5
As they rode towards the forest’s edge, Jarand kept himself tightly under control. But those who knew him could see from his glittering eyes and his thinned lips that he was furious.
“Captain Harkell,” he said tightly, “I want you to pick out your two toughest, strongest men. I don’t want anybody who is the slightest bit squeamish. Do you understand? And they must be unquestionably loyal to me.”
“All the men are loyal to you, sire. We all are.”
“Excellent. Because I am about to test that loyalty.”
At this point they broke out of the cover of the forest into farmland. The prince pointed to a lone tree standing two hundred yards from the forest edge.
“When we reach that tree, bring those two men to see me and then ask your troops to dismount and gather around so I can address them.”
