[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
about, restless at the delay.
One face turned their way, then another. Fingers pointed, and soon everyone was watching them
approach, marching down the hill to take back Asermos.
They must have been a sight, a thousand sooty, bloody, bedraggled people, moving as one, without fear.
A line of about twenty soldiers stepped forward and drew their swords, blades glistening gold in the
early-morning sun.
Several Ilions stepped onto a balcony on the prison wall. Rhia couldn t recognize them from a distance,
but they carried themselves with the assurance of senior military officers.
Mali stepped out in front of their throng and sent a smirk to the officers on the balcony.
Sorry I m late, General Lino, she said, but I had a massacre to stop.
Arrest her! he shouted.
The soldiers came forth, swords raised. On cue, Rhia and several other small, harmless-looking women
stepped in front of Mali. They held up their hands, palms forward, to show they had no weapons, and to
give the unmistakable message to stop.
The soldiers halted, confused, and glanced at the officer at the far right of their line. He looked up at the
general.
Lino glowered back at him. I said, arrest her, Lieutenant. Kill the others if you must.
The soldiers took another step forward, now only several paces away. Marek moved to Rhia s side, as
did ten or twelve others, protecting Mali with a wall of flesh.
Rhia glanced at the crowd of Ilion settlers who had gathered for Mali s funeral. Though a few watched
with anticipation, most wore creased brows and whispered to each other with worried faces.
Rhia took a deep breath and thought of Lycas. She needed his strength now. Her voice boomed forth,
surprising her with its volume and force.
People of Ilios, look. Your army won t hesitate to raise a weapon against unarmed women and men.
How long before they raise it to you? How long before they burn your homes with your families inside?
Look at your neighbors, Mali called out, then gestured to the crowd behind her. Herded like livestock
into a hamlet, just to be set on fire.
Like you did to our troops in Kalindos? the general shouted. Our brave soldiers?
Brave? Dravek s voice shot forth. A thousand men against a village half their size, sent to kidnap and
enslave, like you did twenty years ago? You call that brave?
Some of the settlers frowned and turned away at the mention of Kalindos. So they had some shame, at
least.
Lieutenant, arrest all of these traitors.
The young officer looked down the line at his men. Stand down.
What? The general leaned over the balcony railing. Obey my order, Lieutenant, or you ll be put to
death for treason along with this Wasp witch.
I m sorry, sir. The young officer sheathed his sword. You can t order me to break the law. Rhia
thought she heard him add, Not anymore.
Before the general could bluster further, Rhia spoke. We re here to demand your complete and
unconditional surrender.
The general and the other senior officers laughed. Silly bandits, I could have an entire battalion here
within two hours and crush your pathetic resistance.
Mali pulled out the second parchment Feras had sent, the one with the signed statement of surrender.
You mean, the battalion at the Asermon garrison, the battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Akero? Mali
looked up at Lino with wide eyes. That battalion? She folded up the parchment and handed it to one of
the Ilion soldiers. Give that to the general, would you please? Thank you.
The soldier hurried to the door of the prison and disappeared.
Rhia cleared her throat. As you ll see in a moment, our so-called pathetic resistance has captured the
Asermon garrison. We ve also thwarted your attempts to roast our people at the hamlet. She looked at
Mali, who nodded. She turned back to the general. We re prepared to offer amnesty for your war
crimes if you leave immediately, from here and Velekos. She looked at the grape-heads, who had
suddenly grown restive. Peaceful settlers may stay if they wish, but they ll provide fair compensation for
stolen property.
The general turned to the door of the balcony as the soldier with the parchment appeared. He snatched
the paper out of the soldier s hand and unfolded it hastily.
Give me a moment. He and the other senior officers disappeared inside the prison.
The settlers were eyeing the Asermon natives with growing hostility.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]