Free Steel and Shadow: An Epic Fantasy by LaJonn O. Klein Page B

was taken with me, but she was…..taken away after I was sold to the Galdynian lord that bought me.”
                  “You will have a birthmark on your left shoulder.  A small red mark shaped like a bird in flight.  All Ericsons have it,” he told her as Koa glanced at her.
                  “Aye,” she nodded.  “I recall, because they thought I was already branded when the slavers saw it.”
                  “Then, I have found my sister,” he said, and moved to hug her.  “My long lost sister is back.  If only mother had come with you,” he growled as he looked up at the Galdynian royals.
                  He paused, then looked back at the mercenary commander.
                  “Jengus, you have more than earned your pay on this campaign.  Name any reward, man, for by restoring my sister, I deem you my very champion.”
                  “In truth, Lord Ericson,” Jengus smiled faintly.  “’Twas my friend Koa that found her, and aided her.  He even told me he sensed something….special about her from the beginning.  Yet even I never would have guessed the lass was a lady.  A princess of Valdor.”
                  “In truth,” the big king murmured, eyeing Koa who was generally as quiet, and innocuous as any common freeman around him.  “She is,” he nodded, “And I am beyond grateful to you,” he turned to Koa.  “It gives me hope I might find my mother, too, knowing that she was alive when….”
                  “Mayhap, Lord Ericson,” Helena Hastings said quietly.  “I might aid you, and bring peace to both our lands doing so?”
                    The young king turned to eye the older woman standing close to his misty-eyed sister.  He said nothing as he eyed the older woman sharply.  “You know something of this matter,” he finally demanded of her.
                  “I cannot say I know aught for certain.  I do recall overhearing rumors that claimed my lord-husband once hid a Valdoran lady in a tower of the palace where none are allowed save himself, and a few select lords.”
                  “Suddenly, the assassins that targeted you last year make sense, milord,” Jengus told him.  “Did the lout breed a son on her, he might still be considered a legitimate heir if she is your queen-mother.”
                  “Even if he did not,” Eric spat, “Hastings has become more and more mad with every year, and ’tis little telling what might be in his mind by this time.”
                  “Aye,” Helena agreed.  “My lord-husband has been erratic of late.  I fear his wits are failing, and even William knows it,” she said, turning to her older son now free of the disgraceful collar for his presentation to the king.  He had even been allowed garments, common and coarse as they were.  Still, he remained grim and sullen, looking ready to do violence if only given the chance.  Which was why he also remained bound.  “But the king retains a strong following….”
                  “Who likely exploit the king’s madness for their own purposes,” Eric guessed.
                  “In truth,” Jengus nodded.  “I do see the hand of mischief here beyond an aging king’s ire, or his senility.”
                  “Whatever the truth, ’tis time George paid for allowing these insults, and for the death of my family,” Eric spat.
                  “Then we proceed with the plan,” Jengus asked.
                  “Aye.  We send the ransom notes next, but when the messenger arrives, he will discretely inquire as to any Valdoran ladies about who might be…..”
                  “I shall go.  I shall go tonight,” Koa told them abruptly, speaking for the first time in the king’s presence though they had met before.  “If the