Free Haven: A Trial of Blood and Steel Book Four by Joel Shepherd Page B

and snuff out the light. It was a saying well known in Saalsi. None present understood it, yet the mere fact of Saalsi spoken proudly in this room caused more eyes to widen.
    Sasha grasped Tomli's hand and strode from the room, out into the night. Markan followed.
    “Well that you bed with the Isfayen tonight,” he said. “Even the great Synnich-ahn cannot defeat foes in her sleep.”
    “Very well,” Sasha agreed, following Markan's lead to the Isfayen camp.
    “And better still should you bed with me tonight,” Markan added.
    Sasha glanced at him in surprise. Then smiled. “I shall be the death of us all, Markan.”
    “I know,” said Markan, a gleam in his eye. “It is arousing.”
    Sasha sighed, and grasped little Tomli's hand more firmly.
    She was awoken that night by a kick at her boot. Her eye flicked that way, unalarmed, despite the sudden grasp of her hand for the knife beneath the bundled cloak she used for a pillow. It was the safe way to wake a warrior, when nerves were on edge in the constant nighttime harassment of the serrin.
    A dark figure crouched by her boots, backlit by the orange glow of coals.
    “Sasha,” Damon murmured. Sasha turned to look and found Tomli, sleeping soundly alongside. She did not know how he slept. Perhaps it was exhaustion, or shock.
    Sasha patted the thin bedroll, and shifted over for Damon. He slid in alongside her, an arm about her shoulders. It was no longer just affection between them, but habit. They had not been close for most of their lives, Sasha and Prince Damon, but lately that had changed. It was nice to have family, that was all. And Sasha thought of her sister Alythia, murdered in Tracato. She embraced her brother, and put her head on his chest.
    “I know what you're doing,” Damon said quietly.
    “I'm glad one of us does,” said Sasha.
    “Don't play the fool with me,” Damon replied, but there was no anger in his words. “This is very dangerous, Sasha. Koenyg will not allow it. Nor will the northerners, nor most of the lords.”
    “I know,” said Sasha. What was left of the fire crackled, and about it men snored. The camp seemed calm, and Sasha did not think they had been attacked tonight. “It's this or die, Damon. By my own hand. I can't live with this, and I don't think much of this column can either, once they know what's happening.”
    “Koenyg is trying to stop them from learning,” said Damon.
    “I know. But the king's power to prevent the men of Lenayin from knowing what they know has always been limited.” Sasha looked up at him. “Can you live with it?”
    Damon said nothing for a moment, staring at the stars. Then he shook his head. Sasha guessed his thoughts, and what remained unsaid—however much he hated the situation, he did not know that he could stand up to Koenyg either.
    “Sasha,” Damon murmured finally. “What would you have us do?”
    “Switch sides,” said Sasha. From Damon's sigh beneath her cheek, she registered his unhappiness.
    “It's always that simple with you,” he murmured with exasperation.
    “I'm only interested in the destination, Damon. You worry too much for the state of the road.”
    “If all you watch is your destination,” said Damon, “you may fail to notice the ravine that has opened between you and it.”
    “Build a bridge,” said Sasha.
    Damon pinched her ear. Sasha jabbed his ribs.
    “It'll tear the Army of Lenayin apart,” said Damon.
    Sasha raised herself from his chest and stared at him. “Damon,” she said firmly, “who fucking cares?” Damon gazed at her. Dumbly. “Who would take their side, if all who share our sympathies come with us?”
    Damon thought about it. The north. The nobility…or many of them. He nodded, slowly. They were not people Damon wanted on his side any more than Sasha did. But…
    “Koenyg,” he said. “And our father's memory. His spirit. This was his war….”
    “It was Koenyg's,” Sasha snorted. “Father believed that the fates would show him the