SEVENTEEN
Reprisal
‘They are here – on the horizon!’ cried a distant telepath, from beyond the gloom.
She cursed her poor sight, envying those born during the winter season; those Freylarkai born later in the pass were habitually blessed with nocturnal vision, a trait that she did not possess. Ragnar – a fellow light bringer – also suffered the same curse; the Captain of The Blades was quite vocal on the matter, choosing to voice his frustrations aloud, for all around to hear.
‘How far out are the soul stealers? Where are the wretched things?’ boomed the Captain. ‘Someone give me a straight answer now, or my axe will be doing the talking!’
She gathered that such public displays of annoyance were perennial, and that Ragnar’s unnecessary rants had become a dependable source of pre-battl
