Page 62 of Immortal Sentry

“Money has crossed palms to keep Bain none the wiser.”

Queen Lessa hadn’t disclosed all her plans to Eron and Kerric, but if she’d already arranged for the armies, had she known her brother still lived? Surely her joy had been unfeigned, and she’d been telling the truth. Had she planned to take the throne for herself, find that distant cousin, or install her younger son as king? No, wait. She’d said Miisov told her to send the armies, hadn’t she?

Kerric carefully considered Miisov’s words. “We can only hide a company of soldiers from multiple kingdoms for so long. We also must have someone follow Crau from now on. Not let him out of sight. When dawn comes, I’ll be unable to.”

“Leave that to me.” Miisov appeared far too smug for comfort.

“Do you have someone you can trust?”

Miisov nodded. “While they may have no love for me, they’d do anything for Prince Eron and Queen Lessa.”

Interesting. Kerric would attempt to tease out a name if he wasn’t losing precious time. “I’ll seek you out upon waking tomorrow night.”

“You do that.”

“Will my men join me?”

Miisov shook his head. “I am not sure. At the very latest, they’ll appear when Eron takes the throne.”

The men currently encased in stone could help make that happen. What a stupid curse to make them wait till they were less needed, but Kerric wouldn’t complain now. “Until then.” He continued his circuitous pathway to the oldest section of the castle, his mind spinning with plans upon plans. He foundhimself so preoccupied that he didn’t notice he wasn’t alone until a figure stepped out of the shadows on the ramparts, sword drawn.

Crau sneered. “Captain Kerric. The silver doesn’t suit you. Did you and that fool Miisov think I wouldn’t notice a missing statue? Or that I hadn’t heard the legends of how you might return?”

A brief flash of fear of discovery turned to anger. “It’s you who caused my punishment. Seasons of watching the world and never being able to take part.”

“And yet, you’re alive now. I wonder… Legend says you’ll awaken only when a member of Lothan’s family returns to power. Could it be that you plan to put Lessa on the throne?”

Kerric said nothing, resting his hand on his sword hilt.

Crau continued speculating. “Your men haven’t awakened, I see. So, maybe that’s not your plan. You were my student once. You could join me again.”

How dare the traitorous bastard suggest such a thing! “Not after your betrayal.”

Crau leaned against one of the gargoyle statues. “What if I brought my men up here and commanded them to push these ghastly creatures from the walls?”

Panic gripped Kerric’s heart. These men had been loyal and faithful and hadn’t deserved what happened to them.

Kerric drew his sword.

Crau threw back his head in laughter. “You forget, pup, that I trained you. I know all your weaknesses. You’ll never defeat me.”

“And you forget, Crau, that while you’ve gotten older and allowed your body to go to seed, I am the same as when we last faced off—a warrior in his prime and still favored by Ibrus. Tell me, does he still even accept your prayers, or do you no longer pray for fear of his wrath?”

Kerric attacked, relying on nearly effortless practiced motions. His body acted on impulse. While Crau knew Kerric’s weaknesses, Kerric also knew Crau’s. Like a damaged left knee from being thrown from a horse and scars on his right leg that inhibited movements.

The paunch that hadn’t been there the last time they’d sparred likely threw Crau’s weight off.

Crau parried. Steel rang against steel. Kerric pushed his advantage, forcing Crau back toward the railing. How fitting to give Crau the ending he’d just used to threaten Kerric’s men.

Crau spun away, coming up on Kerric’s left, weight on his right foot. Kerric dove, sweeping Crau's legs from under him. Crau crashed into the stone. He rose slowly, bared his teeth, and charged in on the offensive.

Kerric fought off the attack, ducking behind a gargoyle. Metal clanged stone. He winced. May Malcolm forgive him.

He bolted from his hiding place, meeting Crau once more. Crau panted, either in pain or from fatigue. Neither mattered. What mattered was defeating this man once and for all. But Kerric wasn’t lawless. He recited the soldier’s creed. “For the crime of betraying King Lothan and his family, I sentence you to death.”

He brought his sword down with all his might. Crau danced away, grinning. The sound of running footsteps approached.

Six men surrounded Kerric. He’d no hope of winning, but he’d die doing everything in his power to protect King Lothan’s legacy.

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