Read The Grand Crusade for Free Online Page B

well. Sebcia and Muroso tried to destroy supplies, but the onslaught’s speed took so many by surprise that the Aurolani did manage to capture a lot of what they needed.”
    Alyx glanced at the Black Dragon. “No word from Communicants from Sebcia or Muroso?”
    “No, and that is most grim.”
    She nodded. One Communicant had been Princess Dayley of Muroso. Alexia had last seen her in the Murosan capital, Caledo. While she supposed it was possible Dayley had not had time to come to the Communion, Alyx feared she was dead.And if she is dead, her blood kin likely share the same fate.
    Alyx sighed. “No less grim is the situation outside Muroso. Will Norrington died on Vael. He sacrificed himself to save a dragon from death, but all we got from that is a ragged neutrality among the dragons. They will not come out for or against Chytrine as a group, but individuals can and have chosen sides. We have several powerful ones in our camp, but Chytrine has more.”
    The Black Dragon hugged his arms around his belly. “The Nornngum ucau. His voice came in a hushed whisper that sent a chill up Alexia’s spine.
    She chewed her lower lip for a moment. “We don’t know if Will wastheNorrington, or if that mantle will transfer to another. A Murosan princess is carrying Will’s child, and one of his half brothers is fighting in Sarengul with the Oriosan Freemen. That’s why I asked after them.”
    “I shall see what else I can learn, daughter.”
    “Thank you, Father Ironwing.” Alyx shook her head. “We half expect everyone to trot out their own Norrington heir, and the worst part is that King Scrainwood already has one available. If these heirs cause factions to form and then are actually expected to lead troops into the field, Chytrine will eat the
    Southlands up bit by bit.“
    The Black shook his head. “That would be a complete disaster. Is there any
    chance the Norrington isn’t dead?“
    She shivered. “No. I saw him die with my own eyes. And with him died the
    hope of the world.“
    The Black laid a hand on her shoulder. “That’s not true. Chytrine cannot yet complete the DragonCrown, so she is still thwarted. Once she has all the pieces and can refashion the Crown, she will have no more need of armies. You must remember that. While her armies have to be stopped, as long as the Crown is safe from her, there is always hope.”
    “I understand what you are saying. I just wish I felt it more in my heart.” Alyx’s eyes narrowed. “Politics will deny us the tools we need to stop her.”
    “There are others who will deal with the politics, daughter.” The Black Dragon smiled at her. “You were trained by Preyknosery here to be able to lead armies. This you do very well. The hope of the world now rests upon your shoulders. As long as you are prepared to do what you were trained to do, as long as you make the most of whatever opportunity you are given, you will succeed beyond your wildest dreams.”
    So, I see you are alive.“ It surprised Prince Erlestoke to hear his father’s voice, but that did not stop him from sliding the whetstone along his sword’s blade. He stroked the metal twice more, then raised the blade and let lamplight play over the edge. It wasn’t sharp enough, so he laid it on the leather protecting his thighs and bent to his task again.
    “Damn you, Erlestoke. Look at me! I thought you were dead.”
    This time the prince did turn his head and looked up. There his father stood. The day before, in the Council Chamber, was the first time Erlestoke had seen his father in over five years. The man looked older, with the streaks of white in his hair and beard. The green mask he wore hid wrinkles, but the decorations on it made his father look poxed. Age had shrunk him slightly, and his voice had an edge just this side of hysterical. Bony fingers clutched the doorjamb.
    Calmly, Erlestoke replied, “You may have thought I was dead, but did you care?”
    Hazel eyes blazed from within that mask. “I am your father. How can you even ask such a