Free The Making of a Mage King: White Star by Anna L. Walls

and took up the slack reins. That’s when he saw that Manuel had followed him. He was the one responsible for the young couple’s continued immobility.
    Sean nodded to them. “You can go now. He’s not a threat to you anymore.
    The girl pushed forward, and gripped the heavy leather of the demon’s pant leg. The tears on her cheeks made her face shiny in the dark. “I think he might be my brother; he said my name…once. What did you do to him?”
    “With a little more help, he’ll be your brother again. Go home; we’ll take care of him, I promise,” said Sean. She let her boyfriend pull her away. Sean turned to Manuel, with a glance toward the other bodies across the square. “Get them buried. I can’t do any more.” He headed them toward the west gate with Prince close beside him. Manuel relayed his order and came too; Cordan sent another twenty men with them. He was a good commander.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thoughtless Vengeance
     
    Sean held it together until their new guest was securely bound and made as comfortable as possible. He unsaddled, hobbled and muzzled the horse too. He didn’t think there would be any problem from the rider, or from the horse for that matter, but he hadn’t been able to fix all of the damage to the horse, and though Sean was sure he felt tons better, he was still a destrier.
    He slept the clock around and didn’t wake again until late at night. Charles, bless his heart, had tried to sit up and watch over him. His head had fallen down on the edge of the cot and he was drooling. Sean carefully got out of bed around him, then lifted him into his warm spot and covered him, and then he made his way out into the camp. The first thing he did was search out some leftovers; he was starving.
    The watch commander found him some cold meat and flatbread laced with dried berries then Sean went to visit their new guest. Manuel took about ten hours to recover from his healing . I wonder how long this man took; I wonder if it’s been long enough .
    The man was sleeping in the watch tent on a low cot set up at one side. He was still bound, though someone had removed his armor. He looks so peaceful sleeping there, but I’ve got to know. “Are you awake?” He spoke softly. If he was still under the influence of his healing, Sean didn’t want to disturb him.
    The man twitched and opened his eyes. He studied his visitor for a few minutes. “Are you the one who…who did this?”
    “I guess you could say that I am. How are you feeling?” said Sean.
    “I don’t remember much.”
    “My one other success couldn’t remember much either. Maybe it’s for the best. Have they let you get up and move around?”
    “I have no complaints. Who are you, anyway?”
    Sean gave him his name and it took him a long minute to place it. “Ruhin, are you saying that you’re the king’s son? What are you doing here?”
    “If you mean, Ludwyn’s son, no, I’m not. I’m Deain’s son. Ludwyn killed my father and his father. How did you cross my uncle?”
    The man’s eyebrows closed together. “I was… My sister and I were…at a dance.” He spoke hesitantly. It was obvious he wasn’t too clear on the details. “It was my best friend’s wedding. That’s the last thing I remember.”
    So, Ludwyn had snatched him directly from a wedding party. “Listen, sit up here.” Sean pulled him to sit up and began to untie him. “You’re not a prisoner here. You can go home whenever you want to. Your sister is worried about you.” After Sean had all of his bonds removed, he pushed him back down. “Go back to sleep. There’s no point in leaving tonight.”
    He pulled the blanket over himself and Sean saw that, much like Manuel, he had no fingernails; he was even missing part of his little fingers. Sean turned the lamp down and left the tent. Outside, it was drizzling and the watch commander had retrieved his cloak. Sean pulled the hood up and took a stroll around the quiet camp.
    He didn’t have any route