Taden watched Bryce’s face. “Just like that?”
Bryce shrugged, his glance going to Nathaniel then quickly away. “What did you expect? Those soldiers had no chance to defend themselves against such an attack. Our own people are demoralized…” He swallowed his bitter words, speaking more calmly, “A message arrived soon after you left that Sutherlin soldiers had been spotted on the coastline. My company was sent out to find them. But now…I’ve been ordered to take the witch captive if possible. Or kill him.” Bryce gave Nathaniel a cool look, hand on his sword hilt. “Do you submit?”
“I do.”
A smile fleeted across the captain’s face. “Good boy. Taden, my lord, since you’ve obviously…captivated, the young man, I’ll charge you to keep him under control.”
Bryce signaled to the handful of soldiers
