Beyond the Edge of Dawn by Christian Warren Freed Page A

cheered throughout. Pirneon found himself nodding off somewhere in the middle before a sharp elbow snapped him awake. Aphere ensured Barum was fed and taken care of as small groups began to gradually excuse themselves. Not even the generosity of the newly pronounced Sultan was enough to keep them on their feet after a long, hard-fought battle.
    “What next for these two knights of renown?” Salac abruptly asked as dawn broke the night sky.
    “Other kingdoms have need of our services,” Pirneon replied between stifled yawns. “One cannot know which way the wind shall blow.”
    “It’s a vacation for me,” Aphere hesitantly smiled. “I heard of a nice place to the east of Averon. Quiet and out of the way.”
    “The perfect chance to collect your thoughts. You have surely deserved it, both of you,” Salac agreed.
    The minister suddenly burst back into the tent. He immediately dropped to his knees and bowed his head. His cheeks were red, and he was breathing hard.
    Salac raised a benevolent hand. “Rise, my friend. What is it? What has you so excited?”
    The Minister grinned. “Sultan, we have him. We have found the traitor Bradgen.”
    Pirneon was instantly on his feet. His dagger was already in hand. More than anyone else, he desired revenge.

TWELVE
    Just Dues
    Soldiers pushed and dragged Bradgen across the same raised platform on which Habrim had been killed. He was bruised and bloody. His once fine robes were torn, soiled. Nothing about him suggested his former standing, yet, despite his fall from grace, his eyes still bore a timid defiance. He grunted as he was shoved to Salac’s feet. The iron chain attached to the collar around his neck kept him from enacting any thoughts of treachery.
    “This is the man who so casually murdered my father and sought to rule the world?” Salac spit. “Tell me why I should not bleed you here and now.”
    Bradgen placed his forehead on the ground. “I did what needed to be done for the good of the desert. All I wanted was to make our kingdom strong again. Adonmeia and his Vengeance Knight went mad and made sport of killing honored Habrim! They were reckless and cruel. I did what I could to ensure our people remained strong. Both men paid for their crimes before you arrived.”
    “I’m curious as to what crimes I was punished for,” Pirneon said after a stern look from Salac.
    Shock rippled across Bradgen’s face as he lifted his head enough to see Pirneon glaring at him. “You! You should be dead. Great Sultan, this man is a poison to our kind. He cannot be trusted.”
    Salac slapped him hard enough to bring tears. He looked to Pirneon, his gaze softening slightly. “I believe you now. He is an evil this kingdom can ill afford. Many thanks for bringing him to my attention.”
    “I’d prefer to take him to the netherworld.” His hand, after sheathing his dagger, rested comfortably on the pommel of his sword.
    Salac laughed, crisp and unusually wicked. “There will be no need for that, dread knight. Guards, cut out his tongue and eyes and turn him loose in the deep desert. Never again shall this filth taint our lands.”
    They dragged the screaming Bradgen away. Aphere winced at the sound. She’d never advocated torture, and there was no honor in Bradgen’s punishment. None could survive the desert crippled so.
    “You do not approve?” Salac questioned. “He received no more than he deserved. A message needed to be delivered. Usurpers shall suffer the worst of fates.”
    Aphere held her tongue, though inside she believed she’d misjudged the quality of Salac’s character.
    “Think no more on this. The night is nearly done, and we are all tired. Go now and rest. I shall have my men supply you and see to your mounts. You may depart at your own discretion.”
    Both knights offered short bows and turned to leave.
    “Pirneon.”
    He slowed and turned back. Pirneon’s eyes were already steeled in anticipation of what was to come.
    “I shall never call you