Chapter 1
It was a year after the death of Blayce and his dog Stenmun, "I can't believe the war is still going on. We should have finished King Magur by now!" Kel's anger shimmered through her voice.
"Well at least you aren't left at home every time the war comes calling," the bitterness in Neal's voice apparent and augmented because his new bride had just left for Fort Mastiff in order to help with the training of hand-to-hand combatants.
"I'm sorry Neal, I forgot."
"It's all right; I've been on the edge since Yuki left. Damn it, she says she needs to do her part against the Scanrans… She's not even Tortallan, I don't want her anywhere near the border."
"You can't always be protecting her Neal, she can take care of herself, she feels that Tortall is her homeland."
"But she's pregnant!"
"You shouldn't be shouting that for everyone to hear," exasperated with her friend, at least he knew that she would be kept safe at Mastiff, her mind drifting to Dom. When would she next see him, midwinter festival? It's a possibility that the Third Company would spend a few days holed up at New Hope, after all, the refugees were finally being moved inland thanks to the King's increasing pressure on the house of Nobles as well as Commons.
"You look thoughtful, I didn't know you had been reading any philosophical books lately," Neal's playful voice broke the silence.
"I haven't, I was just thinking of the refugees and what we'll do after this next batch leave. We'll have about 200 after the Riverbank crowd are moved out."
"That would explain the glazed look you're wearing."
"Don't you have patients to attend to?" burst Kel, her outrage hidden to anyone but those close to her, Neal recognized the glare in her eye for anything but humorous.
"Sorry Kel," replied the sobered knight healer.
