the Administrator who sat silently making notes, ‘please record that I have considered and approved Leonard’s actions and decisions.’ He turned back to Leonard. ‘Sometimes it takes difficulties such as these to sort out the natural leaders. You’ve done very well, Lieutenant. Send me Captain Callum.’
Leonard ’s mouth dropped open in surprise. ‘Lieutenant?’ he murmured to himself. He looked confused for a moment before regaining his composure and then his face turned red. ‘I’ll find Callum immediately, sir!’ he said enthusiastically. ‘Thank you, King’s Marshall!’ he called as he ran from the room.
‘ Change your vest!’ General Marnol shouted after him, raising his hands in disbelief as once again he found himself shouting at an empty doorway.
Chapter 11
Memories
Kelian watched Milgorry uneasily as they approached the harbor of the Dwellings. The warrior had barely spoken since they left the farmhouse. Timbul and Araas awoke on the ship bound for the Dwellings having not regained consciousness during the journey by cart to Tarlique. Everyone was saddened to hear that the Grand Duchess Beth had passed away quietly in her sleep only three nights before their arrival, knowing nothing of the death of her grandson, Prince Galbraith, who was killed by the fallen whilst in Nyinaku. Before the group sailed for the Dwellings, Prince Kelian had long discussions with Prince Galbraith’s brother and sister, Prince Irwin and Princess Amy and the Princess’ husband, Duke Laughlin. It had been very difficult for Kelian to break the sad news of Prince Galbraith’s death and grief hung heavily over all as they departed.
Kelian arranged for soldiers to hurry to Chayse and he hoped with all his heart they would arrive in time to protect the people. He was impatient to return to Castle, and he asked Admiral Stork to take them to the Dwellings before sailing home. Kelian wanted the Admiral back in Tarlique, with the possibility of war breaking out in the southern regions. He insisted that his mother and his sister, along with her friend Elliot, should accompany them to the Dwellings and once they agreed and were safely aboard, his thoughts returned to what might happen to Milgorry when they reached the Dwellings. As Milgorry said of himself, he didn’t have a good history, and even though he now refused to support his father, he had once encouraged Nandul’s attempt to regain the abilities his people had willingly surrendered in exchange for their freedom. It was a long time before he stood openly against Nandul’s cruel behavior and twisted plans. Milgorry was sure his past would not be overlooked and he was quite certain Tiernan would see fit to return him. He watched Louisa constantly with ever growing sadness in his eyes. Kelian tried hard to remain encouraging, but Timbul and Araas refused to make comment or to give opinions, which struck Kelian as ominous.
Elena, Immosey and Louisa stood close together, staring towards the shore as the ship entered the harbor and Kelian couldn’t help but marvel at the changes in the girls. They had been slender, delicate girls with pale skin, carefully arranged hairstyles and elegant gowns. They were still thin, but now they looked strong. Although they had been provided with new gowns whilst in Tarlique, Elena and Immosey were wearing the trousers, cotton shirts and tunics which Lias had given them in Nyinaku. Louisa was again wearing Dale’s cut off trousers and Milgorry’s shirt. Milgorry seemed indifferent to the fact that he had no shirt as he was quite content to wear just his trousers and boots, with his long knife at his side. The girls’ long hair was combed but free. What caught Kelian’s attention most was the look of confidence and determination in their eyes. They would never again be seen as helpless or faint-hearted.
Timbul ’s and Araas’ strength had gradually returned and the two guardians were their normal selves once again. They
Leonard ’s mouth dropped open in surprise. ‘Lieutenant?’ he murmured to himself. He looked confused for a moment before regaining his composure and then his face turned red. ‘I’ll find Callum immediately, sir!’ he said enthusiastically. ‘Thank you, King’s Marshall!’ he called as he ran from the room.
‘ Change your vest!’ General Marnol shouted after him, raising his hands in disbelief as once again he found himself shouting at an empty doorway.
Chapter 11
Memories
Kelian watched Milgorry uneasily as they approached the harbor of the Dwellings. The warrior had barely spoken since they left the farmhouse. Timbul and Araas awoke on the ship bound for the Dwellings having not regained consciousness during the journey by cart to Tarlique. Everyone was saddened to hear that the Grand Duchess Beth had passed away quietly in her sleep only three nights before their arrival, knowing nothing of the death of her grandson, Prince Galbraith, who was killed by the fallen whilst in Nyinaku. Before the group sailed for the Dwellings, Prince Kelian had long discussions with Prince Galbraith’s brother and sister, Prince Irwin and Princess Amy and the Princess’ husband, Duke Laughlin. It had been very difficult for Kelian to break the sad news of Prince Galbraith’s death and grief hung heavily over all as they departed.
Kelian arranged for soldiers to hurry to Chayse and he hoped with all his heart they would arrive in time to protect the people. He was impatient to return to Castle, and he asked Admiral Stork to take them to the Dwellings before sailing home. Kelian wanted the Admiral back in Tarlique, with the possibility of war breaking out in the southern regions. He insisted that his mother and his sister, along with her friend Elliot, should accompany them to the Dwellings and once they agreed and were safely aboard, his thoughts returned to what might happen to Milgorry when they reached the Dwellings. As Milgorry said of himself, he didn’t have a good history, and even though he now refused to support his father, he had once encouraged Nandul’s attempt to regain the abilities his people had willingly surrendered in exchange for their freedom. It was a long time before he stood openly against Nandul’s cruel behavior and twisted plans. Milgorry was sure his past would not be overlooked and he was quite certain Tiernan would see fit to return him. He watched Louisa constantly with ever growing sadness in his eyes. Kelian tried hard to remain encouraging, but Timbul and Araas refused to make comment or to give opinions, which struck Kelian as ominous.
Elena, Immosey and Louisa stood close together, staring towards the shore as the ship entered the harbor and Kelian couldn’t help but marvel at the changes in the girls. They had been slender, delicate girls with pale skin, carefully arranged hairstyles and elegant gowns. They were still thin, but now they looked strong. Although they had been provided with new gowns whilst in Tarlique, Elena and Immosey were wearing the trousers, cotton shirts and tunics which Lias had given them in Nyinaku. Louisa was again wearing Dale’s cut off trousers and Milgorry’s shirt. Milgorry seemed indifferent to the fact that he had no shirt as he was quite content to wear just his trousers and boots, with his long knife at his side. The girls’ long hair was combed but free. What caught Kelian’s attention most was the look of confidence and determination in their eyes. They would never again be seen as helpless or faint-hearted.
Timbul ’s and Araas’ strength had gradually returned and the two guardians were their normal selves once again. They
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