Authors: Patricia A. Knight
Hers to Command (37 page)
In the aftermath of their resounding defeat, the Haarb leader, Krakoll, plotted a return to Verdantia to exact retribution. His painstaking plans bore fruit. The time was ripe for return and his first objective was the recapture of Lady Sophillia Glorianna DeLorion. She had been unreachable until she went to the
Oshtesh
. Now, only Eric DeStroia stood in his way.
~ Here’s a short excerpt ~
At dusk the next day, Sophi’s
flight
filtered into
Sh’r Un Kree
from the surrounding hillsides. As they gathered in the designated courtyard, she made a small adjustment to Brio’s bridle.
“Are these the legendary wasteland horses we lowlanders hear stories about?” Commander DeStroia’s deep voice caught her attention.
I didn’t hear his approach
.
Taught stealth by my brother, no doubt.
“Yes.” She followed his gaze as he examined her
flight’s
small, hardy mounts and the equally small, hardy women astride them. “Petrina – she has a fiery temper to match her red hair, but she is my right hand. The brunette beside her is Adonia, our medica. Her knowledge of herbs is indispensible and then Rhea, our best tracker. Layna, Eudora and Maeve complete our
flight
. Their precision in hitting their targets is uncanny. We don’t look like much, but we will not burden you, Commander. We are quite self-sufficient.”
“I never imagined otherwise, Lady DeLorion.”
She stiffened. “I do not use my courtesy title. I am no longer that person. I prefer ‘
Flight Leader
’.”
His eyes examined her but he nodded agreeably. “
Flight Leader
. We will leave upon the half-hour. Take position beside me at the front. Your
flight
can muster behind you.”
“No. It is not our way. We will ride the ridges and shadowed places in twos and threes. We will be there but you will not see us.”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t like it. I cannot protect you if I cannot see you.”
“I do not ask your permission, Commander. I am in far less danger with my
flight
than with you. I knew you were coming hours before you arrived. Sound carries great distances in the wastelands – and the dust! Your numbers hang a sign in the desert air, ‘attention – riders approach’.”
She swirled her robes away from her legs and vaulted onto her gelding. A whistled birdcall caught her archers’ attention. “We flank Commander DeStroia. Ride out.”
Sophi felt the Commander’s eyes on her as she and her
flight
faded into the desert night.
* * *
When Sophi and her women had faded from sight, Eric strode into the stable yard where his four
rides
of the Queen’s Royal Guard assembled, preparing for the order to mount. Frustration chewed on his temper.
I was prepared for a shy, withdrawn woman, not this – Valkyrie. It is difficult to “escort” a woman when you don’t know where she is.
“Queen’s Guard! Prepare to mount! Mount!” he barked, swinging up onto his horse. “
Rides
! By two. Form up!” Cavalrymen paired off and formed orderly lines, broken every eight riders by a colorful pennant bearing the insignia of their unit.
“Queen’s Guard! At the walk! March!” Eric ordered.
As his horse’s long stride swung through the arches of the village wall, his second-in-command rode up to him.
“Commander?”
“Captain.”
“Do we leave without Lady DeLorion?”
“No.” Eric fumed in silence.
“Commander?”
“What!”
“Ahem, where
is
Lady DeLorion?”
“Good question, Captain Biron. If you see her let me know.”
*
* *
Authors note: You can now hear me read this scene on either my facebook page or my website.
https://www.facebook.com/patricia.knight.7161
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