The soldiers split into two groups, one moving to the east and the other to the west, until Riyan stood alone in front of General Hyton. Riyan may have been substantially taller than the General, but he flinched as the General approached to stand in frontof him.
If I had hands, I would have put one onhis shoulder.
“You know what to do,” General Hyton said. “Meet with the Ravenwood boys and lead theBloodstone militia.”
“Yes, General,” Riyan said witha salute.
General Hyton lingered in front of Riyan for another moment, a tiny twitch of his lower lip the only sign that he was anything other than stoic. He blinked only once before turning away and walking to the eastern group ofhis soldiers.
A flash of white. The world shifted. I was next to Riyan and watching him speak with two dark-haired young men wearing green capes—Erikand Endre.
I gorged myself on the sight of them, taking it all in bit by bit. Endre’s messy hair and unlaced shirt. Erik’s crooked nose and focused, black eyes. How Endre chewed on his lip. How Erik stood exactly three inches taller becauseof coursetheyhad measured.
If I had eyes, I mighthave cried.
Erik had his shoulders back and one hand on his sword while Endre held his arms and looked upat Riyan.
“The General said to wait for the first one to fall,” Riyan said. “Then rush forward and attack theweak points.”
“Really?” Endre asked, his mossy eyes twinkling with mischief. “Like this?”
Endre rushed into Riyan, knocking him off balance and toppling him ontohis back.
“Little shit!” Riyan laughed as he hitthe ground.
Endre quickly stood up and fumbled for his sword at his side. He drew the sword and pointed it at Riyan’s heart with his arm wobbling slightly from the weight of thethick blade.
Riyan laughed at Endre and raised his shoulders off the dirt. “Not the chest, this isn’t a duel.” Riyan moved the tip of Endre’s blade to point at his neck. “The neck is better, but you need to do it fastor else—”
Riyan kicked Endre’s wrist and knocked his sword out of his hand. Riyan jumped up and grabbed Endre around the waist and hoisted him over his shoulder. Endre bellowedwith laughter.
“Damn you, Riyan!” Endre laughed. “Maybe we should just leave you with your own kind and forget this battleall together!”
“Will you two stop?” Erik snapped. “I dealt with your antics for days, but this is serious! The giants will attackany minute!”
Riyan lowered Endre to the ground and back ontohis feet.
Erik stomped over to Endre and glared at him with a hard brow and wide eyes. “You take thewest flank!”
Endre picked up his sword and sheathed it with a glare at hiselder brother.
Riyan quickly drew his own sword and held it out as if it were just another part of his arm. “Remember, Endre, this isn’t a Heaston duel. It’s kill orbe killed.”
Endre gripped the hilt of his sword. “Hell, I know. This blade is just a little thicker than I am used to. Haveto adjust.”
Riyan snickered. “Yeah, I bet you’re used to working with somethingmuch smaller.”
Endre’s brows furrowed for a moment before he threw his head back and laughed. “Fuck you, Riyan! Bet I still kill more giants than you. Just because you have a bigger sword does not mean you know how touse it!”
He ignored Erik’s glare and jogged to the western group ofRavenwood sons.
Erik turned to Riyan. If I had a body, I would have shrunk away. Even seven years of absence could not erase the memory of that cold,black glare.
“Really? You have to act like a jackassnow?”Erik snapped.
Riyan swallowed. “It just takes the edge off thestress…that’s all.”
Erik stepped in front of Riyan. His black eyes were glassy, but his stoic face did not break. “You may be an unintelligent brute, but I know you can count. The Duke did not send enough soldiers. This is going to bea bloodbath.”
