Chapter Forty-FourBlood Ties
Golaron and Linwyn found themselves facing perhaps fifty men with their swords and bows drawn. For a moment, Golaron was unsure what to think. These were his own people. One stepped forward and looked the twins over.
“It’s really them!” the man cried. “Lower your weapons!” The others hastened to obey. Golaron let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding.
“My lord, my lady, we are happy for your return.” The man held his fist over his heart and bowed. He wore the cloak and armor of the city guard. “I apologize for the poor welcome, but we couldn’t be certain this wasn’t a trick of the enemy.”
“We understand,” Linwyn said. “But where is the rest of the army? What has passed since we left?”
The guard’s face went from relieved to somber. Golaron’s ga
