Anger roared to life in Dane’s heart at the sound. “I am the Lord Commander of Fort Mysai, and Iorderyou to make room,” he lied, biting out each word.
All three crewmen froze.
He could only pray they did not call his bluff.
“What are your names?” he demanded, doing his best to embody all things noble and condescending. “I look forward to writing to the queen personally and having you allhangedfor disobeying not only her orders but the direct order of your superior.”
“I-I—” the first crewman stammered.
Elias stepped forward, the boy still wrapped up in his arms. “His Lordship ordered you to make room! He will not tell you again.”
“Forgive me, my lord,” the crewman finally managed, “I didn’t recognize you. Can the woman climb?”
Dane ducked his head and asked her directly, “Can you climb, miss?”
“I can,” she whispered, scrubbing her cheeks with shaking hands. Pulling out of the safety of his arms, she lowered her head. “Bless you, my lord. Please, forgive me for troubling you.”
Dane’s chest constricted. He wanted to correct her but dared not. Not with so many ears listening, so many eyes watching.
For her and her son’s sake, he had to be the Lord Commander now.
The crewmen tossed Elias a rope, and the northman held it steady as first Khalid and then his mother clambered up.
Watch over them, Lord. Please.
The moment they were aboard, Dane shouted, “Go!” A fresh surge from the crowd behind him threatened to pitch him straight into the harbor. He shouldered his shield and braced himself against the nearest mooring post.
“What now, Lord Commander?” Elias called out over the frightened screams of the civilians being left behind as the last ship sailed away, making for the Straight and the safety of Elmoria beyond. “Are we blighting off to the dunes?”
Dane cast a look across the crowd left at the docks—a sea of faces he didn’t know. Were there more women lost in the chaos? More children?
Do as your conscience dictates.
That was what the queen had written in her final missive to Fort Mysai before the last Roost fell. He could leave without being labeled a deserter. He could finally go and find Hedley. That was what he had always wanted, wasn’t it? That had always been the plan.
His brotherwasstill alive out there somewhere. He knew it.
But now…
Dane closed his eyes and drank in deep of the salt-tinged air. The cries of those left behind pounded at his skull. The people of Mysai were no warriors; they were artists, merchants, craftsmen.
“I’m staying,” he whispered, surprising even himself. His heart lurched painfully with the words.
Forgive me, Hedley.
When he opened his eyes again, Elias clapped him on the shoulder. “I was hoping you’d say that, sir. I’d rather die a hero than live a coward myself.”
A humorless smile quirked Dane’s lips. Coward? Hero? When it all came down to it, he had no preference. He would have rather simplylived. But he supposed if he had to die today, it would be best to die like this.
Fighting to the bitter end.
Defending those who couldn’t defend themselves.
Chapter twenty-five
Hedley
It was already over.
