. That said, tomorrow begin the tournaments. And I amentitled,asanyman,tochoosemybride.AndletitbeknownhereandnowthatIchooseAlistair.”Agaspspreadtheroom,aseveryoneturnedtoeachother,shocked.“Thatis,”Erecadded,“ifsheconsents.”EreclookedatAlistair,hisheartpounding,asshekeptherfaceloweredtothe

floor.Hecouldseethatshewasblushing.“Doyouconsent,mylady?”heasked.Theroomfellsilent.“MyLord,”shesaidsoftly,“youknownothingofwhoIam,ofwhereIam

from,ofwhyIamhere.AndIamafraidthesearethingsIcannottellyou.”Erecstaredback,puzzled.“Whycanyounottellme?”“Ihavenevertoldanyonesincemyarrival.Ihavemadeavow.”

“Butwhy?”hepressed,socurious.ButAlistairmerelykeptherfacedown,silent.“It’strue,”insertedoneoftheservantwomen.“Thisone’snevertolduswho

sheis.Orwhyshe’shere.Sherefusesto.We’vetriedforyears.”Erecwasdeeplypuzzledbyher—butthatonlyaddedtohermystery.“If I cannotknowwhoyouare, then I shallnot,”Erec said.“I respectyour

vow.Butthatwillnotchangemyaffectionforyou.Mylady,whoeveryouare,ifIshouldwinthesetournaments,thenIwillchooseyouasmyprize.You,fromanywomaninthisentirekingdom.Iaskyouagain:doyouconsent?”Alistairkepthereyesfixedtotheground,andasErecwatched,hesawtears

rollingdownhercheeks.Suddenly,sheturnedandfledfromtheroom,runningoutandclosingthedoor

behindher.Erecstoodthere,withtheothers,inthestunnedsilence.Hehardlyknewhow

tointerpretherresponse.“Youseethen,youwasteyourtime,andmine,”theinnkeepersaid.“Shesaid

no.Beoffwithyouthen.”Erecfrownedback.“Shedidnotsayno,”Brandtinterjected.“Shedidnotrespond.”“Sheisentitledtotakehertime,”Erecsaid,inherdefense.“Afterall,itisa

lotatonce.Shedoesnotknowme,either.”Erecstoodthere,debatingwhattodo.“Iwillstayheretonight,”Erecfinallyannounced.“Youshallgivemearoom

here,downthehall fromhers. In themorning,before the tournamentsbegin, Ishallaskheragain.Ifsheconsents,andifIwin,sheshallbemybride.Ifso,Iwillbuyheroutofher servitudewithyou, and she shall leave thisplacewithme.”TheinnkeeperclearlydidnotwantErecunderhisroof,buthedarednotsay

anything; sohe turnedand stormed from the room, slamming thedoorbehindhim.“Areyoucertainyouwishtostayhere?”theDukeasked.“Comebacktothe

castlewithus.”Erecnoddedback,gravely.“Ihaveneverbeenmorecertainofanythinginmylife.”

CHAPTEREIGHT

Thor plummeted down through the air, diving, racing head first for thechurningwatersoftheSeaofFire.Heentereditandsunkdown,immersed,andwasstartledtofeelthewaterwashot.Beneaththesurface,Thoropenedhiseyesbriefly—andwishedhehadn’t.He

caughtaglimpseofallmannerofstrangeanduglyseacreatures,smallandbig,withunusualandgrotesquefaces.Thisoceanwasteeming.Heprayedtheydidnotattackhimbeforehecouldreachthesafetyoftherowboat.Thorsurfacedwithagasp,andlookedimmediatelyforthedrowningboy.He

spotted him, and just in time: he was flailing, sinking, and in a few moreseconds,surelyhewouldhavedrowned.Thorreachedaround,grabbedhimfrombehindbyhiscollarbone,andbegan

toswimwithhim,keepingbothoftheirheadsabovewater.Thorheardawhelpandawhine,andasheturned,hewasshockedtoseeKrohn:hemusthaveleaptin after him. He swam beside him, paddling up to Thor, whining. Thor feltterriblethatKrohnwasendangeredlikethis—buthishandswerefullandtherewaslittlehecoulddo.Thor tried not to look all around him, at the waters, churning red, at the

strange creatures surfacing and disappearing all around him. An ugly lookingcreature,purple,withfourarmsandtwoheads,surfacednearby,hissedathim,thensubmerged,makingThorflinch.Thorturnedandsawtherowboat,abouttwentyyardsaway,andheswamfor

it frantically, using his one arm and his legs as he dragged the boy. The boyflailedandscreamed,resisting,andThorfearedhemightbringhimdownwithhim.“Holdstill!”Thorscreamedharshly,hopingtheboywouldlisten.Finally,hedid.Thorwasmomentarilyrelieved—untilheheardasplashand

turnedhisheadtheotherway:rightbesidehim,anothercreaturesurfaced,small,withayellowheadandfourtentacles.Ithadasquarehead,anditswamrightuptohim, snarling and shaking. It looked like a rattlesnake that lived in the sea,exceptitsheadwastoosquare.Thorbracedhimselfasitgotcloser,preparingtobebit—but then suddenly it opened itsmouthwide and spat seawater at him.Thorblinked,tryingtogetitfromhiseyes.The creature swamaround and around them, in circles, andThor redoubled

hisefforts,swimmingfaster,tryingtogetawayfromit.Thorwasmakingprogress,gettingclosertotheboat,whensuddenlyanother

creature surfaced, onhis other side. Itwas long, narrowandorange,with twoclaws at itsmouth and dozens of small legs. It also had a long tail, which itwhipped about in every direction. It looked like a lobster, standing upright. Itskirted along thewater’s edge, like awater bug, and buzzed its way close toThor,turningtothesideandwhippingitstail.ThetaillashedThor’sarm,andhecriedoutinpain—itstung.The creature whizzed back and forth, lashing out again and again. Thor

wishedhecoulddrawhisswordandattack it—butheonlyhadonefreehand,andheneededittoswim.Krohn,swimmingbesidehim,turnedandsnarledatthecreature,ahair-raising

noise, and as Krohn fearlessly swam its way, it scared the beast, making itdisappear beneath the waters. Thor sighed with relief—until the creaturesuddenlyreappearedonhisotherside,andlashedhimagain.Krohnturnedandchased it all around, trying to catch it, snapping his jaws at it, and alwaysmissing.Thorswamforhislife,realizingtheonlywayoutofthismesswastogetout

ofthissea.Afterwhatfeltlikeforever,swimmingharderthanhe’deverhad,heswamupclose to the rowboat, rockingviolently in thewaves.Ashedid, twoLegionmembers,olderboyswhoneverspoketoThorandhisclassmates,werewaitingtheretohelphim.Totheircredit,theyleanedoverandextendedhimahand.Thorhelpedtheboyfirst,reachingaroundandhoistinguptowardstheboat.

Theolderboysgrabbedtheboybyhisarmsanddraggedhimup.Thor thenreachedaround,grabbedKrohnbyhisstomachandthrewhimup

out of thewater, and onto the boat.Krohn clamoredwith all four paws as hescratchedandslippedonthewoodenboat,drippingwet,shaking.Heslidacrossthewetbottom,acrosstheboat.Thenheimmediatelypouncedbackup,turned,andranbacktotheledge,lookingforThor.Hestoodthere, lookingdownintothewater,andyelped.Thorreachedupandgrabbedthehandofoneoftheboys,andwasjustpulling

himselfintotheboatwhensuddenlyhefeltsomethingstrongandmuscularwrapitselfaroundhisankleandthigh.Heturnedandlookeddown,andhisheartfrozeashesawalime-greensquid-likecreature,wrappingatentaclearoundhisleg.Thorcriedoutinpainashefeltitsstingerspiercehisflesh.Thorrealizedthatifhedidn’tdosomethingquick,hewouldbefinished.With

hisfreehand,hereacheddowntohisbelt,extractedashortdagger,leanedover,andslashedatit.Butthetentaclewassothick,thedaggercouldnotevenpierceit.Itmadeitangry.Thecreature’sheadsuddenlysurfaced—green,withnoeyes

and two jaws on its long neck, one atop the other—opened its rows of razor-sharpteethandleanedintowardsThor.Thorfeltthebloodbeingcutofffromhisleg,andknewhehadtoactfast.Despitetheelderboy’seffortstohangontohim,Thor’sgripwasslipping,andhewassinkingbackintothewater.Krohnyelpedandyelped,hairsstandingonhisback,leaningoverasifgetting

ready topounce into thewater.ButevenKrohnmusthaveknown itwouldbeuselesstoattackthisthing.Oneoftheolderboyssteppedforwardandscreamed:“DUCK!”Thorloweredhishead,astheboythrewaspear.Itwhizzedthroughtheairbut

it missed, flew harmlessly by and sank into the water. The creature was tooskinny,andtooquick.Suddenly,Krohnleaptoff theboatandbackinto thewater, landingwithhis

jawsopenandhissharpteethextendedonthebackofthecreature’sneck.Krohnclampeddownandswungthecreatureleftandright,notlettinggo.But itwas a losingbattle: the creature’s skinwas too tough, and itwas too

muscular.ThecreaturethrewKrohnsidetosidethenfinallysenthimflyingintothewater.Meanwhile, thecreature’sgrip tightenedonThor’s leg; itwaslikeavice,andThorfelthimselflosingoxygen.Thetentaclesburnedsobad,Thorfeltasifhislegwasabouttobetornoffhisbody.Inonefinal,desperateattempt,Thorletgooftheboy’shandandinthesame

motionswungaroundandreachedfortheshortswordonhisbelt.Buthecouldnotgrabitintime;heslippedandspunandfellfacefirstintothe

water.Thorfelthimselfdraggedaway,fartherfromtheboat,thecreaturepullinghim

outtosea.Hewasdraggedbackwards,fasterandfaster,andashereachedouthelplessly,hewatchedtherowboatdisappearingbeforehim.Thenext thingheknew,hefelthimselfbeingpulleddown,beneaththesurfaceofthewater,deepintothedepthsoftheSeaofFire.

CHAPTERNINE

Gwendolynranintheopenmeadow,herfather,KingMacGil,besideher.Shewas young,maybe ten, and her fatherwasmuch younger, too.His beardwasshort,notshowinganysignsofthegrayitwouldhavelaterinlife,andhisskinwas free of wrinkles, youthful, shining. He was happy, carefree, and laughedwithabandonasheheldherhandandranwithherthroughthefields.Thiswasthefathersheremembered,thefathersheknew.He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, spinning her again and

again,laughinglouderandlouder,andshegiggledhysterically.Shefeltsosafeinhisarms,andshewantedthistimetogethertoneverend.Butwhenherfathersetherdown,somethingstrangehappened.Suddenly,the

daywentfromasunnyafternoontotwilight.WhenGwen’sfeethittheground,theywerenolongerintheflowersofthemeadow,butstuckinmud,uptoherankles.Her fathernowlay in themud,onhisback,a fewfeetawayfromher,older,mucholder,tooold,andhewasstuck.Afewfeetaway,lyinginthemud,washiscrown,sparkling.“Gwendolyn,”hegasped.“Mydaughter.Helpme.”Heliftedahandoutfromthemud,reachingforher,desperate.Shewasovercomewithanurgencytohelphim,andshetriedtogotohim,to

grabhishand.Butherfeetwouldnotbudge.Shelookeddownandsawthattheywerestuckinthemudwhichwashardeningallaroundher,dryingup,cracking.Shewiggledandwiggled,tryingtobreakfree.Gwenblinkedandfoundherselfstandingontheparapetsofthecastle,looking

downonKing’sCourt.Somethingwaswrong:asshelookeddown,shedidnotsee the usual splendor and festivities, but rather a sprawling cemetery.WherethereoncesattheshiningsplendorofKing’sCourttherenowsatfreshgravesasfartheeyecouldsee.Sheheard a shufflingof feet, andher heart stopped as she turned to see an

assassin,wearingablackcloakandhood,approachingher.Hesprintedforher,pulling back his hood, revealing a grotesque face, one eye missing, a thick,jaggedscaroverthesocket.Hesnarled,raisedonehand,andraisedaglisteningdagger,itshiltglowingred.Hewasmoving toofastandshecouldnotreact in time.Shebracedherself,

knowing shewas about to be killed as he brought the dagger downwith fullforce.Itstoppedsuddenly,justinchesfromherface,andsheopenedhereyestosee

her father, standing there, a corpse, catching the man’s wrist in mid-air. Hesqueezed the man’s hand until he dropped it, then hoisted the man over hisshoulders and threw him off the parapet. Gwen listened to his screams as heplungeddownovertheedge.Her father turned and stared at her, a corpse, his flesh decomposed; he

grabbedhershouldersfirmly,andworeasternexpression.“It is not safe for you here,” he warned. “It is not safe!” he screamed, his

handsdiggingintohershoulderswaytoofirmly,makinghercryout.Gwen woke screaming. She sat upright in bed, looking all around her

chamber,expectingtheretobeanattacker.Butshewasmetwithnothingbutsilence,thethick,stillsilencethatpreceded

dawn.Sweating,breathinghard,shejumpedfrombed,dressedinhernighttimelace,

and paced her room. She hurried over to her small, stone basin and splashedwaterinherface,againandagain.Sheleanedagainstthewall,feltthecoolstoneonherbarefeetonthiswarmsummermorning,andtriedtocomposeherself.Thedreamhadfelttooreal.Shesenseditwasmorethanadream—agenuine

warningfromherfather,amessage.ShefeltanurgencytoleaveKing’sCourt,rightnow,andtonevercomeback.Sheknewthatwassomethingshecouldnotdo.Sheknewshehadtocompose

herself, togainherwits.Buteverytimesheblinked,shesawherfather’sface,felthiswarning.Shehadtodosomethingtoshakethedreamoff.Gwenlookedoutandsawthefirstsunjustbeginningtorise,andshethought

oftheonlyplacethatwouldhelpherregainhercomposure:King’sRiver.Yes,shehadtogo.

*Gwendolynimmersedherselfagainandagaininthefreezingcoldspringsof

King’sRiver,holdinghernoseandduckingherheadunderwater.Shesatinthesmall,naturalswimmingpoolcarvedfromrock,hiddenintheuppersprings,thatshe had found and frequented ever since she was a child. She held her headbeneath thewaterand lingered there, feeling thecoldcurrents run throughherhair,overherscalp,feelingitwashandcleansehernakedbody.She had found this secluded spot one day, hidden amidst a clump of trees,

highuponthemountain,asmallplateauwheretheriverslowed.Inthisspot,theriver’s current slowed, and the pool was deep and still. Above her, the rivertrickledinandbelowher,itcontinuedtotrickledown—yethere,onthisplateau,thewatersheldjusttheslightestcurrent.Thepoolwasdeep,therockssmooth,and the place sowell hidden, she could bathe nakedwith abandon. She camehere almost everymorning in the summer, as the sunwas rising, to clear her

mind.Especiallyondaysliketoday,whendreamshauntedher,astheyoftendid,itwasheroneplaceofrefuge.ItwassohardforGwentoknowif itwasjustadream,orsomethingmore.

Howwasshetoknowwhenadreamwasamessage,anomen?Toknowwhenitwasjusthermindplayingtricksonher,orifshewerebeinggivenachancetotakeaction?Gwendolynroseforair,breathinginthewarmsummermorning,hearingthe

birdschirpallaroundherinthetrees.Sheleanedbackagainsttherock,herbodyimmersedup toherneck,sittingonanatural ledge in thewater, thinking.Shereachedupwithherhandsandsplashedherface,thenranherhandsthroughherlong, strawberry hair. She looked down at the crystal surface of the water,reflectingthesky,thesecondsun,whichwasalreadybeginningtorise,thetreeswhicharchedoverthewater,andherownface.Heralmondeyes,glowingblue,glowedbackatherthroughtheripples.Shecouldseesomethingofherfatherinthem.Sheturnedaway,thinkingagainofherdream.SheknewitwasdangerousforhertoremaininKing’sCourtwithherfather’s

assassination, with all the spies, all the plots—and especially, with Gareth asking. Her brother was unpredictable. Vindictive. Paranoid. And very, veryjealous.He saw everyone as a threat—especially her.Anything could happen.Sheknewthatshewasnotsafehere.Nobodywas.But shewas not one to run. She needed to know for surewho her father’s

murdererwas,andifitwasGareth,shecouldnotrunawayuntilshehadbroughthim to justice. She knew that her father’s spirit would not rest until whoeverkilledhimwascaught.Justicehadbeenhisrallyingcryallhislife,andhe,ofallpeople,deservedtohaveitforhimselfindeath.Gwen thought again of her encounter with Godfrey and Steffen. She felt

certainSteffenwashidingsomething,andwonderedwhatitwas.Apartofherfelthemightopenuponhisown time.Butwhat ifhewouldnot?She felt anurgencytofindherfather’skiller—butdidnotknowwhereelsetolook.Gwendolynfinally rosefromherseatbeneath thewater,climbedontoshore

naked,shivering in themorningair,hidbehinda thick tree,andreachedup totakehertowelfromabranch,asshealwaysdid.Butasshereachedforit,shewasshockedtodiscoverhertowelwasnotthere.

Shestoodthere,naked,wet,andcouldnotunderstandit.Shewascertainshehadhungitthere,asshealwaysdid.As she stood there, baffled, shivering, trying to understand what had

happened,suddenly,shesensedmotionbehindher.Ithappenedsoquick,ablur,andamomentlater,herheartstopped,assherealizedamanstoodbehindher.Ithappenedtoofast.Insecondstheman,wearingablackcloakandhood,as

inherdream,wasbehindher.Hegrabbedher frombehind, reachedupwithabonyhandandclaspeditoverhermouth,mutingherscreamsasheheldhertightfrom behind. He reached around with his other hand and grabbed her by thewaist,pullinghercloseandhoistingherofftheground.Shekickedintheair,tryingtoscream,untilhesetherdown,stillclaspingher

tight.Shetriedtobreakfreefromhisgrasp,buthewastoostrong.HereachedaroundandGwenwastoseeheheldadaggerwithaglowingredhilt—thesamefromherdream.Ithadbeenawarningafterall.Shefeltthebladepressedupagainstherthroat,andhehelditsotightthatif

she moved in any direction, her throat would be cut. Tears poured down hercheeksasshestruggledtobreathe.Shewassomadatherself.Shehadbeensostupid.Sheshouldhavebeenmorevigilant.“Doyourecognizemyface?”heasked.Heleanedforwardandshefelthishot,badbreathonhercheek,andsawhis

profile.Herheartstopped—itwasthesamefacefromherdream,themanwiththemissingeyeandscar.“Yes,”sheanswered,hervoiceshaking.Itwasafacesheknewtoowell.Shedidnotknowhisname,butsheknewthat

he was an enforcer. A low class type, one of several who hung around herbrother,Gareth, sincehewasachild.HewasGareth’smessenger.Garethsenthimtoanyonehewishedtoscare—ortortureorkill.“Youaremybrother’sdog,”shehissedbackathim,defiant.Hesmiled,revealingmissingteeth.“I am his messenger,” he said. “And my message comes with a special

weapon to help you remember it.Hismessage to you today is to stop askingquestions.Itisoneyouwillcometoknowwell,becausewhenI’mfinishedwithyou,thescarIwillleaveonthatprettyfaceofyourswillmakeyourememberitforyourentirelife.”Hesnorted,thenraisedtheknifehighandbegantobringitdownforherface.“NO!”Gwenshrieked.Shebracedherselfforthelife-changingslash.Butasthebladecamedown,somethinghappened.Suddenly,abirdscreeched,

swoopeddownfromoutofthesky,doverightfortheman.Sheglancedupandrecognizeditatthelastsecond:Ephistopheles.It swooped down, its claws out, and scratched the man’s face as he was

bringingdowntheblade.The blade had just begun to sliceGwen’s cheek, stinging herwith its pain,

whenitsuddenlychangeddirections;themanshrieked,droppingthebladeand

raisinghishands.Gwensawawhitelightflashinthesky,thesunshiningbehindthebranches,andasEphistophelesflewaway,sheknew,shejustknew,thatherfatherhadsenther.Shewasted no time. She spun around, leaned back and, as her trainers had

taughthertodo,kickedthemanhardinthesoloplexus,takingperfectaimwithherbarefoot.Hekeeledover, feeling the strengthofher legs as shedroveherkick right through him. She’d had it drilled into her, from the time she wasyoung,thatshedidnotneedtobestrongtofendoffanattacker.Shejustneededtouseherstrongestmuscles—herthighs.Andtotakeaimprecisely.Asthemanstoodthere,keeledover,shesteppedforward,grabbedthebackof

his hair and raised her knee—again, with pinpoint precision—and connectedperfectlyonthebridgeofhisnose.Sheheardasatisfiedcrackandfelthishotbloodgushout,pourontoherleg,

stainingit;asheslumpedtotheground,sheknewshehadbrokenhisnose.Sheknewsheshouldfinishhimoffforgood, takethatdaggerandplungeit

intohisheart.Butshestoodthere,naked,andherinstinctwastoclotheherselfandgetout

of here. She didn’twant his blood on her hands, howevermuch hemay havedeservedit.Soinsteadshereacheddown,grabbedhisblade,chuckeditintotheriver,and

wrappedherclothesaroundherself.Shepreparedtoflee,butbeforeshedid,sheturnedback,woundup,andkickedhimashardasshecouldinthegroin.Hescreamedoutinpain,andcurledupinaball,likeawoundedanimal.Inwardlyshewasshaking,feelinghowcloseshehadcometobeingkilled,or

at least maimed. She felt the cut stinging her cheek, and realized she wouldprobablycarrysomescar,howeverlight.Shefelttraumatized.Butshedidnotlethimshowit.Becauseatthesametime,shealsofeltanewstrengthwellingupinher,thestrengthofherfather,ofsevengenerationsofMacGilkings.Andforthefirst time she realized that she, too,was strong.As strong as her brothers.Asstrongasanyofthem.Beforesheturnedaway,sheleaneddownclosesohecouldhearheramidsthis

groans.“Comenearmeagain,”shegrowledtotheman,“andIwillkillyoumyself.”

CHAPTERTEN

Thorfelthimselfgettingsuckeddownbeneaththewaterandknewthatwithinmomentshewouldbeplunged to thedepthsanddrowned—ifhewasn’t eatenalivefirst.Heprayedtogodwithallthathehad.Please,don’tletmedienow.Nothere.Notinthisplace.Notbythiscreature’s

hand.Thortriedtosummonhispowers,whatevertheywere.Hetriedwithall that

hehad,willed thatspecialenergy to flowthroughhim, tohelphimdefeat thiscreature.Heclosedhiseyesandwilledforittowork.But it didnot callwhenhe summoned it.Nothinghappened.Hewas just a

regularboy,powerless,justlikeeverybodyelse.Wherewerehispowerswhenheneeded themmost?Were they real? Or had all those other times just been afluke?Ashewasbeginningtoloseconsciousness,aseriesofimagesflashedthrough

hismind.HesawKingMacGil,asifhewererighttherewithhim,watchingoverhim;hesawArgon;andthenhesawGwendolyn.Itwasthatlastfacethatgavehimreasontolive.Suddenly,Thorheardasplashbehindhim,thenheardthecreatureshriek.He

turned,justbeforehedescendedbeneaththesurface,toseeReese,inthewaterbesidehim.Hisswordwasdrawn,andheheldthecreature’sseveredheadinhishand. The creature’s head, detached from its body, continued to scream, asyellowbloodgushedfromitsbody.Slowly, Thor felt its grip loosening on his leg, as Reese reached over and

yanked it free of him. Thor’s leg felt as if it were on fire, and he hoped andprayedthatnopermanentdamagehadbeendone.Thor felt Reese’s arm around his shoulder, and felt himself dragged back

towards the boat.Thor blinked, in andout of consciousness, dimly seeing thehugerollingwavesofthechurningsea,feelingthemriseandfallallaroundhim.Theymade it, andThor felthimselfbeinghoistedupandonto theboat, the

other boys yankinghimandKrohnonboard.Reese landed in the boat besidehim,andfinally,allweresafe.Thor lay there, on the floor of the boat, breathing hard, the boat rising and

fallinginthesea,wavescrashingallaroundthem.“Youokay?”Reeseasked,sittingoverhim.Thor lookedup and sawKrohn leaningover, then felt him lickinghis face.

Thorreachedupandstrokedhiswetfur.ThorgrabbedReese’shand,andpulled

himselfuptoasittingposition,tryingtogethisbearings.Heshookitoffandlookeddownathisleg,andsawthatthecreaturehadleft

marks, burning throughhis clothing, thepants onone legnow just a shredoffabric. He could see the roundmarks where it had leached onto him, and herubbedthem,feelingtheslightindents.Butnowthatthetentaclewasoffofhim,theburningwasgettingbetterbythesecond.Hetriedbendinghiskneeandwasable to.Luckily, itwas not as bad as it could have been, and it seemed to behealingfast.“Ioweyouone,”Thorsaid,smilingupatReese.Reesesmiledback.“Ithinkwe’reeven.”Thorlookedaroundandsawseveraloftheolderboysrowing,tryingtogain

controlastheboatrockedviolentlyinthewaves.“HELP!”cameashout.Thorturnedandlookedbacktothebigboatandsawseveralboysjumpingoff

theedge—orbeingpushedoffbyKolkandtheothercommanders.AmongthemhespottedO’Connor,Eldenandthetwins.Theyalllandedinthewaterswithasplash,andtheybobbedthere,flailing.Somewerebetterswimmersthanothers.Creatures of all different colors and shapes and sizes surfaced in the watersaroundthem.“HELP!”aboyscreamedagain,asawide,flatscalycreatureturnedsideways

andlasheditsfinsathim.Reesecrossed theboat,grabbedabowandarrow,andaimed itdownat the

water,firingonthecreatures.Hemissed.ButhegaveThoranidea,andhejumpedintoaction.Thorlookeddownand

was thrilled to see his trusted sling still stuck to hiswaistband; he grabbed it,insertedasmoothstoneinitfromhispouch,tookaim,andhurled.Therockflewthroughtheairandhitthecreaturerightonitshead,knockingit

offtheLegionmember,andmakingitswimaway.Thorheardanothershout,andheturnedtoseeO’Connor,adifferentcreature

perchedonhisback.Thiscreaturelookedlikeafrog,butwasblack,withwhitedots,andtentimesthesize.ItslongtongueprotrudedfromitsmouthandslippeddowntowardsO’Connor’sneck.Itmadeastrangesnarlingnoise,andopeneditsjawswide.O’Connorlookedbackoverhisshoulderinterror.All around O’Connor, boys were shooting arrows at it, but missing. Thor

placedastone,leanedback,tookaim,andhurledit.It was a perfect hit. The creature made a weird squealing noise, and then

turned and glared at Thor. It hissed and then, to Thor’s shock, it turned andhoppedrighttowardshim.

Thor could not believe how far this creature could jump: it went flyingthroughtheair,itslegsspreadwide,andwascomingrightforhisface.Thorimmediatelyreloadedhisslingandfiredagain.Hestruckthecreaturewithasecondtospare,rightbeforeitreachedtheboat.

Hehitinmid-air,anditplungeddown,sinkingintothewaters.Thorbreatheddeeply.“LOOKOUT!”cameascream.Thor spun just in time to see a huge wave coming out of nowhere and

crashingdownontheboat.Thorraisedhishandsandscreamed—butitwastoolate.Itengulfedthemall.Foramoment,Thorwasunderwater.Thewavesubmergedtheirboat,rocked

itviolently,thendisappearedjustasquickly.Theycameupforair, theboatstill intact,bobbingbacktothesurface.Thor

gasped, coughing and spitting out the saltywater as others around himdid aswell. Luckily, their boatwas big, and that wave had beenmostly foam. Thorlooked around and spotted Krohn, clinging to the edge, and rushed over andgrabbedhim,justbeforeheslippedover.Theirboatlevelagain,Thorturnedandsawthattheywerebearingdownon

the island. Theywere close to shore, hardly twenty feet away,which broughthimasenseofrelief.But at the same time he realized that the shorewas comprised of a virtual

minefieldofjaggedboulders.Therewasnosafe,smoothplacetoland.Thehugewaveswere cresting and crashing down on the rocks. Suddenly anotherwavecame,theirboatwasliftedhigh,andalltheboysintheboatscreamedatonceastheycamecrashingdown,straightfortherocks.Therewasnotimetoreact.Amomentlater,theirentireboatshatteredagainst

therock,theimpactstrongenoughtoshakeThor’sjaw,astheirboatsplinteredintopieces.Theboyswereallthrownfromtheboat.Thor went flying head over heel and found himself back in the water, the

churning red sea all around him, flailing, trying to orient himself. This timeKrohnwas near him, and Thormanaged to reach out and grab him. Anotherwavecameandpickedthemup,andbroughtthemcrashingdown.Thordodged,andnarrowlymissedlandingagainstasharprock.Butanother

wavewascoming,andheknewhehadtodosomethingquick.Hespottedaboulderflatterthantheothers,andheswamforit.Hereachedit

justasawavewasrecedingandtriedtoclimbupontoit;butitwascoveredinaslimymoss,andhekeptlosinghisgrip.Anotherwavecameandpushedhimupontoit,crunchinghisstomachagainstitbutalsoliftinghimuphighenoughtoreachitsplateau.

Finallyontopoftherock,ThorturnedandsearchedthewatersforReese.Hesawhim,flailingdownbelow,andscurrieddowntheboulderandreacheddowntograbhim.Buthewasjustoutofreach.“Yourbow!”Thorscreamed.Reeseunderstood—hereachedontohisbackandpulledoffhisbowandheld

outoneendtoThor.Thorgrabbeditandusedittoyankhimup,ontotherock.Hemadeitsafely,justbeforeanotherwavecrashedoverhim.“Thanks,”Reesesaid,smiling.“NowIoweyouone.”Thorsmiledback.ThetwoofthemturnedandThorliftedKrohnandstuffedhimintohisshirtas

they jumped to the top of the next boulder, then to the top of next one.Theywenton like this,boulder toboulder,gettingever closer to shore,until finallyThorslippedoffofoneandwenthurlingdownintothesea.Buthewasclosetoshorenow,andwhenthenextwavecame,itpropelledhimevenfarther,andhefoundhimselfabletostand,thewateruptohiswaist.Hewadedhiswaytowardsshore,atiny,narrowstripofblacksand,andonefinalwavepoundedhimonhisbackandpropelledhimalltheway.Thorcollapsedonthesand,Reesebesidehim,Krohnjumpingoutofhisshirt

andlayingdown,too.Thorwasphysicallyandmentallyexhausted.Buthehadmadeit.Hecouldnotbelieveit.Hehadmadeit.He sat up and turned and saw his fellowLegionmembers in thewater, all

wading to shore, waves crashing on their backs, washing up all around him.Some followed in his footsteps, hopping boulder to boulder; others were justthrowninthewaves,bracingthemselvesanddoingtheirbesttoavoidtherocks.HecouldseeO’Connor,Elden,thetwins,andotherboysherecognized,andwasrelievedtoseetheywereokay.Thorturnedtheotherway,andlookedupatthesteepcliffsbehindhim,rising

straightupintothesky,leadingtotheisland,somewhereupthere.“Nowwhat?” he askedReese, realizing theywere stranded on this narrow,

rockystripofshore.“Weclimb,”Reeseresponded.Thorexamined thecliffsagain; theysoaredahundred feet, and lookedwet,

coveredintheoceanspray.Hedidn’tseehowtheycould.“Buthow?”Thorasked.Reeseshrugged.“We don’t have much choice.We can’t stay down here. This beach is too

narrow,andthetideisrising—wewillbeengulfedbythewavessoonenoughifwedon’tmove.”Thewaveswerealreadyencroaching,thesmallstripofbeachnarrowing,and

Thorknewhewasright: theydidn’thavemuchtimetowaste.Hehadnoideahowtheywouldclimbthiscliff,butheknewtheyhadtotry.Therewasnootheroption.ThorstuffedKrohnbackintohisshirt,turnedforthecliffwall,crammedhis

handsintowhatevernooksandcrannieshecouldfind,foundsomecragsforhisfeet,andbeganclimbingstraightup.Besidehim,Reesedidthesame.Itwasincrediblyhard,thecliffnearlysmooth,withonlysmallcragsinwhich

toplacehisfingersandtoes.Sometimeshefoundhimselfhavingtopullhimselfupbyjustthetipsofafewfingers,pushingoffwithjustthetipsofhistoes.Hehadonlygonea fewfeet,andhisarmsand legsalreadyshook.He lookedup,andsawatleastahundredfeetbeforehim;helookeddownandsawatenfootdroptothesandbelow.Hewasbreathinghard,anddidnotknowhowhewouldmakeit.Krohnwhinedinsidehisshirt,wriggling.Reeseclimbedatthesamerate,andherestedbesidehim,alsolookeddown,

andsharedthesamebewilderedlook.Thortookanotherstep,andashedid,heslipped.Heslidseveralfeet.Reese

reachedoutforhim,butitwastoolate.Thorwent flying backwards, through the air, hurling, bracing himself for a

rough impact on the sand. Krohn yelped, jumping out, flying through the airbesidehim.Thor heard the crashing of a wave, and luckily, the wave hit the sand just

beforeimpact.Thorlandedinthewater,splashingdown,andwasgratefulthatithadsoftenedtheblow.Hesatup,andwatchedasReese,too,losthisgripandcameflyingdownand

landed in the water, not too far from him. The two of them sat there, andwondered. All around them, other boys were arriving on the shore, and alsolookedupinwonder.Thordidn’tseehowtheycouldmakeittothetop,howtheycouldevermake

ittotheisland.O’Connor, wading onto the sand, stood there and examined the cliff for a

goodminute before he reached back and removed the bow fromhis shoulder.Fromhiswaistheremovedalongbunchofrope,andasThorwatched,hetiedtheropetotheendofanarrow.BeforeThorcouldaskhimwhathewasdoing,O’Connorfired.Thearrowcarriedtherope,higherandhigherthroughtheair,untilitreached

thevery topof thecliff and looped itself arounda small tree. Itwasaperfectshot,thearrowfallingcleanlyoveroneendandslidingbackdownthemountain.O’Connortuggedatit,makingsureitwasstable;thetreebentbutdidnotgive.Thorwasimpressed.

“I’mnotacompletewaste,”O’Connorsaid,withaproudsmile.TheotherLegionmembers crowded aroundhimandhis rope, asO’Connor

begantoclimbit.Hepulledhimselfuprelativelyquicklyandeasily,climbinghigherandhigher,

until he reached the top. When he did, he tied the arrow around the tree,providingasecureropefortheothers.“Oneatatime!”O’Connorcalleddown.“Yougo,”ReesesaidtoThor.“Afteryou,”Thorsaid.Reeseclimbedup,andThorwaiteduntilhereachedthetop,thenfollowed.It

waseasycomparedtoclimbingtherockface,andsoonThorreachedthetop.Hewassweating,breathinghard,beyondexhausted,andhecollapsedonthe

grassashereachedtheisland.Itwasreal,softgrass,andafterwhathehadbeenthrough,hefeltasifhehadlandedonthemostluxuriousofbeds.Thorliftedhisheadenoughtolookoutatthesunsetallaroundhim,castinga

mysticallightontothisstrangeplace.Itwascraggy,desolate,forlorn,coveredinaneerieandunwelcomingmist.Themistseemedtotainteverything,seemedtothreatentoswallowhimwhole.Itwashardlyaplacehewouldcallwelcoming.Thorswallowed.Thisdesolateplace,inthemiddleofnowhere,atthetopof

theworld,wouldbehomeforthenexthundreddays.

CHAPTERELEVEN

GwendolynranthroughthebackstreetsofKing’scourt,twistingandturning,tryingtorememberherwaytothealehouse.Shehadonlybeenhereonceinherlife, when trying to retrieve Godfrey for some occasion, and she had neverfrequentedthispartofKing’sCourtsince.Itwastooseedyforher,andshefeltuncomfortable from all the stares as the streets becamepopulatedwith unrulytypes.ItsaddenedherthatGodfreyhadwastedsomuchofhislifehere,inthisplacethatwasbeneathhim.Ithadputastainonthehonoroftheroyalfamily,andsheknewhewasbetterthanthat.Tears still poured down her cheeks and her heart still pounded as she ran

through her mind, again and again, what had just happened at the river. Shereached up and felt the small cut on her cheek, still stinging, still fresh, andwondered if it would scar. Gwen looked down at her hand and saw it wascoveredinblood.Shehadnottakentimetobandageit—butthatwastheleastofitnow.Sherealizedhowluckyshewasnottohavebeenkilledormaimed;shethought of Ephistopheles, and felt certain her father had saved her. Lookingback,sheshouldhaveheededherdreammorecarefully.Buthow?Dreamswerestill amystery toher.Sheneverquiteknew the right courseof action to take,evenwhenitseemedclear.SheknewofGareth’sdog’sreputationforbutchery,knewhowmanypeople

he had maimed for life and marveled that she had escaped. She grew coldthinkingthatGarethhadsenthimtoher.Hermindspunwith the implications.Obviouslyhewouldnothave senthimunlesshehad something tohideabouttheirfather’smurder.Shefeltmorecertainofitthanever.Thequestionwashowtoprove it. Shewouldnot give upuntil she did—even if itmeant riskingherownlife.Garethmusthavethoughtthatthatmanwouldscareheraway—buttheoppositewastrue.Gwenwasnotonetobackdown.Andwhensomeonetriedtoscareorthreatenher,shealwaysfoughtbacktwiceashard.Sheturnedyetanothercorner,andfinallysawthetavern,crooked,saggingon

oneend,thestructurewaytoooldandnevertendedwelltobeginwith.Thedoorwaspartiallyopen,andtwodrunksstumbledoutofit,oneofthemlightingupatthesightofher.“Hey, look here!” he said, elbowing his buddy, who, more drunk than he,

turnedandbelchedather.“Heymiss,goingourway?”heyelled,andshriekedwithlaughterathisown

joke.

Theylurchedtowardsher,butafterwhatshehadbeenthrough,Gwenwasnotafraid.Shewasinnomoodforeverydaycretins—andshepushedthemroughlyoutofherway.Caughtoffguard,theystumbledback,drunk.“Hey!”onescreamed,indignant.ButGwenhurriedpastthem,unafraid,rightintotheopentavern.Inthemood

shewas in, ifoneof themfollowedher in,shewouldfindanemptyglassandsmash it on his head. That would make them think twice about addressing amemberoftheroyalfamilysodisrespectfully.Gwenstrodeintothetavern, thesmellhittingher,andasshedid, therowdy

atmosphere fell silent, all heads turning. Therewere dozens of seedy types inhere, all drinking, all slovenly; she could scarcely believe how many peopleweresodeepintodrinksoearlyintheday.Itwasnotaholiday,atleastasfarshecouldrecall.Thenagain,shesupposedthatforthesepeople,italwayswas.Oneman,seatedat thebar,wasslowertoturnthantheothers,andwhenhe

did,hiseyesopenedwideatthesightofher.“Gwen!”hecalledout,surpriseinhisvoice.Gwen hurried over to Godfrey, feeling all the emotion pouring out of her.

Godfrey looked at her with real concern, stumbled up from his barstool, andhurriedovertoher,layingaprotectivearmaroundher.He guided her away from the others, to a small table in the corner of the

tavern.Histwofriends,AkorthandFulton,keptothersatbay,andcreatedawallfortheirprivacy.“Whathappened?”heasked,quietlyandurgently,ashesatbesideher.“What

happenedtoyourface?”heasked,reachingtowardshercut.Herback toall theothers, shesatbesideherbrother,and finally feltallher

emotionpouringout.Despiteherbestefforts,shebrokedownsobbing,coveringherfaceinherhands,inshame.“Garethtriedtokillme,”shesaid.“What!?”Godfreyexclaimed,horrified.“Hesentoneofhisattackdogsafterme.Iwasbathing, inKing’sRiver.He

surprisedme. I shouldhavebeenmorevigilant. Iwasstupid. Iwascaughtoffguard.”“Letmesee,”Godfreysaid,pullingbackherhandfromherscar.He lookedathercheek, then turnedandsnappedhis fingersatAkorth,who

ranoffbehindthebarandreturnedshortlywithaclean,wetrag.HehandedittoGodfrey,whowipedhercheekcarefullyandthoroughly.Thecoldwaterstungashedid,butshewasgratefulforhishelp.Hehandedhertheragandsheheldittohercheek.Shesawhisgenuineconcern,andforthefirsttimeinherlife,shefeltareal

brotherlyloveforhim,feltproudthatGodfreywasherbrother,feltthathewassomeoneshecouldrelyon.Itbrokeherheartthathestayedinthisplace.“Whyareyouhere?”sheasked.“Ilookedforyoueverywhere,andIwastold

that you’d come back here. You promised. You promised your drinking dayswereover.”Godfreylookeddownatthetable,crestfallen.“Itried,”hesaid,crushed.“Ireallydid.Butthepullofdrinkwastoostrong.

Aftertoday,afterourfailureintheservant’squarters…Idon’tknow.Myhopesgotsohigh.IwassureSteffenwouldgiveustheproofweneeded.Butafterthatfailed,Ilosthope.Igotdepressed.AndthenIheardthenewsofKendrick,andthatpushedmeovertheedge.Ineededadrink.I’msorry.Icouldn’tcontrolit.IknowIshouldn’thavecomebackhere.ButIdid.”“Whatnews?”Gwenasked,alarmed.“WhatnewsofKendrick?”Helookedather,surprised.“Youhaven’theard?”Sheshookherhead,wellingwithanxiety.“Garethhadhimarrested.He’sbeenchargedwithourfather’smurder.”“What?”Gwencalledout,horrified.“Garethcan’tgetawaywiththat!Thatis

ridiculous!”Godfreylookeddownandshookhisheadslowly.“Healreadyhas.HeisKing—hecandowhateverhewantsnow.Itisheresy

to question the King’s judgment, isn’t it? And worse: Kendrick is set to beexecuted.”Gwenfeltapitinherstomach.Shedidn’tthinkshecouldfeelanyworsethan

she had this morning. But now she did. Kendrick, who she loved more thananything,imprisoned,settobekilled.Itmadeherphysicallysicktothinkofit,tothinkofhim,suchafineman,wallowingawayinthedungeon,andexecutedlikeacommoncriminal.“Wemuststopit,”Gwenurged.“Wecan’tallowhimtodie!”“Iagree,”Godfreysaid.“Ican’tbelieveGarethtriedtoharmyou,”Godfrey

said,lookingreallystunned.“Can’t you?”Gwen asked. “It seems hewill stop at nothing untilwe’re all

dead.We’re all obstacles, don’t you see?We’re all obstacles in hismind.Heneedsusoutof theway.Becauseweknowhis truenature.He isguiltyofourfather’smurder.Andhewon’tstopuntiltherestofusaredead.”Godfreysatthere,shakinghishead.“Iwishwecoulddomore,”Godfreysaid.“Wehavetostophim.”“Webothdo,”Gwenanswered.“Wecan’twaitanylonger.”“Iwasthinking,thismorning,”Godfreysaid,sittingupstraight,eyeslighting

with excitement, “of something that happened the other day. In the forest. Icrossed paths with Gareth. He was with Firth. There is supposedly a witch’scottagenotfarfromthere.I’mwonderingifthat’swherehewascomingfrom.IwasthinkingofgoingtoseeifIcouldfindthiscottage.PerhapsIcandiscoversomething.”“Youshouldgo,”Gwenanswered.“Itisagoodidea.Ifnotnow,when?”Godfreynodded.“Butfirst,youneedtostopallofthis,”shesaid,lookingaroundthebar.Godfrey looked into her eyes and he must have saw her meaning, as she

lookedaroundthetavern.Shemeantthatitwastimeforhimtostophisways.Tostopthedrinking,onceandforall.Somethingshiftedinhiseyesashelookedather,andshecouldalmostseethe

transformationhappeningbeforehereyes.Shecouldseehisresolve.Itseemedrealthistime.“Iwill,”hesaid,withaconfidenceunlikeanyshehadeverheard.Shefeltit,

andshereallybelievedhim.“And I will go to our brother,” Gwen said. “I will find a way to get to

Kendrickinthedungeon,andIwillfindawaytogethimout.WhateverIhavetodo.Icannotlethimdie.”Godfreyreachedoutandlaidahandonherwrist.“Protectyourself,”heurged,“Garethwillcomeafteryouagain.Youare the

weakestlink.Youcannotwalkaroundunprotected.Takethis.”Gwen heard a clank, and looked down and saw him slide forward a small

pieceofwoodonthetable.Sheexaminedit,puzzled.Godfrey reachedover, and showedher the trick to it.Hegrabbed thewood

and pried it open, an invisible crack down themiddle, and both sides split inhalf,andthereemergedahiddendagger.“It is the weapon of choice in the taverns,” he explained. “Easy to hide.

Untraceable.”Godfreyturnedandlookedathermeaningfully.“Keep it close. And if anyone comes near you again, don’t ask questions.

Plungeitintotheirheart.”

CHAPTERTWELVE

“Onyourfeet!”Thoropenedhiseyeswitha joltand lookedup,disoriented, trying tofigure

outwhere hewas. Several Legion commanders stood over him and the otherboys, all ofwhom lay scattered on the ground, deep in sleep.Hands on theirhips, thecommandersproddedtheboyswiththeirfeet,andThorfeltaboot inhis side, and looked over to seeKolk prodding him.Krohn snarled in Thor’sdefense,andKolkmovedontothenextboy,screaming,takinghismetalaxeandslamming into his metal shield right above O’Connor’s head. There was aresoundingboom,andO’Connorleapttohisfeet,eyesopenwide.Thorstood,too,rubbinghishead,tryingtoprocessitall.Theywereall ina

cave,thatmuchheknew.WithhimwereaboutadozenotherLegionmembers,allinhisagerange.Hisheadwassplitting,andhecouldseefromthemutelightenteringthecavethatitwasthecrackofdawn.Hetriedtoremember.It was all a blur. He recalled the night before, climbing the cliff, finally

reachingtheisland,layingthere.Eventually,theotherboyshadmadeitup,too,and theyhadallbeenroundedupby thecommandersof theLegion,who toldthemtorestforthenightandprepareformorning.Theyhadbrokenthemupintosmall groups, based on their ages, and Thor had splintered off with Reese,O’Connor,Elden and the twins, alongwith fourotherboysThordidn’t know.Theyhadbeendirected towardssmallcaves in thecraggymountainsideof thedesolateisland.Nighthadfallenfast,andathickfogsettledin,soThorcouldn’tseemoreofwhatlayinstoreoutthere.Theyhadallbarelymadeittothecave,drippingwet,freezing,asdarksettled

in.Someonehadbuiltafire,andThorrememberedlayingdownbesideit,andfallingfastasleep.Thenextthingheknew,hehadbeenawakened.Thor’sstomachgrowledinthemorninglight,buthedarednotsayanything.

Hehadsleptinhisclothesandboots,asdidtheothers,andatleastthefirehadpartiallydriedthemout.The commandersproddedoneboyafter anotherout the cave, andThor felt

himselfbeingpushedfrombehind,andhestumbledout,intothestronglightofthemorning.Theredmiststillhungovertheisland,seemedtoriseupfromtheislanditself,butatleastinthemorninglightThorcouldseemuchmoreofthisplace. The island was even more eerie than he remembered—a desolatelandscape of boulders and rocks, of small mountains and large craters. The

horizonstretchedforeverandtherewerenotreesanywhereinsight.Thorcouldhear the waves crashing, omnipresent, and knew that the ocean lay below,somewhere over the edge of the cliffs that demarcated the island in everydirection. It was a fateful reminder that if one got too close to the edge, onewouldgohurlingtoone’sdeath.Thor could hardly imagine how they would train here. This island was so

empty, and there looked to be no training ground in sight—no targets, noweapons,noarmor,nohorses.His brothers in arms filtered out of the cave and stood with him in the

morning light, all of them huddling around, squinting, raising their hands toblockthesun.Kolkmarchedbeforethem,asangryandintenseasever.“Don’t applaudyourselves just becauseyoumade it here,”Kolk said. “You

mustallreallythinkyou’resomethingspecial.Well,you’renot.”Kolkpaced.“Beingonthisislandisaprivilege,”hecontinued.“Yourstayinghereisnota

right. It is not a gift. You will stay here if—and only if—you earn it. Everymomentofeveryday.Andthatbeginswithyourgettingpermissiontobehereinthefirstplace.Beforeyourtrainingcanbegin,youmustwinpermissionfromthelocals.”“Thelocals?”O’Connorasked.“This island is inhabited by an ancient warrior tribe. The Kavos. They’ve

livedandtrainedhereathousandyears.Eachandeverywarriorthatcomesheremustaskandgaintheirpermission.Ifyoudon’t,you’llgetshippedbacktotheRing.YouLegionmembershavebeenbrokendownintosmallgroups,andyouwill each, separately, need to gain permission.You cannot count on the entireLegionnow—onlyonthemembersinyourgroup.”Thorlookedaroundathisgroupofeightandwondered.“Butwherearethey?”Eldenasked,rubbinghiseyesagainstthemorningsun.

“TheKavos?”“Finding themwill not be easy,”Kolk said. “They don’twant to be found.

Theydon’tlikeyou.Andformanyofyourecruits,itwillnotgowell.Theyareabelligerentpeople.Theywillchallengeyou.That ishowyour testofmanhoodbegins.”“Buthowdowefindthem?”Convenpressed.Kolkfrowned.“This island isvastandunforgiving.Youmaynotever find them.Youmay

starvetryingtogetthere.Youmaygetlost.Youmaynotmakeitback.”Kolkputhishandsonhishipsandsmiled.“WelcometoTheHundred.”

*Thorturnedandlookedathisgroup:therewereeightofthem,standingthere,

inthemiddleofnowhere,lookingateachother,dazedandconfused.Exhausted.There was O’Connor, Reese, Elden, the twins—and two others. One herecognized—thecoward,theboywhofrozeupontheships,whoThorrescued.And therewasoneother,whomThordidnot recognize.He looked tobe theirage,andhestoodapartfromtherest,withdarkhairandeyes,lookingawayfromtheothers,andwithapermanentscowlonhisface.TherewassomethingabouthimthatThordidnotlike,somethingthatseemeddark.Something…evil.“Sowherenow?”O’Connorasked.Theothersgrumbledandlookedaway.“WherearetheKavos?”Eldenasked.Reeseshrugged.“Ihavenoidea.”“Well,totheSouthistheocean,sowecan’tgothere,”Reesesaid.“Wecan

headNorth, East, orWest. That wasteland he spokes of looks like it’s to thenorth,”hesaid,squintingintothehorizon.“Thisentireislandlookslikeawasteland,”Eldensaid.“Isayweheadnorth,andseewhathappens,”Reesesaid.The others all seemed to be in agreement, and they set off, beginning their

longmarch.Krohn,whining,marchedbesideThor.“I’mWilliam,”saidaboy,andThorturnedtoseetheboyhehadsavedinthe

waters, the onewho had been afraid of the shield exercise.Hewalked besideThorandlookedathimgratefully.“Ineverhadachancetothankyouforsavingmylifebackthere,inthesea.”“I’mThor,”heanswered,“andyouhavenothingtothankmefor.”Thorlikedhim;hewasafrail,thinboywithlargehazeleyesandlongishhair

thatfelloverhiseyes.TherewassomethingtohisdemeanorthatworriedThor—heseemedfragile.Hedidn’tseemasstrongastheothers,andheseemedveryonedge.Thorsensedthathewasn’tcutouttobehere.Thorhikedsilentlywiththesevenotherboysacrossthewastelandforhours,

theonlysound thatof theirbootscrunchingonrocksanddirt,each lost inhisownworldofanticipation.Itwasunusuallycoldforasummermorning,evenasthe first sun began to rise, and the mist still lingered, up to their ankles. Apersistent cold breeze swept through this place that never seemed to go away.The eight of themwalked in silence, side-by-side,marchingwith nothing butmorewastelandonthehorizon.Thorswallowed, thirsty,nervous,wonderingiftheywouldfindwhereveritwastheyneededtogo—andnotsurehewantedto.IthadbeenmuchmorereassuringhavingdozensofhisLegionmembersaround

—andwithjusttheeightofthem,hefeltmorepronetoattack.Thor heard the distant screech of an animal, and it was unlike any animal

noisehe’deverheard.Itsoundedlikeaneaglecrossedwithabear.Theothersturnedand looked, too,andThorsawreal fear inWilliam’seyes.Thor lookedaround, trying to pinpoint where it was coming from, but it was impossible.Therewasnothingbutwasteland,fadingintothemist.The others looked on edge—except for the final boy, the dark-haired one

whose name, Thor remembered, wasMalic. He still scowled, and he seemedpreoccupied, lost inhisownworld.AsThorobservedhim,hebegan todimlyrememberwhohewas.Herememberedhearingrumorsabouthim,theoneboywhohadjoinedtheLegionbykillingaman.If therumorsweretrue, theyhadcometohistownforSelectionandhadskippedhimover,andherushedforwardandkilledamantwicehissizeinfrontofthem.Impressed,theyhaddecidedtochangetheirmindsandaccepthimintotheLegion.ApparentlyineverycropoftheLegion,soReesetoldhim,theylikedtotakeinonepersonwhoseteveryoneelseonedge,whowasatrained,ruthlesskiller.Inthiscrop,thatwasMalic.Thorlookedaway,andfocusedagainonthelandscape,onhissurroundings,

tryingtostayvigilant.Helookedupandrealizedtherewasadifferenthuetothesky,anorangegreen;therewasastrange,thickfeeltothemist,adifferentsmelltotheair,coolandcrisp.Thisplacewasdifferentthananyplacehe’deverbeen.Everythingaboutitfeltforeign.Whateverpowerheheldwithinhimwastellinghimsomethingabout thisplace, that itwasdifferent,primordial.Hecouldfeelthepresenceofthedragon,theforceofitsbreath.In fact, as they walked, he couldn’t help but feel as if they were inside a

dragon’slair,walkingonthemistcreatedbyitsbreath.Theplacefeltmagical.Itwas like the feeling he’d hadwhen crossing theCanyon—but itwas differenthere.Here,ithadamoreominousquality.Thorfeltcertainthatothercreatureslivedhere,too—andnonethatwerewelcoming.“AndwhatifwhenwefindtheseKavostheysayno?”O’Connorcalledoutto

thegroup,wonderingaloudthesamethingthatwasoneveryone’smind.“Whatiftheydon’tgiveuspermission?”O’Connorcontinued.“Thenwhat?”“Thenwemakethemgiveuspermission,”Eldenanswered.“Ifitisnotgiven

to us, then we fight for it. Do you think our enemies in battle will grant uspermissiontoinvadetheirtowns?That’swhywe’rehere,isn’tit?Isn’tthatwhatthisisallabout?”Reeseshrugged.“Idon’tknowwhatthisisallabout,”hesaid.“AllIknowisthatIremember

thestoriesIheardfrommyolderbrother,Kendrick.Hetoldmeofthefirsttimehecamehere.Hisclosefriendsbothdied.”

Thorfeltachillathiswords.HeturnedandlookedatReese,andhecouldtellfromhisfacethathewasserious.Theotherslookedmoreanxiousthanbefore.“How?”O’Connorasked.Reeseshrugged.“Hewouldn’ttellme.”“Butdoyou really think theywould letLegionmembersdiehere?”Conval

asked.“What purpose would that serve? To kill off their own recruits?” Conven

added.Reeseshrugged,andfellsilentastheyallcontinuedmarching.“Yousaidityourself.Recruits,”Malicsuddenlysaid.Everyoneturnedtohim,surprised.Hisvoicewasdarkandguttural,surprising

Thor,ashehadneverhearditbefore.Hedidnotlookbackatthem,butstaredstraightahead,hishandalwaysonthehiltofhisdagger,playingwithitasifitwerehisbestfriend.Itsblack-and-silverhandlegleamedinthelight.“Recruits,”headded.“We’reallrecruits.Noneofusaremembers.Nooneis

trulyaLegionmemberuntiltheygraduate.Agetwenty.Sixyearstogo.They’retrying to weed us all out. They want a force of themost elite knights in theworld. If we can’tmake it, theywant us dead. They don’t care.Why shouldthey?ThereareathousandmorejustlikeusineveryvillageintheRing.”Thor thoughtabout thatas theyfellback insilenceandcontinued tomarch,

theirbootscrunching.Theyheadeddeeperanddeeperintothewildernessofthisplace,andThorwonderedabouttheotherLegionmembers,alltheothergroups,whereontheislandtheywere,whatobstaclestheyhadtoface.Hewasgladtobeinthecompanyoftheseboys.As hoursmore passed, as the sun reached its peak in the sky, as Thorwas

fading out, beginning to lose focus, suddenly, there came a loud hissing andbubblingnoiserightnearhim.Hejumpedoutofthewayjustintime,andbesidehim,theearthsuddenlybubbledup.Hewatchedthesoilturnorange,thenbrightred,thenhissandexplode.Lavashotup,highintotheair,sparkingandsmoking,sendingsmallflamesineverydirection.AsmallburstofflamelandedonThor’ssleeve,andheswatteditasitbegantoburnhim;luckily,hemanagedtoputitout,althoughitlastedlongenoughtosting.Krohnsnarledatit,readytoattackthelava.Thorandtheotherboysranawayfromtheburstinglavaspring,keepingtheir

distanceasitseemedtobubbleeverhigher.Itwasagoodthingtheydid,becausethegroundarounditbegantomelt.“Whatisthisplace?”Williamasked,fearinhisvoice.“Let’skeepmoving,”Reesesaid.

They all turned and continued heading north, hurrying away from the lavaburst.Butjustastheyweregainingtheirdistance,suddenly,anotherlavaspringburstupfromtheground,withnowarning,justafewfeetawayontheirotherside.Williamscreamedandjumped,theflamesjustmissinghim.Theyallhurried togaindistance from thatone, too—but then, suddenly,all

around them and as far as they could see, lava springs burst out. There camehissing and popping noises everywhere, as the land burst up like aminefield.Evenwhile terrified,Thor could not help but notice that it created a beautifuldisplayoflight.Theyallstoodrootedinplace,afraidtotakeastepforward.Lavaspringswere

spacedoutevery twenty feetor soand itwouldbe tricky tonavigatebetweenthem.“Howarewesupposedtocontinuethroughthat?”Williamasked.“At least they’ve already exploded,”Elden said. “Nowallwehave todo is

walkbetweenthem.”“Butwhatifothersexplode?”Williamasked.Clearly,theyhadnochoice.Theyallcontinuedforward,intothelavafield,Thorcareful,withtheothers,

toweaveinbetweenthelavasprings.Luckily,noothersburstastheywent,butThorwasonguardtheentiretime.Justas the lava fieldseemed to reach itsend, suddenly,one last lavaspring

burstup,catchingthemalloffguard.ItburstrightnearO’Connor,toocloseforhimtogetoutofthewayintime.Hisscreamsfilledtheair,asdidthestenchofburning flesh. O’Connor’s left bicepwas singed badly by a glob of lava andO’Connor screamed, smoke and flames rising from his tunic. Standing rightbesidehimwasMalic,whocouldeasilyhavehelpedhimputitout.Buthedidnot.ThorandReese jumpedontoO’Connor,knockinghimdown,putting itout.

O’Connor screamed, andThor saw theburnwasbad, and it looked incrediblypainful.HeandReesepulledO’Connortohisfeet,andThortoreafreshpieceofcloth

fromhisowntunic,andwrappeditaroundO’Connor’sarm.“Whydidn’tyouhelphim?”ReeseyelledatMalic.“Youwerestandingright

besidehim.Youcouldhaveputitout.”Thorhadbeenwonderingthesamething.Malicshrugged,nonchalant,thenactuallysmiledoveratthem.“WhyshouldI?”heasked.“WhyshouldIcareifhegetsburned?”Thorstaredback,disbelieving.

“Areyousayingyoudon’tcareaboutprotectingyourbrothers?”Eldenasked.Malicsmiledback,andThorcouldsensetheevilinhiseyes.“Of course I don’t. In fact, I would kill each one of you if I thought it

benefitedme.”His smile never disappeared, and Thor could see how serious he was. Just

lookingathim,seeingthedepthofhisevil,gavehimachill.Theothersstaredbackathim,flabbergasted.“Weshouldallkillyourightnow,”Eldenanswered.“Thendoit,”Malicsaid.“Givemeareasontokillyou.”Elden tookastep towardshim,scowling,drawinghissword—butsuddenly,

thetwinssteppedbetweenthem.“Don’twasteyourtime,”ConvensaidtoElden.“He’snotworthit.”Eldenstopped,scowling,thenfinallyturnedaway.Krohn,besideThor,clearlydidnotlikeMaliceither.Hegrowledquietlyinhis

direction,thehairsstandinguponhisbackwheneverhelookedathim.“Let’sgetoutofthisplace,”Reesesaid.“Canyouwalk?”heaskedO’Connor,

whostoodbetweenthem,breathinghardandclutchinghisarm.O’Connornoddedback.“Ithurtslikehell.ButI’llbeokay.”Thegroupcontinuedon,marchingthroughthewasteland,allofthemonedge,

looking out for more lava springs. Finally, after an hour, Thor felt confidentthey’dpassedthem,andbegantolowerhisguard.Astheywalkedandwalked,asthesungrewlongerinthesky,Thorbeganto

wonderhowlongthiswouldgoon,andwhethertheywouldeverfindtheKavos.Howlostwerethey?“Howdoweknowwe’reevengoingintherightdirection?”Williamsuddenly

calledouttothegroup,echoingwhatwasoneverybody’sminds.Hewasmetwithonlysilence in return,and thewhistlingof thewind.That

wasanswerenough—nooneknew.Hour followedhour as theymarched through thewasteland, dirt and stones

crunchingbeneath their feet.Thorwasgetting tiredandhungry, andaboveallthirsty.Thecoolmorninghadmorphedintoahotday,andthewindthatwhippedthroughonlybroughtdustandmorehotair.He lickedhis lipsand realizedhewoulddoanythingforasackofwater.Thorlookedupandblinkedashethoughthespottedsomethingscurryingin

thedistance.He’d thought it looked something likeanostrich, though it cameandwent so fast, hewas unsure.Could it be?An animal in this place, in themiddleofnowhere?Hesquintedintothelight,themorningmistnowmostlyburntoff,andthought

hesawasmallcloudofdust.“Didyouseethat?”heaskedReese.“What?”Reesesaid.“Isawit,”Convensaid.“Itlookedlikesomekindofanimal.”Now Thor wondered. As they all continued to march, suddenly, another

animal sprinted right for them.Theydrew their swords,but theanimalmovedtooquickly,andveeredawayatthelastsecond.“Whatthehellwasthat?”Convalasked.Thorhaddefinitelyseenitthistime—ithadabrightyellowandblackbody,a

roundbelly,long,skinnylegs,atleasttenfeethigh,withshort,thickwingsforarms,andahugehead.Itlookedlikeabumblebeeonstilts.Suddenly,anotheronecamedartingoutofnowhere,chargingrightforthem.

This one screeched as it went, flapping its wings with a buzzing noise, andseemedtochargerightforThor.Thor,hissworddrawn,dodgedoutofthewayat the last second, as the beast brushed by him.He swung his sword, but thebeast was so fast, he wasn’t even close. He swung at air. Krohn snarled andsnapped at it, but alsomissed.He didn’t know how something that big couldmovethatfast.Thebrushwiththebeastleftabruiseonhisarm.Theotherslookbaffled,butReesenoddedknowingly.“Hemlocks,” Reese said, relaxing his guard. “They’re harmless, unless you

provokethem.”“Harmless?”O’Connorsaid.“Thatdidn’tseemharmless.”“Provoke them like how?”Elden said. “Youmeanby, like, going into their

territory?Becausethatisexactlywhatwearedoing.”Thor studied the horizon and suddenly there came into view hundreds of

hemlocks, scurrying every which way, their wings flapping and buzzing,gathering in the distance andmaking a great noise like a hornet’s nest. Theyzigzagged leftand right,andalleightboysstopped in their tracks.Theystoodthere, frozen, unsure what to do. It was clear that if they continued to moveforward,they’dbeattacked.“Backupslowly,”Reesesaid.“Don’ttakeyoureyesoffthem.They’lltakeit

asasignofweakness.”They each backed up slowly, one step at a time, and after severalminutes,

theygainedenoughdistancetobesafelyoutofrange.“Wecan’tcontinueinthatdirection,”Convalsaid.“Let’sturnthisway,”Convensaid.They made a sharp turn to the right, taking a narrow trail between two

mountains.Assoonastheyweresafelyoutofsight,theybrokeintoajog,tryingtoputasmuchdistancebetweenthemandthecreaturesastheycould.

“Youthinkthey’llfollowus?”O’Connorasked.“Ihopenot,”Williamsaid.They joggedforwhat felt likeanhour,until finally theycameout theother

sideofthemountains,andfoundthemselvesinanewwasteland.Theyswitchedtoawalk,allbreathinghard,Thorcoveredinsweat.Thesun

grewlongintheafternoon,andThorwouldgiveanythingforadrink.Helookedaroundandsawtheotherswereasexhaustedashe.“This isstupid,”Williamfinallysaid.“Howarewegoing to find them?We

couldbeheadinginthewrongdirection.”“Wejusthavetokeepmoving,”Reesesaid.“Movingwhere?”Eldenasked,frustrated.“Maybe this is all just an exercise,” O’Connor said. “To get us all killed.

MaybetheseKavosdon’tevenexist.Maybethiswholethingwasatest—toseehowlongandfarwewouldgountilwerealizedandturnedbackaround.Maybethey’reallwaitingforusbackwherewebegan.”“That’sridiculous,”Eldensaid.“Wehaveourmission.Wecan’tquit.”Williamstopped,andtheyallstoppedandlookedathim.“Ithinkweshouldturnaround,”hesaid.“Ifyoudon’tkeepwalking,”Malicbegan,“thenI’mgoingto—”Beforehecouldfinishhiswords,suddenlytherecamethesoundoffootsteps

onthedesertfloor.Thor spun in time to see a dozen of the fiercestwarriors he had ever seen,

chargingrightforthem.Theyworeallblack,theirmusculararmsandlegsopentotheair,andlarge,redhelmets.Theyweretallandbroad,musclesbulging,andtheycarriedswordsandshieldsandallmannerofdeadlyweapons.Theyletoutafiercebattlecry“Ithinkwe’vefoundthem,”Malicsaid.Clearly,theseweretheKavos.Theyhadcomeoutofnowhere—andtheydid

notseempleased.Thor and the others turned and faced them, butwith hardly enough time to

react.Noneof themdrew their swords,allof themunsurewhether toprovokethemortrytomakepeace.“Wehavecome toaskyourpermission!”Reeseyelledout,as theycharged,

tryingtomollifythem.“Never!”theirleaderscreamedback.Thorandtheotherswenttodrawtheirweapons—butbynow,itwastoolate.TheKavos pounced on them. Theymoved faster than Thor could imagine,

andThor sawhis brethren raising their swords and shields.Therewas a greatclangofmetal,astheyblockedtheblows.

Thor raised his own sword, blocking a blow just before it reached hisshoulder.Theblowwassostrongandfierce,itsenthimstumblingseveralfeet.Ashe lookedup, theKavosbroughtdownhis swordagain, andThorblockedthattoo.ButthentheKavos,ahugemanwithalong,wildbeardandbaldhead,leanedbackandkickedThorhard in thechest.Theblowsenthimflyingbackseveralfeet,thewindknockedoutofhim.Krohn snarled andpouncedon thewarrior, andwas able to drive himback

andkeephimawayfromattackingThorwhilehewasdown.Thetwinswereknockeddown,too,alongwithWilliam,ReeseandO’Connor.

Elden,withhis sheer strength,wasable togoblowforblow,butevenhewasgettingbeatenback.ThorcouldnotunderstandhowtheKavosweresostrong—andwhytheyweresohostile.Hehadthoughttheywouldgrantpermission.Nowheunderstoodtheyneededtofightforit.Thorrolledoutofthewayasaswordcamedownathim;thebladestuckin

the dirt, andThor used the opportunity to swing around and use his shield tostrikehim in the ribs.Therecameagasp,and themancollapsed tohisknees.Thorjumpedtohisfeetandkickedtheman,sendinghimtohisback.ButThorwasthentackledfromthesidebyanotherone,drivendowntothe

ground.Helandedwithacrash,windedagain,hisfacingdrivenintothedirt.Hetried tospin,but theKavospinnedhimdown,aman three timeshissize.Themanwent toclawThor’sface,andThorreachedup toholdhimback.But themanwastoostrong.Thorrolledhisheadoutoftheway,andatthelastsecondtheman’sfingersflewbyhimandplungedintothedirt.Thortriedtorollthemanoffhim,buthewastoostrong.Theyrolled,several

times,andthemanstayedontopofhim,pinninghimdown.ThemanreachedupandThorsawthatheheldacurveddaggerandwasbriningitdownforhisface.Therewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit.Hebracedhimselffortheimpact.Krohnappeared,snarling,andbitthemaninthesideofthehead;hescreamed

andletgoofThor.ThenEldenappeared,kickingtheKavoshardinhistemple,theblowknockinghimoff.Thorjumpedtohisfeet,besideElden,moregratefultoKrohnandtoEldenthantheywouldeverknow.“Ioweyouone,”hesaid.More of them charged, and they both spun and raised their swords and

blocked theblows.Thorparried,backand forth, swordsclanging,drivenbackandbarelyabletoholdhisown.Thesemenwerejusttoostrong,toofast.Theycouldn’tholdthembackmuchlonger.Thor,desperate,wasbeginningtofeelapower,anenergy,wellingwithinhim.

Hefeltatremendousheatriseup,throughhislegsandarmsandshoulders,intohis palms. Suddenly his sword was knocked out of his hand, and he found

himselfdefenseless.TheKavosreachedbacktoswing,andashedid,Thorfelthispalmspositivelyburning.Hehad to trusthis instincts.Heplantedhis feet,heldapalmout,anddirectedhisenergyattheman.Ashedid,hewatchedinaweasagoldenballofenergycameflyingoutofhis

handsandhittheKavossquareinthechest.Hewentflyingback,agoodtwentyfeet,withascream,andlandedonhisback.Helaythere,unconscious.The others must have noticed, because they all turned and looked at Thor,

stunned.Thorheldouthispalms,aimingthematoneKavosafterthenext.Oneafteranother,agoldenenergyballcameflyingout,hittingeachKavos,knockingeachone onto his back.He first hit the one attackingReese, thenElden, thenO’Connor,thentheothers.Hesavedeachone,sparingeachanastyblowfromhisattacker.TherewasoneKavos, larger than theothers,withadifferentcoloredarmor,

who looked like their leader. He charged Thor, and Thor turned and fired anenergyballathim.ButThorwasshockedtoseethemanswipeitawaybeforeitreachedhim.ThemantookthreestepstoThor,grabbedhimbytheshirt,andhoistedhim

uphigh in theair, several feet,untilhewaseye levelwithhim.Heheld themthere,staringathim,scowling.Thor felt a tremendous energy flowing through the man, and realized,

whoeverhewas, hewashelpless inhis grasp. If thismanwanted tokill him,Thorknewthathecould.AsthemanheldThorintheair,afterseveralseconds,slowlyhisexpression

softened,andtoThor’ssurprise,itmorphedintoasmile.“Ilikeyou,”themangrowled,inadeep,ancientvoice.“Iwishtohaveyou

here.”He leanedback,and threwThorandhewent flying through theair, landing

hardinthedirt,rollingseveraltimes,windedagain.Helaythere,breathinghard,andlookedupatthewarrior.Themanlaughed,thenturnedhisback,andbegantowalkaway.“WelcometotheIsleofMist,”hesaid.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Erecwoke at dawn in the unfamiliar bed and sat upright, trying to get hisbearings.Heremembered:hewasinthetavern.Alistair.He jumpedupanddressedhimselfwithinmoments,preparing.Hehadbeen

up most of the night, barely sleeping, the blood pumping in his veins withthoughts of Alistair. He could not get her face from his mind, and he couldbarelystandthethoughtthatshewassleepingjustdownthehall,underthesameroof. He also could not rest knowing she had not yet agreed to accept hisproposal.Asheputonhischainmail,ashewatchedthefirstlightbreakingthroughthe

crookedwindow,heknewthattodaywastheday.Todaywasthedayhisnewlifewouldbegin,thefirstdayofonehundreddaysoftournamentstowinhisbride.Nowhehadareasontowin.Ifshewouldhavehim,hewouldfightforher.AsErecwatchedthesunslowlylightuptheworld,thetreesinsilhouette,as

he heard the first birds sing, he was struck with a feeling, one he could notshake: ifshesaidyes, todaywasthedaythatwouldchangehis life.Hisentirelife,whenhehadmetwomen,hehadneverhadsuchafeelingaswhenhehadmetAlistair.Whenhehadfoundheragain,inthetavern,hehadbeenexpectingnottofeelthatsamefeelingagain.Hehadbeensurprisedtorealizethathefeltitstill—andevenstronger.Itwasnotafluke.Itwasafeelingofinstantloyaltytoher.Afeelingthathecouldbebynooneelse’sside.Hedidnotknowifshefeltit, too. And he could not tell if that was because she was overwhelmed, orbecauseshewassimplynotinterested.Hehadtoknow.Hecouldnotrestuntilhedid.Erecfinisheddressing,gatheredhisweapons,andhurriedfromtheroom,his

spursjinglingashisfootstepsechoeddownthecreakywoodenhall.Hehurrieddown the steps, entered the tavern, empty save for him, all the others stillsleeping.Hesatatoneoftheemptytables,waiting.Hoping.Wassheawake?Hewondered.Wouldsheevencare?Momentslater,thekitchendooropenedandtheinnkeeperstuckouthishead,

lookeddisapprovingly atErec, then closed thedoorquickly.There followed ayelling,aclatteringofpotsbehindthecloseddoor,andmomentslater,thedooropened,andsheappeared.The sight of her took his breath away. Shewore the same clothes from the

night before, her hair was disheveled, and he could see she had been hastilyawakened.Shealsolookedtired,asifshehadnotsleptmuch.Nonetheless,she

lookedasbeautiful tohimasever.Her largeblueeyesglowed in themorninglight,emanatingapowerunlikeanyhehadencountered.Alistair hurried to his table, holding a mug of ale, her head lowered in

humility,andsetitdownbeforehim,stillnotmeetinghiseyes.Hewantedmorethananythingtolookintothoseeyes,toknowhowshefeltabouthim.Hewasabout to speak to her, when suddenly the innkeeper appeared behind her,hurrying up to her.Alistair became nervous, and she bumped the table, and alittlebitofalespilledoutontothefloor.“Lookwhatyou’vedone!”theinnkeeperscreamedather.“Filthy,stupidgirl!

Mopitup!”Erecreddenedathisharshwords,hisragerising.Alistairspun,nervous,andasshedid,byaccidentsheswipedtheglass,which

went sliding across the table and landed on the floor with a crash. The glassshattered,andtheliquidwenteverywhere.“Stupidwench!”theinnkeeperscreamed.Hepulledbackhislargeopenpalm,

andbroughtitdownforherface.ButErecwasfasterthanhe.Erecdrewonhissoldier’sreflexesandleaptup

from the bench and caught the innkeeper’s hand inmid-swing.He caught hiswristfirmly,rightbeforehehitAlistair,andhelditinplace.Themanglowereddownathim,butErecwasstronger,andwithonehandhe

benthiswristback,turningituntiltheinnkeeperdroppedtohisknees.“If you ever try to lay a hand on her again,” Erec said, as he extracted a

daggerandheld itat thebaseof the innkeeper’s throat,“Iswear toGodIwillkillyou.”Theinnkeeperswallowed,hiseyesopenwidewithfear.“Mylord,pleasedon’thurthim,”Alistairsaidsoftly.Erecwasmollified by the sound of her voice, and he softened just a little,

especiallyastheinnkeepergulped,andsweatbrokeoutonhisforehead.“Iwon’t touch her,” the innkeeper said, his voice raspy from the tip of the

blade.“Ipromise.”Erec let him go, and the innkeeper dropped his arm and rubbed his wrist,

breathinghard.“Willyoujoinme?”heaskedAlistair,gesturingattheseatoppositehimatthe

table.“Shehastowork!”theinnkeeperyelledback,ashegottohisfeet.“IfIwinthetournaments,andifsheagrees,thenshewillbemybride,”Erec

saidtotheinnkeeper.“Shewillneverhavetoworkagain.”“Shemight be your bride,” the innkeeper snapped, “but just because she is

married,thatdoesn’tabsolveherofme.She’sanindenturedservanttome.She

hasfourmoreyearsonhercontract.”EreclookedatAlistair,andshelookedathimandnodded,hereyeswet.“It is true, my lord. You see, I am not such a good bride for you. I am

indenturedhere.ImustrepaymydebtbeforeIamfreetogo.”Erec turnedand scowledat this innkeeper.Hehatedhimwitha loathinghe

didnotthinkpossible.“Andhowmuchishercontractworth?”Erecasked.“That’snobusinessofyours—”“Answerme!”Erecgrowled,puttingonehandonhisdagger.The innkeepermusthavedetectedErec’sseriousness,becauseheswallowed

andlookedback.“Thetypicalservant ispaidroomandboardand100penceforasevenyear

contract,”hesaid.“IfIwinthejousting,andifsheagreestobemybride,Iwillbuyhercontract

fromyou.Infact,Iwillpayyoutriple.”Erectookasackofgoldcoinsfromhiswaist,anddroppeditonthetable.It

landedwithaclang.“300penceoftheking’sgold,”Erecannounced.The innkeeper lookeddown,wide-eyed.He lickedhis lips ingreed, looking

from Erec toAlistair. Then he grabbed the sack, weighed it in his palm, andopenedit,examiningthecontents.Finally,hestuffedthesackintohispocket.Heshrugged.“Takeherthen,”hesaid.“Itisyourmoneytolose.Onlyafoolwouldthrow

awaysomuchgoldforaservant.”“Please,myLord, don’t do this,”Alistair criedout toErec. “It is toomuch

money!Iamnotworthit!”Theinnkeeperwasabouttogo,butstoppedandturned.“Andifyoudon’twin thecompetition?Andifshedoesn’tagree tobeyour

bride?”heasked.“Aslongassheissetfree,”Erecsaid,“thegoldisyourstokeep.”The innkeeper smiled, turned, and hurried from the room, slamming the

kitchendoorbehindhim.Finally,itwasjustErecandAlistair,aloneintheroom.ErecTurnedandlookedather.“Doyouwishtomarryme?”heaskedher,withmoreseriousnessthanhehad

evermustered.Alistairloweredherheadinhumility,andErec’sheartpoundedasheawaited

herresponse.Whatifshesaidno?“Mylord,”shesaid.“Icouldthinkofnogreaterhonor,nogreaterdreamfor

anymaideninthekingdomthantobeyourwife.ButIdonotdeservethis.Iambutacommonservantgirl.Youwouldsullyyourgreatnametobewithme.”Erec’sheartswelledwithloveforher,andheknewatthatmomentthathedid

notcarewhatothersthought—hewantedtospendtherestofhislifewithher.“Willyoumarryme?”heaskedherdirectly.Sheloweredherhead,andErecsteppedforward,placedahandgentlyonher

chin,andraisedit.Shelookedupathim,andhereyeswerefilledwithtears.“Youcry,”hesaid,crushed.“Thatisano.”Sheshookherhead.“Theyaretearsof joy,mylord,”shesaid.“FromthemomentI laideyeson

you,Iwantednothingelse,”shesaid.“Myheartwastoooverwhelmedtosayit.Idarednottodream.”They embraced, and he held her tight in a hug. The feel of her body

enwrappedinhiswasgreaterthananythinghehadfeltinhislife.“Please,my lord,” shewhispered intohisear.“Win this jousting.Win it for

me.”

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Thor, drenched in sweat, stoodwith the other boys in theLegion, trying tocatchhisbreath.Thesecondsunwasatitspeak,beatingdownonhimoverhead,andithadbeenarelentlessdayalready.AftergainingpermissionfromtheKavosandfinallyfindingtheirwaybackto

theotherLegionmembers thenightbefore, theyhadall crashedon thedesertfloor.ItfelttoThorasifhehadjustclosedhiseyeswhenhehadbeenawakenedearly,atthecrackofdawnofanotherday—andsincethen,theyhadnotstoppedtrainingalldaylong.ItwasthefirstdayoftrainingofTheHundred,anditwasmoregruelingthan

anythinghecouldimagine.Theyhadbeensparringsincethemorning,breakingoffintogroupswithalldifferentages.Theypracticedthrowingspearsatmovingtargets; clanging shields for hours; sparringwith extra-heavy swords; jumpingoverravines;andwrestlingwitheachother.Asheturnedandlookedaround,hesawthatalltheboyslookedexhausted.Itwasasiftheyhadcrammedaweek’sworth of training into amorning,without a rest between.Everymuscle in hisbodyached.Hecouldnotimaginehowtheycouldpossiblykeepupthispaceforahundreddays.Maybethatwasthepoint.Finally,thecommandershadsummonedthemalltogether,andhestoodthere

withtheothers,catchinghisbreathandstaringbackatKolk,whopacedamongthem.“Wehavebroughtyoutothisislandforareason,”heboomed.“Traininghere

isdifferentthananywhereintheworld.Ifwewantedtoengageyouintechnicalexercises, we would have kept you back in the Ring. Here, there are uniqueaspectstotraining,tobecomingawarrior,whichyouwilllearnnowhereelseintheworld.Thisislandisknownasatraininggroundtotheelitewarriorsofeverykingdom—not just theRing.They comehere fromall corners of the globe totrain,tolearntechniquesfromeachother,tosparwitheachother.Andnowitistimetoexposeyoutothebestofthebest.“INFORMATION!”Kolkscreamed.Theboysfellintorowsoftwo,side-by-side,ThorstandingnexttoReese,and

beganmarchingup thesteephill,Krohnwalkingbeside them.Thor lookedupandsawthatthishillseemedtoclimbrightintothesky,thesunbeatingintohiseyes.Hecouldhardlybelievetheyweremarchingtothetop.Evenreachingtheplateau they had been sparring on had taken hours; to reach the top of thismountainwouldlikelytakethemhoursmore.

Reesehuffedbesidehim,outofbreath.“You know not everyone comes back,” said Malic. He was speaking to

Williamwhomarchedbesidehim.Thorcouldsee the terror inWilliam’seyes,and he guessedMalic’s point was to scare him.Malicmust have sensed thatWilliamwasmore sensitive than theothers, and it seemedhewanted tobreakhim.ThordidnotunderstandwhatMalic’sproblemwas.Didhehateeveryone?Orwashebornevil?“Whatdoyoumean?”Williamasked,fearful.“There’saquota,youknow,”Malicsaid.“TotheLegion.Evenifwedowell,

theyhavetoleavesomeofusbehind.”“That’snottrue,”Reesesaid.“That’swhatIheard,”Malicsaid.“Not everyone makes the Legion,” Elden corrected, turning around. “But

that’s not because there’s a quota. That’s because they fail out. It’s based onperformance.”“Theywouldn’t leave us here, behind on this island,would they?”William

asked,fearinhisvoice.“Ofcoursetheywould,”Malicanswered.Williamlookedathissurroundingswithanewsenseoffear.Therecamean

awfulsquawkingnoise,and they lookedupasahugebirdswoopeddownlowandcircledoverthem.Itlookedlikeabuzzard,buthadthreeheadsandalongyellowtail.ItseemedtostarerightatWilliam.Itsquawkedagainandraiseditstail.“What’sthat?”Williamasked.“Agaltross,”Reesesaid.“Ascavenger.”“Theysayitsinglesoutthewalkingdead,”Malicadded.“Whoeveritfollows

willdienext.”ItsquawkedrightatWilliam,andThorcouldseehimovercomebyfear.“Whydon’tyouleavehimalone?”ThorsaidtoMalic.“IwilltreathimanywayIwish,”Malicsaid.“AndwhenI’mfinished,I’llturn

toyou.”ThorwatchedMalic’shandslipdownandrestonhisbelt,onhisdagger.KrohnsnarledatMalic.“Try anything against my friend, and it will be my knife you feel in your

back,”ReesesaidtoMalic.“Andmine,”O’Connoradded.ButMalic,unfazed,onlysmiled.Heactuallyletoutalaughasheturnedback

andcontinuedtomarch.“TheHundredislong,”hesaidominously,thenfellsilent.

Thegroup,filledwithatensesilence,continuedtomarch.Theinclineofthemountainbecamemoresteep,andsoontheyhandtonearly

getdownontheirhandsandkneesandcrawltheirwayup.Afterwhat felt like hours,Thor’s legs burning, finally, they reached awide

plateau at the very top of the mountain. All the boys collapsed, Thor amongthem.Theylaythere,breathinghard,engulfedinanactualcloud.Itwasimpossible

toseeanything,envelopedinthemist.Thorlaythere,gaspingforair,moretiredthanheeverthoughtpossible.“ONYOURFEET!”cameascream.Somehow,Thorforcedhimselftohisfeetwithalltheotherboys,andasthey

did, thecloud lifted.Thorwasshocked tosee,standing there,a largegroupofdisparatewarriors.AttheirheadwasthefiercestlookingwarriorThorhadeverseen.Hisskinwasalightgreen,hisheadwasbald,hewasthreetimesthesizeofanyman,heworenoshirtandshortpants,andhismusclesbulged.Hehadthreescarsacrosshischestandwasmissingoneeye,andonhisweaponsbelthungnearlyeverymannerofweapon.Hewasaone-manarmy.Behindhimstoodadozenwarriors,ofalldifferentsizesandracesandshapes.

Theywere themost exotic lookingwarriorsThorhadever seen, andhecouldtell they had come from countries far and wide outside the Ring. He wasbreathless.Realwarriors.Thesemenwerehisheroes.HehadnevermetanyonefromoutsidetheRing,muchlessotherwarriors.“This isKibotu,”Kolkannounced.“He is theresident traineron this island.

Warriorsseekhimoutfromallcornersoftheglobe.Hehastrainedtheverybest,andheisamongtheverybesthimself.”Kibotu gave Kolk a brief nod of respect, then looked over the Legion

members.Thorfeltasifhewerestaringrightthroughhim,andfeltinadequateinhispresence.“Everyyeartheybringtousanewcropofyoungwarriors.Everyyearsome

ofyoumakeit,andsomeofyoudon’t.Awarrior’sheartisstrong.Hisspiritisstronger. This island is here to teach you the spirit of a warrior. It is anunforgivingplace.Makenomistakes.Respectit,anditwillrespectyou.”Thor looked over Kibotu’s shoulder, and beyond him he couldmake out a

training ground. There were various structures, vast sparring grounds, anddozens of warriors hard at work, training with every weapon imaginable. Hewatched warriors shooting bows and arrows into targets, hurling spears,attackingdummieswithswords,andchargingeachotherwithlances.Thisplacewasalivewiththewarrior’sspirit.“You will train with us here today, and every day, until your Hundred is

finished,untilyourspiritsareworthy.Wastenotime.Getintoplace!”Theboyslookedateachother,puzzled.“Break into your groups of eight!”Kolk commanded. “You knowwho you

are.Youwilleachtakeupaskill,andyouwillnotstopuntilIsayso!”The Legion broke off and ran over to the training ground, and Thor was

directedbythecommanders,alongwithhisgroupofeight,tothespear-hurlinggroundatthefarend.Thor stood there andwaited his turn as one after the other, the seven boys

grabbedaspear,oneatatime,andaimedforadistanttarget—apieceofwoodcutintotheshapeofacircleandnailedtoatree.Onebyone,theyeachmissed.Thetargetwasjusttoofar,andtoosmall.Theyallfellshort.ItwasThor’s turn.He lifted the long,bronzespear, longerandheavier than

any spearhehadeverheld.Heaimed for the target.But the targetwas so faraway,fartherthananytargethehadeveraimedfor,hecouldnotimaginehowhewouldhitit.Hetookthreestepsandhurledit.Hewasembarrassedtowatchitfallshort,

landinginthedirtbyseveralfeet.“Youthrowwithyourbody,”cameaharshvoice,“notyourmind!”ThorturnedtoseeKibotuhimselfstandingoverhim,frowningdown.Kibotu stepped forward, grabbed a spear as if itwere a toothpick, tookone

step,andhurledit.Itsoaredthroughtheairwithlightningspeed,andstruckrightinthemiddleofthebull’s-eye.Thorcouldnotbelieveit.Hefeltlikeaboynexttothiswarrior.Hewondered

whyKibotuhadsingledhimout,ofalltheboys.“Howdidyoudothat?”heasked.“Ididnotdothat,”Kibotuansweredharshly.“Thespeardidthat.Thatisyour

problem.Youlivewithaseparationbetweenyouandyourweapon.Youandtheweaponmustbeone.”KibotuthrustanotherspearintoThor’shand,yankedhisshoulderback,turned

hisneckandpositionedittofacethebull’s-eye.“Closeyoureyes,”hecommanded.Thordidso.“Whenyoustepforward,seeinyourmind’seyethespearenteringthetarget.

Donotreleasethespear.Letitreleaseyou.”Thor focused, and felt the spear in a way he never had before. He felt a

tremendousenergycoursingthroughhissystem.Hebreatheddeep.Heopenedhiseyesandtookseveralstepsandhurledit,andthis timeitfelt

differentashereleasedit.Itfeltlighter.Itfeltperfect.Thordidnotevenneedtolooktoknowtheresult.Hefeltit.Hesawwhathe

alreadyknew:itwasaperfectbull’seye.Itwastheonlythrowofalltheboystoevenhitthetarget.ThorturnedandsmiledupatKibotu,expectingpraise.Buttohissurprise,Kibotuhadalreadyturnedandwalkedaway.Thordidnot

know if thatmeanthewas satisfied,ordisappointed.Andhe stilldidn’tknowwhyhehadsingledhimout.Theexercisescontinuedallday long,going fromoneskill to thenext,until

finallyahorn sounded, andpandemoniumbrokeout.BeforeThorcouldgraspwhat was happening, boys were crisscrossing the training ground in everydirection, and he suddenly sawMalic, charging right for him, a dagger in hishand.Malic scowled, andThorcould seeonhis face the intent tokill, andhelungedatThor,abouttothrustthedaggerintohisheart.Itallhappenedtooquickly—Thorcouldnotreactintime.Hebracedhimself,

asheknewhewasabouttobekilled.Suddenly Krohn appeared, leaping into the air and digging his fangs into

Malic’schest;Malicstumbledback,caughtoffguard,tryingtogethimoff.BeforeThorcouldreact,hesuddenlyfelthimselftackledandpinneddownto

thegroundfrombehind,hisfaceplantedinthesoil.Thor tried to get up, to figure out what was happening, as all around him

others were hitting the ground, too. He spun around and realized there wassomeoneontopofhim.Itwasanexoticwarrior,onehehadnevermet,fromafarawaykingdom.Hewastryingtopinhimdown.Itwas then thatThor realized thesoundof thathornmeant that the training

groundswerebeingopenedup towrestling.But thenwhyhadMalic attackedhimwithaknife?Noneoftheotherswereusingweapons.Thorhadneverbeentaughthowtowrestle,andhefeltasearingpain inhis

shoulderasthiswarrior,ayoungwarrior,maybeeighteen,withdarkbrownskin,large yellow eyes, a bald head and a scar running above his eyebrow, twistedhimaroundandputonearmbehindhisback.HewasstrongerthanThorcouldeverdream,andThorfeltlikehisarmwouldsnap.Hesquirmedandstruggled,andcouldnotbreakfreeofthisman’sgrip.“YIELD!”yelledthewarrior.ButThordidnotwanttoyieldsoquickly.JustasThorthoughthisarmcouldn’tbendanymore,justwhenhethoughtit

wasabout tobreak,hehearda runningnoise, followedbyakick,and felt thewarriorgoflyingoffhim.Thor lookedup,wanting to thankwhoever itwas—butwas confused as he

blinkedintothesuntoseethatitwasMalic.MalichadfreedhimselffromKrohn’sgraspandthenhadkickedthewarrior

hardinthebackofhisheadwithhisbootwhilehewasontheground,thenheextractedadagger, jumpeddown,andasthewarrior turned,hestabbedhimintheheart.Thewarriorletoutahorrifiedgasp,bloodpouringoutfromhischest,allover

thedagger.Thor sat there,horrified,hardlybelievingwhatwashappening.Hefeltterrible:ithadallhappenedtoofastforhimtoreact.Clearly,weaponswerenot supposed to be used in this training session. Sowhy hadMalic killed theman?BeforeThorcouldprocessit,Malicrushedtohim,thrustthebloodyweapon

intohispalm,thentookoff.Another horn sounded, and suddenly Thor was surrounded by dozens of

warriors, scowling down at him.Kibotu andKolkwalked over, and the otherwarriorsclearedapath.“What have you done?”Kibtou shouted down. “You havemurdered one of

mywarriors!Inatrainingsession!”“Ikillednoone!”Thorprotested, lookingdownat thebloodydagger inhis

hand,andthrowingitdowntothesoil.“Ididnotdothis!”“Thenwhydoyouholdtheweapon?”Kibotushouted.“Malicdidit!”Thoryelled.Therewasagasp,astheothersturnedandlookedatMalic.He appeared, beingdraggedby twowarriors.Thor gainedhis feet, asmore

andmorewarriorsgatheredaround,andhefeltthemallstaringathim.“Ididnotkill thisman!”Malic lied.“IsawThordo it.Afterall, that ishis

dagger.Hewasattackedbythatman.”“Doyoudenythatyouwereattackedbythatman?”KibotupressedThor.“Hedidattackme.Wewerewrestling.Hewasabouttobreakmyarm.”“Soyouadmityoustabbedhim,”Kibotusaid.“No!Ididnot.Isweartoyou.”“ThenIaskagain:whydoyouholdtheweapon?”One of the warriors stepped forward and snatched the dagger from Thor’s

handandhandedittoKibotu.Kibotuexaminedit,thenhandedittoKolk.Kolkheldituptothelight,inspectingit.Henoddedgrimly.“ThisisThor’sdagger,”heconfirmed.“ButIdidnotkillhim!”Thorpleaded.“Malicplantedit!”KibotulookedbackandforthbetweenThorandMalic.“One of you is lying. Only the fates will know. The murderer must be

punished.OnthisislandthereisabeliefthattheCyclopsisthedeterminerofallthings.Whoever faces the Cyclops, and lives, he is the one who is innocent.Whoeverdiesbyhishand,thefatesholdguilty.”

Kibotusteppedforwardandsighed.“The two of you will fight the Cyclops. Whoever lives, he is innocent.

Whoeverdies,sobeit.Bloodmusthaveblood.”Thorgulped.TheCyclops?Hecouldnotimaginefacingsuchamonster,even

though he was innocent. He felt himself grabbed roughly from behind, andboundwithrope,diggingintohiswrists.Malicwas,too.Theywereshovedfrombehind,andthegroupofwarriorsfollowedastheywereledacrosstheplateau,anddownthesteepmountain.KrohnmarchedbesideThor,whining,refusingtoleavehisside.As they went, the second sun beginning to set, Thor could see the island

spreadoutbelowhim.Fromthisvantagepoint,theskywascoveredinbeautifulshadesofcrimsonandviolet.Belowhim,farbelow,atthebaseofthemountain,laydozensofcaves.Heheardanearth-shatteringroar,felt thegroundshakebeneathhim,andhe

knew,withasinkingfeeling,thathewasbeingleadrightintothemonster’sden.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Gwendolynhurriedthroughthecastlecorridors,onedge,besideherselfwithworry, having been unable to think of anything else since she heard ofKendrick’s imprisonmentandpendingexecution.Garethhadgone too far.Shecouldnotsit idlyby.Shefeltsohelpless; therehad tobesomethingshecoulddo,somewayshecouldhelp—andshewouldfindout.Gwendescendeddownthespiralstonestaircase,deeperanddeeper, intothe

bowelsofthecastle.Shepassedeventheservants’level,andafterseveralmorelevels,finallyshereachedalarge,irondoor.Shewastednotime:shehurrieduptoitandpoundedonitwithherfists.Shewaitedbreathlessly,herheartpounding,andfinallyseveralguardsopened

it.Oneheldupatorchinthedarkness.“Mylady,”saidtheguardstandinginthecenter.“Isthattheking’sdaughter?”anotherasked.“Theformerking,”anothercorrected.“Thecurrentandalwaysking,”shecorrectedsternly,steppingforward.“Itis

I.”“Whatareyoudoingdownhere?”oneasked,eyeswide.“Thisisnoplacefor

alady.”“Ineedtoseemybrother.Kendrick.”Theguardslookedateachother,flustered.“I’msorrymylady,butKendrickistohavenovisitors.Understrictordersof

theKing.”Gwendolynstaredbackattheguardfirmly.Shewasdetermined,andshefelta

strengthovercomingher.Thestrengthofherfather.“Lookatmyface,”shesaid.“YouhaveknownmesinceIwasachild.Ihave

knownyoumyentirelifetobeafaithfulandobedientservanttomyfather.”Theleadguard’sface,linedwithwrinkles,softened.“Thatistrue,mylady.”“Do you think my father would have prevented me from seeing my own

brother,Kendrick?”Heblinked,thinking.“Your fatherwould have prevented you nothing,” he said. “He had infinite

spaceinhisheartforyou.HisstandingorderwasalwaysthatGwendolyngetswhatevershewants.”Gwennodded.

“Sothereyouare,”shesaid.“Nowletmethrough.”“However,”theguardsaid,blockingherway.“Ialsodoubtyourfatherwould

wanthismurderertohaveanyvisitors.”Gwenfumed.“Shameonyou,”shesaidfirmly.“You’veknownKendricklongerthanI.You

knowtherewasnoonewholovedmyfathermore.Doyouhonestlybelievehehadahandit?”Theguardstaredback,andshecouldseehimthinking.Finally,hisfacegave

in.“No,”hesaidsoftly.“Idonot.”“Enough said,” she said. “Now step aside and let me in. Enoughwith this

nonsense. I’m here to see my brother, and see him I will,” she said with astrengthinhervoicethatsurprisedevenher.Itwasacommand—anditleftnoroomfordoubt.The guard vacillated only for amoment, then finallymotioned to the other

guards, bowed his head and stepped aside. He opened the door wide, and asGwenhurriedpassed,slammeditbehindher.“Followme,andbequickaboutitmylady,”heurged.“Thisplacehasmany

spies. Icannot letyoudownherefor long. If Iamcaught, itwillbemyself inthisdungeon.”Gwenfollowedhimashehurrieddownthecorridor,theirfootstepsechoingin

thisplace,dimlylitbytorches,passingcellaftercell.Shesawprisonersintheshadows, sticking their faces into the bars of their cells, faces that had beendownheretoolong.Theywereevil,lecherousfaces,andsomeofthemhissedatherasshepassed.Shedoubledherspeed,tryingnottolooktooclosely.Finally, after turning down several more corridors, the guard led her to a

singlecell,thelastoneontheleft.Hestoodbehindher,waiting.“Leaveus,”Gwencommanded.Theguardlookedather,hesitatedamoment,thenturnedandleft,leavingher

alone.Gwenlookedthroughthecell,herheartpoundinginanticipation,andstepped

closer.Finally,Kendrickappeared,lookingtoopale,andsmilingatthesightofher.“Mysister,”hesaid.Hereachedupandgrabbedherhandthroughthebars.Shesmiledback,ashisfacelitup,anditfeltsogoodtoseehim,toseethathe

wasalive,thathewasokay.Herheartbrokeatthesightofhim,attheindignityofKendrickbeing in thisplace.Hehadbeen treatedunfairly.Andyet still heworehiskind,noble,compassionatesmile.Hewasthefinestmansheknew.

“Mysister,”herepeated.“Youdomeagreatservicetocomehere.”“Theservice is tomyself,”shereplied.“It isanhonor toseeyou.I’msorry

I’venotcomesooner.”“I’mamazedyouwereabletocomeatall,”hesaid,claspingherhandinboth

ofhis.Hisvoicewasweakandraspy,andshereachedintohershirtandpulledouttreatsshehidforhim.Shesliditbetweenthebars,andhelookeddowninwonder.“Driedvenison,”shesaid.“Yourfavorite.Enoughtogiveyoustrength.”Hegrabbeditandimmediatelytookabite,tearingthemeatoffthestick.He

gulpeditdown,starving.Gwen reached into her pocket and extracted a sack ofwater, and he drank.

Thenshereachedintoherwaistandgrabbedapouch.“Iwantedyoutohavesomethingsweet,”shesaid,smiling.“Honeycakes. I

pressedthemmyself.”Shehandedhimthepouch,andhiseyeswelledwithtears.“Youdoourfatheragreathonor,”hesaid.“YouknowthatIdidnotkillhim,

don’tyou?”heaskeddesperately.Shenodded.“Ofcourse.OrelseIwouldnotbehere.”Henoddedback.Thesightofhimdownherenearlybroughttearstohereyes;

itmadehermadderatGareththanever.Sheburnedattheunfairnessofitall.“Garethconsidersusathreat,”shesaid.“Thatiswhyyouarehere.”Kendrickstaredback.“That has always been his nature,” he said. “His entire life’s ambition has

beenourfather’sthrone.Andwhywouldhefeelthreatenedbyeveryonearoundhim,unlesshehimselfhadahandinthemurder?”Gwenstaredbackmeaningfully.“I’vebeenthinkingthesamethoughts,”shesaid.“Afterall,whoelsestandsto

gain?”“Butyoumustprove it.Youmust find themurderweapon,”Kendrick said.

“Thedaggerusedtokillhim.Theonethatismissing.Thatwillbethekey.”“Haveyouanyideawheretolook?”sheasked.Disappointingly,heshookhishead.“Gareth probably disposed of it, or had it disposed of,” he answered. “And

without it, itwill be very hard to prove anything. It is all circumstantial.Anduntiltheyproveanything,Imaybedownhereuntilmyexecution.”ItbrokeGwen’shearttothinkofit,andshefeltachillracethroughherbody.“Iwillnotallowit!”Gwencriedout.“Iwillfindawaytostophim.Ipromise

you.Iwill.”

Kendrickshookhishead.“IwishIsharedyouroptimism,butyouareupagainstforcesgreaterthanyou

can imagine.There isaconspiracy tocoverup thedeathofour father,and itstentacles, I am sure, reach deep. Be careful in how you tread. Do notunderestimateGareth’svillainy.Remember,youareupagainstthedragon?”“Thedragon?”Gwenasked.“Therearemanytypesofdragonsinthisworld.Theevilofmen’ssmilescan

bemoreinsidiousthanthefiercestdragoninthewild.”Gwensighed,thinkingaboutthat.Sheknewhewasright.“Theremustbesomeway,someonewhocanhelpusgetyououtofhere,”she

said.Ashestoodthere,shakinghishead,suddenly,shehadaflashofinspiration.“Mother,” she said, dreading it even as she spoke the words. If there was

anyoneshehatedmorethanGareth, itwashermother,andtheonegoodthingthat had come from her father’s death was her mother’s catatonic state, herleavingheralone.Shehadvowedtoneverseeheragain,andtheideaoftalkingtohermadeherfeelphysicallyill.ButforKendrick,shewoulddoit.“Idon’tknowhowshecouldhelp,”Kendricksaid.“Shehasbeenunable to

speaksince thedeathofour father.Andeven ifshewere,Gareth iskingnow.Sheisnolongerqueen.Herremaininginfluence,ifany,isfinite.”“But she was queen only days ago,” Gwen countered. “Many people still

answertoher,stillfearandrespectherandwilldefertoherwishes—especiallythoseloyaltoourfather.”Kendricknoddedback.“Iconcedethereisachance,”hesaid.Hereachedout,andgrabbedbothofherhandsinhis.“Whateverhappens, Iwantyou toknow thatour fatherwas right tochoose

youasthenextruler.Ididn’tseeitbefore,butIseeitnow.Hehadbeenrightallalong.”Gwenlookedbacktohim,herheartwellingwithgratitude.“AlsoknowthatIloveyou,”hesaid.“Iloveyou,too,”shesaid,hereyeswellingup.“KnowthatIwillnotletyou

dieinhere.Iwillallowmyselftodiefirst.”

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Thordescendeddown themountain for thecavesof theCyclops, thesunsetskybreaking all aroundhim, lighting theworld in amillion shades of scarlet,andhefeltasifhewerebeingmarchedtohisdeath—asifheweredescendingintohellitself.Hemarched, theLegionmembers a safe distance behindhim,Malic beside

him, both of them still bound, Krohn to his side, the shouts of the beast,concealed in the cave, growing louder. The earth trembled as they went, andThorcouldonlyimaginetheireofthisbeast.ThorhatedMalicwithapassionreservedfornoother.Hehadbeenunfairly

setup because of him, unfairly accused, dragged into this, his potential death.Thor only prayed that the legend of theCyclops held true—and that only theguiltyonewouldbekilled.Thor thought back to that scene on the sparring field, and he remembered

Malic’s trying to kill him first. He still didn’t really understand what hadhappened,orwhy.“Beforewearesenttoourdeaths,”ThorsaidtoMalic,walkingsidebyside,

“tellmeonething.Whydidyoudoit?Whydidyoutrytokillmebackthere?Andwhenyoufailed,whydidyouthenkillthatman?”Malic continued walking, and, to Thor’s surprise, even as he was being

marchedtohisdeath,hesmiled,asifheenjoyedthis.Thisboywastrulysick.“Inever likedyou,”Malicsaid.“Fromthemoment Imetyou.But thatwas

notthereason.Iwaspaidhandsomelyforit—tokillyou.”Thorwasaghast.“Paid?”heasked.“Youhaveveryrichenemies.Igladlytooktheirfeeforattemptingsomething

Iwantedtodomyself.”“Thenwhydidyoukill thatmanIwaswrestlingwith?”Thorasked.“What

hashetodowithme?”“WhenImissedmychancetokillyou,”Malicsaid,“Ifiguredmynextbest

chancewastokillhimandpinitonyou.Thenthewarriorswouldkillyou,andsavemethetrouble.”Thorfrowned.“Wellitdidn’tworkoutthatway,didit?”Thorasked.“YouwilldiebytheCyclopshand,”Malicsaid.“Butsowillyou,”Thorcountered.

Malicshrugged.“Everybodyhastodiesometime,”hesaid,thenfellintosilence.Thor could not understand him—he truly seemed apathetic to life. He

wonderedwhatevilhadbefallenhimtomakehimthisway.“Justtellmeonemorethingbeforeyourdeath,”Thorurged.“Whopaidyou?

Whoaremyenemies?”Maliccontinuedwalking,silent.Clearly,hewasdonespeaking.“Well,”Thorconcluded,“Ihopeyou’resatisfied.Nowyou’regoingtogetus

bothkilled.”“Wrong,”Malicsaid.“Idon’tbelieveinlegendsandfairytales.Themonster

won’tkillme.Iamstrongerthananymonster.Itwillonlykilloneofus.Anditwillbeyou.”Thorlookedathimwithahatredbeyondcalculation.“Iwouldkillyourightnow,ifIcould,”Thorsaid.Malicsmiled.“Thentoobadwearebothbound.”Theycontinuedmarching,silently,gettingevercloser,theskyturningdarker,

andthemonster’sroarsgrowinglouder.“I like you,” Malic said, surprising Thor. “In another life, we would be

friends.”Thorlookedathim,unbelieving.“Youare sick,”Thor said. “Idon’tunderstandyou.Yousaidyouhatedme.

Wewouldneverbefriends.Iamnotfriendswithliars—ormurderers.”Malicthrewhisheadbackandlaughedloudly.“Lyingandmurderingisthewayoftheworld,”heanswered.“AtleastIam

boldenoughtoadmitit.Everyoneelsehidesandcowersbehindafaçade.”Thetwoofthemcontinuedmarching,fartherandfartherdownthehill,getting

closertothecaveoftheCyclops.Theskymorphedintoabrilliant,glowingred,lookingasifitwereonfire.Thorcouldnothelpbutfeelasifhewerewalkingintotheverypitofhell.Finally,thegroundleveledout,thecavehardlythirtyyardsbeforethem,and

theystoppedastwowarriorscameupbehindthemandcut theirropes,freeingtheir hands. The warriors turned and ran back uphill, to the large crowd ofLegionmemberswhowatchedatasafedistanceuphill.ThorandMalicglancedateachother, thenThor turnedandmarchedboldly

rightuptothehugecave.Malicfollowed.IfThorwasgoingtodie,hewoulddosobravely.Krohnwalkedbesidehim,growling.“Goback,Krohn!”Thorcommanded,wantingtosparehim.ButKrohnrefusedtoleavehisside.

There came another earth-shattering roar, and it was enough tomake Thorwanttostopinhistracks.Besidehim,Maliccontinuedmarching,relaxed,withasmileonhisface,asifhappytomeetthemonster.Maybehewashappytomeethisdeath,Thorthought.Heseemedsuicidal.Thor’smind raced as they approached the cave. The openingwas so high,

soaringatleastthirtyfeet,itwasominous;itmadeThorwonderaboutthesizeofthecreaturethatlivedwithinit.Hewonderedifthesewouldbehislastmomentsonearth, ifhewoulddie thisway,downhere, in thiscave,on this island.AllbecauseofMalic,becauseofacrimehedidnotcommit.Hewonderedabouthisfateanddestiny, if ithadallbeenwrong.Afterall,Argonhadneverseenthis,had never seen his encounterwith theCyclops—or at least had neverwarnedhimofit.AndThorhadneverseenithimself.Washispowernotasstrongashethought?Wasthiswhereitwouldallend?Orhadhisfatechangedsomehow?Forthefirsttimesincehehadembarked,Thortookseriouslytheideathathe

mightnotreturn.Forsomereason,hethoughtofGwendolyn.Hethoughtofherwaitingforhim,ofhisnevershowingup,ofhisnotreturningforher.Itbrokehisheart.Beforehecouldfinish the thought,suddenly, fromoutof thecavecame the

largestbeastThorhadeverseen.TheCyclopstookthreehugesteps,duckinghishead, unbelievably, despite the thirty foot opening, then raising himself to hisfull height as he stepped outside. He was enormous, like looking up at amountain.Ashestepped,theearthshook.Heleanedbackandroared,anditfeltasifit

would shatterThor’s eardrums.Thor’s body frozewith fright.Finally,Malic’sdid,too.Hestoodthere,open-mouthed,staringup,hisswordhanginglimpinhishand.Krohnsnarled,fearless.TheCyclopsmusthavebeenfiftyfeettall.Hewasbroaderandthickerthanan

elephant,thegreyskinonhismusclesrippling,hisoneeyeblinkingmadly,andhadtwohugefangs,eachthesizeofThor.Heleanedhisheadbackandroaredagain,hishandsbunchedintofists,hisarmsrisinghighthencomingdown,toofast,liketreetrunks,swingingrightforThorandMalic.Thorjumpedoutofthewayjustintime,asthemonster’sfistsslammedinto

theearth,creatingahugecrater,shakingthegroundsohardthatThorstumbled.Malicbarelyescaped,too.Thor looked at the short sword in his hand, at the sling at his waist, and

wonderedhowhecouldevercombatthiscreature.Hewasaspecknexttothisbeast; Thor doubted his sword could even puncture its skin. It would take anarmy,andanarsenalofweapons,toevenattempttokillit.Malic threwcaution to thewind.Heraisedhissword,andwithabattlecry,

chargedthecreature,attemptingtopuncturethebeastinitsshin.Buthedidnoteven get close: the beast merely swatted him away, and Malic went flying,landinghardontheground,rollingandtumbling.ThebeastturnedtoThor.Itchargedhim,thegroundshakingasitwent,and

Thorwas too frozenwith fear tomove. Thorwanted to turn and run, but heforcedhimselftostandinplace,toholdhisground.Thereweretoomanyeyeswatchinghim;hecouldnotletdownhisLegionbrothers.Herememberedwhatoneofhis trainers taughthim:itwasokaytofeelfear—butitwasnotokaytogiveintoit.Thatwasthecodeofawarrior.So instead,Thor forcedhimself tobe strong.He forcedhimself todrawhis

sword,tostepforward,andswingforthemonster’scalf.Itwasadirecthit.But themonster’s skinwas so thick, the swordmerely bounced off, falling

fromThor’shands.Itwaslikestrikingstone.Thorscurriedtopickitupagain.Thecreature,angered,swungitshugefistatThor;Thormanagedtoduck,andhesawhischance.Hedartedforward,raisedhisswordhigh,andplungedit inthebeast’ssmallesttoe.The beast shrieked as rivers of blood poured out. It was an awful noise,

shakingThor to the very core—so horrific, Thor almostwished he had neverattackedit.ThebeastwasmuchfasterthanThorhadanticipated.BeforeThorcouldreact,

hesweptdownagainwithonehand,andthistimegrabbedThorandhoistedhimhighintotheair.HesqueezedThorsohard,hecouldbarelybreathe.ThebeastraisedThorhigherup,alltheway.Krohn,downbelow,snarledandchargedtheCyclops.Hesankhisteethinto

its toe,anddug in, shaking it,until finally theCyclops, infuriated, threwThordown.Thorfelthimselfgoflyingthroughtheairandlandhardontheground,rolling

severaltimes,coveredindust,winded.Thebeastroaredagain,thenreacheddownandswipedforKrohn,whogotout

ofthewayjustintime.ItthenyankedThor’sshortswordoutfromhistoeasifitwereatoothpick,andsnappedtheswordinhalfwithasinglehand.Thebeaststeppedtowardshim,andasThorlaythere,watching,helpless,he

wassurehewasdead.But then the beast surprised him. It stopped, turned and looked at Malic

instead. Inonequickmotion, it swoopeddown,grabbedMalic,and liftedhimhigh into the air, squeezinghimharder thanhe hadThor.Malic shrieked, andThorcouldhearhisribsbreakingevenfromhere.The beast held Malic close, right to his face, as if relishing this. Malic

squirmedinhisarms,butitwasuseless.

ThebeastsuddenlypulledMalictohim,openedhismouth,revealingrowsofjagged teeth, thenbroughtMalic face first intohismouth.Hechompeddown,bitingoffMalic’shead.Bloodcamegushingdownlikea river. Ithappenedsofast,Thorcouldbarelyprocesswhathehadwitnessed.TheCyclopsdroppedtothegroundwhatwasleftofMalic’sbody.ItthenstoppedandturnedtoThor,staringathim,andThor’sheartslammed

inhischest.Heprayedthatthelegendwastrue,thatthemonsterwouldonlykilltheguilty.Finally,afterwhat felt likeaneternity, thebeast slowly turned itsback,and

marchedtoitscave.Thorheldhisbreath,beginningtorealizethatthenightmarewasover.Thorcouldnotbelieveit.Histrialhadtakenplace,intheeyesofhisbrethren,

andhehadbeenvindicated.Hewouldlive.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Gareth walked slowly into the throne room, needing time to be alone, togather his thoughts, to remember why he wanted to be King. He entered theimmensechamber,withitsvaultedceilings,stonefloorandwalls,andcrosseditslowly,headdown,hismind racingashewalked in thepathhis fatherhadsomanytimes.Halfwayacrosstheroom,Garethlookedup—andfrozeinplace.Tohissurprise,histhronehadbeenturnedaroundinthemiddleofthenight,

soitsbackwastohim.Evenmoresurprising,therewassomebodysittinginit.Inhisthrone.Garethcould see theoutlineofabody, thearms restingon itsarms,andhe

burnedwith rage, wonderingwho could be so impudent as to sit on a king’sthrone. He also was puzzled as to how they hadmanaged to turn around thethrone,thisancientseatthathadbeenrootedtoitsplaceforathousandyears.Garethwalkedquicklytowardsit,preparedtoconfronttheintruder.Ashe reached thebaseof the steps, tohis shock, the throne suddenly spun

around. On it, facing him, looking down, sat his father, his eyes open indisapproval.Garethstoodunmoving,breathless,feelingasifaswordhadbeenthrustinto

hischest.Hisfeetwerestucktothefloor:hecouldnotgethimselftopickthemup, toputoneafter theother to ascend the stairs.After all, itwashis father’sthrone. And now his father was seated in it. He did not know how it waspossible.“Theweightofmybloodhangsonyou,”hisfatherproclaimed.“Itisaweight

youwillnotescape.Bloodwillhaveblood.”Gareth blinked—and when he opened his eyes, the throne sat empty. He

breathed hard, looking all around, wondering what had happened. He felt apresencelingeringintheair,buthisfatherwasnowheretobeseen.Legsshaking,Garethascendedtheivorysteps,oneatatime,tentative,until

finallyhereachedthethrone.Hesatinit,slowly,afraidtoleanback.Gradually,hedid,andlookedoutovertheemptyroom.Suddenly,hefeltahorrificpaininhishands,hisforearms,histhighs,eventhe

back of his head. He looked down and saw the throne was now covered inthorns, growing thicker by the moment, rising up like an unstoppable vine,wrapping themselves around him, chaining him to it. The thorns grewwildly,embracing him, squeezing him, until he was bleeding all over his body. He

struggled,leanedbackandshriekedfromthepain—untilfinallythethornsroseupandwrappedthemselvesaroundhismouth.Garethwokescreaming.He jumped from his bed in the muted light of dawn and paced his room,

breathinghard.Hemadehiswaytothefarwall,leanedapalmagainstthestone,andbentover,gaspingforair.It had felt so real, all of it.He spun around his room, almost expecting his

fathertobeinit.Buthewasnot.Hewasalone.Gareth felt haunted.Hehad an awful, sinking feeling that his father’s spirit

wouldnotlethimrest.Wouldneverlethimrest.Heneededanswers.Heneededtoknowhisfuture,neededtoknowhowallof

thiswouldend.Hepaced,wrackinghisbrain,whenafigurepoppedintohismind:thewitch.Ofcourse,shewouldknow.Garethracedacrosstheroom,stoppingonlytoputonhiscrown,hismantle,

tocarryhisscepter,withoutwhichhewouldgonowhere.Heneededanswers—andfast.

*Garethmarched quickly through the forest trail, heading deeper and deeper

intoDarkWood, trying to shake the dark thoughts that had gripped him, thatseemedtohangoverhimlikeaveil.Hismindhadnotstoppedracingsincehisdream,andhehadfoundnorespite inanycornerof thecastle.Everywherehelooked,hesawanothermonumenttohisfather,feltanothersilentrebuketohisfailureasason,andnow,hisfailureasKing.Hefeltincreasinglythatthiscastlewasabigtomb,amonumentofghosts,andthatonedayitwouldentombhim,too.Bloodwillhaveblood.His father’s voice rang in his ears as he found himself reliving the dream,

againandagain.As he pondered it all, pondered his failed hoisting of the Dynasty Sword,

Garethwasstruckwiththeideathatperhaps,afterall,hewasnotdestinedtobeKing.Perhapshewasneverdestinedtobeking.He needed prophecy, like aman in the desert neededwater. Thewitch had

seen his futurewhen he had first visited her; he felt that shewould have theanswersheneeded,wouldtellhimhonestlywhathisdestinywas.Untilheknew,hecouldnotrest.Garethmarchedalongtheforesttrail,headingdeeperanddeeper,ignoringthe

skyasitturnedblack,asthickcloudsrolledin,andasasummerrainsuddenly

hailed down, lashing him. He twisted and turned through the trails of DarkWood,tryingtorememberhiswayback.Hehadhopeditwouldbeaplacethathewouldnever return to, andwasunpleasantly surprised to findhimselfbackheresoquickly.Theairgotcolderandhesensedanevilenergygettingcloser.Therewasno

doubtthatthiswastheplace.Hecouldfeelithangingintheair,oozingontohisskin,likeaslime,evenfromhere.AsGarethpusheddeeper,hurryingbetweenaclumpofthicktrees,hesawit:

there, in the clearing, sat her small stone cottage. Even the trees around theclearingwererecognizable:twistedintounnaturalshapes,withthreeredtreesonitsedge,oneineachdirection.Garethstrodeacrossit,hurryingtohercottage,andashereachedherdoor,he

lifted thebrassknockerandslammed it several times. Itechoedwithahollowthud,andhewaitedandwaited,tonoavail,gettingdrenchedintherain.Theskywasnownearlyasblackasnight,eventhoughitwasmorning.Garethslammedtheknockeragainandagain.“OPENTHISDOOR!”hescreamed.Hewas floodedwith panic,wonderingwhat hewould do if shewere gone

fromthisplace.Hewaitedwhat felt like an eternity, andwas just about to turn away,when

suddenly,thedooropened.Garethspunandlookedinside.He could see no one, nothing but blackness, the faint flicker of a candle

comingfromdeepinside.Heturned,surveyedthewoods,madesurenoonewaswatching,thenhehurriedinside,slammingthedoorbehindthem.Itwasquiet inhere, theonlysoundthatoftherainhittingthestoneroof,of

theraindrippingoffofhim,ontothefloorinasmallpuddle.Helookedaround,giving his eyes time to adjust. Itwas so dim in here, he could barely see thewitch,onthefarsideoftheroom,couldbarelyseehersilhouette.Hunchedover,fiddlingwithsomething,shelookedmorecreepyandominousthanbefore.Theroom was filled with her stench—that of decay and rotting flesh. He couldhardlybreathe.Healreadyregrettedcominghere.Haditbeenamistake?“So,” said thewitch in her horse,mocking voice, “our newKing comes to

visit!”She cackled, thrilled with her own statement. Gareth could not understand

whatwassofunny.Hehatedherlaughter.Hehatedeverythingabouther.“Ihavecomeforanswers,”hesaid,takingasteptowardsher,tryingtosound

confident,tryingtosoundlikeaking,buthearingtheshakinessinhisownvoice.“Iknowwhyyouhavecome,boy,”shespat.“Forassurancethatyouwillrule

forever.Thatyouwillnotbekilled,thewayyoukilledothers.Wealwayswantforourselveswhatwedenyothers,don’twe?”Therecamealongsilence,assheslowlymadeherwayclosertohim.Gareth

didnotknowwhethertorunfromherorrebukeher.Sheheldasinglecandleuptoherface,coveredinwartsandetchedwithlines.“Icannotgiveyouwhatyoudonothave,”shesaidslowly,breakingintoan

evilsmile,revealingsmall,rottedteeth.Garethfeltachillclimbuphisback.“Whatdoyoumean,‘donothave’?”heasked.“Destinyiswhatitis,boy,”shesaid.“Whatdoes thatmean?”hepressedurgently,havinga sinking feeling.“Are

yousayingI’mnotdestinedtobeKing?”“Therearemanykingsinthisworld.Therearethosegreaterthankings,too.

Thosewithgreaterdestinies—destiniesthatoutshineyours.”“Greater thanmine?”heasked.“But IamKingof theWesternKingdomof

the Ring! The greatest free land left in the Empire. Who could possibly begreaterthanme?”“Thorgrin,”sheanswereddirectly.Thenamestruckhimlikeaknife.“Thorgrinwillbegreaterthanyou.GreaterthanalltheMacGilKings.Greater

thananyKingthateverlived.Andoneday,youwillbowdowntohimandbeghimformercy,”shesaid,hervoicecackling.Garethfeltsickatherpronouncement—mostofall,becauseitfeltsoreal.He

couldhardlyconceivehowitcouldbe.Thor?Anoutsiderboy?AmereLegionmember? Greater than he? With one wave of his hand he could have himimprisonedandexecuted.Howcouldhepossiblybegreaterthanhe?“Thenchangemydestiny!”hecommanded,frantic.“MakeMEthegreatest!

MakeMEhoistthesword!”Thewitchleanedbackandcackled,untilGarethcouldstanditnolonger.“Youwouldbecrushedunder theweightof that sword,” she said. “Youare

king—fornow.Thatshouldbeenough.Makeitenough.Becausethatisallyouwilleverhave.Andwhenwhatyouhaveisdone,youwillpaytheprice.Bloodwillhaveblood.”Hefeltachill.“Whatgoodisittobeking,ifthekingshipwillnotlast?”Garethasked.“Whatgoodisittolive,ifdeathmustcome?”sheanswered.“Iamyourking!”heyelled.“ICOMMANDYOU!HELPME!”He charged for her, aiming to grab her by the shoulders, to shake her into

submission—butashe reached forher,he felthimselfgrabbingatnothingbut

air.Hespunaround,searchedthecottage—butitwasempty.Gareth turned and stumbled from the cottage, into the sky, and as he got

drenched,icywaterrunningdownhisfaceandneck,hewelcomedthepouringrain.Hewisheditwouldwashawayhisdreams,thismeeting,andeverythingillhe had ever done. He no longer wanted to be king. He just wanted anotherchanceatlife.“FATHER!”heshrieked.Hisvoiceroseup,higherintoDarkWood,loudereventhanthesoundofthe

rain—andwasmetbythecryofadistantbird.*

Godfreywalkedquicklydowntheforesttrailastheskydarkenedandacoolwindpickedup,forkingontothetrailthatledtoDarkWood.Thewindhowledandtheskygrewdarkerashewent,andhefeltthehairsriseonthebackofhisneck. He could sense evil in this place. As the skies opened and rain camepouringdown,now,morethanever,hewishedhehadadrink.Ortwo.As the realityofwhathewasdoingbegan to sink in,apartofhimbecame

afraid.Afterall,whatifhefoundthiswitch,andwhatifhefoundanswershedidnot like.What could he really do?Was this witch dangerous? And if Garethcaughthimasking,couldn’thehavehimimprisoned,too,alongwithKendrick?Godfreydoubledhispace,andasheroundedasmallbend,heraisedhishead

andwas shocked at the sight. He stopped in his tracks, frozen. He could notbelieve it.Walking towards him, head down,mumbling to himself, was noneotherthanhisbrother:Gareth.Dressed in their father’s finest robes, still wearing his father’s crown and

carryinghis scepter,Garethmarched towardshim, alone, emerging fromDarkWood.Whatwashedoinghere?A moment later Gareth looked up and let out a little cry, just feet away,

startledtoseeanyonethereinthewood—letalonehisbrother.“Godfrey!”Garethexclaimed.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”“Ishouldaskthesameofyou,”Godfreyrespondeddarkly.GarethscowledandGodfreycouldsensetheiroldsiblingrivalryrekindled.“Youasknothingofme,”Garethhissed.“Youaremyyoungerbrother.AndI

amyourKingnow,unlessyouhaveforgotten,”hesaidinhissternestvoice.Godfreyletoutashort,derisivelaugh,raspyfromyearsofdrinkandtobacco.“Youarekingofnothing,”Godfreyshotback.“Youarejustapig.Thesame

personyoualwayswere.Youcanfooltheothers,butnotme.Ineverdeferredtofather’scommand—doyoureallythinkIwoulddefertoyours?”Garethreddened, turningashadeofpurple,butGodfreycouldsee thathe’d

caughthim.Garethknewhisownbrother,andknewthatGodfreywouldneverbowdowntohim.“Youdidn’tanswermyquestion,”Garethsaid.“Whatbringsyouhere?”Godfreysmiled,seeinghownervousGarethwas,andrealizinghehadhim.“Well,funnyyoushouldask,”Godfreyanswered.“Irememberedmywalkthe

otherday,bumpingintoyou,andyourevilsidekick,Firth.Atthetime,Ithoughtnothing of it, of what you’d be doing out here, in DarkWood. I must haveassumedthetwoofyouweretakingalover’swalk.”Godfreytookadeepbreath.“ButasIthoughtbackonourfather’smurder,Irememberedthatday.Andas

Ithoughtofthevialofpoisonusedintheattempttokillhim,itoccurredtomethatmaybeyoucameallthewayouthereforsomethingmore.Maybeitwasnotjust an innocent stroll. Maybe you came here for something more ominous.Somethingpotent enough tokill our father.Maybe awitch’sbrew.Maybe thesame poison supposedly found in our brother Kendrick’s chamber,” Godfreysaid,proudofhimselfforpiecingitalltogether,andfeelingmoresureofitnowthanever.GodfreywatchedGareth’seyescloselyashepronouncedeachword,andhe

couldseethemshifting,couldseehowwellGarethtriedtohidehisreaction;butinthoseeyes,hecouldseethathehadcaughthim.Everythinghehadsaidwastrue.“You are a paranoid, wasteful drunk,” Gareth scolded. “You always have

been.Youhavenopurposeforyourlife,soyouimaginefanciesforothers.Icanseethatyoutrytomakeyourselfimportantwiththesefancifulplots,trytobetheheroofourdeadfather—butyouarenot.Youareaslowasthemasses.Infact,youareevenlower,becauseyouhadthepotentialtobemore.Fatherhatedyou,andnooneinthiskingdomtakesyouseriously.Howdareyoutrytoimplicatemeinourfather’smurder?Therightfulassassinissittinginthedungeon,andtheentirekingdomknowsit.Andbabblingwordsfromadrunkwillchangenoone’smind.”Godfrey could hear, from the over-eagerness of Gareth’s tone, that he was

nervous.Thatheknewhewascaught.Godfreysmiledback.“It’s funnywhat a kingdomcan believe from a drunk,” he said, “when one

speaksthetruth.”Garethscowledback.“If you slander your King,” Gareth threatened, “you better be prepared to

proveit.Ifnot,IshallhaveyouexecutedwithKendrick.”“Andwho else shall you imprison?”Godfrey asked. “Howmany souls can

youquashuntilourkingdomrealizesthatIamright?”Garethreddened, thensuddenlybrushedpastGodfrey,bumpinghisshoulder

roughly,andhurryingoffdownthetrail.Godfrey turnedandwatchedhimgo,untilhedisappeared in thedarkforest.

Hewasconvincednow.Andmoredeterminedthanever.Heturnedandlookeddownthetrailleadingtowardsaclearinginthedistance.

He knew that’s where the witch’s cottage was. He was just feet away fromfindingtheproofheneeded.Godfrey turned and hurried down the trail, nearly running, stumbling over

roots,goingasfastashecouldastheskyturneddark,thewindhowling.Finally,heburstthroughthetrees,andenteredtheclearing.Hesprintedintoit,

prepared to knock down thewitch’s door, to confront her, to get the proof heneeded.Butasheenteredtheclearing,hestoodthere,frozeninhistracks.Hedidn’t

understand.Hehadbeentothisclearingbefore,hadseenhercottage.Butashestood therenow, theclearingwascompletelyempty.Therewasnocottage,nobuilding—nothingbutgrass.Itwasempty,surroundedbygnarledtrees,threeredtrees.Haditdisappeared?Theskyflashedandlightningstrucktheclearing,andGodfreystoodthereand

watched, baffled, wondering what dark forces were at play, what evil wasshelteringhisbrother.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Gwendolyn stood before her mother’s chamber, her arm raised before thelarge,oakdoor,hesitatingasshegrabbedtheironknocker.Sherememberedthelasttimeshehadseenhermother,howbadlyithadwent,thethreatsfrombothsides.Sherecalledhermother’sforbiddinghertoseeThoragainandhervowingto never see her again. They had bothwantedwhat theywanted, atwhatevercost.Thatwashowithadalwaysbeenbetweenthem.Gwenhadalwaysbeenherdaddy’sgirl,andthathadprovokedhermother’swrathandjealousy.Gwenwassurewhenshewalkedoutonherthatdaythatshewouldneversee

heragain.Gwenconsideredherselfatolerant,forgivingperson,butshealsohadher pride. Shewas like her father that way. And once someonewounded herpride,shewouldnevertalktothemagain,underanycircumstance.Andyethereshewas,holdingthecold,ironknocker,preparingtoslamit,to

askhermotherpermissiontospeakwithherandtopleadforherhelpinfreeingKendrick fromprison. It shamedher to findherself in this position, having tohumbleherselftoapproachhermother,tospeaktoheragain—andnoless,doingso in thecontextofneedingherhelp. Itwas likeconceding tohermother thatshehadwon.Gwenfelttorntobits,andwishedthatshewereanywherebuthere.Ifitweren’tforKendrick,shewouldnevergiveherthetimeofdayagain.Nomatterwhathermothersaid,Gwenwouldneverchangehermindwhenit

cametoThor.Andsheknewhermotherwouldneverletthatgo.But then again, since the death of her father, her mother had truly been a

different person. Something had happened within her. Perhaps it had been astroke—orperhapsitwassomethingpsychological.Shehadn’tspokenawordtoanyone since that fateful day, had been in a nearly catatonic state, andGwendidn’tknowwhattoexpect.Perhapshermotherwouldnotevenbeabletospeakwithher.Perhapsthiswasallawasteoftime.Gwenknewsheshouldpityher—butdespiteherself,shewasunableto.Her

mother’snewconditionhadbeenconvenientforher—shewasfinallyoutofherhair, finally did not need to live in fear of all her vindictiveness. Before thishappened,GwenfeltcertainthatshewouldbegintofeelpressurefromallsidestoneverseeThoragain,tofindherselfmarriedofftosomecretin.Shewonderedifherfather’sdeathhadtrulychangedher.Maybeithadhumbledher,too.Gwen took a deep breath and raised the knocker and slammed it, trying to

thinkonlyofKendrick,herbrotherwhoshelovedsomuch,wallowingawayinthedungeon.

Sheslammedtheironknockeragainandagain,anditresoundedloudlyintheemptycorridors.Shewaitedwhatfeltlikeforever,untilfinallyaservantopenedthedoorandstaredbackcautiously.ItwasHafold,theoldnursewhohadbeenhermother’sattendantas longas shecould remember.Shewasolder than theRingitself,andshestaredbackatGwendisapprovingly.Shewasmoreloyaltohermotherthananyonesheknew;theywerelikethesameperson.“Whatdoyouwant?”sheasked,curt.“I’mheretoseemymother,”Gwenresponded.Hafoldstaredbackdisapprovingly.“Andwhywouldyouwanttodothat?Youknowyourmotherdoesnotwish

toseeyou. Ipresumeyoumade itquiteclear thatyoudonotwish to seeher,either.”GwenstaredbackatHafold,anditwasherturntogiveadisapprovingstare.

Gwen was feeling a new strength overcoming, her father’s strength risingthrough her, and she felt less of a tolerance for all of these overbearing,authoritativetypeswhowieldedtheirdisapprovalontheyoungergenerationlikeaweapon.What gave them all the right to be so superior, so disapproving ofeveryoneandeverything?“Itisnotyourplacetoquestionme,anditisnotmyplacetohavetoexplain

myselftoyou,”Gwensaidbackfirmly.“Youareaservanttothisroyalfamily.Iam royalty, lest you forget. Nowmove out of my way. I am here to see mymother.Iamnotaskingyou—Iamtellingyou.”Hafold’s facefell insurprise;shestood there,wavering, thensteppedoutof

thewayasGwenstormedpasther.Gwentookseveralstepsintotheroomandasshedid,shespottedhermother,

seatedatthefarendofthechamber.Shecouldseethebrokenchesspieces,stilllyingon the floor, the tableon its side.Gwenwassurprised toseehermotherhad left it thatway.Thenshe realized thathermotherprobablywanted itasareminder.Maybeitwasaremindertopunishher.Ormaybetheirargumenthadgottentoher,afterall.Gwensawhermotherseatedthere,inherdelicateyellowvelvetchair,beside

thewindow,facingout, thesunlighthittingherface.Sheworenomakeup,shewasstilldressedinyesterday’sclothes,andherhairlookedasifithadnotbeendone indays.Her face lookedold, sagging, lines etchedwhereGwenhadnotnoticedthembefore.Gwencouldhardlybelievehowmuchshehadagedsinceher father’s death—she barely recognized her. She could feel what a toll herfather’sdeathhadtakenonher,anddespiteherself,shefeltsomecompassionforher.Atleasttheyhadsharedonethingincommon:aloveforherfather.“Yourmotherisnotwell,”cameHafold’sharshvoice,walkingupbesideher.

“Itwillnotdoforyoutodisturbhernow,whatevermatteritisthatyou’vecometoinquire—”Gwenspun.“Leaveus,”Gwencommanded.Hafoldstaredback,horrified.“Iwillnotleaveyourmotherunattended.Itismydutyto—”“I said leaveus!”Gwen screamed,pointingat thedoor.Gwen felt stronger,

harsher than she ever had, and she could actually hear the authority of herfather’svoicecomingthrough.Hafoldmusthave recognized it, too,musthave recognized that thiswasno

longertheyounggirlshehadbeenaccustomedtoknowing.Hereyesopenwideinsurprise,andmaybefear,andshescowled,turned,andhurriedfromtheroom,slammingthedoorbehindher.Gwencrossedtheroomandlockedthedoor;shedidnotwantanymorespies

inheretohearwhatshewasabouttosay.Sheturnedandwentbacktohermother’sside.ToGwen’supset,hermother

hadnotflinched,hadnotreactedtoanyofit;sheremainedseatedthere,staringoutthewindow.Shewonderedifshecouldevenspeakanymore,ifthiswasjustawasteoftime.Gwenkneltbyherside,reachedupandplacedahandonhers,gently.“Mother?”sheasked,usinghergentlestvoice.To Gwen’s disappointment, there came no response. She felt her heart

shattering.Shedidnotknowwhy,butshefeltatremendoussadnessovercomingher. And somehow, for the first time, she felt herself able to understand hermother—andeventoforgiveher.“I loveyou,mother,”shesaid.“I’msorryforall thathashappened. I really

am.”Despiteherself,Gwenfelttearswellup.Shedidnotknowifshewascrying

forthelossofherfather,orforthelostchanceofarelationshipbetweenherandhermother,orforallthepent-upgriefshehadfeltsincesheandhadhermotherhadfought.Whateveritwas,itallcameoutnow,andGwencriedandcried.Afterwhat felt like forever, nothing but her crying to fill the silence of the

vast,emptychamber, toGwen’ssurprise,hermother turnedand lookedather.Her face was expressionless, her icy blue eyes wide open, but Gwen saw aquiverofsomething,thoughtshecouldseesomepartofhercomingbacktolife.“Yourfatherisdead,”hermothersaid.Thewordscameoutlikeagrimproclamation,andeventhoughsheknewthey

weretrue,theywerepainfulforGwentohear.Gwennoddedslowlyback.

“Yesheis,”sheresponded.“Andnothingcanbringhimback,”hermotheradded.“Nothing,”Gwenagreed.Hermotherturnedbacktothewindow.Shesighed.“Ineverthoughtitwouldendlikethis,”shesaid.Andthenshefellsilentagain,staringoutatadistantcloudpassingby.Afteritwentonfortoolong,afterGwenfearedshemightbelosingheragain,

Gwenreachedupandsqueezedherwrist.“Mother,” she urged,wiping away tearswith the back of her hand. “I need

yourhelp.Yourson,Kendrick,lieswallowinginthedungeon.Hewasputtherebyyourotherson,Gareth.He’sbeenaccusedoffather’smurder.YouknowthatKendrickwould not commit thismurder.Kendrick is set to be executed.Youmustnotletthishappen.”Gwen knelt there, squeezing her mother’s hand, waiting urgently for a

response.She waited what felt like forever. She was about to give up hope, when

suddenlyhermother’seyesflickered.“Kendrick is notmy son,” she said,matter-of-factly, stillwatching the sky.

“Heisyourfather’sboy.Ofanotherwoman.”“That is true,”Gwensaid,nervous. “Butyou raisedhimasyourown.Your

husband lovedhimasason.Youknowthat.And,whetherhewas trueornot,Kendrickalwaysviewedyouasamother.Hehasnooneelse.Asyousaid,ourfatherisdead.Itislefttoyoutodefendhim.Ifyoudonothing,ifyoudonotact,onthemorrow,hewillbedead—foramurderhedidnotcommit.Themurderofyourhusband.Hisexecutionwouldstainyourhusband’smemory.”Gwen feltproudofherself for laying it allout, andshe felt thathermother

heardeverywordofit.Therefollowedalongsilence.“Idonot rule this land,”hermother said.“Iam justanother formerQueen.

Powerless,astherest.Themenruleinthiskingdom.”“Youarenotpowerless,”Gwen insisted.“Youare themotherof thecurrent

King.YouareaformerqueentotheformerKing,whodiedbutdaysago—andwhoarecountrystill lovesandmourns.Allofhiscounselorsandadvisersstilllisten to you.They trust you.They love you, if for no other reason than theyloved him.A command from youwould holdmuchweight. It would preventKendrick’sdeath.”Her mother sat there, staring out, her expression barely changing. Gwen

watchedher eyes, but couldnot tell howmuch shewas trulyprocessing,howmuch shewas capable of taking in. She seemed as sharp as ever, but clearly,somethinghadhappenedwithinher.

“Wouldn’tyouliketofindyourhusband’smurderer?”Gwenasked.Hermothershrugged.“Itisnotformetointerveneinmyson’srule.HeisKingnow.Thefatesmust

playoutastheymust.”“Sowillyoujustsitthere,then,anddonothingasyourinnocentsondies?”Slowly,theformerqueenshookherhead.“Gareth was always a willful boy. My firstborn son,” the queen said. “I

believe that he carried all of my sins. His nature could never be corrected.Perhaps he killed your father. Perhaps not. But kings are meant to be killed.They’remeanttobedeposed.Yourfatherknewthat.Itistheriskonetakeswhenassumingthethrone.“Of course Imourn formy husband,” she added. “But that is the dance of

crowns.”Gwenfumed.Shestaredathermother,sawherresolve,andfeltanewfound

hatredforher.Gwen stood and scowled down at her, preparing this time to never see her

again.Shetookonelonglast lookather, to ingrainherfaceinhermemory.Itwasafacesheneverwantedtoforget—afacesheneverwantedtobecome.“Ourfatherlooksdownatyouindisgrace,”Gwensaid,feelingasifshewere

channelingherfather’svoice.With that, she turned, crossed the room, opened the door and slammed it

behindher,itsechoshakingtheentirecastle.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

Thor satwith theotherLegionmembers, andKrohn,on theground in theirmakeshiftcampatthetopofthecliff,theirroaringfiredoinglittletofendofftheblack of night. Dozens of them sat spaced around it, all exhausted, staringsomberly into the flames. Thor looked back and saw the sky, alight withthousandsof stars, redsandyellowsandgreens,positioned insuchaway thatThorhadneverseenbeforeinthispartoftheworld.Thefirecracked,butotherthanthat,thenightwassilent.Theyhadallbeen sitting there forhours, frozenwithexhaustion,pondering

theirfatesafterthisgruelingdayoftraining.Thor,especially,wasstungbyhisencounter with the Cyclops. He felt vindicated in the eyes of his brothers inarms,who lookedathimnowwithanewrespect.Buthealso felt shaken.Hethoughtofhowclosehehadcometodying,andwonderedforthemillionthtimeabout themysteryof life. Justyesterday,Malichadbeensittingwith themall;now,hewasdead.Wherehadhegone?Whomightgonext?Kolkclearedhisthroat,andtheboysturnedandlookedathim.Hesatthere,in

the circle alongwith the others, restinghis forearmsonhis knees, back erect,frowning into the fire. His eyeswerewide open, and it looked as if hewererememberingsomethingvividly.Theboyshadbeenpromisedatalearoundthefire,oneofconquestandpastglories.Buttheyhadbeenwaitingforhours,andnone came. Thor had assumed it was not going to come. But now, as Kolkcleared his throat, Thor settled in and prepared to listen. Beside him, Reese,O’Connor,Eldenandthetwinsdidthesame.“Twenty sun cycles ago,” Kolk began, staring into the flames, his voice

somber,“beforemostofyouwereborn,whenIwastheageoftheeldestofyou,whenKingMacGilwasstillalive,whenhewasjustaprinceandwefoughtside-by-side, there came the battle which gave me this scar,” he said, turning hischeektorevealthelong,jaggedscarwhichranalonghisjawbone.“Thatdaystartedoutasanyother.MacGil,Bromand I,withadozenother

legion members, were on patrol. Deep in the valley of the Nevaruns. TheNevarunsareseparatists: theyliveonthefarreachesofthesouthernprovincesof the Ring. They are rebels—they owe allegiance to the MacGils, but arealways threatening to align with one lord or other and break off from thekingdom.Theyarealsotough,cruelpeople,whodonotdefertoauthority.TheyhavebeenathornintheMacGil’ssideforcenturies.Theyarehalf-breeds,parthumanandpartsomethingelse.Theyhaveeightfingersandtoes,andaretwice

asbroadastheaverageman.Itissaidthathumansmatedwithsomethingelsetobreedthem,centuriesago.Nobodyknowswhat.“TheNevarunsareafiercepeople,”Kolkcontinued.“Theydon’trespectour

codeofethics,oflawsofchivalry.Theyfighttowin—atanycost.”Kolkbreatheddeep,eyesclosed,remembering.“Itwasacoldandwindyday.Walkingthroughanarrowvalley,afterdaysof

silent patrol, we were ambushed. Several of them jumped us from behind,knockingmeoffmyhorse.Oneofthemknockedmedownwithaspear,whileanothercameupfrombehind,stabbedmeinthebackandthenusedhisknifetodothishandiwork,”hesaid,pointingathisjaw.Thor swallowedat the thoughtof it,ofwhatKolkmusthavegone through.

Evennow,twentysuncycleslater,ashestaredintotheflames, itseemedasifKolkwererelivingit.“I would have died if it were not forMacGil, who, luckily, had to relieve

himself,andwascatchingup.Hewasfiftypacesbehindme,andtheydidn’tseehim.Hesentanarrowthroughtheirbacks.”Kolksighed.“Iwasfoolish,andthatisthepointofthistale.Iexpectedtheenemytofight

onmyterms.Tomeetmeintheopen.Tochallengeandfacemeasaman,asanywarriorshould.Nottobecowardlyandjumpmefrombehind,nottofightwithtwomenagainstone,not towaituntil Iwas in a space sonarrow I couldnotmaneuver.Andthisiswhatyoumustremember:yourenemywillneverfightonyourterms.Hewillfightonhis.Warforyoumeanssomethingelsetohim.Whatyouconsiderfairandnoble,hedoesnot.Youmustbeprepared,atalltimes,foranything.“Thatdoesnotmeanyousinktohislevel.Youmustfightatalltimeswithour

codeofhonorandchivalry—orelseyouwilllosethespiritofthewarrior,whichiswhatsustainsyou.Thedayyoubegintofightasthemisthedayyouloseyoursoul.Bettertodiewithhonorthantowinindisgrace.”With that,Kolkfellsilent,andadeepsilenceenvelopedall theboysaround

him.Foralongwhiletheonlysoundwasthatofthewhippingofthewindhighuponthecliff,ofthedistantcrashoftheocean,somewhereonthehorizon.Andthen,sometimelater,camethesoundofadistantroar,likethunder.Thor

turned,asdidtheothers,andsawsomethinglightupthehorizon.Hestood,withReeseandafewothers,togolook.Thorwalked over to the cliff’s edge and looked out at the black night, the

horizon lit by a world of stars, their light strong enough to illuminate theswirling red waters of the ocean beneath them. In the distance, far off, Thorcould see a red glow. It came in short bursts, then stopped, like a volcano

shooting up lava that lit up the night, then just as quickly faded out. Therefollowedanotherrumblingsound.“ThecryoftheDragon,”cameavoice.Thor looked over, and standing there, set apart from the others, his back to

him, staring out over the cliff and holding his staff, was Argon. Thor wasshockedtoseehim.Thor turned away from the other boys, and walked over to him. He stood

besidehimandwaiteduntilhewasready,knowingbetterthantodisturbhim.“Howdidyougethere?”Thorasked,amazed.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Argon stood there, expressionless, ignoring Thor, still staring out at the

horizon.Thorfinallyturnedandlookedatthehorizonwithhim,standingbyhisside,

waiting,tryingtobepatient,toacceptconversationonArgon’sterms.“TheDragon’sbreath,”Argonobserved.“Thisisadragonthatchoosestolive

apart.Youareinhisland.Heisnotpleased.”Thorthoughtaboutthat.“Butwearetobehereforahundreddays,”Thorsaid,worried.Argonturnedandlookedathim.“If he chooses to let you,” he responded. “These shores are littered far and

widewiththebonesofwarriorswhothoughttheycouldconquerthedragon.Theprideofmanisthefeastofdragons.”Thorswallowed,beginningtorealizehowprecarioustheHundredwas.“WillIsurviveit?”heasked,hopingforaresponse.“Yourtimetodiehasnotyetcome,”Argonrespondedslowly.Thorfeltimmenselyrelievedtohearthat,andsurprisedthatArgonwouldgive

himastraightanswer.Hedecidedtopushhisluck.“WillIalsobecomeamemberoftheLegion?”heasked.“That,andmuchmore,”Argonreplied.Thor’sspiritsliftedevenhigher.Hecouldnotbelievehewasgettinganswers

outofArgon.HefeltasuddenburningcuriositytoknowwhyArgonwashere.Heknewhewouldnothavecomehere,wouldnotbetalkingtohim,unlesshehadsomethingimportanttosay.“Doyouseethehorizon?”Argonasked.“BeyondtheDragon’sbreath?Past

theflames?Outthere,intheblackness,liesyourdestiny.”Thorsensedwhathewasspeakingof.HerememberedMacGil’sdyingwords,

abouthisdestiny,abouthismother.“Mymother?”Thorasked.Slowly,Argonnodded.“Sheisalive?Sheisoutthere?IntheLandoftheDruids?Isthatit?”

Argonturnedtohim,hiseyesaglow.“Yes,”heanswered.“Sheawaitsyouevennow.Youhaveagreatdestiny to

fulfill.”Thor was excited beyond belief at the idea of his mother being alive

somewhereintheworld,attheideaofmeetingher,discoveringwhoshewas.Hewasexcitedattheideathatsomeonewasawaitinghim,thatsomeonecaredforhim.Buthewasalsoconfused.“ButIthoughtmydestinywasbackhome,intheRing?”Thorasked.Argonshookhishead.“Agreaterpartawaitsyououtthere.Greaterthanyoucaneverimagine.The

fateoftheRingrestsonit.Thereisgreatunrestathome.TheRingneedsyou.”Thor could scarcely comprehend it. How could the Ring need him, just a

singleboy?“Tellme,Thor,whatdoyousee?Look into theblackness.Closeyoureyes.

WhatdoyouseeintheSorcerer’sRing?”Thordidasinstructed,closinghiseyes,breathingdeeply.Hetriedtofocus,to

allowwhateveritwastocometohim.Butwhateverpowerhehad,hecouldnotsummonit.Hecouldnotfocus.“Bepatient,”cameArgon’svoice.“Don’t force it.Allow it tocome toyou.

Youcanseeit.Iknowyoucan.”Thor kept his eyes closed, breathed, again and again, and tried to let go of

controllingit.Then,hewasshocked.Hebegantoseesomething.Greatvisions,lucid,asif

he were witnessing them. He saw destruction in the Ring. Murders. Fires.Rubble.Hewashorrified.“I seegreat calamity,” he said, struggling to comprehendhis visions. “I see

death.Battle.Destruction.Iseethekingdomcollapsing.”“Good,”Argonsaid.“Yes,tellmemore.”Thorfurrowedhisbrow.“IseeagreatdarknessinGareth.”“Yes,”Argonsaid.ThoropenedhiseyesandlookedatArgon,distraught.“Gwendolyn,” he said. “What about her? I can’t it clearly. But I sense

something.Somethingdark.SomethingIdidnotlike.Tellmeit’snottrue.”Argonturnedaway,lookedintotheblackness.“Weeachhaveourowndestiny,I’mafraid,”hesighed.“ButImustsaveher!”Thorexclaimed.“Fromwhateveritis,fromwhatever

darkthingthatisgoingtohappentoher.”“Youwillsaveher,”Argonsaid.“Andyouwon’t.”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”Thorpleaded.“Please, tellme.Ibegyou.Nomoreriddles.”Argonslowlyshookhishead.“Youhavecomeheretolearntobeawarrior.Yetthephysicalisbutoneside

of awarrior. Youmust learn to develop your inner skills. Your powers. Yourabilitytosee.Don’tgetcaughtupinswordsandspears.Thatistheeasyroute.”Argon turned and took a step closer to him, and stared into his eyes with

burningintensity.“Thegreatestbattleaheadofyoulieswithinyourself.”

CHAPTERTWENTY

100DAYSLATER

Garethsatinhisfather’sthroneroom,onhisfather’sthrone,lookingdownatthedozensof councilmenand lords andcommonersbeforehim, allwith theirownproblems,andhewasmiserable.Monthshadpassedsincehehadassumedthethrone,andwitheachpassingday,hefeltmoretortured,moreparanoid—andmore alone. He had ousted his closest friend and advisor—Firth—long ago,relegatinghimtothehorsestablesandforbiddinghimtoseehim,andhemissedhim.OustingFirthwastherightthingtodo—hewasrecklessandhadbecomealiability.After all, he remained the only onewho could connectGareth to hisfather’smurder,andhedidnotwanttobeassociatedwithhimanymore.Hehadbrought in ahalfdozenofhis friends tobehismentors, and itwas

these people who surrounded him these days. They were ruthless, ambitious,aristocratic types—and that was exactly what he wanted. Gareth didn’tnecessarily trust them,butat least theywerehisage,and theywereascynicalandruthlessashe.Theywerethekindofpeoplehewantedtosurroundhimselfwith.Theysawtheworldashedid,andheneededthenewguardtocounteracttheold.Hisfather’speoplewerestillentrenched,likeaninstitution,andhefeltincreasingly oppressed by them. If he could, hewould razeKing’sCourt andbuildthewholethinganew.Everythingnew.Heheldnorespectforhistory—hedespised history. For him, the ideal was a modern, blank slate, and thedestructionofeveryhistorybookthateverwas.“Myliege,”saidyetanothercommoner,ashesteppedbeforehimandbowed.Gareth sighed, bracing himself for yet another petition. All day long, petty

mattershadbeenbroughtbeforehim.He’dhadno idea that rulingakingdomcouldbe somundane; thiswasneverhowhehadenvisionedbeingKing.Onepersonafteranotherstreamedin,allwantinganswers,judgments,andanendlessstream of decisions needed to be made. Everyone wanted something, andeverythingseemedsotrivial.Garethhadimaginebeingkingmoreglorious.Gareth looked to the stained glass window, high above his head, and he

longed to be outside—tobe anywhere but here.Hewasdeeply bored.He feltsomethingstirringinsidehim,andwheneverhefeltthatway,heknewhehadtobreakupthemonotonyofhislifeandcreatesometrouble,somehavocforthosearoundhim.“My lord,” thecommonercontinued,“the landhadbeen inmyfamily fora

thousandyears.”Garethsighed,tryingtotuneitallout.Thesestupidpeasantshadbeengoing

on about some land dispute for he did not know how long. He could barelyfollowit,andhe’dhadenough.Hejustwantedthemoutofhissight.Hewantedtimetobealone, to thinkabouthisfather,aboutanydetailsof themurderthatcould be discovered. About whether thewitchwould reveal him. He had feltprofoundly uneasy since their confrontation, and was feeling increasinglyparanoidthataconspiracywastighteningaroundhim.Hewonderedincessantlyover whether he would be found out. Ousting Firth had allayed his fearssomewhat,butnotentirely.“Mylord,thatisnottrue,”saidanotherpeasant.“Thatvineyardwasplanted

bymyfather’sancestors.Itencroachedonhisterritoryonlythroughgrowth.Butourterritory,inturn,wasencroachedbyhiscattle.”Garethlookeddownatthemboth,annoyedatbeingjoltedfromhisthoughts.

Hedidnotknowhowhisfatherhadputupwithallofthis.He’dhadenough.“Neitherofyoushallhavetheland,”Garethsaidfinally,annoyed.“Ideclare

your landconfiscated. It isnowpropertyof theKing.Youmayboth findnewhomes.Thatisall—nowleaveme.”Thecommonersstaredbackinstunnedsilence,mouthsopeninshock.“Myliege,”saidAberthol,hisancientadvisor,whosatseatedwiththeother

councilmembersatthesemi-circulartable.“SomethinglikethathasneverbeendoneinthehistoryoftheMacGils.Thisisnotroyalland,thatmuchiscertain.Wecannotconfiscatelandfrom—”“Isaidleaveme!”Garethyelled.“ButmyLord,ifyoutakemyland,whereshallIandmyfamilygo?”asked

thepeasant.“Wehavelivedonthatlandforgenerations!”“You can be homeless,”Gareth snapped, thenmotioned to his guards,who

hurriedforwardanddraggedthepeasantsfromhissight.“Myliege!Wait!”oneofthemscreamed.Buttheyweredraggedfromtheroomandthedoorslammedbehindthem.Theroomhungwithaheavysilence.“Whoelse?”Garethyelled,impatienttobedone.A group of nobles stood there, in the wings, and looked at each other

hesitantly.Finally,theysteppedforward.There were six of them, barons from the northern province, aristocrats,

dressed in the blue silk of their clan. Gareth recognized them instantly: theannoyinglordswhohadburdenedhisfatherthroughouthisrule.Theycontrolledthe northern armies, and always held the royal family hostage, demanding asmuchfromthemastheycould.

“Myliege,”saidoneofthem,atall,thinmaninhisfiftieswithabaldinghead,whoGarethrememberedseeingfromthetimehewasaboy,“wehavetwoissuestoputforthtoday.ThefirstistheMcClouds.Reportsarespreadingofraidsintoourvillages.Theyhaveneverraidedthisfarnorth,anditistroubling.Itmaybepreludetoagreaterattack—afullscaleinvasion.”“Nonsense!”Orsefainexclaimed,oneofGareth’snewadvisors,whosattohis

right.“TheMcCloudshaveneverinvaded,andtheyneverwould!”“Withallduerespect,” thelordcountered,“youare tooyoungtoremember,

but therehave, infact,beenMcCloudattemptsat invasion,beforeyourtime.Irememberthem.Itispossible,mylord.Inanycase,ourpeoplearealarmed.Werequest that youdouble your forces in our area, if for noother reason than toappeasethepeople.”Gareth sat there, silent, impatient. He trusted his young advisor, and also

doubted theMcCloudswould invade.Hesawthisrequestmerelyasawayforthenorthernnobles to try tomanipulate himandhis forces. Itwas time to letthemknowwhoranthekingdom.“Requestdenied,”Garethstated.“Whatelse?”Thenobleslookedateachother,unpleased.Anotheroneofthemclearedhis

throatandsteppedforward.“During your father’s time,my liege, taxeswere raised on our province to

musterthenorthernarmiesintimesoftrouble.Yourfatherhadalwayspromisedtoreducetaxesbacktowhattheywere,andbeforehisdeath,thelawwasaboutto go into effect. But it was never ratified. So we ask to you to fulfill yourfather’swillandlowerthetaxesonourpeople.”Gareth resented thesebarons,who thought theycoulddictate tohimhowto

runhiskingdom.Whethertheylikeditornot,hewasstillking.Hehadtoshowthemwhowieldedthepowerhere.HeturnedtoAmrold,anothernewadvisor.“Andwhatdoyouthink,Amrold?”heasked.Amroldsat there,narrowinghiseyesat the lords,scowlingdown.Hewasa

perpetuallyunhappyperson,andthatwasoneofthereasonsGarethlovedhim.“Youshouldnotlowertaxes,”Amroldsaid,“butraisethem.It’stimeforthe

northtounderstandwhocontrolsthisRing.”Thenobles,alongwithGareth’seldercouncilmembers,allgaspedinoutrage.“Myliege,whoaretheseyoungfolkyouturntoforcounsel?”Abertholasked.“Thesemen you see behindme are part ofmy new council. They shall be

includedinalldecisionswemake,”Garethsaid.“But my Liege, this is an outrage!” Kelvin said. “There have always been

twelve councilmembers that advised the king, for centuries. It has neverchanged,notforanyMacGil.Itwasthewayyourfatherhadit,andthewaywe

havealwayshadit.Youchangetheverynatureof thekingship.Wehavebeentested with years of wisdom. These new folk you bring in—they have nowisdomorexperience!”“It ismykingshiptochangeasIwill,”Garethshotback,firmly.Hefigured

that now was the time to put all these old folk in their place. They were allbiasedtowardshisfatheranyway,andtheyhadalwayshatedhim.Hecouldseetheresentmentintheireveryglance.“Ishall fillmycouncilwithahundredpeople if I like,”Garethadded,“and

turntowhomeverIchooseforadvice.Ifyouareunhappy,thenleavenow.”Theoldcouncilmensatattheirtable,facinghim,andhecouldseethelookof

surprise on their faces—which was exactly what he had wanted. He wantedthesenewadvisorstokeepthemonedge.Hewassendingthemamessage:theyweretheoldguard,thattheywerenolongerneeded.Kelvinrosefromthecounciltable.“Iresign,mylord,”hesaid.“AsdoI,”Duwayneechoed,standingwithhim.Theybothturnedtheirbacksonhim,andstrodefromtheroom.Garethwatchedthemgo,hisfaceburningwithindignation.“Guards,arrestthem!”Garethyelled.The guards stopped them at the door, shackled them, and led them away.

Garethcouldhearthemutedscreamsofthosecouncilmembersoutsidetheroom.Theothercouncilmembersstood.“MyLiege,thisisanoutrage!Howcanyouarrestthem?Youjusttoldthemto

leave!”“Itoldthemtheywerefreetochoosetoleave,”Garethsaid.“Butofcourse,

thatwouldbetreasontotheKing.Iwillnotabidetraitors.Wouldanymoreofyouliketoleave?”Thecouncilmenlookedateachother,distraught;theynowhadgenuinedoubt

andfearintheireyes.Theyalllookedlikebrokenmen—whichwasexactlywhatGarethwanted.Inwardly,hesmiled.Hewasdismantlinghisfather’sinstitutions,onepersonatatime.“Beseated,”Garethordered.Slowly,reluctantly,thecouncilmemberssatbackdown.Garethturnedtothenobles,whostillstoodthere,awaitinghisresponse.Now

theyneededtobeputintheirplace.“Regardingyourtaxes,”Garethsaidtothem,“notonlywillInotlowerthem,

but I shall raise them.Asof today,your taxes aredoubled.Donot comehereagainunlessIsummonyou.Thatisall.”Theleadbaron’sfacequivered,thenturnedashadeofcrimson.Garethcould

seethatthismanwasnotusedtobeingtalkedtointhisway,andheenjoyedhowupsethehadmadehim.“Myliege,ourpeoplewillnotsufferthisformofmistreatment.”Garethstood,turningredhimself.“Yes, theywill suffer it. Because I amKing now.Notmy father. And you

answertome.Nowleaveme.Anddon’tshowyourfacehereagain!”ThelordsstaredbackatGareth,mouthsopeninshock.Notapindropcould

beheardin thechamber,notamongthedozensofattendantsorcouncilmenornoblesseatedandstandingeverywhere.Thegroupofnoblesslowlyturned,andmarchedoutthechamber,theirboots

echoing.Theyslammedthedoorbehindthem.As they went, Gareth noticed their conspiratorial glances. He could see in

theireyestheirresolvetooverthrowhim.Healreadycouldsensealltheenemiesinhiscourt,alltheplanstodeposehim.Hewoulddealwitheachofthem,oneatatime.Hewouldimprisoneverysingleoneifhehadto.“Isthatallthen?”Garethhastilyaskedtheremainingcouncilmembers,slowly

sittingbackdown.“My liege,” Aberthol said, tired, his voice broken, “all that remains is the

investigationintoyourfather’sdeath.”“Ofwhatdoyouspeak?”Garethdemanded.“Theinvestigationisclosed.My

brotherKendrickhasbeenimprisoned.”“I’mafraiditisnotsosimple,mylord,”Abertholsaid.“TheSilverisfiercely

loyal toKendrick.They areunsatisfiedwithhis imprisonment.The stayingoftheexecutionhelped,butnotforlong.Thereisgreatdissatisfactionamongtheranks,especiallyafteryoucuttheirsalary,andtheycallforanewinvestigation.Youriskarevoltotherwise.”“ButthevialofpoisonwasfoundinKendrick’schamber,”Garethprotested,

hisheartpounding.“YetthereremainsnodefinitiveprooflinkingKendricktothemurder.”“Asoftoday,Ideclaretheinvestigationover,”Garethannounced.“Kendrick

willwallowinthatdungeoneverydayofhislife.”“Butmylord—”“Donotbringthismatteruptomeagain,”Garethsnapped.“Nowleaveme!

Allofyou!”Quickly, the room filed out, andGareth found himself alone, sitting on the

throneinthedeepsilence.Gareth sat there,hisheartpounding, seething;hehad feared something like

thismighthappen ifKendrickwasnot executed immediately.He fumedasheremembered,afewmonthsago,hismother’ssuddeninterference,herusingher

powers topreventhimfromexecutingKendrick.Hehadheard thatGwenhadgottentoher,thattheyhadteameduptostopit.Heseethedwithhatredforthemboth.Hecouldnotbesafeaslongastheywerealive.HerecalledhisbumbledattempttohavehismantortureGwen,monthsback.

It hadn’t worked. Perhaps now was time to try again. This time, he couldoutrightkillher.Garethsmiled,asaplanhardenedinhismind.Yes,thistimemightjustdothe

trick.

CHAPTERTWENTYONE

Thor stood alone at the helm of a large, empty boat, in the middle of theocean,thetidespullinghimalongattremendousspeed.Thesailswerebentbythewind,eventhoughtherewasnoonebuthimontheboat.Itwasaghostship,andhe stoodat its helm, lookingout at thehorizon,whichwas covered in anunearthlymist,goldsandyellowsandwhitessparklinginthemorningsun.As themist drifted, the outline of an islandbegan to take shape,more of a

mountainrisingupfromtheseathananisland, itssinglepeaksoaringintothesky. It rose higher than anymountainThor had ever seen, and at its top sat acastle, emerging from the rock, built into the edge of a cliff. The sky wasexpansive,filledwithgreensandpaleyellows,ahugecrescentmoonhanginginitscorner.Theplacewaseerieandmystical.Itseemedalive.AsThorstoodthere,hisboatrocking,somehowhewasnotafraid.Hefeltthe

oceantakinghimthere,andknewthatthiswastheplacehewasmeanttobe.Heknew,somehow,thathisdestinyawaitedhimthere.Thatitwasaplacehewasmeanttobe.That,inastrangeway,itwashome.Thorcouldnotremembersettingsail,orhowhegotonthisboat,butheknew

itwasajourneyhewasmeanttotake.Somehow,thisplacehadalwaysbeeninhisdreams,somewheredeepdownin thecornersofhisconsciousness.Hefeltwithcertaintythathismotherlivedthere.Thor hadnever really contemplatedhismother before.Hehad always been

toldshehadpassedawayinchildbirth,andhadalwaysfeltasupremeguiltoverthis.Butnow,ashegotcloser to this island,hesensedherpresence.That shewaswaitingforhim.Ahugewavesuddenlyliftedtheboat,hoistedithigherandhigherintotheair,

andThorfelthimselfrisinghigherandhigherintheocean.Thewavepickedupspeed, like a tsunami, and he rode it all the way as it brought him rushingtowardstheisland,fasterandfaster.Ashegotclose,hebegantoseeafigure.Itwasalonefigure,standingatopa

cliff.Awoman. Shewore flowing, blue robes, her chinwas lowered, and herpalmswereoutatherside.Anintenselightshonefrombehindher,radiatedfromherpalms,shootingoutlikelightning.Thelightshonesobrightly,thatasThorlookedup,tryingtoseeher,hehadtoshieldhiseyes.Hecouldnotmakeoutherface.Hesensedthat itwasher.Morethananything,hewantedtoseeherface, to

seeifshelookedlikehim.

“Mother!”hecalledout.“My son,” came a soft voice from somewhere. It was the kindest, most

reassuringvoicehehadeverheard.Helongedtohearitagain.Suddenly, thewave came crashing down, and took the boat plunging down

withit,andhebracedhimselfasheheadedfortherocks.Thorwokewithastart,sittingupright,breathinghard.The dawn was breaking over the horizon, and all around him, the Legion

memberswerestrewnabout,fastasleep.Hismindspunwith thedream:ithadseemedsoreal.Ashegothisbearings,herealizedthattodaywastheday.Thefinaldayofthe

Hundred.Thedaytheyhadallbeendreading.Hefeltahundredyearsolderthanwhenhe’darrivedhereahundreddaysago.

Hecouldnotbelievethathehadmadeit,andthatthiswashisfinalday.Histimeherehadfarexceededhisimagination.Eachdaybeenharderthanthenext,eachtrainingmore grueling, pushing him and his brothers harder and harder.Daysbecamelongerandlonger,ashehadlearnedtotrainwitheveryweaponknowntoman—and some not even known toman. They had been forced to train ineverypossibleterrain,fromswampstoglaciers,andhadbeenscreamedatfromearlymorning to lateatnight.More thanoneofhisbrothershaddroppedout,hadbeensenthomealoneonasmallship.Manyhadbeeninjured.Twohaddiedaccidentally, slipping off a cliff on a particularly stormy day. They had allencountered trials and tribulations together, fought against monsters, survivedevery typeofweather.This islandwasunforgiving, andhadgone fromhot tocoldwithnowarning,seemingtohaveonlytwoseasons.As Thor sat there, Krohn beside him, a part of him dreaded this final day,

wantedtoliebackdown,togobacktosleep—butheknewhecouldnot.Theselasthundreddayshad forgedhim intoadifferentperson, andhewas ready tofacewhatevertheywouldthrowathim.Thorsatthereintheearlymorninglight,waiting.Soon,theywouldallarise,

gearup,embarkontheirfinalmission.Butuntiltheydid,hecouldrevelinbeingthefirsttorise,andsitthereandenjoythesilence,watchthesunbreakonefinaltimeoverthisplacehehadcometolove.

*Thor stood with the others on the rocky, narrow beach, hands on his hips,

lookingoutatthestormtossedsea,feelingthechillintheairofthenewseason.Hehadlearnedtobecomesousedtoadverseweatherthathenolongershiveredasafreezinggalebrushedacrosshisbody.Hestaredoutatthesea,hisgreyeyesglistening,andfelthardened,impervious.Hefeltlikeaman.Hisbrothersinarmsstoodcloseby,Krohnbesidehim,nearthefleetofsmall

woodenboatspreparingtosetsailforthefinaltestoftheHundred.Theywaited,all anxious, asKolkpaced among them, looking as dissatisfied and intense asever.“Those of you who have made it to this day might want to congratulate

yourselves.Don’t.Youhaveonefinaldayleft,andthisdayiswhatsetsothersapart.Ifyousurviveit,youwillcomebackaLegionmember.Allthetrialsyouhavebeenthrough,theyhavealljustbeenpreparationforwhatyou’reabouttodo.”Kolkstoppedandturned,pointingatthehorizon.“That islandon thehorizon,”he said, “on it lives a lonedragon, anoutcast

from the landof thedragons.Wehave lived inhis shadow thesepasthundreddays,andhavebeenfortunatehehasnotattacked.Warriorsdotheirbesttoavoidtheplace.Today,wewillpayitavisit.“This dragon jealously guards a treasure.An ancient, golden scepter.He is

rumored tohide it deep inhis lair.Youmust find the canyon,descend into it,findthescepterandreturnwithit.”Therecameanervousmurmurfromthegroupastheboysturnedandlooked

ateachother,fearfillingtheireyes.Thor’sheartpoundedashelookedoutatthecrashingsea,attheislandinthedistance,coveredinasurrealmist,evenonthisclearday.Hecouldfeelitsenergy,evenfromhere.Overthelasthundreddayshispowerhaddeveloped,andhewasnowabletobemoresensitivetosensingenergies,evenfromadistance.Hecouldsensethataformidablecreaturelivedon it, an ancient, primordial creature, and that they were heading into greatdanger.“Mantheboatsandmove!”Kolkcommanded.Theyallranforthesmallrowboats,whichwererockingwildlyinthewaters

onshore,andoneatatimetheypiledin,eachboatholdingaboutadozenboys.Thorpiledin,Krohnbesidehim,nexttoReese,O’Connor,Eldenandthetwins,eachsittingonabenchandgrabbinganoar.Beforetheypushedoff,ThorlookedtoseeWilliamstandingonshore,fearin

his eyes. Thor had actually been surprised thatWilliam had made it this far,expecting him to drop out every step of theway.But now, this final exercisemusthavebeentoomuchforhim.“Isaidgetinthatboat!”Kolkyelled,hurryinguptohim,thelastboylefton

thebeach.Williamstaredback,wide-eyed.“I’msorry,sir,butIcan’tdoit,”hesaidmeekly.Thorsatthere,hisboatrockingwildly,andhisheartdroppedforWilliam.He

didnotwanttoseehimgo—notafterallthey’dbeenthrough.

“I’mnotgoing to tellyouagain,”Kolkwarned.“Youdon’tget in thatboatnow, you’re out of the Legion. Everything you’ve done will be for nothing.Forever.”Williamstoodthereandshookhishead.“I’msorry,”Williamsaid.“IwishIcould.ThisisonethingIcannotdo.”“Ican’tdoiteither,”cameavoice.Thorlookedover,andsawanotherboy,oneoftheolderones,jumpoutofone

oftheotherboats,andstandonshore.Theybothstoodthereonthesand,theirheadsdowninshame.Kolk sneered, grabbed each from behind and shoved them forward, away

fromtheotherboys.Thorfeltterribleforthem.HeknewtheywouldbeputonthesmallboatandsentbacktotheRing,andcarrythatstigmatismwiththemfortherestoftheirlives.BeforeThorcouldthinkof it toodeeply, theLegion’scommanderscameup

behindeachboat,andgaveeachastrongshove,pushingitintothesea.Thorfelthisboatmovingunderhim,andmomentslaterhewastakinguphisoar,withtheothers.Thechurningof theseagrewstrongeras theywent,andsoon theywerefar

fromshore,stuckinstrongtides,pullingthemtowardsthedragon’sisle.As they neared it, Thor tried to get a better view, but it was constantly

obscuredbythemistclingingtoitsshores.“Ihearthedragonthatlivesthereeatsamanadayforbreakfast,”O’Connor

said.“Ofcoursetheywouldsavesomethinglikethisforthefinalday,”Eldensaid.

“Justwhenwethoughtweweregettingoutofhere.”Reeselookedatthehorizon.“I’veheardstoriesofthisplacefrommybrothers,”hesaid.“Thepowerofthe

dragon is unfathomable.There is nowaywe could all defeat it head-on, eventogether.Wejusthavetohopewetreadcarefullyanddon’trousehim.Theislandisbigenough,andhemaybesleeping.Allwehavetodoissurvivetheday.”“Andwhatarethechancesofthat?”O’Connorasked.Reeseshrugged.“Iheardthatnotallboyssurvivedinyearspast,”hesaid.“Butenoughdid.”Thor’s anxiety increased as the tides picked up, pulling them towards the

island.Therowinggoteasier,andsoonhecouldmakeoutthedistinctoutlineofitsshores,comprisedofredrocksofinfiniteshapeandsize,shining,glowing,asif theywereonfire.Theysparkled in the light, likeabeachof rubies.Hehadneverseenanythinglikeit.“Orethist,”Convalsaid,lookingattherocks.“Legendhasitthatifyougive

onetosomeoneyoulove,itwillsavetheirlife.”Moments later theirboat landedonshore,andThor jumpedoutwithKrohn

and the others, pulling it up all theway on the rocks. Their feet crunched allaroundhim,boyslookeddownandpickeduptheglowingredrocks.Thordidthesame.Hegrabbedoneandhelditup,examiningit.Itsparkled,

likea rare jewel in themorning light.Heclosedhispalmandclosedhiseyes,andabreezearoseasheconcentrated.Hecouldfeeltherock’spowerthrobbingthroughhisbody.Convalwasright:thiswasamagicalstone.He saw the others boys pocketing as many rocks as they could hold, as

mementos, and Thor took one and tucked it deep into his pocket. One wasenoughforhim.Hedidn’tneedoneforhimself,andtherewasonlyonepersonhewantedtogiveone,too:Gwendolyn.Thatis,ifheshouldevermakeitback.Theyallbegantoclimbthesteepbank,theonlyentranceleadingupthesteep

cliffs.Themistblewinandoutanditwashardtoseefar,butThorcouldmakeout a narrow path, almost like natural steps, leading up the side of the cliff,coveredinmoss.They climbed it single file, Thor slipping as the ocean waves sprayed

everything,makingthepathslick.Thorstruggledtokeephisbalanceasastronggustofwindpoundedthem.Finally,theymadeittothetop.Thorstoodonthegrassyknollwiththeothers,

atthepeakofthedragon’sisle,andhelookedout.Adarkgreenmosscoveredtheislandasfarashecouldsee,andthemisthoveredoverit.Itwasacreepy,gloomyplace,andasThorlookedout,hesuddenlyheardadeeproar.Itsoundedlike the earth itself gurgling up, and in the distance, he could see flames andsmokerising in themist,anddisappearing.Astrangesmellhungin thisplace,likeashmixedwithsulfur.Itpervadedeverythinghere.Krohnwhined.Thor swallowed hard. The boys turned and looked at each other, even the

bravestofthemwithfearintheireyes.Theyhadallbeenthroughalottogether—butnothinglikethis.Theywerereallyhere.Itwasnolongeradrill—itwasnowlifeordeath.Theyallsetoffasoneacrossthebarrenwastelandoftheisle,walkingonthe

slipperymoss,allonguard,allwithhandsontheirswords.After what felt like hours, themist swirling all around them, there came a

hissingnoise, and thenagreat soundgrew,and finally, as theairgrewcolder,wetter,theyreachedtheedgeofawaterfall.Thorlookeddownovertheedgeanditseemedtodropforever.They continued on a trail around the circumference of the waterfall, and

headed across a boggy terrain, drenched in spray from the falls, their feetsinking.Astheywalkedandwalked,cloudsofmistbecomingsothickthatthey

couldbarelyseeeachother,theroarofthedragoncameeveryfewminutes,andseemed togrowlouder.Thor turned toseewhere theyhadcomefrom,but themistwasnowtoothicktoseethrough.Hebegantowonderhowtheywouldevermaketheirwayback.As they marched, Reese beside Thor, suddenly Reese lost his footing, and

began to fall.Thorusedhisnewfound reflexes to reachout andgrabReese, amomentbeforehefell.Hegrabbedhimhardbythebackoftheshirt,andyankedhimback.Ashesteppedforwardand looked,herealized thathehad justsaveReese’slife:belowthem,thegroundopenedupintowhatlookedlikeamassivecanyon,droppinghundredsoffeetbelow.ReeseturnedandlookedatThorwithalookoflife-savinggratitude.“Ioweyou,”hesaid.Thorshookhishead.“Noyoudon’t.”Theboysallhuddledaround, lookingdownat the immensecanyon,sinking

hundredsoffeetintotheearth,andwondered.“Whatisit?”Eldenasked.“Itlookslikeacanyon,”Convalsaid.“No,”Reesesaid.“It’snot.”“Thenwhatisit?”Convenasked.“It’safootprint,”Reesesaid.“Afootprint?”Convenasked.“Lookattheindent,howsteepitis.Andlookatthatshape,aroundtheedges.

Thatisnocanyon,myfriend.ThatisthefootprintoftheDragon.”

CHAPTERTWENTYTWO

Erec trotted on his horse in the morning light down the well-worn path,flankedbyacontingentof theDuke’sknights, includinghis friendBrandt.Astheywent,headingtowardsthejoustinglanes,theyweregreetedbythousandsofspectators,cheeringwildlyonbothsidesoftheroad.It had been a long hundred days of jousting, and Erec had won every

competitionthusfar.Todaywasthefinalday,everyoneoutinforcetocelebratethefinale,andasErectrotted,hecouldthinkonlyofonething:Alistair.Herfaceremainedfrozeninhismind,andashetightenedhisgriponhislance,heknewthathewouldbefightingforher.Ifhewontoday,hecould,finally,claimherashisbride.Andhewasdeterminedthatnoman,inanyprovinceofthekingdom,woulddefeathim.As they rode through the immense arched stone gates, into the arena, they

weregreetedbyacheerfromthousandsmorespectators,seated in theoutdoorstonecoliseum, lookingdownat the jousting field in its center.People rose totheir feet, throwingdownflowersasErecentered.Hefeltaswellofpride.Hehad devoted his life to his fighting skills, and in moments like this, wheneveryone cheered for him, he felt that all of his hardwork paid off. Erec hadbeendefeatedbynomaninbattle.Thecrowdroaredashe trotted in,andheproceededdown thecenterof the

lanes, where he turned and bowed his head to the Duke, who stoodwith thecrowd,flankedbyhiscontingentofsoldiers.TheDukebowedback,asmileonhisface,andErecturnedandheadedtothesideline.Allalongthesidelineweresmallcontingentsofknights,hundredsof them,allwearingdifferentarmor,ofdifferent shapes and colors, ridingon a broad arrayof horses,wielding exoticweapons. They had assembled from all corners of theRing, each groupmoreexoticthanthenext.Theyhadbeentrainingallyearforthis,andthecompetitionhad been formidable. But Erec had consistently bested them all, and as hethoughtofAlistair,heknewhewouldfindawaytowintoday.Erec waited andwatched as a horn sounded, and out charged two knights,

fromopposingsidesofthestadium,oneindarkgreenarmor,theotherinbrightyellow,eachholdingouttheirlancesastheychargedforeachother.Thegreenoneknockedtheyellowoffhishorse,andthecrowdcheeredwildly.Joust after joust ensued, and more and more knights got eliminated. Erec,

beingthechampion,wasgiventhehonorofthelastspotofthefirstround.When the horn sounded he chargedwithout amoment’s hesitation.Hewas

matched against one of the best opposing knights—a burly man with blackarmor,withachesttwiceasbroadasErec’s.Hechargedonahorsethatworeanawfulsneer,andtheman’slanceseemedtwiceaslongasErec’s.ButErec,beingtheprofessionalthathewas,didnotallowittofazehim.He

focusedon theman’sbreastplate, the angleof hishead, on thewayhis armorshiftedbetweentheplates.Heidentifiedtheweakspotimmediately,inthewaythemanloweredhisleftshoulder.Erecwaiteduntilthelastmoment,aimedhislanceatjusttherightspot,andheldituntiltheyclashed.Agaspspread through thecrowdas theopposingknightwent flyingoffhis

horse,landingonthegroundinaclangofmetal.Thecrowdroared indelight,andErecrode to theothersideof thestadium,

andwaitedhisturnforthesecondround.Dozensofroundsremained.Thedaygrewlong.Oneafterthenext,roundafterround,knightsfought,until

therewerebutahandfulofwarriorsleft.Whentheyreachedthefinaltenahornsounded, and a break was called, as the Duke walked out into the middle toaddresshispeople.Erecusedtheopportunity,asdidtheothers,tolifthisarmor,removehishelmet,andbreathehard.Asquireappearedwithabucketofwater,andErecdranksomeandtippedtherestontohisheadandbeard.EventhoughitwasnowFall,hewasdrippingwithsweat,breathinghardfromhoursoffighting.Healreadyfeltsore,butashelookedaroundattheotherknights,hecouldtelltheyweremoretiredthanhe.Theydidnothavethetrainingthathedid.Hehadmadeapointtotraineverydayofhislife,andhadnevermissedaday.Hewaspreparedtobeexhausted.Thesemenwerenot.TheDukeraisedbotharmstothecrowd,andslowly,itquieteddown.“Myfellowpeople,”theDukeyelledout.“Ourprovinceshavesenttheirbest

andbrightestfromallcornersoftheRingtocompetethesehundreddaysforthebest andmostbeautifulbrideourkingdomhas tooffer.Eachwarriorherehaschosen onewoman, andwhoeverwins today, shall have the right towed thatwoman,ifsheagrees.Forthesefinalknights,theboutwillswitchfromjoustingto handheld fighting. Eachwarriorwill choose oneweapon, and theywill allfight each other. There will be no killing—but everything else goes. The lastman standing wins. Warriors, good luck!” he shouted as he walked off, thecrowdroaringbehindhim.Erecputhishelmetbackon,andlookedovertheweaponscarthissquirehad

rolledtohim.Healreadyknewwhatweaponhewanted:itsatinhiswaist.Hepulledouthisold,trustedmace,withitswell-wornwoodenstaffabouttwofeetlong,andatitsendaspikedmetalball.HehadwieldeditsincehisdaysintheLegion,andheknewnoweaponbetter.Ahornsounded,andsuddenly,thetenmenchargedeachother,meetinginthe

centerofthering.Alargeknight,notwearingahelmet,withlightblueeyesandabrightblonde

beard,aheadtallerthanErec,chargedrightforhim.HeswungamassiveclubrightforErec’shead,withaspeedthatsurprisedhim.Erecduckedatthelastsecond,andtheclubwentflyingby.Erecusedtheopportunitytospinaroundandcrackthemanhardintheback

oftheheadwiththewoodenshaftofhismace,sparinghimthemetalballsoasnot tokillhim.Themanstumbledandfell,unconscious—andhewas the firstmandown.Thecrowdroared.AllaroundErecknightsfought,andmorethanonesingledhimout.Clearly,

hewasseenasthemantobeat,andheduckedandweaved,asonecameathimwithanaxe,anotherwithahalberd,anda thirdwithaspear.Somuch for theDuke’s exhortation not to try to kill each other, Erec thought. Clearly, theseknightsdidn’tcare.Erec found himself spinning and twisting, fighting one after the other.One

jabbed at himwith a long, studded halberd andErec yanked it fromhis foe’shandsandusedittojabhisattackerrightatthebaseofhisneckwiththewoodenend,findingtheweakspotabovehisarmorandknockinghimdownflatonhisback.Erec then spun around and swung the sharp endof the halberd, chopping a

spearinhalfrightbeforeithithim.Hethenspunagain,drewhismace,andknockedadaggerfromthehandof

anotherattacker.Heturnedthemacesidewaysandsmashedhisattackeronthebridgeofthenosewiththewoodenend,breakinghisnoseandknockinghimtotheground.Anotherknightchargedwithahammer,Erecduckedlowandpunchedhimin

thesoloplexuswithhisgauntlet.Theknightkeeledover,droppinghishammermid-swing.JustoneknightremainednowoppositeErec,andthecrowdjumpedtoitsfeet,

cheeringlikemad,astheycircledeachotherslowly.Theywereeachbreathinghard. All around them lay the unconscious bodies of the others who did notmakeit.ThisfinalknightwasfromaprovinceErecdidnotrecognize,wearingabright

red armorwith spikes protruding from it, like a porcupine.He held aweaponthatresembledapitchfork,with three longprongs,paintedastrangecolor thatshimmeredinthelightandconfusedErec.Hejabbeditcontinuallyattheair,anditwashardforErectofocus.Suddenlyhelunged,thrustingit,andErecblockedtheblowatthelastsecond

withhismace.Thetwoofthemlockedinmid-air,pushingbackandforthinatug-of-war. Erec slipped on the blood of one of his opponents, and lost hisfooting.Erec fell on his back, and his challenger wasted no time. He thrust his

pitchfork rightdownforErec’s face;Erecblocked itandheld itbackwith theendofhismace.Hemanagedtoholditatbay,buthewaslosinggroundquickly.Thecrowdgasped.“YIELD!”theopponentscreameddown.Erec lay there, struggling, losing steam,when he sawAlistair’s face in his

mind.Hesawherexpressionwhenshelookedintohiseyes,whensheaskedhimtowin.And suddenly, he felt overcomewith anew strength.He couldnot lethimselflose.Nothere.Nottoday.With one final burst of strength, Erec rolled out of the way, pulling the

pitchforkdownandplunging it into the earthbesidehim.He rolled again andkicked the knight hard in the stomach. The knight fell to his knees, andErecjumpedtohisfeetandkickedhimagain,knockinghimtohisback.Thecrowdroared.Erecdrewhisdagger,knelt,andheldittotheknight’sthroat.Hepushedthe

tipfirmlyagainstit,untiltheknightunderstood.“IYIELD!”theknightyelled.Thecrowdroaredandscreamedindelight.Erecslowlystood,breathinghard.Henowhadbutonethingleftonhismind.Alistair.

CHAPTERTWENTYTHREE

Thor lookeddowninaweat thedragon’sfootprint,sinkinghundredsoffeetinto the earth, the size of a canyon. As the mist cleared down below, at itsbottom,Thorspottedsomething.Itwasacave,atthefarend,andinsideofithethoughthesawsomethinggleaming.Itsparkled,thendisappearedinthemist.“There,”Thorsaid,pointing.“Didyouseethat?”Theboysallsquinted.“Idon’tseeanything,”Eldensaid.“Ithoughtitsparkled,”Thorsaid.“Itcouldbethescepter,”Reesesaid.Allaroundthem,dozensofLegionmembersappearedoutofthemist,andone

ofthemfoundawaydownintothecanyon,asteepledgeinthecliff.Thorandtheothersfollowed,Krohnwiththem,andtheyallbegantodescend,singlefile.Astheywentthetrailbecamesteeper,andThorsoonfoundhimselfstruggling

toholdonfordear lifeas theydescendedeverdeeper into thefootprintof thedragon.They finally reached the bottom and Thor looked up, wondering how they

wouldevergetout.Downherethefloorwascoveredinfine,blacksand,andastheywalked,their

feet sank into it.Thedragon’s roarhadn’t come inawhile, andallwaseerilyquiet. Theywere all on guard as theywent, crossing the floor of the canyontowardstheentrancetothecave.Themistcleared,anditbecamevisibleagain.“There!”Thorexclaimed.Theotherssawitthistime,agleamingcomingfrominside.“Iseeit,”Reesesaid.They all proceeded towards the cave, themist returning, and as theywent,

Thorhadanincreasinglyominousfeeling.Hecouldnothelpbutfeelasiftheywerebeingwatched,asiftheywereheadingdeeperanddeeperintothedragon’slair.Hehopedandprayed that theycould find the scepter andgetoutof theirquick.Thorsuddenlyheardafamiliarscreechingnoise,andheturnedandcranedhis

necktotheskies:there,flyinghighabove,hewasthrilledtoseeEphistopheles.He hadn’t seen her in he hadn’t know how long.Hewonderedwhat shewasdoingherenow.Hecouldnothelpbutfeelasifshewerewarninghim.Shescreechedagain,soaringincircles.As the large groupofLegionmembers convergedon the cave,Thor turned

andledtheway.Theworldbecameblackastheyenteredit,longicicleshangingfromtheceiling,thesoundofwaterdripping,ofbatsfluttering.Astheywalkedinside, deeper and deeper, their voices reverberated, the whispers of Legionmembers on-edge.The only thing illuminating the cavewas a sparkling light,nottoofarfromtheentrance,ofasingleobject.Asthemistcleared,Thorfinallysawwhatitwas—andtheyallgasped.There,stickingupfromtheground,wasthegoldenscepter.Aboutthreefeet

long,itshinedandsparkled,castingoffalightsobrightitlitupmostofthecavethroughthemist.Allthelegionmembersstoppedintheirtracks,clearlyinawe.Thorcouldfeelanintenseenergyradiatingoffofit,evenfromhere.“You saw it first,” Reese said to Thor. “You take it. Bring it back for the

Legion.”Thorsteppedforward,theothersfollowingclosebehind,andknewheshould

feelrelieved.Theyhadfoundit.Nowtheycouldreturn.Butforsomereason,ashe headed deeper into the cave, he felt more and more on edge. His senseskickedin,andsomepartofhimhedidn’tunderstandscreamedtohimthattheywereheadingdeeperintodanger.Butwith all the boyswatching him, he could hardly turn back.Hewalked

forward, reached out, and grabbed the scepter. He felt an electric thrill racethroughhimasheclaspedit.Itwasthemostbeautifulandpowerfulthinghehadevertouched.Theyall turned,hurriedout from thecave, theboyscrowdingaroundThor,

gettingagoodlookatit.Therewasreliefintheair:theirmissionwasover.Nowthey could go home.As one, the group shuffled outside the cave, prepared toleavethisplace.But the moment they all stepped outside, their world changed. Out of

nowhere,ahorrific roarroseup,andas theyall lookedup,Thorsawthemostterrifyingsightofhislife.Thedragon.Itraiseditsheadabovethecanyon,andglareddownatthem,and

Thorhadtowonderifthiswasrealorjustanightmare.Hehadneverseenarealdragonbefore—andheneverthoughthewouldlivetoseeone.Itwasthelargestandmostterrifyingthinghe’deverlaideyesupon.Asitraiseditslongneck,itshuge head towering over them, it blocked out the sun, casting a shadow overthem all. Just one of its scales was bigger than Thor—and it was covered inthousandsofthem,reddish-green.Itraiseditstwofrontlegs,eachasbigasfiftymen,andThorcouldseeitshugeclaws,threeoneachfoot,reachingouttotheheavens,eachassharpasaswordandaslongasatree.Mostterrifyingofall,though,wasitsface,withitslong,extendednarrowjaw,

andbehinditsopenmouth,itsrowsandrowsofteeth,eachaslargeasahouse,

sharperthananyweaponhehadeverseen.Itthrewitsheadbackandroared,andthesoundwasenoughtosplitamanin

two.Every singleLegionmember raised his hands to his ears, andThor did the

same,stillclutchingthescepter.Thegroundshook,andThorfeltasifhisheadwouldexplode.Krohnwhinedandsnarled.Whenthedragonfinisheditsroar, it lowereditshead,pulledbackitsthroat,

openeditsmouthandbreathed.Firecamehailingdownlikeatornado,singingthesideofthecanyonwall.As

thedragonmoveditsneck, thefirespread—andthatwaswhenThorheardthescreams.SeveralLegionmembersscreamedoutinhorrificpainasThorwatchedthem

getburnedalive.Thorwatchedhelplessly,beforeturningandsprintingwiththerestoftheboys,runningfortheirlives.The dragon lowered a leg, and as its foot met the ground, it left another

canyon-sizedhole,shakingtheearthsomuchthatThorandtheLegionmemberswerethrownintotheair,agoodtenfeet.Thorlandedhardonhisside,androlledseveraltimes.Thorscurriedtohisfeetandlookedup,andsawthedragongettingcloseras

therestoftheboysran.Someoftheolderboysbrokeintoaction.Oneofthem,whohadcarriedwithhimalongropeandgrapplinghook,distributedtheropestoseveralothers,andsoon,thegroupranincirclesaroundit,loopingtheropesarounditslegs,tryingtotripitup.Itwasavalianteffort,andtheboysmovedquicklyandfearlessly,managedto

wraptheropetightlyarounditslegstwice,toThor’ssurprise.Theyexpectedthedragontotripandfallasittookitsnextstep.But theywere all horrified as the dragonmerely looked down, noticed the

rope,andsnappeditlikeitdidn’texist.Thenitraisedafootandbroughtitdown,crushingseveraloftheolderboysintotheearthasitdid.Itswipedwithitsclawsandslicedotherboysinhalf.ThorwatchedinhorrorasO’Connorgothitintheswipe;hemisseditsclaw,

but the dragon’s foot still sentO’Connor flying through the air and smashingintothecanyonwall.Thorprayedhewasn’tdead.Theotherboysbegantofleeagain,alltheiroptionsexhausted,andThorknew

hehadtodosomethingquickly.Atthisrate,theywouldallbedeadinminutes.Therewasnowayoutofthiscanyon,andthedragonhadthemtrapped.As everyone around him continued to run, Thormustered his courage, and

stopped.Hestoodthere,inthecenterofthecanyonfloor,andturnedandfacedthedragon.Hisheartwaspounding,andheknewthismightmeanhisdeath—

buthehadtodothis.Thor triedtomustereverythingthatArgonhadtaughthim, triedtosummon

hisspiritualpower,whateverpowerhehad.Ifhehadanyinnatepower,heknewthatnowwasthetimetodrawonit.Nowwasthetimeheneededitmost.ThedragonsuddenlystoppedandfocusedonThor.Itthrewbackitsheadand

roared,asiffuriousatbeingchallenged,andinthatmomentThorwishedthathehadranwiththeothers.Ashestoodtherealone,facingthedragon,Thorraisedonepalm,determined

tousewhateversupernaturalpowershehadtocombatthebeast.Please,God.Please.The dragon pulled back its throat, opened its mouth, and shot flames right

downatThor.Thorkepthispalmout,hopingandprayingthatthiswouldwork.Astheflamescamedown,showeringdownallaroundhim,Thorwasstunned

toseethathispalmcreatedanenergyshieldaroundhim.Theflamesharmlesslypartedwaysaroundhishand,leavinghimsafe.Theotherboysstoppedandwatched.The dragonwas enraged. It lifted a foot and brought it down, preparing to

crushThor.ButThorkepthispalmout,andasthefootcamedown,hewasabletousehis

energy force to stop itwithhishand, the foothovering inmid-air several feetaboveThor.Thorcouldfeeltheenergyofthebeast,feelitsstrength,its intensedesireto

killhim.Thor’sentirebodywasshakingasheusedallhehadtokeepitatbay.Buthecouldnotholditbackmuchlonger.Finally,Thor,unabletoholditanylonger,releasedtheenergyshieldandran.

Ashedid,thefootcamecrashingdown,missinghimbyfeet,plungingintotheearth.Thedragonroared,enraged.TheotherLegionmembersstoppedandwatched,inawe.Thedragon,madderthanever,chargedThor.Itdoverightforhim,openingits

rowsofteeth,aimingtoswallowhimwhole.Thor felt a heat rising within himself, and he summoned his energy again.

This time he used it to jump—higher than he ever had—and as the dragonduckeddown,Thorleaptoveritsheadandlandedonitsback.Thorgrabbedontoitsscales,hangingonfordearlifeasthedragonbucked.It

waslikeridingamountain.Thorcouldsensethedragon’senergyanditwasthemost powerful thinghehad ever felt.Thorusedhis power to try todirect thedragon’senergy.Heimplantedtheimageinthedragon’smindofflyingaway.

Andthatwasexactlywhatthedragondid.Thedragonsuddenlyliftedupandflewoutofthecanyon.Thorcontrolledits

mindasitcontinuedtofly,fartherandfartheraway.Thorhungonfordearlife,thewindandthemistwhippinghisfaceastheyclimbedhigherandhigher,flewfasterandfaster.Soon,thegroundwasjustaspeckbelowthem.Thordirectedthedragontoturnoverthesea,andtheycontinuedtofly.Thor

whisperedtothedragontodipdown,closetotheshore,prayingthatitwould.Itdid.Assoonastheyflewovertheshore,Thortooktheopportunity.Heheld

hisbreathandjumpedoffthedragon’sback,hurlingthroughtheair,hopinghemadeit.Helandedinthewaves,chestdeepinthechurningsea.Hesurfaced,gasping,

and turned towatchas thedragon flewaway,over the sea, farther and fartheraway.WithThor’s lastounceofstrength,hewaded to theshore,andcollapsedon

the sand, unable tomove another inch.Hewas still clutching the scepter.Hecouldnotbelieveit.Hehadmadeit.

CHAPTERTWENTYFOUR

Andronicus sat on his throne, surrounded by a dozen servant girls, chainednakedtothefloor,fanninghim,placingfruitintohismouth,asheleanedbackwithasmileandwatchedthefestivitiesunfoldbeforehim.Inthecircularfloorofhismassivethroneroom,thenight’sgameswerebeginning.SpreadthroughouttheroomwerehundredsofAndronicus’closestfollowers,

contingents that had arrived to pay homage from every corner of the Empire,wearingeverypossiblecolor.Theyfeasted,dancing,drinking,drugging in thisroom, as they had night after night. There was a never-ending stream ofdignitarieswhowantedtopaytributetohim.Iftheydidnot,hewouldhavehisarmies crush them in an instant. And these games, the center of the night’sfestivities,wereanicecomplementtoalongdayofdrinkingandfeasting.Thefirstgameofthenightwasalwaysthemostexciting,andthispromisedto

benoexception.TheyhadfoundamassiveSpokebull,with threehorns,a jawtwiceaswide,eightsetsoflongfangs,andtheyhadpaireditagainstaLivara—amassive, lion-like creaturewith four sets ofwings. In the ring, the Spokebullcharged theLivara, roaring, and theLivara charged back. It promised to be agoodmatchup.Thetwocreatures,eachenraged,metinthemiddle,snarling,eachsinkingits

fangsintotheother’shide.Theyhitthegroundandrolled,andtheroombecamefilledwiththesoundsoftheirvicioussnarls.Withinmoments,bloodandsalivawassprayingallovertheroom.Andronicussmiledwide,thrilledassomeofthebloodsprayedthroughthegateandhithimintheface.Inspired,hereachedover,slippedonehandaroundoneofthenakedgirls,andpulledherupontohislap.Beforesheknewwhatwashappening,heextendedhishugefangs,andplungedthemintoherthroat.She shrieked as he drank her blood, feeling the hot liquid gush down his

throat,holdinghertightuntilshefinallystoppedwrithing.Finally,sheslumpedthere,dead,inhisarms,andhewipedthebackofhismouth,andletherliethere.Therewerefewthingsheenjoyedmorethanholdingafreshly-deadcorpseinhislap.Thiswasturningouttobeagreatnight,indeed.Anagonizinghowlrangout,andthecrowdjumpedtoitsfeet,roaring,asone

of theanimalsgot thebestof theother.Andronicusstoodhimself,and lookeddown to see that the spoke-bull hadwon, piercing theLivara’s chestwith histhirdhorn.Itstoodoverit,snorting,tappingitsfoot.The crowd cheered as an attendant opened the gate, preparing for the next

bout.Ashedid, though, somethingwentwrong: the spoke-bull, enraged, charged

right for theattendant.Themancouldnotgetoutof thewayquicklyenough,andtheanimalgougedhimwithitshorns,piercinghisstomachandsendinghimuphighoverhishead,pinninghimtothecageofthearena.Insteadofrushingtohelphim, thecrowdscreamed indelight,as theattendanthung there inagony.Noonecametohishelp;onthecontrary,theyallenjoyedit.Threemore attendants rushed in, holding spears, and they kept the beast at

bayastheywenttorescuetheirco-worker.Thebeastchargedthem,bitingtheirspearsandbreakingthem—untilfinallyanotherattendantsteppedforwardwithahugedoubleaxe,andinonecleanswoop,choppedoffitshead.Itscorpsefelltotheside,bloodgushingeverywhere,andthecrowdroaredinexcitement.Severalmore attendants rushed in to clean up the bloodymess, and a door

openedfromanotherendofthearenaandtwomoreanimalswereledinforthenextround.Theywereidentical.Theylookedlikerhinoceroses,butwerethreetimes thesize,andonewas led toeachendof the ring,gruntingandsnarling,barelyabletobecontainedbyfourattendantswithropes.Asthecadaverswerepulledoutandthegatebarelyclosed,awhistlesounded,

and the two animals were released from their ropes.Without hesitating, theycharged each other, ramming heads as theymet in the middle. There was anawful crash as their headsmet, their hides as hard as iron, shaking the entireroom.Thecrowdcheeredindelight.Andronicus slowly sat back down, still holding the fresh corpse in his lap,

reveling in the games. They were going even better tonight than he hadexpected,andhisspiritshadnotbeenthishighinhedidnotknowhowlong.“Myliege,forgiveme,”cameavoice.Andronicus turned to see one of his messengers standing beside them,

whisperinginhisear.“Forgivemyinterruption,master,butIbringimportantnews.”“Speak it then,” Andronicus snarled, still looking straight ahead, trying to

ignore theman.Andronicus had a sinking feeling thatwhatever itwaswouldinterrupthismood.Andhedidnotwantitinterrupted.“Newshas spread that theMcCloud armyhas invaded the other half of the

Ring.OurspiestellusthattheMacGil’skingdommaybeoverrunwithindays,andthattheMcCloudswillcontroltheRing.”Andronicusslowlynodded,takingintheinformationwithaseethingragethat

hedidnotshow—thenhereachedover,grabbedthemessengerwithbothhands,stood, and hoisted him across the room with a superhuman strength. The

messenger,asmall,frailmanfromtheHinterlands,wentflyingthroughtheair,shrieking,andthecrowdwatched,transfixed,asheclearedthefencetothearenaandlandedinsidewiththewildanimals.The two animals, startled, took a break from smashing into each other and

turned towards themessenger.Together, they charged him, and themessengerturnedandran,screaming,tryingtoflee.Buttherewasnowhereforhimtogo.Asheclimbed thewall, trying togetout, oneof the animalspiercedhisbackwithitsthickhorn,pinninghimtothecage.The messenger shrieked, blood gushing from his mouth, grasping the wall

withhisfingernailsashedied.Thecrowdrosetoitsfeet,screamingindelight.Andronicuspondered thenews. It hadputhim in averybadmood, indeed.

ThatMcCloudkinghaddefiedhim,hadnotacceptedhisoffer,hadnotaccededtohiswishes to lethimcross thecanyon, toattack theMacGils together.ThatMcCloudkingwasmorehard-headedthanAndronicushadanticipated.HewasoutofAndronicus’sreach.AndAndronicushatedthingshecouldnotcontrol.Andronicushadexpectedamomentlikethis.TheRinghadbeennothingbuta

thorninhisside,inthesideoftheentireEmpire—theonlyfreeterritoryleftinit, for as long as his ancestors could remember.Hewas determined to changethat. He had conquered virtually every corner of the Empire, and his victorycould not be complete without invading the Ring, making the entire landsubservienttohiswill.Andronicushadabackupscenarioinmindfornewssuchasthis,andnowit

wastimetoemployit.Hesuddenlyrose,theentireroomdroppingtoitskneesandbowingdownas

hedid,andthrewoffthelifelesscorpse,nowcold,oftheyounggirl.Hemarchedacrosstheroom,ashundredsofhisfollowersbowedlowtotheground,andwasfollowed his entourage of loyal advisors. The advisors knew better than toquestionwherehewasgoing,knowing toobediently followuntilhe told themotherwise.Andronicus left the chamber, and hismen followed close as he entered the

corridorsofhiscastle.Andronicusmarched, fumingwith rage, deep into the bowels of his castle,

workinghiswaydowntowardsthetorturechambers.Thecorridorswereshapedinwide circles, and hewent around and around, thewalls linedwith torches,untilfinallyhereachedasquare,metaldoor,ironspikesprotrudingfromit.Atthesightofhim,threeattendantshurriedtoyankitopen,bowingtheirheadslow.Andronicusmarchedin,hismenclosebehind.Inthechamberstoodtwoprisoners,membersoftheMcCloudkingdom,men

they had captured years ago off of one of the McCloud ships. Andronicusexaminedthemen,chainedagainsttheoppositewall,handsandfeetbound,anddecidedthattheylookedripe.Theyhadkeptthesemenchainedhereforyears,starvingthem,torturingthemonceaday,breakingthemutterly,completely,foramomentsuchasthis.ForamomentwhenMcCloudhaddefiedhim.NowitwastimeforAndronicustousethem,toextracttheinformationhehadbeenneedingtoknowforalifetime.Heonlyonehadshotatthis,andheneededtogetitright.Andronicussteppedforward,grabbedalong,sharphookoffthewall,cameup

close tooneof themen,andheld thehookunderhischin.Hebegan to lift it,underthemosttenderandfragilepartofhisvocalcords,untilthepointpiercedtheskin.Theman’seyesfloodedwithtears,andheshriekedoutinagony.“Whatisitthatyouwant?”themanshrieked.Andronicussmileddownathim.“The Canyon,” he growled, slowly. “You have one chance to give me the

answer.Howdowebreachit.Whatisitssecret?Whatistheenergyshield?Whocontrolsit?”Themanblinkedseveraltimes,sweating.“Idon’tknow,”hesaid.“Iswearit—”Andronicus was not in the mood: he lifted the weapon high and the man

shrieked in agony as it severed his throat, then his head.Amoment later, hisheadrolledoffhisbody,ontothefloor.Andronicus turned and looked at theother prisoner, chained to theopposite

wall, the other McCloud. The man blinked several times, staring; he startedmoaningandshakingasAndronicusapproachedwiththehook.“Please!”themansquealed,“please,don’tkillme!Please,Ibegyou!”McCloudgotclosetohim,andheldthehooktohisthroat,leaningin.“You know the question,” Andronicus said. “Answer if you choose. If not,

joinyourfriend.Youhavethreeseconds.One,two—”Hebegantoliftthehook.“Okay!”themanscreamed.“Okay!Iwilltellyou!Iwilltellyoueverything!”Andronicusstaredathimclosely,tryingtoseeifhewaslying.Hewasexpert

atthat,havingkilledsomanypeopleinhislifetime.Ashestareddeeplyintotheman’spupils,dilating,hesawthathewastellingthetruth.Slowly,hesmiled,relaxed.Finally,theRingwouldbehis.

CHAPTERTWENTYFIVE

GwendolynstoodontheupperparapetofthecastleonthecoldFallday,thewind blowing back her hair, and looked out at the brilliant countryside. Therolling farmlandswere filled fall harvesters, dozensofwomengathering fruitsintobaskets.Allaroundher,everythingwaschanging,alltheleavesamyriadofcolors, purples and greens and oranges and yellows…. The two suns werechanging, too,as theyalwaysdid in theFall,nowcastingayellowandpurplehuetotheday.Itwasamagnificentday,andlookingoutatthevistabeforeher,everythingseemedrightintheworld.For the first timesinceher father’sdeath, she felt a senseofoptimism.She

hadawakenedbefore thedawn,andhadwaitedwithanticipation the tollingofthe bells, announcing the return of the Legion. She waited and watched thehorizonforhours,andbelowher,asthedaybroke,shecouldseecrowdsalreadybeginning to form in the streets below, preparing for the parades to welcomethemback.Gwenwasoverjoyedwithexcitement.TodaywasthedayThorwouldreturn

toher.Shehadbeenupallnight,countingtheminutestillsunrise.Shecouldhardly

believeithadfinallycome.Today,Thorwasreturning.Allwouldberightagainintheworld.Shealso felta senseof joy,ofaccomplishment, thatKendrickhadnotbeen

executed.Somehow,hermeetinghadgottenthroughtohermother.Shehatedtheideaofhiswallowinginthedungeon,andeverydayshethoughtofwaystogethimout,butfornow,atleastshehadkepthimalive.Shewasdetermined toprovewhomurderedher father,buthadbeenunable

over the lasthundreddays,despiteherefforts, tofindanynewleads.Godfrey,too,hadreachedadeadend.Theywerebothblockedateveryturn.GwendolynfeltincreasinglythreatenedunderGareth’swatchfuleye,hismultitudeofspies;shefeltlesssafeinthecastleasdayswentby.ShewincedasshethoughtofthescarGareth’sassassinhad leftonhercheek; itwas light,hard toseeexcept indirectsunlight,lookingmorelikeascratch—butnonetheless,itwasthere.Everytimeshelookedinthemirror,shesawit,andsheremembered.Sheknewshehadtomake a change, andmake one soon.Garethwas becomingmore unhingedwitheachpassingday,andtherewasnotellingwhathemightdo.But now that Thor was returning, now that the Legion would be home,

includingheryoungerbrotherReese,shenolongerfeltsoalonewithallofthis.

Changewasintheair,andthestatusquowouldnotremainthesame.Shefeltitwouldonlybeamatteroftimeuntilshefoundawaytoreleaseherbrother.Andmostimportantly,shecouldnowbewithThorpermanently.Shehadnotspokentohermother since that last fatefulmeeting, and she suspected shewouldnottalk to her again; yet at least shewas no longer an obstacle between her andThor.Gwenwatchedthehorizon.In thefardistance,beyondtheCanyon,shesaw

thefaintestglimmeroftheocean,andlookedforanysignsofsails.Sheknewitwasoverlyoptimistictobeabletospotthemfromthisfaraway,andevenoncethey landed, theywere still ahalfday’s rideaway.But shecouldnothelpbutwatch.Allaroundher,thebellstolled.Shehadwornherfinestwhitesilksfortheday.ApartofherwantedThortotakeherawayfromhere,fromallthis,fromallthiscastlemaneuvering,toaplacewheretheycouldbesafe.Tohaveanewlifesomewhere. With him. She did not know what or where. But she knew sheneededtostartagain.“Gwendolyn?”cameavoice.She spun, jolted fromher thoughts, and to her surprise sawaman standing

there,afewfeetaway.Hehadsnuckuponher,andworse,itwasamanthatshedespised.Notaman—aboy.Alton.Theveryfaceofduplicity,ofaristocracy,ofeverythingwrongwiththis

place.Hestoodthere,lookingsoarrogant,soself-assured,dressedinhissillyoutfit,

wearinganascoteveninthefall,andshedespisedhimmorethanever.Shewaseverythinghehatedinaman.Shewasstillfuriousathimformisleadingher,fortellingherallthoseliesaboutThorthatnearlybrokethemapart.Hehadmadeafoolofher.Shehadvowed toneverseteyesonhimagain—not thatshe likedhimtobeginwith.Thusfarshehadbeensuccessful.Monthshadpassedsinceshehadseenhim

last,andshecouldnotbelievehehadtheaudacitytocomeoutofthewoodworknow, to be standing here. Shewondered how he’d even got up here, how heslipped past the guards. He must have used his nonsense line about beingroyalty,andtheymusthavebelievedit.Hecouldbeveryconvincing,eveninhislies.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”shedemanded.Hetookastepclosertoher,onesteptoocloseforher.Therewereonlyafew

feetinbetweenthem,andshefeltherbodytenseup.Hesmiled,asifnotdetectingherhostility.“I’vecometogiveyouasecondchance,”hesaid.Shelaughedaloudathisabsurdity.

“Me?Asecondchance?”sheasked,incredulous.“AsifIeverwantedafirstchance to begin with. And who are you to be giving anyone chances? Ifanything, itwouldbeIgivingyouasecondchance.ButasIsaid, therearenochances.You’renothingtome.Youneverwere.Youneverseemtoacceptthat.Youliveinaworldofdelusion.”Hesnortedbackather.“I understand thatwhen awoman’s feelings are so strong forman, she can

sometimesliveindenial,soIforgiveyouyourrashwords.YouknowthatyouandIhavealwaysbeenmeanttobe,fromthetimewewerechildren.Youcantrytoresistit,butyouknowaswellasIdothatnothingwilltearusapart.”Shelaughed.“Tearus apart?” shemocked. “You really are sick.Wewerenever together.

Wewillneverbe together.There isnothing to tearapart.Except foryour lies.How dare you lie to me about Thor!” she yelled, her voice rising, growingindignant.Altonmerelyshrugged.“Technicalities,”hesaid.“Heisacommoner.Whocaresabouthim?”“Icare—verymuch.Youspoutedliesabouthimandmadeafoolofme.”“If I took libertywith the facts, itmakesnodifference. Ifhe’snotguiltyof

one voice, surely he will be of another. The fact is, he is a commoner andbeneathyou,andyouknowI’mright.Hewillneverbegoodenoughforyou.“I,ontheotherhand,amreadytoacceptyouasmywife.I’vecometoyouto

confirmthatyouwantmetomakearrangementsbeforeIdo.Afterall,weddingsareexpensive.Myfamilyisgoingtopayforit.”Gwenlookedbackathimindisbelief.She’dnevermetanyonesooutoftouch

withreality,sopompous.Shecouldnotbelievethatheactuallyseemedgenuine.Itmadehersick.“Idon’tknowhowmanywaysIcantellyou,Alton:Ihavenoloveforyou.I

don’tevenhaveanylikeforyou.Infact,Ihavetheutmosthatred.AndIalwayswill.So I suggestyou leavemenow. Iwouldnevermarryyou. Iwouldneverevenbeyourfriend.Besides,Ihaveotherplans.”Altonsmiled,undeterred.“IfbythatyoumeanyoursupposedmarriagetoThor,youcanthinkagain,”

hesaid,confidently,amischievoussmileathislips.Gwenfeltherbloodruncold.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”shehissed.Altonstoodthere,smiling,revelinginthemoment.“Your lover boyThor is not returning. I have it on good source hewill be

killed on the Isle ofMist.Quite a fatal accident, I’m afraid. So you can stop

piningforhisreturnhome.Itwon’thappen.”Gwen saw the confidence in his face, and she felt her heart crash.Was he

tellingthetruth?Ifso,shewantedtokillhimwithherontheirhands.Altontookastepforward,staringintohereyes.“So you see Gwendolyn, destiny ismeant for the two of us after all. Stop

resisting it. Take my hand now, and let’s make matters official. Let’s stopfightingwhatwealreadyknowtobetrue.”Altonheldoutahand,hissmilewideningashestaredather.Butshecould

alsoseedropsofsweatformingonhisforeheadinthesun.“Still no response?” he said. “Then allow me to add one more point,” he

added,asheheldhishandoutthere,trembling.“I’vehearditongoodrumorthatyour familyplans tomarryyouoff soon, likeyourolder sister.After all, theycan’taffordtohaveanunwedMacGilroamingaround.Youcanchoosemyhandnowinmarriage—orifnot,allowyourselftobeassignedtosomestranger.AndImightaddthatitmightbeabrutalstranger,asavagefromsomecorneroftheRing.You’ddofarbetterwithsomeonelikeme,someoneyouknow.”“You lie,”Gwenspat, feelingherentirebody tremble. “I cannotbemarried

off.Notbymyfamily.Notbyanyone.”“Ohcan’tyou?Yoursisterwas.”“Thatwaswhenmyfatherwasalive.WhenhewasKing.”“AnddowenothaveaKingnow?”heaskedwithawrysmile.“TheKing’s

lawistheKing’slaw.”Gwen’sheartwasracingasshecontemplatedhiswords.Gareth?Herbrother?

Marryheroff?Couldhebesosick,socruel?Didheevenhavetherighttodoso?Afterall,hemaybeking,buthewasnotherfather.Shedidnotwanttoponderanyofthisanymore.ShewasrevoltedbyAlton.

Shehadnoideawhattobelieve.Shetookastepclosertohim,andputonherfirmestface.“LetmemakeitasclearforyouasIcan,”sheenunciatedslowly,hervoiceas

cold as steel. “If you come nearme again, I will have the royal guards—theroyalguardsofthetrueroyalfamily—imprisonyou.Theywillthrowyouinthedungeonandyouwillnevergetoutagain.Icanguaranteeyouthat.Nowgetoutofmypresence,onceandforall.”Alton stood there, staring, and slowly his smile collapsed into a frown.

Eventuallyhis face started to tremble, and she could seehis face change, boiloverwithrage.“Don’tforget,”hehissed,“you’vebroughtthisonyourself.”Shehadneverheardhimsoangrybefore,ashespunonhisheel,stormedoff

theparapets,anddownthesteps.

She stood there, alone, trembling inside, listening to his footsteps disappearforaverylongtime.Sheprayedtothegodsthatsheneverseehimagain.Gwen turnedback to the parapets,walked to the edge and lookedout.Was

anythinghesaidtrue?Sheprayednot.ThatwastheproblemwithAlton—hehadawayofimplantingtheworstthoughtsinherhead,thoughtsshecouldnotgetout.Sheclosedhereyesandtriedtoshakethememory.Hewasanawfulcreature,

theepitomeofeverythingshehatedaboutthisplace,theepitomeofeverythingshefeltwaswrongwiththeworld.Sheopenedher eyes, lookedout overKing’s court, and tried tomake it all

disappear. She tried to get back to the place she had been before Alton hadappeared, to thinking ofThor, of his arrival home today, of being back in hisarms.Ifanything,seeingAltonjustmadeherrealizehowmuchshelovedThor.Thorwas the opposite ofAlton in everyway: hewas a noble, proudwarrior,withapureheart.HewasmoreroyalthanAltonwouldeverbe.ItmadeherrealizehowmuchshewantedtobewithThor,howshewoulddo

anythingforittobejustthetwoofthem,farawayfromthisplace.Andshefeltmoredeterminedthanevertoletnothingcomebetweenthem.ButasGwenstoodthere,tryingtorecaptureherpeace,topictureThor’sface,

theshapeofhis jaw, thecolorofhiseyes, thecurveofhis lips,shecouldnot.Angerburned inherveins.Herpeacehadbeen shattered.Shecouldnot thinkclearlyanymore,andshewantedtothinkclearly,beforeThorarrived.Gwen turnedonherheel andcrossed theparapet, leaving the roof, entering

the spiral staircase, and beginning her descent. She needed a change ofenvironment.Shewouldentertheroyalgardens,andtakealongwalkamidsttheflowers.Thatwouldchangehermindset—italwaysdid.As she descended, going down flight after flight, traveling the well-worn

stonestaircasethatshehadsinceachild,somethingfeltwrong.Shefeltitbeforeshesawit.Itwasachill,acoldenergy,likeasuddencloudpassingoverher.Thenshesawit,outofthecornerofhereye.Motion,darkness.Ablur.Itall

happenedsoquickly.Andthenshefeltit.Gwenwastackledfrombehind,coarsehandsgrabbingheraroundthewaist,

drivingherdowntotheground.Shehitthestonehard,tumblingdownthestepsflightafterflight.Theworldspun,wasablur,asshebangedandscrapedherknees,herelbows,

her forearms. She instinctively covered her head as she rolled, the way herinstructorshadtaughtherwhenshewasachild,andshieldedherheadfromtheworstofit.

Afterseveralsteps,shedidnotknowhowmany,sherolledontoaplateau,ononeofthecorridorsleadingoffthestairwell.Shelaytherecurledupinaballandbreathedhard,tryingtocatchherbreath,thewindknockedoutofher.Therewasno time to rest.Sheheard footsteps,comingdown, fast, too fast,

bigheavyfootsteps,andknewthatherattacker,whoeverhewas,wasrightonher heels. Shewilled her body to get up, to regain her feet, and it took everyounceofenergythatshehad.Somehow, shemanaged toget toherhandsandknees, just ashecame into

view.ItwasGareth’sdog,backagain.Thistimeheworeasingleleatherglove,it’sknucklescoveredinmetalspikes.Gwen quickly reached down to her waist and pulled out the weapon that

Godfreyhadgivenher.Shepulledbackthewoodensheath,revealingtheblade,and lunged for him.Shewas quick—quicker than she imagined she could be,andaimedthebladerightforhisheart.Buthewasevenquickerthanshe.Heswattedherwrist,andthesmallblade

wentflying,landingonthestonefloorandskiddingacrossit.Gwenturnedandwatcheditfly,andfeltallherhopesgoflyingwithit.Now,

shewasdefenseless.Gareth’sdogwoundupwithhisfist,withthemetalknuckles,andswungright

forherface.Itallhappenedtoofastforhertoreact.Shesawtheknuckles,themetal spikes, coming down right for her cheek—and she knew that in just amoment theywouldallpunctureher face,and leaveherhorribly,permanently,scarred.Disfigured.Sheclosedhereyesandbracedherselfforthelife-changingpainthatwouldfollow.Suddenlytherecameanoise,andtohersurprise,herattacker’sblowstopped

inmid-air, just inchesfromhercheek. Itwasaclangingnoise,andshe lookedovertoseeamanstandingbesideher,awideman,withahunched,twistedback,holdingupashortmetalstaff.Itwasinchesfromherface,andthestaffblockedtheblowoftheman’sfist.Steffen.Hehadsavedherfromtheblow.Butwhatwashedoinghere?Steffenheldhisstafftherewithatremblinghand,holdingbacktheattacker’s

fist,preventingGwenfrombeinginjured.Hethenleanedforwardwithhismetalstaff and jabbed themanhard, right in the face.Theblowbrokehisnose andsenthimplungingdowntothecoldstonefloor,onhisback.Gareth’sdog lay there, defenseless, andSteffen stoodoverhim,holdinghis

staff,lookingdownathim.SteffenturnedforamomentandlookedatGwen,concerninhiseyes.“Areyouokay,mylady?”heasked.“Lookout!”Gwenyelled.

Steffenturnedback,butitwastoolate.HehadtakenhiseyesoffofGareth’sdogamoment too long, andbeing the trickyassassin thathewas, reachedupandsweptSteffen,kickinghimbehindthekneeandsendinghimflyingflatonhisback.Themetalstaffwentclangingonthestone,rollingacrossthecorridor,asthe

manjumpedontopofSteffenandpinnedhimdown.Hereachedover,grabbedGwen’sbladeoff the floor, raised it high, and inonequickmotion,brought itdownforSteffen’sthroat.“Meetyourmaker,youdeformedwasteofcreation,”themansnarled.Butashebroughthisbladedown,therecameahorriblegroan—anditwasnot

fromSteffen.ItwasfromGareth’sdog.Gwenstoodthere,handstrembling,hardlybelievingwhatshehadjustdone.

Shehadn’teventhoughtaboutit,shehadjustdoneit—andshelookeddownasifshewereoutsideofherself.Whentheironstaffhadlandedonthefloor,shehadgrabbeditandhitGareth’sdoginthesideofthehead.Shehithimsohard,rightbeforehestabbedSteffen, thatshesenthimontothefloor, limp.Itwasafatalblow,aperfectblow.Helaythere,bloodpouringfromhishead,andhiseyeswerefrozen.Dead.Gwenlookeddownattheironstaffinherhands,soheavy,theironcold,and

suddenlydropped it. It hit the stonewith a clang.She felt like crying.Steffenhadsavedherlife.Andshehadsavedhis.“Mylady?”cameavoice.ShelookedupandsawSteffenstandingthere,besideher,lookingatherwith

concern.“Itwasmyaimtosaveyourlife,”hesaid.“Butyouhavesavedmine.Iowe

youagreatdebt.”Hehalfbowedinacknowledgment.“Ioweyoumylife,”shesaid.“Ifitweren’tforyou,Iwouldbedead.What

areyoudoinghere?”Steffenlookedattheground,thenbackupather.Thistime,hedidnotavoid

hergaze.Thistimehelookedrightather.Hewasnolongershifting,nolongerevasive.Heseemedlikeadifferentperson.“I sought you out to apologize,” he said. “I was lying to you. And your

brother.Icametotellyouthetruth.Aboutyourfather.Iwastoldyouwereupthisway,andIcameherelookingforyou.Istumbledacrossyourencounterwiththisman.I’mfortunatethatIdid.”GwenlookedatSteffenwithawholenewsenseofgratitudeandadmiration.

Shealsofeltaburningcuriositytoknow.Shewasabouttoaskhim,butthistimeSteffenneedednoprodding.

“A blade did indeed fall down the chute that night,” he said. “A dagger. Ifound it, and took it for myself. I hid it. I don’t knowwhy. But I thought itunusual.Andvaluable.Itisnoteverydaysomethinglikethatfallsdown.Itwasthrownintothewaste,soIsawnoharminkeepingitformyself.”Heclearedhisthroat.“Butasfatewouldhaveit,mymasterbeatmethatnight.Hebeatmeevery

night, from the time I began working there, for thirty years. He was a cruel,horrificman.Iaccepted iteverynight.But thatnight, I’dhadenough.Doyouseetheselashesonmyback?”Heturnedandliftedhisshirt,andGwenflinchedatthesight:hewascovered

inlacerations.Steffenturnedback.“I had reached my limit. And that dagger, it was in my hands. Without

thinking,Itookmyrevenge.Idefendedmyself.”Hepleadedwithher.“Mylady,Iamnotamurderer.Youmustbelieveme.”Herheartwentouttohim.“Idobelieveyou,”shesaid,reachingoutandclaspinghishands.Helookedup,eyeswellingwithtearsofgratitude.“Youdo?”heasked,likealittleboy.Shenoddedback.“I did not tell you,” he added, “because I feared you would have me

imprisonedforthedeathofmymaster.Butyouhavetounderstand,itwasself-defense.AndyoupromisedoncethatifItoldyouIwouldnotgotojail.”“And I still do,”Gwen said,meaning it. “You shall not go to jail.But you

must help me find the owner of that dagger. I need to put my father’s killeraway.”Steffenreachedintohiswaist,andpulledoutanobjectwrappedinarag.He

reachedoutandhandedittoher,placingitinherpalm.Slowly,shepulleditback,revealingtheweaponhehadfound.AsGwenfelt

theweightofitinherpalm,herheartpounded.Shefeltachill.Shewasholdingherfather’smurderweapon.Shewantedtothrowitaway,getasfarawayfromitasshecould.Butatthesametime,shewastransfixed.Shesawthestainsonit,sawthehilt.

Shegingerlyturneditovereverywhichway.“Iseenomarkingsonit,mylady,”Steffensaid.“Nothingthatwouldindicate

itsowner.”ButGwenhadbeenraisedaroundroyalweaponsherentire life,andSteffen

had not. She knewwhere to look, andwhat to look for. She turned it upside

down,andlookedatthebottomofthehilt.Justincase,justinsomeoff-chanceitbelongedtoamemberoftheroyalfamily.Asshedid,herheartstopped.Thereweretheinitials:GAN.GarethAndrewMacGil.Itwasherbrother’sknife.

CHAPTERTWENTYSIX

Gwen walked beside Godfrey, her mind reeling from her encounter withGareth’s dog, with Steffen. She could still feel the scrapes on her knees andelbows,and felt traumatizedas she thoughthowcloseshehadcome todying.Shealsofelttraumatizedtothinkthatshehadjustkilledaman.Herhandsstillshook,assherelivedherswingingthatironstaffagainandagain.Yet at the same time, she also felt profoundly grateful to be alive, and

profoundlygratefultoSteffenforsavingherlife.Shehadbadlyunderestimatedhim,underestimatedwhatagoodpersonhewas, regardlessofhisappearance,hisroleinhismaster’smurder,whichwasclearlydeservedandself-defense.Shewasashamedatherselfforjudginghimbasedonhisappearance.Hehadfoundinherafriendforlife.Whenallthiswasover,shewasdeterminedtonotlethimwallowawayinthebasementanymore.Shewasdeterminedtopayhimback,tomakehislifebettersomehow.Hewasatragiccharacter.Shewouldfindawaytohelphim.Godfreylookedmoreconcernedthaneverasthetwoofthemmarcheddown

thecastlecorridors;hehadbeenaghastasshe’d recounted tohim thestoryofher near assassination, of Steffen’s rescue—and of Steffen’s revelation of thedagger. She hadbrought it to him andGodfrey had examined it, too, and hadconfirmeditwasGareth’s.Nowthattheyhadthemurderweapon,thetwoofthemknewinstantlywhat

they needed to do: before going to the council with this, they had to get thewitnesstheyneeded.GodfreyhadrecalledFirth’sinvolvement,hiswalkingwithGarethonthatforesttrail,andhefiguredtheyneededtocornerFirthinfirst,gethimtoconfess—then,withthemurderweaponandawitness,theycouldbringthistothecouncilandbringdowntheirbrotherforgood.Gwenhadagreed,andthetwoofthemhadsetofftofindFirthinthestables,andhadbeenmarchingeversince.As theywent,Gwenstillheld thedagger inherhands, theweapon thathad

murdered her father, still stainedwith his blood, and she felt like crying. Shemissedher father terribly,and itpainedherbeyondwords to think thathehaddiedthisway,thatthisweaponhadbeenthrustintohim.Butheremotionsswungfromsadnesstorage,assherealizedGareth’srolein

allofthis.Thishadconfirmedherworstsuspicions.Apartofherhadclungtotheideathatmaybe,afterall,Garethwasnotasbadasallofthis,thatmaybehewasredeemable.Butafterthislatestattemptonherlife,andseeingthismurder

weapon, she knew thatwas not the case—hewas hopeless. Pure evil.Andhewasherbrother.Howdidthataffecther?Afterall,shecarriedhissameblood.Didthatmeanthatevillurkedsomewhereinsideher,too?Couldabrotherandasisterbesodifferent?“Istillcan’tconceivethatGarethwoulddoallofthis,”shesaidtoGodfreyas

theywalkedquickly,side-by-side,twistingtheirwaythroughthecorridorsofthecastle,headingtowardsthedistantstables.“Can’tyou?”Godfreysaid.“YouknowGareth.Thethronehasbeenallhe’s

everlivedfor.”“Buttokillourfather,justforpower?Justforatitle?”Godfreyturnedandlookedather.“Youarenaïve,aren’tyou?Whatelseisthere?Whatmorecansomeonewant

thantobeking?Thantohavethatkindofpower?”Shelookedathim,reddening.“Ithinkyouaretheonewhoisnaïve,”shesaid.“There’sagreatdealmoreto

life thanpower. In fact,power,ultimately, is the least attractive thing.Doyouthinkourfatherwashappy?Hewasmiserablerulingthiskingdom.Allheeverdidwascomplain,andpineformoretimewithus.”Godfreyshrugged.“Youholdanoptimisticviewofhim.HeandIdidn’tgetalongnearlyaswell.

Inmymind’seye,hewasaspower-hungryastherestofthem.Ifhewantedtospendtimewithus,hecouldhave.Hechosenotto.Besides,Iwasrelievedwhenhedidn’tspendtimewithme.Hehatedme.”Gwenexaminedherbrotherastheywalked,andforthefirsttimesherealized

howdifferent their experienceof childhoodhadbeen. Itwas as if hegrewupwith a different father than shedid.Shewondered if itwas because hewas aboy,andsheagirl;orifitwasjustaclashofpersonalities.Asshethoughtofit,sherealizedhewasright:herfatherhadnotbeenkindtohim.Shedidn’tknowwhyshedidn’tfullyrealizeitbefore,butasshedid,shesuddenlyfeltterribleforGodfrey.Sheunderstoodnowwhyhespentallhis time in the tavern.ShehadalwaysassumedherfatherdisapprovedofGodfreybecausehewastedhistimeinthealehouse.Butmaybeitwasmorecomplexthanthat.MaybeGodfreysoughtout the alehouse to begin with because he was the victim of their father’sdisapproval.“You could never win father’s approval, could you?” she asked,

compassionately, beginning to understand. “So then, after a point, you didn’tevenbothertotry.”Godfreyshrugged,tryingtoseemnonchalant,butshecouldseethesadnessin

hisface.

“HeandIweredifferentpeople,”hesaid.“Andhecouldneveracceptthat.”Asshestudiedhim,shesawGodfreyinadifferentlight.Forthefirsttime,she

didn’tseehimasaslovenlydrunk;shesawhimasachildwithgreatpotential,whowaspoorlyraised.Shefeltangeratherfatherforit.Infact,shecouldevenseetracesofherfatherinhim.“Ibetthatifhetreatedyoudifferently,you’dbeadifferentperson,”shesaid.

“I think all of your behavior was just a cry for his attention. If he had justacceptedyouonyourownterms,Ithinkthat,ofallofus,youwouldhavebeenthemostlikehim.”Godfrey lookedather, surprised, then lookedaway.He lookeddownwitha

furrowedbrowandseemedtoponderthat.Theycontinuedwalkinginsilence,openingonedooraftertheotherdownthe

long,twistingcorridors.Finally,theyburstoutofthecastle,intothecoolFallair.Gwensquintedatthelight.Thecourtyardwasabuzzwithactivity,themassesexcited,bustlingtoandfro,

peopledrinkinginthestreets,anearlycelebration.“What’shappening?”Godfreyasked.Suddenly,Gwenremembered.“TheLegionreturnshometoday,”sheanswered.Witheverythingelsethathadgoneon,shehadcompletelyforgottenaboutit.

HerheartskippedabeatasshethoughtagainofThor.Hisshipwouldbecominghomesoon.Sheachedtoseehim.“Itwillbeahugecelebration,”Gwenadded,joyfully.Godfreyshrugged.“TheyneveracceptedmeintotheLegion.WhyshouldIcare?”Shelookedathim,upset.“Youshouldcare,”shescolded.“YourbrotherReesewillbereturninghome.

AswillThor.”Godfreyturnedandlookedather.“Youlikethatcommonboy,don’tyou?”heasked.Gwenblushed,silent.“Icanseewhy,”Godfreysaid.“Thereissomethingnobletohim.Something

pure.”Gwen thought about that, and realized it was true. Godfrey was more

perceptivethanshe’drealized.Theymarchedacrossthecastlegrounds,andastheydid,Gwenfelttheknife

burninginherhand,andwantedtothrowitasfarawayfromherasshecould.Shespottedthestablesinthedistance,andincreasedtheirpace.Firthwasnotfarnow.

“Garethwillfindsomewayoutofthis,”Godfreysaid.“Youknowthat,don’tyou?Healwaysdoes.”“NotifwegetFirthtoadmittoit,andtobeawitness.”“Andevenifso,thenwhat?”Godfreyasked.“Doyoureallythinkhe’llstep

downfromthethronethateasily?”“Of course I don’t.Butwewill forcehim.Wewill get the council to force

him.Withproof,wecansummontheguardsourselves.”Godfreyshrugged,skeptical.“And even if that shouldwork, even ifwe should depose him—thenwhat?

Thenwhowill rule?One of the noblesmight rush to fill the power vacuum.Unlessoneofusrisestothethrone.”“Kendrickshouldrule,”Gwensaid.Godfreyshookhishead.“No.Youmustrule.Itwasfather’swish.”Gwenblushed.“But Idon’twant to,” she said. “That’snotwhy I’mdoing this. I justwant

justiceforfather.”“Youmay,afterall,getjusticeforhim.Butyoumustalsotakethethrone.To

dootherwisewouldbetodisrespecthim.Andifyousayno,thenthenexteldestlegitimatesonisme—andIamnotgoingtorule.Never,”heinsistedfirmly.Gwen’s heart pounded as she thought of it. She could think of nothing she

wantedless.Theycrossedthesoftgrassofthestableground,andreachedthelargeopen-

airentrancetothestables.Theyheadedinside,anditwasdarkerinhere,astheywalkedpastrowsandrowsofhorses,eachmoreelegantthanthenext,prancingandneighingas theywent.Theywalkedonafloorofhay, thesmellofhorsesfillingGwen’s nose, and continued all theway to the end. They turned downanothercorridor, thendownanother,and finally, theycame to theplacewheretheKing’sfamilykepttheirhorses.They hurried over to Gareth’s corner, saw all of his horses, and Gwen

examined the weapons rack against the wall. In the row of daggers, one wasmissing.Gwenslowlyunwrappedthedagger,gingerlylifteditandplaceditinthespot

onthewall.Itwasaperfectfit.Shewasbreathless.“Bravo,”Godfreysaid.“Butthatstilldoesn’tprovethatGarethusedthisknife

—orthatheorderedthemurder,”shesaid.“Hecouldarguethatsomeonestoleit.”“Itdoesn’tproveit,”shecountered.“Butithelps.Andwithawitness,thecase

isclosed.”

Gwenwrappedtheknifebackinitscloth,storeditbackinherwaistband,andtheycontinueddownthestablesuntiltheyreachedthestablecaretaker.“Myliege,”hesaid,lookingupinsurpriseatthepresenceoftwomembersof

theroyalfamily.“Whatbringsyouhere?Areyouhereforyourhorses?Wehavenonotice.”“It’sokay,”Gwensaid,layinganassuringhandonhiswrist.“Wearenothere

forourhorses.Wecomeonadifferentmatter.We’relookingforthestableboywhotendstoGareth’shorses.Firth.”“Yes,he’sheretoday.Checkaroundback.Inthehaypile.”Theyhurrieddownthecorridor,outthestables,thenwentaroundtotheback

ofthebuilding.There,inthelarge,openspace,wasFirth,usingapitchforktoshovelpilesof

hay.Thereseemedtobeasadnessonhisface.Astheyapproached,Firthstoppedandlookedup,andhiseyesopenedwidein

surprise.Andsomethingelse—perhapsfear.Gwencouldseeallthatsheneededtointhatstare.Hehadsomethingtohide.“DidGarethsendyou?”Firthasked.GwenandGodfreyexchangedaglance.“Andwhywouldourbrotherdothat?”Godfreyasked.“I’mjustasking,”Firthsaid.“No,”Gwensaid.“Hedidnot.Wereyouexpectinghimto?”Firthnarrowedhiseyes,lookingbackandforthtothetwoofthem.Heslowly

shookhishead,thenfellsilent.GwenexchangedalookwithGodfrey,thenturnedbacktoFirth.“We’vecomehereonourown,”shesaid.“Toaskyousomequestionsabout

ourfather’smurder.”ShewatchedFirthcarefullyandcouldtellhewasnervous.Hefidgetedwith

thepitchfork.“Whywouldyouaskme?”“Becauseyouknowwhodidit,”Godfreysaidflatly.Firthstoppedfidgetingandlookedathim,realfearinhisface.Hegulped.“IfIknewthat,mylord,itwouldbetreasontohideit.Icouldbeexecutedfor

that.Sotheanswerisno.Idonowknowwhodidit.”Gwencouldseehownervoushewas,andshetookastepclosertohim.“What are you doing out here, tending hay?” she asked, realizing. “A few

monthsago,youwerealwaysbyGareth’sside.Infact,afterhebecameking,heelevatedyou,ifI’mnotmistaken.”“Hedid,mylady,”Firthsaidmeekly.“Thenwhy has he cast you out, relegated you to this?Did you two have a

fallingout?”Firth’seyesshifted,andheswallowed,lookingfromGwentoGodfrey.Heremainedsilent,though.“Andwhatdidyou twohavea fallingoutabout?”Gwenpressed, following

herinstinct.“Iwonderifithadsomethingtodowithmyfather’sassassination?Somethingtodowiththecoverup,perhaps?”“Wedidnothaveafallingout,mylady.Ichosetocomeandworkhere.”Godfreylaughed.“Didyou?”Godfreyasked.“YouweretiredofbeingintheKing’sCastle,so

youchoseinsteadtocomeouthereandshovelcrapinthestables?”Firthlookedaway,reddening.“Iwillaskyoujustonemoretime,”Gwensaidfirmly.“Whydidmybrother

sendyouhere?Whatdidyoutwoargueover?”Firthclearedhisthroat.“Your brother was upset that he was unable to wield the Dynasty Sword.

That’sallitwas.Iwasavictimofhiswrath.Itisnothingmore,mylady.”GwenandGodfreyexchangedalook.Shesensedtherewassometruthtothat

—butthathewashidingsomethingstill.“And what do you know of the missing dagger from Gareth’s stable?”

Godfreyasked.Firthswallowed.“Iknownothingofamissingdagger,myLord.”“Don’tyou?Thereareonlyfouronthewall.Whereisthefifth?”“PerhapsGarethuseditforsomething.Perhapsitislost?”Firthsaidweakly.GwenandGodfreyexchangedalook.“It’s funny you should say that,” Gwen said, “because we just spoke to a

certainservantwhogaveusadifferentaccount.Hetoldusaboutthenightofourfather’smurder.Adaggerwasthrowndown,intothewastepit,andhesavedit.Doyourecognizeit?”Shereacheddown,unwrappedtheknifeandshowedittohim.Hiseyesopenedwide,andhelookedaway.“Whydoyoucarrythat,mylady?”“It’s interesting you should ask,” Gwen said, “because the servant told us

somethingelse,”Gwenlied,bluffing.“Hesawthefaceofthemanwhothrewitdown.Anditwasyours.”Firth’seyesopenedwider.“Hehasawitness,too,”Godfreyadded.“Theybothsawyourface.”Firthlookedsoanxious,itlookedasifhemightcrawloutofhisskin.Gwentookastepcloser.Hewasguilty,shecouldsenseit,andshewantedto

puthimaway.“Iwillonlyaskyouonelast time,”shesaid,hervoicemadeofsteel.“Who

murderedourfather?WasitGareth?”Firthgulped,clearlycaught.“EvenifIknewsomethingofyourfather’smurder,”Firthsaid,“itwoulddo

menogoodtospeakofit.AsIsaid,thepunishmentisexecution.WhatwouldIstandtogain?”GwenandGodfreyexchangedalook.“Ifyoutelluswhowasresponsiblefor themurder, ifyouadmit thatGareth

was behind it, even if you took somepart in it,wewill see to it that you arepardoned,”Gwensaid.Firthlookedather,eyesnarrowing.“Afullpardon?”heasked.“EvenifIhadsomeroleinit?”“Yes,”Gwenanswered.“Ifyouagreetostandaswitnessagainstourbrother,

youwillbepardoned.Evenifyouaretheonewhowieldedtheknife.Afterall,ourbrotheristheonewhostoodtogainfromthemurder,notyou.Youwerejusthislackey.“Sonowtellus,”Gweninsisted.“This isyour lastchance.Wealreadyhave

prooflinkingyoutothemurder.Ifyouremainsilent,youwillcertainlywallowinprisonfortherestofyourlife.Thechoiceisyours.”As she spoke, Gwen felt a strength rising through her, the strength of her

father.Thestrengthofjustice.Inthatmoment,forthefirsttime,sheactuallyfeltlikeshemightbeabletorule.Firthstaredbackforalongtime,lookingbackandforthbetweenGwenand

Godfrey,clearlydebating.Then,finally,Firthburstintotears.“Ithoughtitwaswhatyourbrotherwanted,”hesaid,crying.“Heputmeupto

getting thepoison.Thatwashis first attempt.When it failed, I just thought…well…IjustthoughtIwouldfinishthejobforhim.Iheldnoillwillagainstyourfather. I swear. I’m sorry. Iwas just trying to pleaseGareth.Hewanted it sobadly.Whenhe failed, I couldn’t stand to see it. I’msorry,”he said,weeping,collapsingontheground,sittingthere,handsonhishead.Godfrey,toGwen’ssurprise,rushedover,grabbedFirthroughlybytheshirt,

andyankedhimtohisfeet.Heheldhimtight,scowlingdownathim.“Youlittleshit,”hesaid.“Ishouldkillyoumyself.”GwenwassurprisedtoseehowangryGodfreywas,especiallyconsideringhis

relationshipwiththeirfather.Maybe,deepdown,Godfreyheldstrongerfeelingsfortheirfatherthanevenherealized.“ButIwon’t,”Godfreyadded.“IwanttoseeGarethhangfirst.”

“Wepromisedyouapardon,andyouwillgetone,”Gwenadded,“assumingyoutestifyagainstGareth.Willyou?”Firthnoddedmeekly,lookingdown,avoidingtheirgaze,stillweeping.“Of course you will,” Godfrey added. “If you don’t, we will kill you

ourselves.”GodfreydroppedFirth,andhecollapsedbackdowntotheground.“I’msorry,”hesaid,overandover.“I’msorry.”Gwen looked down at him, disgusted. She felt overwhelmed with sadness,

thinking of her father, a noble, gallant man, having to die by this patheticcreature’shand.Thedagger,stillinherhand,positivelyshook,andshewantedtoplungeitintoFirth’sheartherself.Butshedidnot.Shewrappeditupcarefully,andstuckinherwaistband.She

neededtheevidence.Nowtheyhadtheirwitness.Andnowitwastimetobringdowntheirbrother.

CHAPTERTWENTYSEVEN

Thorstoodatthehelmoftheship,thesailsfull,theboatcruisingbeneathhim,andhis heart swelled as he saw, on the horizon, his homeland appearing.TheRing. It had been a long journey home, he and theLegion leaving the Isle ofMist in rough waters, fighting their way out to sea, then fighting their waythroughtherainwall.Theyhadenteredtheopenwatersintoathickfog,andfoghadenvelopedthemnearlytheentirewayhome,luckilyforthem,allowingthemtoescapedetectionfromtheEmpiretheentirewayback.Now,with theRing in sight, the two suns broke free, revealing a clear and

perfectday.Thewindcaught,andthesailsallowedthemallahappybreakfromrowing. As Thor stood there, Krohn beside him, his bigger and stronger legsbraced more sturdily on the wood, he stood taller, straighter, his shouldersbroader, his jaw more full, and he stared with his narrow gray eyes at hishomeland,hishairblowinginthewind.In his palm he held the sparkling Orethist stone he’d salvaged from the

dragon’sshore.Hecould feel itspowerpulsing throughhim,andhesmiled inanticipationasheimaginedgivingittoGwen.Hehadbeenunabletoshakeherfromthisthoughtstheentireridehome,andherealizednowthatshe,morethananything else back home, was what mattered to him most, what he lookedforwardtomost.Hehopedthatshestillcaredforhim.Maybeshehadmovedon.Afterall,shewasaRoyal—shemusthavebeenintroducedtohundredsofotherboysinthemeantime.Hesqueezedthejewelharder,closedhiseyes,andsilentlyprayedthatshestillcaredforhimevenafractionasmuchashedidforher.Heopenedhiseyesandon thehorizonspotted the thickwoodoutlining the

shoresoftheRing.Hebreathed.Ithadbeenalonghundreddays,thelongestofhis life, and he still could not believe he had survived it.He felt proud to becoming home, proud to have survived, and proud to be a truemember of theLegion. He recalled the journey left to take through the woods, across theCanyon, back inside the energy shield of the Ring. He remembered howfrightened he had been upon first leaving the Canyon, and marveled at howdifferently he felt now.Heno longer held any fear.After his hundreddaysofgruelingtraining,ofeverysortofcombat,afterfacingtheCyclopsandmostofall,theDragon,herealizedthatnothingscaredhimanymore.Hewasbeginningtofeellikeawarrior.Thorhearda familiar screechingnoise, and lookedup to seeEphistopheles.

Shewascirclinghighabove,followingtheship.Sheswoopeddownandlanded

ontheship’srail,closeby.Sheturnedandscreeched,lookingrightatThor.Thorwaselatedtoseeher,areminderofhome.Justasquickly, she lifted into theair, flappingherwidewings.Heknewhe

wouldseeheragain.Thor reacheddownand laya freehandon thehiltofhisnewsword.When

theyhadfinishedtheHundred,beforetheyhadboardedtheshipstoreturnhome,theLegioncommandershadgiveneachofthesurvivingboysaweapon,atokentosymbolizethattheywerenowfullLegionmembers.Reesehadbeengivenabejeweledshield;O’Connor,whowalkednowwithalimp,stillrecoveringfromthedragon’sblow,hadbeengivenamahoganybowandarrow;Eldenhadbeengivenamacewithaspikedsilverball—andThorhadbeengiventhissword,itshiltwrappedwiththefinestsilk,bejeweled,itsbladesharperandsmootherthananyhehadseen.Holdingitinhishand,itfeltlikeair.Ashesqueezed itshilt tighter,hefelt thathewasnowpartof theLegion,a

partofthisbandofbrothersforever.Theyhadgonethroughthingstogetherthatnooneelsewouldeverunderstand.Thorlookedoverhisbrethrenandcouldseethat they lookedolder, too, stronger, toughened.Theyall looked like theyhadbeen through hell.And they had.He thought of all the brothers they had lostback there, boys they had started out with on this boat and who were notreturning;boyswhohaddroppedoutalongthewayfromcowardice;andboyswhohadbeenkilled.Itwassobering.Todaywasacauseforcelebration—butitwasalsoacauseformourning.Notallofthemhadmadeitback.TheweightofitwascarriedbyalltheLegionmembers,andThorcoulddetectamoreserious,moremature look to them, the youthful giddiness they’d had justmonths agogone,replacedwithsomethingelse.Asenseofmortality.Thorwoulddoanythingnowfor theseboys,hisrealbrothers.And theyall,

since his rescuing them from the dragon, looked at him with a new respect.Maybe, even,with a sense of awe.EvenKolk looked at himdifferently,withsomethinglikerespect,andhehadnotreprimandedhimoncesince.Finally,Thor felt likehebelonged.Whatever enemieshe facedon shoreno

longerscaredhim.Infact,now,hewelcomedcombat.Now,heunderstoodwhatitmeanttobeawarrior.

*ThorrodeonhorsebackwiththeLegion,Reeseononesideofhim,O’Connor,

Eldenandthetwinsontheother,Krohnfollowingbelow,allofthemwalkingonthe path towards King’s court. He could hardly believe his eyes: before him,stretchedasfarastheeyecouldsee,stoodthousandsofpeople,liningtheroad,screaming in adulation at their return. Theywaved banners, tossed candies atthem,threwflowerpetalsintheirpath.Militarydrumsbeatwithprecision,and

cymbalsandmusicrangout.ItwasthegrandestparadethatThorhadeverseen,andherodeatthecenterofit,surroundedbyallhisbrothers.Thorhadnotexpectedareturnwelcomelikethis.Luckily,therejourneyback

throughtheCanyonhadbeenuneventful,andhehadbeenshockedastheyhadcrossedthebridgeandthehundredsofKing’ssoldiershadloweredtheirheadsindeference to them.To them,boys.Theguardshad reachedoutand loweredtheirhalberds,oneatatime,inhonorandrespect.AsThorhadwalkedthroughthem,hehadneverfeltmoreaccepted,moreofasenseofbelonging,inhislife.Itmadehimfeelthateveryminuteofeveryhardshiphadbeenworthit.Herehewas,respectedbythesegreatmen,nowapartoftheirranks.Therewasnothinghehadeverwantedmoreinlife.Asthey’dallsetfootbackonthesafetyoftheirsideoftheCanyon,theyhad

beenmetwith another surprise: therewas a fleet ofhorses awaiting them, themost beautiful horsesThor had ever seen.Now, instead of having to tend thehorses,toshoveltheirwaste,Thorhadbeengivenonetoridehimself.Itwasathingofsplendor,withablackhideandalong,whitenose.HehadnamedhimPercival.They had ridden for most of the day, cresting a small hill before reaching

King’sCourt.Whenthey’dreacheditspeak,Thor’sbreathhadbeentakenaway:as faras theeyecouldsee, themasses linedKing’sRoad,cheering them.ThehorizonwasfilledwithFallfoliageandflowers,anditwasaperfectday.TheyhadleftatSummerandreturnedatFall,andthechangewasshocking.AstheyallrodetheirhorsesnowthroughtheparadeinKing’sCourt,thesun

beginningtoset,Thorfeltasifhewereinadream.“Canyoubelievethisisforus?”O’Connorasked,walkingonhishorsebeside

Thor.“We’reLegionmembersnow,”Eldensaid.“RealLegionmembers.Ifthere’sa

war, we’re called upon as reserves. We’re not just trainees anymore: we’resoldiers,too.”Themassescheeredastheypassedthrough,butasThorlookedoverthefaces,

hewas lookingforonlyoneperson:Gwendolyn. Itwasallhe thoughtof.Notrichesorfameorhonor,oranyofit.Hejustwantedtoseeher,toknowthatshewasstillhere,thatshestillcaredforhim.ThecheersreachedacrescendoasthegroupreachedKing’sGateandcrossed

thewoodenbridge,thebridgeechoingbeneaththeweightofthehorses’hooves.Theycontinuedon through the soaring arched stone, beneath the rowsof ironspikes.Theyproceededthroughthedarkenedpartof the tunnel, thencameouttheotherside,intoKing’sCourt.Astheydid,theyweremetwithacheer,massesfloodingtheplazafromevery

direction, callingout theirnames.Thorwasevenamazed tohear somepeoplecallouthisname—hecouldhardlybelievethatanyoneevenknewwhohewas.As they continued into the plaza, Thor saw that banquet tables had been

preparedfor the festivities.Hewasbeginning to realize that thisdayhadbeendeclaredaholiday,andthatallthesefestivitieswerejustforthem.Itwashardtofathom.They reached the center of the plaza, and standing there, waiting to greet

them,wasBrom,theleadgeneralofallthearmedforces.Hewassurroundedbyhistopgenerals,andbydozensofmembersofTheSilver,andonebyone,theboysdismountedandwalked towards them,stoppingatattentionas they linedup.KolkwalkedaroundandstoodbesideBrom,andthetwoofthemstoodside

byside,facingtheboys.Thecrowdfellsilent.“Men,” Brom called out, “for from now on you shall be calledmen—we

welcomeyouhomeasmembersoftheLegion!”The crowd cheered, and knights of The Silver stepped forward and pinned

eachboywithapin,ablackfalconholdingasword,theemblemoftheLegion,ontheirleftbreast,abovetheirhearts.EachLegionmemberwaspinnedbytheknighthewassquireto—andThorwasupsetthatErecandKendrickwerebothnot theretopinhim.Kolk, intheirplace,steppedforwardandpinnedhim.Helookeddownand,toThor’ssurprise,slowlybrokeintoasmile.“You’renothalfbad,”hesaid.It was the first time Thor had ever seen him smile. Then Kolk quickly

frownedandhurriedoff.Themassescheered,andmusiciansstartedup,drumsandlutesandcymbals

andharps,andthecrowdbrokeintocelebration.Casksofalewere rolledoutonto the fields,anda foamingglassofalewas

soonshovedintoThor’shand.Withinmoments,itbecameanall-outparty.SomeonecameupbehindThorandliftedhimupontohisshoulders,andThor

foundhimselfhoistedintheair,alongwiththisbrethren,holdinghisglassofaleasitspilled,laughingashewasjostledintheair.Thorreachedoverandclinkedglasses with Reese, also on a stranger’s shoulders, off-balance, laughing. Heswayedandeventuallyfelloff,landingonhisfeetwiththeothers.Songs and dancing broke out everywhere, and Thor found himself locking

armswith somewomanhedidnot recognize, a strangerwhograbbedhis armand danced with him in circles, spinning him around and around, in onedirection,thentheother.Thor,caughtoffguard,finallybrokeaway;hedidnotwant to dancewithher.Although all theotherLegionmembersweredancingwith random strangers, Thor did not want to be with anyone else. He only

wantedGwendolyn.He searched for her frantically through the crowd.Had she come?Was she

stillinterestedinhim?Thecrowdgrew rowdier, and the sunbegan to set, torcheswere lit and the

drinkgrewstronger.Jugglersappeared,throwingflamingsticks,sportingeventsensued, andhuge spits ofmeatwere rolledout.Thorwas thrilled tobe in themiddleofit—butwithoutseeingGwendolyn,somethingwasmissing.“Hey,that’smygirl!”someonescreamedthreateningly.ThorturnedandsawO’Connor,withhislimp,dancingwithagirl,thensawa

drunken stranger approach and shove O’Connor hard. The man was tall andbeefy,andO’Connorstumbledbackseveralfeet,caughtoffguard.ThebullycontinuedtowardsO’Connor,butbeforehecouldtakeanotherfoot,

Thor, reacting instinctively, jumped into action—as did the other Legionmembersaroundhim.Withinseconds,Thor,Reese,Eldenandthetwinspouncedontheman,knockinghimdowntotheground.Themanscurriedup,fearinhiseyes,andranoff.ThorturnedbacktoO’Connor,whowasfine,butdazed.AsThorlookedover

athisbrothers,herealizedhowquicklytheyhadcometoeachother’sdefense,realizedthattheywerenowalltrulyoneunit,thereforeachother.Itfeltgood.Thorsawallthepeopledancing,andhisthoughtsreturnedtoGwendolyn.He

searchedforhereverywhere,breakingawayfromthedancingarea,leavinghisbrethren,andwalkingupanddowntherowsofbanquet tables.Hehadtofindher.Hejumpeduponabench,tryingtopeerabovethecrowd.Buthesawnosight

ofher,andhisheartfell.Hejumpeddownandsawanattendantfromthecastle,agirlherecognized,a

beautifulgirl,maybeseventeen,andranuptoher.Sheturnedtolookathim,andhereyeslitupinadulation.Shewasflirtingwithhim.“Thorgrin!”sheexclaimed.Sheembracedhim,andhegentlypushedheraway.“HaveyouseenGwendolyn?”heasked.Sheshookherhead,andlookedintohiseyes.“Ihavenot,”shesaid.“ButIamhere.Wouldyouliketodancewithme?”Thorgentlyshookhisheadandhurriedoff,notwantingtogetembroiledwith

anyoneelse.HelookedeverywhereforGwen,onallcornersofthefield,andwasstarting

tothinktheworst.Maybeshehadrunoffwithsomeoneelse.Maybehermotherhad gotten to her, had forbidden their relationship.Maybe she didn’t feel thesamewayabouthim.

Suddenly,Thorfeltataponhisshoulder.Hespun,andhisworldmelted.Standingthere,justafewfeetaway,smilingback,wastheloveofhislife.Gwendolyn.

*Thorwasmesmerized.Gwendolyn looked as beautiful as ever, staringback

withherwidesmile,herperfectskin,herlong,blondehair,herlargeblueeyes.Itwaslikemeetingherforthefirsttime.Hecouldlooknowhereelse,hisheartpounded.Hefeltasifhehadtrulyreturned.Gwendolynjumpedintohisarms,embracinghimtightly,andheembracedher

back. He could hardly believe that someone like her could love him, and helovedherbackwitheverythinghehad.Hehuggedherforaverylongtime,andshedidnotletgo.“I’msogladyou’reback,”shewhisperedearnestlyintohisear.“AsamI,”heanswered.Hefeltherhot tearsrunningdownhisneck,andslowly,hepulledback.He

leanedinandkissedher,andtheyheldthekissforalongtime,aspeoplejostledthemineverydirection,shoutsandcheersallaroundthemasthecrowdswirled.There came a whining, and Gwen looked down in delight to see Krohn,

jumpinguponher,whining.Shereacheddownandpettedhim,kissinghimandlaughingashejumpedonherandlickedherface.“Imissedyou,”shesaid.Krohnwhined.Gwenstood,smiling,andlookedbacktoThor,thelastraysofsunsetlitupher

eyes,andshereachedoutandtookhishand.“Comewithme,”shesaid.Hedidnotneedprodding.She leadhim through thecrowd, zigzagging this

way and that, Krohn following, until finally she lead him through an ancientgate,andintotheroyalgardens.Theywerebackinthelabyrinthofformalgardens,anditwasquiethere,the

cheersof themassesmuted.Theyhadprivacy, finally, and theyheldhandsasshefacedhim.Theykissedagain,foralongtime.Finallyshepulledback.“NotadaypassedthatIdidnotthinkofyou,”Thorsaidtoher.Shesmiled.“AndIyou,”shesaid,lookingintohiseyes.“Iprayedeverydayforyoursafe

return.”Thorsmiledashereachedintohispocket,andslowlypulledoutthestonehe

hadbeendyingtogiveher.“Closeyoureyes,”hesaid,“andopenyourhand.”Sheclosedhereyes,smiled,andtentativelyheldoutapalm.“It’snotasnake,isit?”sheasked.Helaughed.“No,Ithinknot,”hesaid.ThorreachedoutandgingerlyplaceintoherpalmthepieceofOrethisthehad

foundonDragon’sisle.Gwenopenedhereyes,andexamineditinwonder.Thestone lay inherpalm,glowing likea living thing,attached to thesilver

necklacechainThorhadforged.“It’sbeautiful!”sheexclaimed.“It is Orethist. A rock from the shore of Dragon’s isle. It is said to have

magicalpowers.Legendhas it that, ifyougive it tosomeoneyou love, itwillsavetheirlife.”Gwenlookeddownandblushedashesaidtheword“love.”“Youbroughtthisallthewaybackforme?”sheasked.She lookedat it inaweasThor took thenecklace,camearoundbehindher,

and fastened it on her neck. She reached down and felt it, then turned andhuggedThortight.“IsthemostbeautifulthingI’veeverbeengiven,”shesaid.“Iwillcherishit

forever.”Shetookhishandandledhimdeeperintothetwistingandturningpathways

ofthegardens.“I’mafraidIhavenothingtogiveyouinreturn,”shesaid.“You’vegivenmeeverything,”hesaid.“You’restillhere.”Shesmiled,clutchinghishand.“Wecanbetogethernow,”shesaid.“Mymother…she’snotinherrightmind.

I’msorryforher.Buthappyforus.Wehavenomoreobstaclesbetweenus.”“I have to admit, I was afraid that when I returned, you might be with

someoneelse,”hesaid.“Howcouldyouthinksuchathing?”shescolded.Thorshrugged,embarrassed.“Idon’tknow.Youhavesomanyotherstochoosefrom.”Sheshookherhead.“Youdon’tunderstand.I’vealreadychosen.Iwanttobewithyouforever.”He stopped and turned and kissed her, a kiss that lasted forever under the

fading light of twilight.At herwords, Thorwas happier than he’d ever been.Becausethatwasexactlywhathewanted,too.

Shelookedembarrassed.“AndIhavetoadmitsomething,too,”shesaid.Thorlookedather,puzzled.“I was afraid you might not think me beautiful anymore,” she said, eyes

lowered,“becauseofmyscar.”“Whatscar?”Thorasked.“Here,onthischeek,”shesaid,pointingtothescratchthatGareth’sdoghad

left.Thorsquintedatit,puzzled.“Ican’tevenseeit,”hesaid.“That’sbecauseitisnearlydark.Inthelightofdayitismorevisible.”Heshookhishead.“You imagine it to be greater than it is,” he said. “It is but a trace. Inches

away,Icanbarelyseeit.Andbesides,itdoesnotdetractfromyourbeauty—ifanything,itaddstoit.”She felt her heart warming, felt reassured, realizing he was genuine, and

leanedinandkissedhim.“Iwasattacked,”shesaidasshepulledback.Thor’sfacedarkened,andheloweredhishandinstinctivelytothehiltofhis

sword.“Bywho?”hedemanded.“Tellmewhoitwas,andIwillkillhimrightnow.”Sheshookherhead.“Thatdoesnotmatternow,”shesaid,herfacedarkening.“He’salreadydead.

Whatmattersnowis thatyoushouldknowthat therearebigchangesabout tohappenhere,”shesaid.“King’sCourtwillneverbethesame.”“Whatdoyoumean?”heasked,concerned.“Iseverythingokay?”Sheslowlyshookherhead.“Itisandit’snot.Mybrother,Kendrick,hasbeenimprisoned.”“What!?”Thorcried,outraged.“Gareth has set him up, accused him ofmurderingmy father. All lies.My

father’smurderer—wehavediscoveredhim.Finally,wehaveproof.”Thor’seyesopenedwide.“ItwasGareth,”shesaid.Thor felt his bodygo coldwith the news.He hardly knewwhat to say.He

tried to think of what that meant for the King’s Army, the Legion, for thekingdom,forKendrick—itwas toomuch toprocess.Hehated to think thathewasswearingallegiancetoakingwhowasamurderer.“Whatwillyoudo?”heaskedher.“Wehaveawitness to the crime.Tomorrow,mybrotherGodfreyand I,we

will confrontGareth.Wewill bring him to justice. AndKing’s Court will bewithoutaking.”Thortriedtoprocessallofthis.Hismindspunwiththeimplications.Hewas

happy thatMacGil’smurderer had finally been found, yet hewasworried forGwen’ssafety.“DoesthatmeanyouwillfreeKendricktomorrow?”“Yes,” she said. “Tomorrow, everything will change. We only found our

witnesshoursago,andwewereawaitingyourreturn.WewantedtheLegiontobehere,tobackusupwhenweconfrontGareth,incasethereisarevolt.Hewillnotgodowneasily.”Thorbreathed.“IwilldowhateverIcan,mylady,tomakesurejusticeisdoneforyourfather.

Andtokeepyousafe.”Sheleanedinandkissedhim,andhekissedherback.Afallbreezecaressed

them,andheneverwantedthisnighttoend.“Iloveyou,”shesaid.Hefeltathrillatherwords.Itwasthefirsttimeshehadsaidit—thefirsttime

thatanygirlhadeversaidthosewordstohim.Helookedintohereyes,aglisteningblue,litupinthetwilight,andinthem,

hesawhisownreflection.Itwasafacehealmostdidnotrecognize.Everyday,hefeltasifhewerebecomingsomeonenew.“Iloveyou,too,”hesaidback.They kissed again, and for the first time in as long as he could remember,

everythingfeltrightintheworld.

CHAPTERTWENTYEIGHT

KingMcCloudcouldhardlybelievehisgood luck, howdeephismenwerepenetrating into MacGil territory. It had been over three months, an entireseason,ofrapeandpillageandmurder,leavingatrailofdestructionfromEasttoWestastheytoreintotheheartoftheWesternKingdomoftheRing.Ithadbeena hundred straight days—more than any he had spent in his life—filled withglory, victory.Hewas satedwithwine, and cattle, and spoils, and heads, andwomen.Hecouldnotgetenough.McCloud closed his eyes as he galloped farther and fartherWest, into the

settingofthesecondsun,andhesmiledasinhismindflashedthefacesofallthemen he had murdered. There were the innocent villagers, caught off guard,tryingtoputuptheirpitifuldefenses;thereweretheprofessionalsoldiersoftheKing’s guard, horribly outmanned, underequipped and unprepared.Those killswerethemostenjoyable—atleasttheyhadputupsomethingofafight.Thoughtheyneverstoodachance:McCloud’smenweretoomotivated,toodisciplined.Theyknewthateverybattletheyfoughtwastothedeath.Becauseiftheylost,ordid not fight hard enough,McCloudwould have his ownmen killed.He hadtrainedhissoldierswell.TheMcCloud army had been a killingmachine as theywent from town to

town, claiming territory, making it their own. Like a violent storm of locustspassingthroughtheland,nothinghadbeenabletostopthem.McCloudhadalsomade itapriority tosurroundeachvillagefirst,blockall

theexits,andpreventtheescapeofanymessengersthatmightescapetoKing’sCourt and alert the greaterMacGil army of the invasion.He hadmanaged tomurderthemall,tokeepthisinvasionasecretforsolong.HehopedtosurpriseMacGil’sarmy,andwipethemalloutbeforetheyhadtimetomusteradefense.Thenhecouldmarch intoKing’sCourt,makeGarethsurrender,andclaim theentireRingashisown.Theygalloped,McCloud’sentouragehavinggrownlargerwithalltheslaves

hehadcaptured, all theboys andoldmenhehad forced to joinhis troop.Henowchargedwithatleastathousandmen,hardenedwarriorsallofthem,ahugekillingmachine.Inthedistancehecouldalreadyseethenexttown,itssteeplesvisibleevenfromhere.This town,hecouldsee,was larger thanmost,asmallcity,asuresignthattheyweregettingclosertoKing’sCourt.As they neared it,McCloud could tell from thewalls that thiswas the last

major city before the direct approach toKing’sCourt. Theywere still a good

threedaysrideaway,farenoughawaythattheMacGilscouldnotreinforcethemquickly.TheystoodnochanceagainstMcCloud’sArmy.Theygallopedharder.Thesoundofhorses’hoovesroseinhisears, thedust

rose off the road, filling his nostrils, and he could see townsmen scurrying toclose the gate, lowering the huge iron bars. McCloud was almost impressed.Mostof theother townshadno stonewalls, no irongates—just a lame set ofparameters.Thistownwaslarger,moresophisticated,preparedforasiege.ButasMcCloudstudieditswallswithhisprofessionalsoldier’seye,hesaw

that,mostimportantly,itwasdevoidofsoldiers.Itwasguardedbyjustahandfulof boys and eldermen, posted at stations spread too far among thewall. Theholes were plentiful. McCloud could tell that they would overrun it withinminutes.Theymight try tosurrender,asothershad.Buthewouldnotgive themthat

chance.Thatwouldtakeawayhalfthefun.“Charge!”hescreamed.Behindhim,hismenscreamedinapproval,andtogether,theysprintedforthe

town,McCloudridingoutfrontashealwaysdid.Astheygotclosetothecitygate,McCloudreacheddown,yankedahugespearoffthehorse’sharness,andchuckedit.Itwasaperfectstrike,plantinginthebackoftheboywhohadbeenrunning

across thecourtyard, trying toclose thegate.Hehadsucceeded inclosing thegate—butthatwouldbethefinalsuccessofhisyounglife.Thatirongatecouldnotkeepthemout.Astheyrodeuptoit,McCloud’smen,

well-trained,pulled theirhorsesupbefore it,whileothersdismounted, jumpedon top of their fellow’s horse, and allowed themselves to be picked up andthrownover thewall.Oneata time,McCloud’smenlandedon theotherside,andthenfinallyunlockedthegatefortherestofthem.Hisarmycharged through,a thousandmenstrong,poring through thesmall

opening.McCloudwasthefirst togallopthrough,determinedtobethefirst towreak

bloodshed.Hedrewhis swordandchaseddownmenandwomenas they ran.Howmanymen,inhowmanytowns,hemused,wouldrunfromhimlikethis?Itwasthesamesceneineveryplacehevisited.NothingintheRingcouldstophimnow.Byrote,McCloudgrabbedasmallthrowingaxefromhiswaist,leanedback,

tookaimatthecenterofaman’sbackhedecidedhedidnotlike,andletitfly.Ittumbledendoverend,andimpaledthemanwithasatisfyingnoise,likeaspearenteringatree.The man shrieked and fell flat on his face, and McCloud had his horse

trampledoverhim,makingsurehe ranoverhishead.McCloud felt a thrillofsatisfactionasthehorseranoverhim.Hewouldcomebackforhisaxelater.McCloud singled out a particularly young and beautiful woman, perhaps

twenty,asshe ran forherhouse.Hekickedhishorseata fullgallopandboredownonher.Astheypulledupalongsideherhejumpedoffandlandedontopofher,tacklingherdowntotheground,hersoftbodyandlargebosomcushioninghisfall.She screamed and cried out, dazed from the attack, as they rolled on the

ground.Hebackhandedher,silencingher.He then liftedheroverhisshoulderashegot tohis feet,andmadehisway

towardsthefirstemptydwellinghecouldfind.Hesmiledashisarmygallopedpast,asheheardthescreams,sawthebloodshedallaroundhim.Thiswouldbeawonderfulnight.

*LuandaweptassherodeonthebackofBronson’shorseintothewalledtown

of her homeland, the town of her sister’smother, andwatched theMcCloudsravageit,astheyhadsomanytownsalongtheway.She’dhadnochoicebuttoridealongwiththem,allthesedays,andshehadlearnedtokeephermouthshut,hadbeendisciplinedone toomanytimesby theelderMcCloud.Shehaddoneher best to keep quiet, to try to fit in as aMcCloud, to justify to herself theattackingandpillagingofherhomeland.Butfinally,shecouldstanditnolonger:something inside her head snapped. She recognized this town,which she hadspenttimeinasachild.Itwasbutafewdays’ridefromKing’sCourt,andthesightof itmadeherkneesweakandbroughtawellofemotion.Finally, she’dhadenough.Shehadfeltdefenselessinthefaceofthestrengthofaforeignarmy,butnow,

soclosetohome,shefeltinherhometerritory,andfeltanewsurgeofstrength.Shefeltarenewedsensethatshehadtostopthis.Shecouldnotletthingsgoonlikethis.InbutafewdaystheywouldreachKing’sCourt,andwhoknewwhatdamagethesesavageswoulddotoherhometownwhenshegotthere.ShehadfalleninlovewithBronson,despiteeverything,whowasnothinglike

hisfatherandwho, infact,despisedhim, too;butmarrying into thisMcCloudclan,shehadrealized,hadbeenamistake.Theywerenothing likeherpeople.TheyallcoweredundertheironfistoftheelderMcCloud.At leastherhusbandhadnotpartakenin thesavagery,ashadtheothers.He

putonagoodshowof it forhis father,butsheknewhimwell,already.Asheenteredthisnewtown,herodeofftothesideandmadehimselfscarce,whiletheothersdidthedamage.Hedismountedandfidgetedwithhishorse,pretendingitwashurt,tryingtoappearbusywhilehedidhisbestnottohurtanyone.

HehelpedLuandadismount,ashealwaysdid,andshesobbedandrushedintohisarms,squeezinghimhard.“Makeitstop!”shescreamedintohisear.Heheldhertight,andshecouldfeelhisloveforher.“I’msorry,mylove,”hesaid.“IwishIcould.”“Sorryisnotgoodenough,”sheyelled,pullingbackandstaringtohiseyes,

summoningallthefiercenessofherownfather.Afterall,she,too,camefromalonglineofkings.“Youarekillingmypeople!”“Iamnot,”hesaid,lookingdown.“Myfatheris.”“Youandyourfatherareofthesamefamily!Thesamedynasty.Yougoalong

withit.”Helookedup,skittish.“Youknowmy father.Howam I supposed to stophim?This army? I can’t

controlhim,”hesaidwithremorse.Shecouldseeinhiseyeshowmuchhewantedto—buthowpowerlesshewas

inthefaceofhim.“Anyonecanbe stopped,” she said. “Noone is thatpowerful.Lookathim,

therehegoesnow,”shesaid, turningandpointing,watching,disgusted,as theelderMcCloudcarriedoffonanotheryoung,innocent,unconsciousgirltobehisplaythingforthenight.“Yourfatherwillbedefenseless in there,”shesaid.“Idon’tneedyou.Ican

sneakuponhimmyselfandwhileheissleeping,strikeapegthroughhisskull.”Emboldened by her own idea, she reached into the horse’s harness and

extractedalong,sharpspike.Withoutthinking,sheturnedtogo,determinedtodoexactlythat—tokilltheelderMcCloudonherown.Butasshewent,astronghandgrabbedherarmandheldherinplace.ShewheeledandsawBronsonstaringback.“Youdon’tknowmyfather,”hesaid.“Heisinvincible.Hecarriesthestrength

oftenmen.Andheismorewilythanarat.Hewillsenseyourapproachamileaway. He will strip you of your weapon and kill you, before you even getthroughthedoor.Thatisnottheway,”hesaid.“Thereareotherways.”Shelookedathimclosely,examininghim,wonderingwhathewassaying.“Areyousayingthatyouwillhelpme?”“Ihatemyfatherasmuchasyoudo,”hesaid.“Ican’tstophisarmywhileit

advances.Butifhisarmyfails,Iampreparedtotakeaction.”Hestaredbackather,meaningfully,andshecouldtellthathewasearnest—

butshealsocouldnottellifhehadtheresolvetocarrythrough.Hewasagoodman.Butwhenitcametohisfather,hewasweak.Sheshookherhead.

“That’s not good enough,” she said. “Mypeople are dyingnow.They can’twait.AndneithercanI.Iwillkillhimnow,bymyself.AndifIfail—atleastIwilldietrying.”Withthosewords,Luandathrewhishandoffofherandturnedandmarched

forthetent,holdingtheironspike,shakingwithfear,butdeterminedtokillthismonsteronceandforall.

CHAPTERTWENTYNINE

Gwendolyn walked quickly, side by side with Thor in the early morning,twistingandturningtheirwaydownthecastlecorridors,Krohnfollowing.Theywalkedwith purpose, heading towards the council chamber, andGwen took adeep breath, stealing herself for her confrontation with Gareth. The time ofreckoning had come, and while nervous, she also felt a great sense of relief.Finally,afterallthesemonths,shehadtheproofsheneededtobringherfather’smurderertojustice.ShehadplannedwithGodfreytomeethimoutsidethechamber,withFirth,so

thattheycouldallthreemarchinandconfrontGarethatthismeeting—infrontofallthecouncilmembers—andtopubliclyprovehisguilt.Thorhadofferedtoaccompanyher,anditwasanoffersheacceptedgladly.Afterlastnight,along,magicalnighttogether,shedidnotwanttopartfromhisside,andshefeltmoresecurehavinghimthereasbackup.Ofcoursethechamberwouldbefilledwithcouncilmembersandguardswhowouldhavenochoicebut tobackherupandarrestGarethonce theproofcame to light.ButhavingThor theregaveheranextralayerofassurance.Theyturnedanothercorner,andGwensmiledtoherselfasshethoughtofher

night with Thor. She had slept in his arms amidst the flowers, in the royalgardens, the fall breezes caressing themall night long.Theyhad fallen asleeplookingupat thestars,and ithadbeendivine.Her lifehadbeenupsidedownsincethedeathofherfather,inaconstantstateofanxietyandturmoil,butnow,withThor’sreturn,andwithGarethabouttobedeposedandKendrickabouttobefreed,shefeltthatthingswouldfinallyreturntoasemblanceofnormal.As they marched down the final, long corridor that led to the Council

chamber,herheartwaspounding.ShecouldnotunderestimateGareth,andsheknewhewouldnot take thiswell.Hehad livedhiswhole life to rule, andhewoulddoanythinghecouldtokeeppower,toholdontohisthrone.Hecouldbea very convincing liar, and she tried to prepare herself for his denials, hisrecriminations.ShejustprayedthatFirthwouldbeconsistent,wouldbeastrongwitnessagainsthim.Sheassumedthathistestimony,alongwiththepresentationof themurderweapon,which she kept in herwaist,would leave no room fordoubt.“Youokay?”Thoraskedsweetly,reachingoverandtakingherhand.Hemust

havesensedhernervousness.Gwennoddedback,squeezinghishand,thenlettinggo.

Thetwoofthemcontinueddownthecorridor,theirfootstepsechoing,passingrowsofopen-airedwindows,theearlymorninglightstreakingin.ShefeltwhatitwouldbeliketomarchsomewherewithThorbyherside.Asacouple.Itfeltgood.Natural.Shefeltasenseofpeaceinhispresence.Shefeltstronger.Theyreachedtheendof thecorridor,and turnedandfaced thehuge,arched

oakdoorstothecouncilroom.Sheheardmuffledvoicesbehindit,andbeforeitstoodseveralguards.Asshestoodthere,Gwenwasconfused.GodfreyandFirthweresupposedto

bewaitingforherhere,tomeetherandwalkintogether.ShehadgoneovertheplanwithGodfreyseveraltimes—shecouldnotunderstandwherehewas.Theyhadbothbeenpreciseaboutit.Withoutthemthere,howcouldsheproceed?“Mylady?”aguardasked.“I’mafraidaCouncilsessionisinprogress.”“Hasmybrotherbeenhere?Godfrey?”sheasked.Theguardslookedateachother,puzzled.“No,mylady.”Gwen’sheartpounded.Somethingwaswrong.Godfreywouldn’tnotshowup.

Where could he be? Had he reverted to his ways, had he gone back to thetaverns?Was he drinking?Andwherewas Firth? She sensed deep down thatsomethingwaswrong.Very,verywrong.Shestood there, torn,anddebatedwhat todo.Shecouldn’twalkaway.Not

now.Therewastoomuchatstake,andnotimelefttolose.Ifshehadtodothisonherown,thenshewould.Shewasabouttocommandtheguardstoletherin,whensuddenlytherecame

agreatrumbleoffootstepsfromdowntheoppositecorridor.SheandThorspun,and sawapproaching themacontingentof adozen soldiers,Brom leading thepack. He wore a deep scowl and a look of grave concern, and he marchedquickly,theothersonhistail,allmembersofTheSilver,famouswarriorseach.“Openthesedoorsatonce,”Bromcommandedtheguards.“Butsire,aCouncilmeetingisinsession,”saidoneoftheguardstentatively,

lookingverynervous.Bromquicklymovedonehandtohishilt,menacing.“I’mnotgoingtotellyouagain,”hegrowled.Theguardsexchangedaglance,thenquicklysteppedasideandyankedopen

thedoors.Brom, furious,marched rightpast them, into theCouncilchamber, followed

byhismen.GwenandThorexchangedapuzzledlook,thenfollowedthemin.Gwenwasbaffled;thiswasnotgoingasshehadplanned.Shehadtofindout

whatwasgoingon,andtodecideifnowwastherighttimetoconfrontGareth.

Astheyfollowedthemin,thebigdoorsslammedclosedbehindthem,andadozencouncilmembers,seatedinabroadsemi-circle,inancient,oakchairs,allturned. Gareth sat in the center of the room, on his throne, and looked up,surprised.Garethscowled.“Well,well,”Garethsaid.“Ifitisn’tBrom.IfIrecall,youquitthiscouncil.”“Ihavecometodeliverdirenews,”Bromsaidhastily.“Ourmentellusofa

breachoftheHighlands.AfullscaleinvasionoftheMcClouds.Entirevillageswipedout. It seems theMcCloudshave found their opportunity inyour reign.Theyaremurderingourpeopleevenaswespeak.Warhasbegun.”Gwenfeltthewindtakenfromher;shecouldhardlybelievethisnews,asshe

stoodseveralfeetbehindthem,watchingthewholething.ShewatchedGareth’sfacetransform,tooneofshock.Hesatthere,frozen,notresponding.“Whatdoyouproposewedo?”Bromprodded.“Whatdoyoumean?”Garethasked,nervous.“Imean,whatisyourcommand?Whatisyourstrategy?Howdoyouplanto

meet their forces?Which formationswill you choose?Which armieswill yousendout?Whichwillstayathome?Andwhatwillbeourcounterattack?Howmany fortificationswill bemanned?And how do you proposewe defend thevillages?”Garethsatthere,openinghismouthtospeakseveraltimes,thenclosingit.He

lookedstumped,flustered,clearlyinwayoverhishead.“I…”hebegan,clearinghisthroat,thenstopped.“Ithink…maybeit’snotas

badasyouthink.Let’swaitandseewhathappens.”“Waitandseewhathappens?”Bromechoed,aghast.“We can always deal with it later, if they get too close,” Gareth said. “It’s

probablyjustaraid,andthey’llgobackhomesoon.Besides,wehaveafestivalcomingup,andIdon’twantthepreparationsforourpartiesdisturbed.”Bromstaredbackathimwitha lookof shockanddisgust.Finally,his face

turnedashadeofpurple.“Youareadisgracetoyourfather’smemory,”Bromsaid.Withthat,Bromturnedandstormedfromtheroom,hismenfollowing.Garethroseandbunchedhisfists,red-faced.“You get back here!”Gareth screamed. “Don’t you ever turn your back on

yourKing!Thatistreason.Iwillhaveyouarrested!YouwilldoasIcommand!Brom!BROM!ARRESTHIM!”Buttheguardsstoodthere,frozen,afraidtogonearBrom.Brom stormed out of the chamber, hismen following, andGwen andThor

turnedandhurriedoutafterthem.Backoutintheopenhall,thedoorsslammedbehindthem,Gwenhurriedover

toBromashebegantomarchoff.“Sire!”sheyelled.Bromstoppedandturned,stillheated.“Mylady,”hesaidwithdeference,but impatience.“Yourfatherwouldhave

neveracceptedthat,”headded,stillfuming.“Iknow,”sheanswered.“Myfatherneverwouldhaveacceptedmanythings

happeninghere.Whatdoyouplantodo?Abouttheinvasion?”“I must act. What other choice do I have? I can’t sit by and watch my

homelanddestroyed.IwillactwithorwithouttheauthorityoftheKing.Iwillmobilizeourforcesonmyown.Iwilltakecontrolofthearmy.Itisheresy,butIhavenochoice.Wemustdefend.”“Thatisexactlywhatyoushoulddo,”shesaid.Helookedather,andseemedtocalmmomentarily.“I am glad to hear a member of the royal family say that,” he said. “It is

unfortunatethatyouarenottheoneonthethrone.”“There is anothermember of the royal family you should care about,” she

said.“MybrotherKendricksitswallowingin thedungeon.Hewouldbeakeyasset toyourforces.Themenlovehim,andwouldrallyaroundhim.Andasaroyalfamilymember,hewouldgiveyoutheauthorityandthemtheconfidencetheyneedtoattack.”Hestudiedher,lookingimpressed.“ButKendrickhasbeenimprisonedformurder.Fortreason.”Gwenshookherhead.“Lies. All of them. He is innocent. In fact, I have found proof absolving

Kendrickofguilt.Hewassetupbytherealmurderer.”Bromlookedbackather,wide-eyed.“Andwhothenisthemurderer?”heasked.“Gareth,”sheanswered.Brom’seyesopenedwideinwonder.Finally,henoddedbackknowingly.“Wewill take care ofGarethwhenwe return frombattle,” he said. “In the

meantime,youare correct.Wewill freeKendrick, andhewill help leadus inbattle.Tothedungeons!”The group of them turned and hurried down the twisting corridors of the

castle, their footsteps echoing like thunder. They descended down the spiralstaircase, flight after flight, spiraling all theway down, until they reached thelowestlevel.Severalguardsblockedanironcelldoor,andtheystiffenedatattentionatthe

sightofBromandallTheSilver.“Openthisdooratonce!”Bromcommanded.

“Myliege,”theguardsaid,shakily.“I’mafraidIcanonlyopenthisonroyalcommand.”“IamcommanderofthesevenlegionsoftheWesternkingdomoftheRing!”

Bromthreatened,restingahandonhishilt.“Isayopenthisdooratonce!”Theguardsstoodthere,vacillating,lookingateachother,nervous.Gwencouldseeaconfrontationwasabouttohappen,soshesteppedforward

inthetensesilenceandstoodbetweenthem.“Iamoftheroyalfamily,”shesaidcalmly.“Myfather,blesshismemory,was

Kingnotlongago.Iactwithhisauthority.Openthisdoor.”The guards looked at each other, then nodded, and slowly reached out and

unlockedthedoor.Bromandhisgroupmarcheddowntotheveryendofthecorridorandstopped

infrontofKendrick’scell.Kendrickrushedtoit,andpressedhisfaceagainstthebars,lookingpaleand

gaunt.Gwenfeltheartbrokentoseehimlikethis,andthatshehadnotbeenabletofreehimsooner.“Openthisdoor,”Gwencommandedtheguard,whohadaccompaniedthem.The guard stepped forward and unlocked the cell. The door opened slowly,

andoutcameKendrick.KendrickgaveGwendolynabighug,andshehuggedhimback,tightly.KendrickturnedandlookedatBrom.Hesaluted,andBromsalutedback.“TheMcCloudshaveattacked,”Bromsaid.“Youwillleadoneofourforces

inbattle.Wemustgoatonce.”Kendricknoddedback,somber.“Sire,itwillbeanhonor.”“Doyouwishtohaveyoursquireback?”Thorasked,withasmile.KendrickturnedandlookedatThor,andhisfacelitupwithasmile.“IhavejustreturnedfromtheHundred,sire,”Thorsaid,“Iamready.Andit

wouldbeanhonortoridebyyourside.”KendrickreachedoutandlaidahandonThor’sshoulder.Helookedhimup

anddown,andnoddedapprovingly.“Icanseethatyouare.Iwouldhavenooneelsebymyside.”“Let’smove,” Brom said. “It’s past timewe teach theseMcCloudswhat it

meanstoinvadeoursideoftheRing.”Thegroupturnedandbeganmarchingbackdownthehall.Soontheywereupstairsandmarchingoutthemainfrontdoorsofthecastle.

Astheyexited,standingonCastleBridge,ThorstoppedandfacedGwen.Helookedatherwithalookofconcernandlonging.“Imust joinmybrothers,”he saidguiltily. “I hate to leaveyou.But Imust

defendourRing.”Deepdown,herheartwasbreaking,butshedidnotshowit.Shenoddedback.“Iknow,”shesaid,tryingtosoundstrong.“Youmustgo.”Selfishly shewantedhim to stay, but sheknew that his goingwas the right

thing.Thorreachedoutandtouchedhernecklace,thenreachedupwiththebackof

hishandand strokedher face.He leaned in andkissedher, and sheheld it aslongasshecould.“Iwillthinkofyoueveryminute,”Thorsaid.“IwillreturnassoonasIcan.

AndwhenIdo,Iwanttoaskyouaquestion.”Gwensmiled,puzzled.“Whatquestion?”Thorsmiledback.“It isone, I think, thatwillchangeour lives.Depending,ofcourse,onyour

answer.”Hegrabbedherhand,pulleditupandkissedherfingertips,thenturnedwitha

smile,andtrottedofftojointheothermen,Krohnfollowing,alreadyrunningfortheirhorses.Gwenwatched him gowith a sense of longing and admiration. She prayed

withallshehadthatshewouldseehimagain.

CHAPTERTHIRTY

ErecgallopedthroughthebackstreetsofSavaria,racingtothetavern.HewaseagertopickupAlistair, torescueherfromthisplaceandtorideoffwithher.Hewasexhaustedfromtheday’sbattle,coveredinbruisesandcuts,weakfromhungerandthirst—butstill,hecouldthinkofnothingbuther.Hecouldnotstop,couldnotrest,untilhehadherwithhim.Dressed in his chainmail,Erec pulled up before the tavern, jumpedoff his

horseandhurriedthroughthedoor.ItburstopenandhewalkedinexpectingtoseeAlistairthere,waitingforhim.Buthewasbaffledtoseethatshewasnot.Instead,hesawonlythebartender,

surly,standingbehindthebar.Tenlarge,seedytypessatatthebarbeforehim.Erec looked everywhere, but saw no sign of her. The patrons grew quiet,

however, and the roomgrew thickwith tension.Erecdidnotunderstandwhatwasgoingon.Thebartendernoddedtoanattendant,whoturnedandranthroughthedoorto

the back room. A moment later, the innkeeper exited, waltzing out with aswagger,andacrookedsmileonhisface.Erecdidnotlikethelookofthis.“Whereismybride?”hedemanded,steppingforward.Theinnkeeperstruttedouttowardshim.“Wellwellwell,lookwhoitis,”hesaid.Ashemarchedtowardshim,Erecnoticedseveraloftheburlymiscreantsget

upandfollowinbehindhim.“Ifitisn’ttheknightinshiningarmorhimself,”theinnkeepermocked.“I’mnotgoingtoaskyouagain,”Erecsaid.“Whereisshe?”hepressed,his

angerrising.Theinnkeeper’ssmilebroadened.“Well,it’sfunnyyoushouldask.Yousee,thelargesumofmoneyyouhanded

megavemeanidea.IfiguredifAlistairwasworthsomethingtoyou,maybeshewasworthsomething tosomebodyelse, too.AndIwasright.ProbablyoneofthebetterbusinessdealsI’vemade,”hesaid,lickinghislipsandlaughing,asthemenlaughedaroundhim.Erecwasseething,turningashadeofpurple.Throughclenchedteeth,hegrowled:“Thisisyourlastchance.Where—is—

she?”Theinnkeepersmiled,revelinginthemoment.“Well,itseemsshewasworthevenmoretosomeoneelsethanshewastoyou.

I soldher toa slave trader,willing tobuyher for fivehundredpence.Hehadbeen coming through town, looking for somewhores to add to his sex trade.Sorry.You’retoolate.Butthanksfortheidea.AndI’llbekeepingyoursackofgoldanyway,ascompensationforinsultingmyfriendstheothernight.”Theinnkeeperstoodthere,grinning,handsonhiships.“Nowyoucanbeonyourway,”headded,“beforewealldoyoumoreharm

thanyouwish.”AsErecstudiedthismiscreant’sself-satisfiedeyes,hecouldunfortunatelysee

that everything hewas sayingwas true. He could not believe it. His Alistair.Taken away from him. Sold into slavery, into the sex trade. And all of thisbecauseofthisdisgustinghumanbeingbeforehim.Ereccouldstanditnolonger.Hewasoverwhelmedwithanurgenotonlyto

fight,butforvengeance.Theinnkeeper’smenlungedatErec,andErecwastednotime.Hehadbeen

trained to fight with multiple men, on multiple occasions, and was used tosituationslikethis.Thesemenhadnoideawhotheywereattacking.As a hugeman grabbed him, Erec tucked himself into a role, grabbing his

arm,andthrowinghimoverhisshoulder.Withouthesitating,Erecspunaroundandback-kickedanother in thegroin,wheeledaroundandelbowedone in theface,thenleanedforwardandhead-buttedthefourth,thebartender.Thefourofthemfelltothefloor.Erecheardthedistinctsoundofaswordbeingdrawn,andlookedovertosee

threemoremiscreantscomingathim,swordsdrawn.Hedidn’twasteany time:hereacheddownandextractedadaggerfromhis

waist, and as the firstman lunged at himwith his sword, he plunged into histhroat. The man screamed out, gurgling blood, and Erec reached over andgrabbedtheswordfromhishand.Hespunaround,choppedoffoneman’shead,thenturnedandplungedtheswordintotheheartofthethird.Thethreemenfell,dead.Sevenmen on the ground, notmoving, and the innkeeper, the last one left,

lookedatErecnowwithfear.Hestumbledbacktwosteps,realizinghehadmadeabigmistake—butitwas

too late. Erec charged, jumped into the air, and kicked him so hard he wentflyingback,overthetables,crashingtotheground.Erectookawoodenbench,liftedithigh,andshattereditintopiecesoverthe

man’s head. The innkeeper collapsed, blood coming from his head, and Ereclandedontopofhim.Theman tried to pull a dagger fromhiswaist, butErec saw it coming and

steppedonhiswristuntilhe screamed, thenkicking thedagger awaywithhis

otherfoot.Erecleaneddownandchokedhim.Themangurgled.“Whereisshe?”Erecdemanded.“Whereexactlywastheslavetradergoing?”“Iwillnevertellyou,”themangasped.Erecsqueezedharder,untilhe turnedashadeofpurple.He tookhisdagger,

held itbetween theman’s legs,andbegan topressharderandharder,until theinnkeeperscreamed,ahigh-pitchednoise.“Lastchance,”Erecwarned.Hepushedevenharder,andthemanscreeched,

andfinallyyelledout.“Okay!Themanwasheadingsouth,on theSouthernLane.Hewasheading

towardsBaluster.Heleftearlyyesterdaymorning.That’sallIknow.Iswear!”Erecscowleddownathim,satisfiedhehadtoldthetruth,andpulledbackthe

dagger.Then,inonequickmotion,hethrustitintohisheart.Theinnkeepersatup,eyesbulgingwide,gaspingforair,andErecturnedthe

daggerdeeperanddeeper,pullingthemanclose,andlookingintohiseyesashedied.“ThatisforAlistair.”

CHAPTERTHIRTYONE

Gwenhadnotimetolose.ShehadtoseeifGodfreyandFirthwerewaitingforhernow,outsidetheCouncilchamber,toconfrontGareth.Perhapstheyhadbeendelayed,andwerestandingthere.Shecouldnotletthemgoinalone.Theyhadtomaketheircasenow,whiletheCouncilwasstill insession.IfKendrickandThor andBrom and all the others could risk their lives in battle for theirhomeland,theleastshecoulddoistakeanexampleoftheirbraveryandriskhersafetyonthehomefronttostopGareth.Afterall,ifanewrulerwascrowned,itwouldhelpthearmygreatly.IncludingThor.Gwen ran up the steps then down the castle corridor, until she reached the

hugedoorstothechamber.Toherdismay,GodfreyandFirthwerestillnotthere.Shehadno ideawhatcouldhavehappened to them.Thedoors to theCouncilchamber were open, and as she glanced inside, she saw that the Council hadalreadyleft,thesessionended.Theonlypersonwhoremainedinthevast,emptychamberwasGareth.Hesat there, aloneonhis throne in thecavernous room,rubbingitsarms.Itwas just the twoof themnow,andGwendecided thatnowwas the time.

Maybebeingalone,shecouldpoundsense intohimandgethimtostepdownquietly.Themenshelovedwereoutthereinbattle,fightingforherandalltheothers,andshefeltshehadtofight,too.Shecouldnotwait.Shewouldconfronthimwithwhat she knew, and hopefully, hewould voluntarily step down. Shedidn’tcareifhewentquietly,withoutfanfare;shejustwantedhimout.Gwenwalkedthroughthedoors,herfootstepsechoingassheenteredthehuge

chamber, as she walked towards her brother, in the ancient, enormous room,lightpouring in through the stained-glasswindowsbehindhim.Gareth lookedupatherwithcold,soullessblackeyes,andshecouldfeelthehatredheheldforher. She could see in that paranoid stare of hiswhat a threat shewas to him.Perhapsitwasbecausetheirfatherlovedhermore.Orperhapshewasjustborntohate.“I wish to have a word with you,” Gwen announced, her voice too loud,

echoinginthisplaceofpoliticswhichshehated.Itwaseerie,seeingherbrotherseatedthereonherfather’sthrone.Shedidnotlikethefeeling.Itfeltwrong.Hiseyeswerehollow,andhe looked likehehadagedahundredyears.He lookednothing like their father did on that throne.Her father had sat on it naturally,looking noble, gallant, proud, looking as if the throne were meant for him.Gareth sat on it in a way that seemed desperate, overreaching, as if he were

sitting in a seat too big for him to fill. Maybe she was picking up her deadfather’sfeelings,pouringthroughher.AfuryrosewithinheroverwhatGarethhaddonetoherfather.Hehadtakenhimawayfromher.Atthesametime,shewasafraid.SheknewhowvindictiveGarethcouldbe,

andknewthiswouldnotgowell.Garethstaredbackwordlessly.Shewaited,buthesaidnothing.Finallysheclearedherthroat,herheartpounding,andcontinued.“Iknowthatyouhadfatherkilled,”shesaid,wanting toget itoverwith.“I

know that Firth did the stabbing.We have the murder weapon.We have thedagger.”Therewasa longsilence,andGareth, tohiscredit, remainedexpressionless

theentiretime.Finally,heletoutashort,derisivesnort.“Youareafoolish,fanciful,younggirl,”hesaid.“Youalwayshavebeen.No

one believes you.No one everwill.You envyme because I sit on the throneinsteadofyou.Thatisyoursolemotivation.Youspeaknonsense.”“DoI?”sheasked.“Youputfatheruptonamingyouheirinsteadofme,”Garethcountered.“You

manipulatedhiminyourgreedforpower.Isawthroughyoueversinceyouwereachild.Butitdidnotwork.Iamhere.Andyoucannotstandit.”Gwenshookherhead,amazedathowpatheticGarethwas.Heprojectedhis

ownfeelingsontoeverybodyelse.Hewaspathological.Sheshudderedtothinkshewasrelatedtohim.“The people will decide how fanciful I am,” she said. “Did I imagine this

weapon in my hand?” she asked, reaching into her waist and extracting thedagger.Shehelditoutforhimtosee,andhiseyesopenedwideforthefirsttime.Forthefirsttime,hesatupright,grippingthesidesofthethrone.“Wheredidyougetthat?”heasked.Finally,hewascaught.Shecouldseeitinhisface,clearasday.Shestillcould

hardlybelieveit.Hehadkilledtheirfather.“Youdisgustme,” she said. “Youare a pathetic humanbeing. Iwish father

wereheretotakehisvengeancehimself.Butheisnot.SoIwillseekjusticeinhis stead. You will be tried and convicted and you will be killed. And ourfather’ssoulwillbelaidtorest.”“And how will you do that, exactly?” he asked. “Do you really think the

masses will believe you because you found a blood-stained dagger? Anyonecouldhavewieldedit.Whereisyourproof?”“Ihaveawitness,”shesaid.“Themanwhowieldedtheweapon.”Tohersurprise,Garethsmiled.

“Do youmean Firth?” he asked. “Don’tworry:wewon’t be hearingmuchfromhim.”NowitwasGwendolyn’sturntobecaughtoffguard;herheartpoundedatthe

ominoustoneofhiswords.“Whatdoyoumean?”sheasked,unsure.“Firthislonggonefromus,I’mafraid.Itissounfortunatethathehappenedto

beexecuted,justhoursago,isn’tit?”heasked,hissmilewidening.Gwendolynfeltherthroatgodryatherbrother’swords.Wasittrue?Orwas

hebluffing?Shedidn’tknowwhattobelieveanymore.“Youarealiar,”shesaid.Thistime,heoutrightlaughed.“Imightbe.ButI’mamuchbetterliarthananyoneelse.Iknewallaboutyour

patheticlittleplot,allalong.Youvastlyunderestimatedme.Youalwayshave.Ihavespieseverywhere.Itrackedeverythingyou’vedone,everystepoftheway.Itookactionwhenthetimewasright.Yoursolewitnessisdead,I’mafraid—andyour murder weapon is quite useless without him. As for our dear brother,Godfrey—well,there’sareasonhecouldn’tmeetyouheretoday.”Gwen’seyesopenedwide insurprise,asshe felt thatGarethwas telling the

truth.“Whatdoyoumean?”sheasked,tentatively.“I’m afraid he had a bad drink last night at the tavern. I’m afraid someone

mighthavepoisonedit.Heisdeathlyillaswespeak.Infact,I’mprettysurehe’sdeadalready.”Gwenfeltovercomewithpanic.Garethlaughedheartily.“So you see, my dear, it is just you. There is no Godfrey. No Firth. No

witness.Justyouandyourpatheticdagger,whichprovesnothing.”Garethsighed.“Asforyour lover,Thor,”hecontinued,“I’mafraidhis timehascome, too.

Yousee,thisMcCloudraid,whichItoleratedforareason,isatrap.Yourloveriswalkingrightintoit.I’vepaidoffmentoisolatehim,whenthetimeisright.He will be ambushed, and will be quite alone, I assure you. He will beslaughteredbythisday’send,andhewilljoinFirthandGodfreyinheaven—orisithell?”Garethlaughedheartily,andshecouldseehowmaniacalhewas.Helooked

possessed.“Ihopeyoursoulrotsinhell,”shespat,seethingwithfury.“Italready is,mysister.Andthere isnothing leftyoucando touchme.But

thereisquiteadealstillthatIcandototouchyou.Cometomorrow,youwillbeoutofmyhair,too.PrimosLivariusStantos,”hesaid.“Doyouknowwhatthat

means?”She stared at him, her heart cold, wondering what hideous plan he had

devised.“Itisthelegaltermforaking’srighttoarrangeamarriage.”Henoddedandsmiled.“Verygood.Youalwayswerethelearnedone.Farmorelearnedthanme.But

thatdoesn’tmatternow.BecauseI’veinvokedit—I’veinvokedmyrighttoforceyouintomarriage.Ihavefoundacommonman,asavage,aNevarunsoldier,thecrudestprovinceinthesouthernreachesoftheRing.Theyarealreadysendingacontingentofmentofetchtheirbride.Sopackyourbags.Youarechattelnow.Andyouwillneverseemyfaceagain.”Gareth laughedhysterically,delightedwithhimself,andGwenfeltherheart

tearingtopieces.Shedidn’twanttobelieveanyofit.Washejustplayingwithhermind?Shecouldn’tstandtobeinfrontofhimforanothersecond.Gwenturnedand

fledthechamber,runningdownthecorridor,upthespiralstaircase,higherandhigher,untilshereachedtheparapets.Sherantothefarside,leanedovertheedgeandlookeddownoverthetown

square.Shehadtoseeifitwastrue,ifFirthwasreallyexecuted,ifeverythinghesaidhadbeenalie.Gwenreachedtheedgeandlookedover,andasshedid,herbloodrancold.

Sheclutchedherchest,gaspingforair.There,hangingbyhisneckfromarope,inthecenterofthesquare,wasFirth.

Hisbodydangled,swayedinthewind,andagrowingcrowdgawkedaroundit.Itwastrue.Itwasalltrue.Gwenturnedandrantotheotherendoftheparapets,lookingEast,searching

desperatelyforThorandtheLegion.Shespottedthemonthehorizon,hundredsofthem,allonhorseback,agreatarmy,kickingupdust.Thecloudwasgrowinghigher and higher, and she could see Thor among them, galloping with theothers, so desperate to earn his glory.She thought ofGareth’swords, ofThorbeing sent into a trap, sent to be ambushed. And as she watched him gallopaway,sheknewtherewasnothingshecoulddoaboutit.“NO!”Shescreamedouttotheheavens,sinkingtoherknees,wailing,poundingthe

stone, wishing it were anybody else, anything else. She couldn’t imagine thethoughtofit.Garethcouldkillher,couldsellheraway,coulddestroyeverythinginherlife—butshecouldnotimaginethethoughtofThorbeingharmed.“THOR!”shescreamed.She wished that he could hear her, that he could somehow turn, on the

horizon,andreturntoher.But her crywas pickedup by thewind, carried away, and soon it vanished

intonothing.

COMINGSOON….Book#4intheSorcerer’sRing

BooksbyMorganRice

THESORCERER’SRINGAQUESTOFHEROES(Book#1intheSorcerer’sRing)AMARCHOFKINGS(Book#2intheSorcerer’sRing)

AFEASTOFDRAGONS(Book#3intheSorcerer’sRing)

THESURVIVALTRILOGYARENAONE:SLAVERSUNNERS(Book#1oftheSurvivalTrilogy)

ARENATWO(Book#2oftheSurvivalTrilogy)

THEVAMPIREJOURNALSTURNED(Book#1intheVampireJournals)LOVED(Book#2intheVampireJournals)

BETRAYED(Book#3intheVampireJournals)DESTINED(Book#4intheVampireJournals)DESIRED(Book#5intheVampireJournals)

BETROTHED(Book#6intheVampireJournals)VOWED(Book#7intheVampireJournals)FOUND(Book#8intheVampireJournals)

THEVAMPIRELEGACYRESURRECTED(Book#1oftheVampireLegacy)

CRAVED(Book#2oftheVampireLegacy)

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TableofContentsCHAPTERONECHAPTERTWOCHAPTERTHREECHAPTERFOURCHAPTERFIVECHAPTERSIXCHAPTERSEVENCHAPTEREIGHTCHAPTERNINECHAPTERTENCHAPTERELEVENCHAPTERTWELVECHAPTERTHIRTEENCHAPTERFOURTEENCHAPTERFIFTEENCHAPTERSIXTEENCHAPTERSEVENTEENCHAPTEREIGHTEENCHAPTERNINETEENCHAPTERTWENTYCHAPTERTWENTYONECHAPTERTWENTYTWOCHAPTERTWENTYTHREECHAPTERTWENTYFOURCHAPTERTWENTYFIVECHAPTERTWENTYSIXCHAPTERTWENTYSEVENCHAPTERTWENTYEIGHTCHAPTERTWENTYNINECHAPTERTHIRTYCHAPTERTHIRTYONE