The Reborn King (Book Six) Read Online Free Page A

nerve.”
    Gewey laughed. “I did. But being as how you are refusing to leave me behind…”
    “And where is Felsafell?” asked the king.
    “I suspect that he’s not far away,” said Gewey. He took a long look back at their force, which measured one-hundred and fifty thousand swords. “I’m still amazed at how many soldiers you were able to muster in just two months.”
    “And when you join with the desert elves,” added Nehrutu, “your enemy will truly have cause to fear.”
    “I hope to gain even more support along the way,” said Lousis. “Baltria has managed to recruit men from the Eastland, and I hope to do the same.”
    “And if those you hope will become allies turn out to be enemies?” asked Gewey.
    “I do not intend to engage in battle until I must,” Lousis replied. “If we are allowed to pass unhindered, we will. The journey will be difficult enough without the added hardship of battle.”
    “If you are resisted,” said Nehrutu, “Mohanisi and the others from my land should be able to swing the advantage to your favor. It’s unlikely they will know what he and my kin are capable of.”
    Gewey hoped that such a display of power would also make them think that Darshan was leading the army. This was a hope shared by the king, though it was left unspoken. Lousis was already in poor spirits that King Victis would not be with him. His friend had returned home to assist the southern kingdoms in rebuilding their shattered lands. Being that many of their sovereigns had perished, his leadership was desperately needed there. The remaining northern rulers had also gone with Victis in a show of solidarity. Of all the remaining monarchs, only King Lousis would be going to war.
    This was a fact that had not gone unnoticed by the former High Lady, and now Queen Selena. It was all Lousis could do to keep her from coming along too. It was only when Lousis named Jacob as his heir that she finally relented. Lord Ganflin would be there to instruct Jacob as to his duties, but Jacob insisted that his grandmother stay too. And though the former High Lady knew this was likely a conspiracy to keep her from harm, she could not refuse her grandson.
    Lord Chiron arrived, his normally cheerful countenance grave and showing the signs of age.
    “All is ready?” asked Lousis.
    “It is,” Chiron confirmed.
    “Then why so glum?”
    “I have been on such a march before,” he replied. “During the Great War, the remainder of the elf nations gathered in a desperate effort to stave off defeat. I cannot help but be reminded of what happened then.”
    “What did happen?” asked Gewey.
    Chiron looked sideways at him. “We failed.”
    “Ah,” said Lousis. “But today elf and human fight together, and it is our foe who now stares at defeat.”
    Chiron nodded slowly, albeit unconvincingly. “Of course. Please forgive my melancholy. The eve of our final march was filled with such hope as well. Needless to say, that hope was destroyed. I do not enjoy such reminders.”
    “I understand,” said Lousis. He turned to face the herald. “Sound the advance.”
    A silver trumpet rang out, its call taken up by others scattered about the ranks until they combined into a single harmonious note that pieced the air and called all to attention. For a moment there was quiet and the air was still. Then, like some massive behemoth from ancient legend, the army slowly lurched forward.
    The pace was little more than a slow walk. So many men and elves, together with wagons and horses, were not capable of moving with any great speed. And the roads beyond Althetan borders would be sure to bottleneck their ranks and slow them even further.
    Most of the morning had passed before the last wagon of provisions eventually pulled away. Spirits were high and songs of anticipated victory were sung as the vast army tramped off to meet its destiny. Gewey, on the other hand, was anxious. He was to wait at least two weeks before breaking off with Nehrutu