A Facet for the Gem by C. L. Murray Page A

over our tenuous border, that will spread and drown you all, if you do not remember.
    “And now,” she continued, “we can no longer say that only the ferotaurs threaten us here in the West, and that the shriekers cannot reach us. Now, there is a greater enemy, and he will march both hordes against us if given the chance; a great many already follow behind his sword, which he points in our direction.
    “The people of Korindelf, our friends and allies, have sat chained under his rule for a full year now, tortured into obedience and fed to his pets for mere sport. His threats of further action against them have hindered our ability to face him head-on, but make no mistake: A great battle is approaching. Whether on his ground, or ours, I care not. All that matters is that however arduous these final weeks prove, you push yourselves harder than I demand, so that when the day of war arrives, and we meet Felkoth along with all his gathered forces, you will have strength enough when it is over to spit on his corpse!”
    Thunderous cheers erupted from all who stood below, accompanied by the clattering of weapons against chest plates, in a loyal chorus.
    “Our spears are yours, Lady Valeine!” one shouted proudly, those beside him quick to repeat even louder.
    Still watching behind the trainees, Ivrild jabbed his older brother. “It seems your position as future king may not be so secure after all.”
    Verald grinned. “As though you haven’t held me in your sights every time we’ve gone to battle, thinking you could put an arrow in my back with none being the wiser. I always thought the crown was to be yours, anyway. Isn’t it meant to go to the best-looking heir?”
    “Then both of you will be spit-shining the castle floors while I sit on the throne,” gloated Ondrel, unaware that their father descended briskly toward them.
    “What is this conspiracy I hear?” King Valdis asked, joining his sons. “As if any of you could take my place.”
    Pleased to hear his voice, the brothers directed their huddled eagles to part and let him take his position in between, all four now looking directly at Valeine, who stood more than aware of their close attention.
    “There was no morbid plot in my words, Father,” Ivrild joked. “I only presumed that one day soon, you would pass the crown to me when you grew tired of your kingly duties.”
    “I grew tired of my kingly duties before you were born,” Valdis replied. “And my fatherly duties soon after.”
    Trying to avoid the scrutiny of her father and brothers, Valeine focused on the devoted host as their raucous support quieted down. “My spear is for all people of the realm. And so too shall be yours. An Eaglemaster is deadlier on the ground than in the sky. If you are to rise as one of us, then first, you must be deadly. Be deadly here. Be deadly wherever swords, arrows, horns or fangs aim to rip you open. Then, you will be counted as true protectors of this kingdom, and the sky will be yours for the taking.”
    The enthusiastic group stared up in admiration, finally breaking off as other instructors began conducting the day’s training exercises. Waving a smooth hand at her nearby eagle, which fluttered down and waited for her to mount, she wondered fondly what scheming she’d soon come upon as she flew toward her ascending family.
    “Not bad for a girl of, what is it now, fourteen, fifteen…?” Ondrel greeted her playfully as she joined them in the air.
    “Well now,” replied Valdis, “I don’t recall any of you having command of a city at seventeen. You were all too occupied giving flying lessons to every girl in sight.”
    “Is that what they called it back when you were a lad?” Ivrild laughed, his brothers and sister quick to join.
    With his children all around, gliding to land atop the tall hill that offered a quiet vantage point, Valdis released much of the weight that lately had sunk him. He hoped to steer conversation away from deteriorating campaigns