Page 6 of Sword of Desire
He tilted his head to the side, cracking his neck. Then he whistled, garnering the attention of Morton.
“Your Highness,” he said sardonically.
His men knew he hated to be addressed so formally. “Gather my captains. Inform them that I want them running drills with their units daily, so they remain busy.”
“Anything else?”
“Once you’ve dispersed that message, gather my Knights. It’s time to work.”
A wicked smile spread across Morton’s face. “It’s about time.” He gave a curt nod.
* * *
“Why is she here?” Warner asked, pointing his sword at Gytha’s approaching form.
“I invited her to join us,” Ackley said, wiping his brow with his free arm.
“You’ve never invited someone from the army to join us before.”
Ackley shrugged. “Doesn’t matter what I’ve done in the past.” He lifted his sword and swung. Warner barely parried the hit. “Only thing that matters is what I’m going to do in the future.” Ackley stepped in closer, lifted his sword as if to strike him, and then swung his leg, knocking Warner onto his back. Ackley aimed his sword at his fellow Knight’s chest.
Warner growled. “I concede.”
Gytha now stood alongside his other Knights. “You asked me if I wanted to spar,” she said. “Well, I’m here. Let’s get to it.”
Ackley sheathed his sword. “Sparring is over.” He motioned for his six men and Gytha to come closer.
“If sparring is over, why am I here?” Gytha asked.
“Assignments?” Neville guessed.
Ackley nodded. They’d wasted enough time traveling. Now that his soldiers were safe, it was time for him to focus on what needed to be done. “Morton and Galvin, you’ll be numbers one and two, and will head north to the royal castle. Rikter is already there. Your job is to support him and make sure information gets to me in a timely manner.”
They both nodded in agreement.
“Warner and Neville, you’ll be numbers three and four, and you two will stay nearby. You will be my eyes and ears in Landania. Keep watch for troop movement in the area.”
“What’s the radius?” Neville asked.
“Ten miles,” Ackley answered. “And Fletcher and Dalton, numbers five and six, I want the two of you in Kreng. If Owen or Idina need to get word to me, it will be through you.”
“And me?” Gytha asked. “I assume you have a job for me as well. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”
“Gytha and I will be going on a mission. Ruthar will remain here in my place.”
Each of the six men raised his right hand, made a fist, and placed it over his chest. Ackley nodded in acknowledgment.
Ackley watched his men walk back toward the camp. When he and Gytha were alone, he let out a long breath, considering all he needed to do today.
“You’re in your element among your Knights,” Gytha commented.
“How so?”
She shrugged. “You seem more commanding and sure of yourself.”
He looked at her sidelong. “You mean my roguish charm is gone?”
Gytha punched his shoulder. “Charming is not a word I’d use to describe you.”
