River of Spears (Kingdom's Forge Book 0) Read Online Free Page B

arrive from downriver. We, along with two other patrols, will be joining them in an expedition into Tyberon lands. We will journey southwest, away from the river, for over a month.”
    “A month?” Dain almost choked. “Are the generals all mad? No one has lasted more than two weeks away from the post. It’s been tried. The Tyberons won’t fight directly; we’ll be bled each night when every lark and crane within two hundred miles will be raining spears on us. It’s suicide. And if word gets out to the mercenaries, none will fight. There’ll be armed rebellion in the camp.”
    “This has been planned carefully. The expedition has some surprises for the savages if they move on us at night.”
    “What sort of surprises?”
    “Pyre Riders.”
    That caused Dain to pause. “Someone actually listened to Balerion?”
    “Yes. We will have a dozen Pyre Riders with us, and Balerion himself will lead both them and the expedition.”
    Dain eyed Tindall with suspicion.
    “No Esterian commander?”
    “None. General Reiken himself said this was to be a mercenary-led mission. Though a few ‘observers’ will be joining.”
    “Observers?”
    “The usual patrol leaders, myself included, and a handful of others. We have strict orders not to interfere, merely observe.”
    “The commander told you all this just now?”
    Tindall hesitated. His eyes turned away, and Dain knew he’d caught him in a lie. His curiosity was piqued. Where would a lowly major learn such things? Grayson sure hadn’t told him, not after the look he’d given him earlier. There had been venom in that one.
    “Who, then?”
    “General Reiken, he’s…he’s my father,” Tindall said.
    Dain sat silent, letting the comment stand for itself. At least the Esterian hadn’t tried to cover the lie when he’d been caught out in it.
    “You didn’t draw my patrol by accident did you?”
    “No, my father suspected you led this patrol. Your record has too few casualties. He confronted your old major and then pulled a few strings to make sure I landed it. He wants me to learn from you.”
    Dain smiled. He almost laughed. Seems the Esterian generals, Reiken at least, do understand how this war is being fought. And, if one of them knew how things truly worked out here, it was likely the others did as well. Pity none of them would ever tell Grayson.
    His thoughts swung back to the expedition.
    “Balerion. He’s been asking for Pyre Riders for as long as I’ve been here. The man’s a legend. No mercenary will abandon him. Most openly worship him as some sort of demigod,” Dain said.
    He sat back for a moment, contemplating both the sudden change in strategy and the ruthless reputation of the Pyre Riders. “Major, with Balerion and the Pyre Riders on our side, we might have a chance after all.”
    With a little luck, they might survive this—and if there was a chance at a few Magentite gems making their way into his possession without too much trouble—he would be leaps and bounds closer to a way out.

 
    CHAPTER TWO
    T heir role wasn’t glorious. When Balerion arrived and heard about their patrol’s reduced strength he converted the survivors—those that could ride—into scouts. The rest of the Esterian footmen joined an augmented battalion in the army’s bulk.
    Dain didn’t mind. Scouting had been his role with the paladins, after all. Others weren’t so happy, especially the Esterians. Unaccustomed as the former footmen were to riding, they hobbled around camp every evening, complaining to anyone who’d listen. Served them right for claiming they could ride in the first place. Most could barely saddle their own horses, and Dain spent half of each morning making sure their cinches were tight enough to hold their saddles on. None would desert, of course. The army was alone now and deep in enemy territory. No, they knew well enough that they stood a better chance of survival with the army than if they abandoned their duties.
    Riding a blue roan,