Free Knightly Bonds 1: Their Majesties' Knight by Sunny Day Page B

were.”
    “We ran into some problems,” Galena replied.
    “I see.” She sensed he was hiding something from them. She looked at Lan, wondering if he felt it, too.
    “What happened?”
    She sent him a series of images, filling it in with her comments. He didn’t seem surprised, taking it all in without flinching.
    “You knew about them.”
    “Not really. Someone blocked Moira.”
    Galena gulped. “That’s serious.”
    “I know. I called my men.”
    “ They are going to attack now,” Lan warned him.
    “I gathered that. They have to. They know I would have turned every stone if you two disappeared, and that would leave them exposed. With luck, they won’t be ready.”
    An anxious feeling rose inside her. “Are you ready?”
    “Don’t worry.”
    He started to retreat. “Wait,” she said, but he didn’t listen.
    “That was weird,” Galena said. “He didn’t break the bond, but he blocked it.”
    Cocking his head, Lan looked at her. “He is maintaining contact to check on us but doesn’t want us to know what he is thinking.”
    “Oh.” Galena frowned. “Why do you think that is?”
    “I don’t know, but I don’t think I’m going to like it.”
    Galena sighed. “Well. Let’s try and get out of here, shall we?”
    She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like Arin’s plans either.

    * * * *

    Atop his horse and in full armor, his men bustling behind him, Arin surveyed the scene in front of him. An army, looking grim and determined, approached with steady rhythm. Fog hovered over them, masking their numbers, making it seem like an unending sea of enemies faced him and his men. Arin snorted. He knew better.
    The force in front of him was equal to his in number, but he didn’t doubt he could win. Those were mercenaries and hastily gathered fighters. His army consisted of trained and seasoned fighters, all eager to earn their king’s favor.
    He stilled his horse, which was moving eagerly, its nostrils flaring, no doubt feeling the excitement of so many men around it.
    “Majesty.”
    Arin didn’t turn to acknowledge the knight. “Yes, Garen.”
    “We are ready, sire.”
    “Good. Stick close to my sister, will you?”
    “You don’t have to ask that, sire.”
    “I don’t, do I?” Arin asked, eyeing him with interest. “I guess I don’t.”
    “There seem to be a lot of them,” Garen volunteered.
    Arin shifted his gaze onto the fast-approaching army. “It does seem that way, does it not? Things aren’t always as they seem.” He was filled with anticipation. He could feel Axen practically humming on his hip. Soon, he said to it. Very soon.
    “Look, Garen. Someone is coming.”
    Two riders, both on big, strong horses and in rich armor, separated themselves from the crowd behind them. They started across the field, obviously headed for Arin.
    “Let them pass,” Arin ordered to his guard. He urged his horse forward, indicating he was willing to talk. He stayed absolutely still as they came closer, his body taut as a bow, ready to act at any moment.
    The riders stopped not far from him. One of them dipped his head in acknowledgment before taking his helmet off.
    Arin refused to move a muscle.
    “Morel,” he said in a pleasant voice. Now he knew who the second rider was. “And Madagar.” He omitted the words cousin or any title. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
    “You should have.”
    “I don’t think so,” Arin answered. He gazed at Morel. He didn’t like his cousin, but he didn’t particularly dislike him. He left him in charge of a small county not far from Hearthstone and forgot about him. In hindsight, he should have considered why he was so eager to get Morel out of his court. He shifted his gaze to Madagar. That was Morel’s secret weapon. The magical fog must be her work. She was Morel’s mage, and they thought Arin didn’t have one.
    “Madagar. My sister is going to be disappointed.”
    “Madagar wasn’t happy with it either,” Morel said. “But your sister is too