One hundred miles east of Lostwren – Winter, Year 3081 After Doom
Candles flickered in the tent as Dayne stood at the edge of the table, flipping the round-backed knife Therin had given him across his fingers.
Alina and Tula Vakira were arguing, as they had done many nights since the betrayal near Achyron's Keep. They'd had seven battles since then, six victories, one loss. Not a bad record, all in all, but the taste from that night still lingered.
Almost a third of the Koraklon warriors who had declared for Alina had turned back to Loren. Aldon Thebal had also defected, taking the vast majority of House Thebal with him. Not a week had passed since Achyron's Keep before the news had spread that 'High Lord' Loren had declared House Baleer as a new Major House, promising them Redstone and all House Ateres lands once the rebellion was crushed. Turik Baleer's son, Rogal, was named as head of the House. Nearly a fifth of the Wyndarii had turned as well, but Alina had seen to it that few of them had seen the light of the next sun.
"Tula is right," Dayne said finally, glancing at Alina, who looked far from impressed. "Skyfell is secure, as is Lostwren. Vhin Herak's sister, Hakari supports you from Ironcreek, but her position is weak. We need to block the pass by sea and stop Lorian ships sailing into the harbour. Miron's army marches along this path." Dayne traced his finger along the rough drawn map pinned to the table. "We must have patience. If we wait and meet Miron's force's here," Dayne rested his finger fifty or so miles northwest of the Rolling Mountains, "where the Lost Hills are at their highest, we will catch them when they're exhausted. We need to be careful, my Queen."
Silence passed through the tent as all eyes moved from Alina to Dayne. Some of Dayne's Andurii captains stood around the tent, along with Mera, Lukira, Amari, Anda Deringal, Olivian of House Arnon – who had been elevated to the newly formed Royal Guard – and the new High Commander, Joros of House Myr. Alina had offered the position to Dayne, but he had declined in favour of someone who understood the logistics of armies better than he. Joros had served in the Redstone guard for many years, and he was a trustworthy man, something that was more important than almost anything else at that particular time.
After a few moments, the tension drained from the room as Alina nodded. "All right. We will do as you say, brother. Joros, our supply lines from Ironcreek to Skyfell, what's our most recent update?"
Dayne faded out as talk of logistics and supply lines began. He'd never had a head for those things, and he'd had even less of an inclination. Instead, Dayne's mind drifted to Marlin's lifeless eyes as the man lay in the dirt, Hera Malik's javelin jutting from his stomach. Hera's brother, Rexin, numbered among Dayne's Andurii. Dann hadn't enjoyed questioning the man, but he'd been satisfied with Rexin's answers. Saying that, he'd still had Ileeri set someone to watch him.
As Dayne was thinking, Iloen marched into the tent. Dayne had selected Iloan as Marlin's replacement among the Andurii captains. Iloen was young and relatively untested, but there were few Dayne trusted more. Iloen would die for Dayne. Of that, he was certain. Dayne raised an eyebrow in question.
"There's a woman asking for you by name, Andurios."
"A woman?"
"She said to tell you she's come to see her exile."
Before Dayne could answer, Belina walked into the tent behind Iloen with two guards chasing her.
Her hair was longer than when they'd last seen each other, braided as it once was. The woman opened her arms wide, a broad smile touching her lips. "Dayne Ateres, as I live and breathe."
Dayne cleared the distance between him and Belina in a heartbeat, sweeping her into his arms and squeezing tight.
"Down boy, down." Belina slapped at his shoulder, her voice taking on a mock tone. "Sit, stay."
Dayne laughed as he lowered her to the ground.
"Good boy." Belina's smile widened, and she cupped his cheeks. "You look like a sack of shit."
"It's good to see you too, Belina."
"I know it is. I'm fantastic. I would have been here sooner, but traipsing across a continent with a train of refugees takes time. And wait until you meet Dahlen Virandr. You two are like peas in a pod. Anyway, I'm here now. You can thank me for me coming later, preferably over a drink and some hot food." She narrowed her eyes as she scanned the room, her gaze stopping on Alina, Mera, Lukira, and Amari. "And I wouldn't be upset if you brought some of these fine warriors with you. If you'd told me these were the kinds of women Valtara produced, I would've left the refugees in a ditch." Belina raised an eyebrow as Alina and her Wyndarii approached.
"Dayne?" Alina's voice was full of curiosity.
"Alina, this is Belina Louna. She is my closest friend. I trust her with my life and yours." Dayne turned to Belina. "Belina, this is my sister, Alina Ateres, First of the Wyndarii, Queen of Valtara."
The two women stared at each other for a moment. Then Belina laughed. "Those are some impressive titles, my Queen." She gave a bow that, surprisingly, didn't seem mocking at all. "Dayne has told me much about you. You and whoever 'Mera' is, are the only things he loves more than complaining. There's only one problem."
"And that is?" Alina raised an eyebrow, still studying Belina.
"It wasn't until right now I realised how irritatingly similar our names are. Belina and Alina is going to be quite confusing. How about I call you Lini?"
Alina's expression didn't change, she simply continued to stare at Belina.
"Ali?"
"If my name is too much trouble you can simply call me 'my Queen'."
"Oh, believe you me." Belina gave a wry smile. "I would call you my queen every morning and every night." She nodded to Dayne. "I just don't think he'd appreciate it very much."
Belina strode over to the table, leaving Alina standing there with more than a touch of crimson her cheeks.
"Well, my exile," Belina said, looking down at the map, then turning back to Dayne. "I'm here now. Who are we killing?"
Dayne stared back, his voice cold. "All of them."