March Book of the Month
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nAridis: Concubine’s daughter, emperor’s sister, and the provincial queen of Imenotash n |
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Excerpt
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nA grunt of pain, followed by a metallic hiss, awakened Edan instantly. His sword pulled free of its scabbard and whistled through the air as he launched himself at the two intruders trying to subdue his lady’s guard. Although the men attempted to remain quiet, inevitably their fighting knocked over a small vase on the cupboard against the wall. Exploding pottery shards and the sounds of a struggle not entirely suppressed woke Aridis.
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nSitting up, she blinked and quickly realized the situation. She scrambled off the bed and scuttled to the bedroom door. Flinging it open, she cried out, “To me!”
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nFour of her guard answered immediately, followed by six more who woke from their rest, weapons ready to hand. Since the quiet had been broken, the men called to each other.
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n“Surround her!” Edan snapped as he drove the point of his sword into one of the intruders.
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nFour of his soldiers immediately set Aridis in their center.
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nA cry in the dark and then a wet gurgle announced the second intruder’s death.
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nEdan wiped his sword on the dead man’s clothes and commanded, “Ready the horses. We leave now.” Turning toward the four men who surrounded his queen, he said, “Pull on your cloak, my lady. We cannot delay.”
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nShe shook her head, eyes wide. “We cannot leave like this.”
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nEdan approached and two of the soldiers stepped aside for him. Looking down into the dark gleam of her eyes, he said, “Their bodies will give sufficient reason for our hasty departure.”
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n“This will surely offend the emperor.”n
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