Free Crusader: The Sanctuary Series, Volume Four by Robert J. Crane Page A

“You’ve lived for 23,000 years. Any advice on getting through this …” He blanched as he felt the pain rising within, “‘great difficulty’?”
    Curatio did not move, did not stir, did not even seem to breathe. When he broke his silence, his voice sounded like a whisper caught on the wind. “Did you love her? Well and truly, more than anyone you’d loved before?”
    Cyrus heard the quiet scrape of the fingers of his gauntlet as he ran them across his greaves, heard the sound of the breeze coursing over him and stirring the leaves of the forest that surrounded them, smelled the meat on the fire. “Yes. More than anyone. More than the woman I married.”
    “Then no.” Curatio moved at last, reaching for a piece of dried wood behind him and tossing it upon the fire. “I don’t have any advice that will help you.”
    Over the next seven days they marched into more populated areas. The coastal swamps gave way to green fields, orchards with citrus trees as far as the eye could see, fields of sugar cane and countless other farms. The army began to pass people on the road, horse-drawn carts, small children playing, all of whom moved aside to gawk at the army of Sanctuary as they went past in neat formation. Eyes widened at the sight of dark elves; Cyrus saw a small child run in terror upon seeing the handful of goblins who marched with them.
    As Cyrus rode past the onlookers, he felt someone slip into formation next to him, at the head of the army. He blinked when he realized it was Martaina, her usual carefree happiness gone, replaced by a taut expression, the lines of her face all angled, her eyes darting in all directions.
    “What is it?” Cyrus asked.
    “I’ve been seeing watchers,” she said, turning to give him all her attention. “In the woods, in the trees. At distance, to be sure, but they’re there. We’ve got shadows, and they’re following us about the countryside.”
    Cyrus looked around, trying to spy to the horizon, across the fields, but all he saw were groves of trees on one side, long grass on the other, and a road that wended its way into the distance. “If you say you saw them, I believe you. Human eyesight is can’t compare to yours.”
    “They’re out there.” She chewed her lip. “Not many, not yet. Maybe a dozen or two, it’s hard to tell. I think they have spyglasses, because I see the shine of light off them from time to time. They’re definitely watching and waiting but hard to say what for.”
    “Scouting party, maybe. Longwell!” Cyrus called behind him, and the dragoon dutifully trotted up to join he and Martaina. “Our rangers have sighted watchers keeping an eye on us.”
    Longwell’s serious face grew more drawn. “Should have figured. We’re only a day’s ride from Green Hill, which is Baron Hoygraf’s keep. One of Luukessia’s most singularly humorless chaps. If there was to be a fight for us on this side of Actaluere, it would be from him.”
    “This would have been good to know,” Cyrus said. “You think this Baron Hoygraf will try something?”
    Longwell gave a broad, expansive shrug. “Only a little more than any other titled defender of the realm of Actaluere whose game we’re picking off. The animals we eat are his property by the laws of the land. None of them will take kindly to our treading across their roads either, especially with an army. I’m certain word has reached their capital, Caenalys, by now. Hoygraf would be his leading edge if their King means to move against us. He’ll be operating independently of King Tiernan for now, which should be a cause for concern.” Longwell dipped his shoulder, almost contritely, apologizing for the news he was delivering. “Like I said, he’s a humorless bastard.”
    “How many men does he have at his command?” Cyrus asked.
    “A half-thousand, perhaps, at his hold. Maybe a few score more but not many.” Longwell’s hand pointed to the horizon. “He’ll be able to secure reinforcements if