It didn’t take long to make their way to atrio of tents located right on the border of the area allotted toLion Clan and Snake Clan. Fallon’s men fanned out, encircling thetents. As one they drew their blades. The circle constricted.Nobody would escape.
They had drawn a large audience.
Shea sat behind Fallon, peering over hisshoulder. He had placed his horse directly in front of the centertent’s entrance and now waited quietly. His sword sheathed.
“Cale of the Lion Clan, half-brother toFallon of Hawkvale, come out and meet your end with honor.” Fromhis position to Fallon’s right, Caden projected his voice so thateveryone could hear.
A commotion at the end of the lane drewShea’s attention. A line of horses rode toward them, Darius attheir lead.
The new additions reinforced Fallon’s men,creating a second ring behind them. Darius rode to join Fallon,Caden and Shea.
“I see your trip was successful,” Dariusobserved dryly.
Fallon grunted, not taking his eyes from thetent.
“In more ways than one,” Darius continued,his gaze falling on where Shea sat behind Fallon.
Shea rolled her eyes.
The group turned their attention back to thetents. No one was forthcoming. With a hundred of the fiercestwarriors she had ever seen, Shea didn’t blame them.
They waited.
Shea was beginning to think they would waituntil the end of time.
“I was hoping he’d end this with a littledignity,” Fallon said softly.
“That’s just not who he is. He always didhave to be as difficult as possible,” Darius responded, sympathy inhis tone.
Fallon sighed.
“Go get them,” he ordered Caden.
Caden nodded and then signaled several of hismen.
They dismounted then broke into groups asthey headed into the three tents. Almost immediately, shouts andthe sounds of struggle came. Fallon’s men emerged, first from thesmaller two tents, shoving their captives, looking the worse forwear with red and swollen faces and various wounds on their bodies,in front of them.
After another long drawn out moment, menemerged from the largest tent. Cale was the first to exit, followedby Paul and one other. Fallon’s men brought up the rear.
Unlike the men from the other two tents,these men sported no evidence of a struggle. Each was unharmed.
Cale walked to stand before Fallon’s horse,looking up at his half-brother with a self-absorbed insolence. Fromthe anger on the faces of Fallon’s men, it was clear they did notappreciate his sneer.
Darius and Caden were as composed as if theywere out for an afternoon ride.
“What insult is this, brother?” Cale asked,gesturing to where his men were held at sword point.
“Indra confessed everything. You and any whosupported your plans will face the Warlord’s Judgment,” Fallonsaid, his voice a quiet rumble.
“This is ridiculous,” Cale scoffed. “I’m yourbrother. She was obviously stirring up trouble and hoping to turnyou from your allies. She lied, brother.”
Shea leaned forward and said softly so onlyFallon could hear, “I recognize his voice. He was the third manplotting with the cartographer.”
He could do what he willed with thatinformation.
“No, she didn’t, Cale. You’ve coveted myposition and rank for a long time. We know it was you.”
Seeing he wasn’t going to be able to weaselout of the charges with claims of brotherly affection, Caleswitched tactics. “You have no proof. Just the word of that Lowlandslattern behind you and that of a traitorous clan leader.”
