Master of Chains - Jess Lebow [105]
"That's never stopped us before," said a warrior in the back of the tightly grouped Broken Spear.
Everyone nodded.
Giselle smiled. "These are trained soldiers," continued the leader. "And the potential exists that many of us may not be coming back."
The Broken Spear nodded at this as well.
"I'm not going to lie to you," she said. "We're not doing this just for riches or glory. This time it's personal." She took a deep breath. "I'm not ordering you to do anything. I'm asking you, as a favor to me, to help me go in there and get Ryder back out. But if any one of you decide that you don't want to go, then…" Her voice trailed off. "Then you are free to go your own way," she said finally. "There will be no shame, no ill will." She looked up at the people she had thought of as her family for the past several years. "You all know what this means. If we break up, it will be the end. The Broken Spear will be no more." She paused a moment to let what she had just said sink in. "All I ask is that if you want to go, that you go now. I do not want to part with any of you, in this life or in death, but if I must, please be merciful and make it swift."
Giselle stood silently, her speech given and her plea finished.
No one moved.
"This is your last chance," Giselle warned.
Jase stood up, glancing to his left and right, seeming to take in all of the members of the Broken Spear.
Giselle looked at the young man, sadness in her heart. She smiled and offered him her hand. "May the world treat you well," she said. "No matter where your travels take you."
But Jase waved her off. "We're going with you," he said. "All of us. So you can save your speeches for after the battle has been won."
Giselle pulled her hand back. "Fair enough." She scanned the group for a particular face. "Curtis," she called.
The skinny man's face popped up between a pair of warriors. "Yes? That's me."
"You think you can get us up to the gates without being seen?"
The illusionist put his hand to his face, grabbing hold of his chin and scanning the sky. He changed hands, continuing to think. He seemed to be looking for something among the stars.
Giselle looked up, following his gaze. She didn't see anything but the early evening sky.
Finally Curtis nodded. "Yes. I think I have just the thing," he said, taking his hand from his chin and putting it inside his shirt. When his hand came out again it clutched a wrinkled, folded piece of paper. "Might hurt a bit," he said. He reached up and grabbed hold of his eyelid. Yanking out several of his eyelashes, he squinted, his eye watering. "But it'll work."
Giselle cringed. "Well then," she said, addressing the whole group. "You all know I'm not much for long drawn-out plans. If the guards open the doors for any reason, we hit them hard and fast. Agreed?"
As a group the Broken Spear nodded.
"All right. Let's go." Giselle stood up and led her warriors off toward the back entrance to Zerith Hold.
* * * * *
As they had so many times in the past few days, the double doors to the baron's sitting room burst open. Captain Beetlestone, accompanied by four elite guardsmen, came running in.
Baron Purdun, who had been eating his supper, leaped to his feet.
Liam and Knoblauch were already standing.
"My lord," started Beetlestone. He was out of breath. "The Crimson Awl is attacking the front gate."
Liam was gripped with a sudden fear. He was going to have to face those men-many of whom he had grown up with-in battle.
"There are also reports," continued Beetlestone, "that the villages surrounding Duhlnarim are under attack as well."
"By the Awl?" blurted Liam out of turn.
Knoblauch put his hand on Liam's shoulder, trying