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Skiro lets a long breath out between his teeth. “Even if she lets us in, and even if I give away the one advantage I have over all my siblings, we’d still never get this many people through the portal before the army reaches us. We’d need more time.”
“We can stall the army,” Temra says, drawing her sword.
No one says anything for a moment.
I blurt, “You can’t stall a two-thousand-strong army with a handful of soldiers.”
“We have the advantage of height,” she retaliates.
“Until they breach the walls.”
“Then we will fight with our last breath to allow as many people the chance to flee as possible.”
“You want all the trained men and women to give their lives so a handful more city folk can flee?”
“We promise to protect when we take the oath. We’re prepared to lay down our lives.”
“You’re not laying down your life for anyone!” I’m bursting with anger. If I have to tie her up and haul her through that portal myself, I will.
“There are strategies,” Petrik says softly in the thick silence following our argument. “Ways to defend the wall longer. I’ve been reading. I could go get my books…”
“Books are not helpful right now, little brother,” Skiro says. “What we need is someone who can command the troops through the siege.” He eyes his man Tazar.
“I am only trained in defending you, sire. And Saydan has never led men into battle. He hasn’t any experience with sieges.”
Skiro looks off into the distance, staring at nothing. “Then we must ask the city guards to give us as much time as possible. I will go speak with my sister and warn her we’re coming. I will be back shortly. Temra, will you oversee the people through the portal?”
Though the last question was directed to my sister, Skiro looks to me as he asks it.
Temra works her jaw wordlessly. I know her dilemma. She wishes to be on the wall, fighting. But she also doesn’t want to refuse the prince. In the end, she says, “Of course.”
Skiro takes a few steps away.
“Wait,” Kellyn says, drawing everyone to a stop. “We have someone here whohasled men into battle. Someone who has experience with sieges. Someone who could lead the troops and buy more time for everyone to escape.”
I turn to Kellyn. Who could he possibly—
“No!” I shout.
“You mean the warlord Kymora,” Skiro says, drawing closer to the group.
“She’s our prisoner. We should use her,” Kellyn says.
“She can’t be trusted!” I shriek. “She’s nearly killed us more times than I can count! She’ll flee at the first chance she gets, help our enemies if she can!”
“We could offer her something she wants,” Petrik says hesitantly.
I round on the scholar. “And just what are you prepared to offer her?”
“Her freedom,” Skiro says with a firm determination. He turns to Saydan. “See to it. I have to speak with my sister. Temra, Petrik, with me.”
I think I must have imagined the whole conversation. Surely the prince couldn’t have been so stupid as to—
And then I hear her voice.
“This is all the men we have?”
“Yes,” Saydan answers Kymora.
