Page 132 of Oath of Rebellion

"Will's dead," Ashur said quietly.

Knox stumbled, and Ashur grabbed his arm. He straightened and turned at the entrance to the camp. He watched Eirwyn move among the people, smiling tiredly. She made sure those who needed a hand were paired with someone strong who could help. Her eyes met his, and she frowned. He felt a wave of concern, and he shook his head.

She went back to helping the people. John sat on his horse, probably taking inventory with his strange writing tablet. The former prisoners talking animatedly with the refugees from town.

Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad being the leader of all these people, since he had his mate with him. They loved her, and so did he. He swallowed hard past the lump of emotions in his throat.

"Tell me what happened," Knox demanded. Ashur explained how they'd stormed the castle, found the king and queen, and Will's last mission.

"So he killed the king like he always wanted," Knox said softly.

Ashur nodded, and they both stood in silence as they honored their fallen friend.

Chapter 46

EIRWYN RUBBED HER BACK and yawned for the third time in an hour. She was exhausted from flying and yesterday, her mind on autopilot. All day, she and Helga spoke with people to maintain morale, with Helga noting their requirements.

The walk to Vidrland was long and arduous, but Eirwyn was in awe of Knox. Sure, the people had no problem talking with her, and she kept the children entertained with shadow stories. But Knox...

A dispute broke out between a priest and two nobles when they tried to use the hammock he made for them. Knox had listened to both sides and resolved it fairly.

A few nobles pushed ahead in the line for the meager breakfast provided by Robins. The commoners had grumbled, but Knox had stepped in and sent them to the back of the line.

Everyone was talking about this new idea of everyone being treated equally. Some nobles had threatened to go to Glathen, and Knox had told them to go ahead. Eirwyn smiled, still finding it funny.

Knox helped keep the peace and worked with the Robins to transport those who couldn't travel alone. He was a natural leader, and as the day went on, she was more and more impressed.

She could tell the people were too. At dawn, John, the dwarf, went back to Vidrland and gathered carts and volunteers. They'd arrived around lunch with enough food to feed the hundreds on the road.

Soon after lunch, they'd turned off the Lone Road and onto a hidden side road that led north to Vidrland. Knox had ridden ahead, shifting the protection spells so that anyone who stayed on the road would be safe.

He came back with a cart and picked up more families with small children. Then he handed the reins to a Robin and walked to Eirwyn.

She smiled, arching her back and stretching. Her feet ached, and she still hadn't told Knox about the pregnancy.

He let the rest of the crowd pass, then he led her to the south side of the Lone Road. Directly opposite of the small track that went north to Vidrland, he waved his fingers.

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