The Chendas soldiers frantically cast chaos orbs for several more moments, but the Majis easily dispelled them.
Then, sounds of combat gradually faded into shouts of victory.
Ian dropped his sword, breathing hard. The courtyard around him was a ruin of scattered weapons and groaning men, but the fighting had all but stopped. The Chendas soldiers and the Iseldan soldiers who had fought for Gareth were surrendering their weapons to Onric’s men.
The first battle was over. And they had won.
Ian’s eyes, of course, scanned across the courtyard for Robin.
Chapter 58
Robin relaxed her good arm, dropping the tip of the borrowed sword she held to the ground.
Now that the current fight was over, her heart had started to race. She looked around the courtyard, noticing who was wounded. A Chendas soldier lay curled against the base of the wall, clutching his arm. Two of Onric’s guardsmen helped a third to sit upright near the gate.
But the Majis who had formed the shimmering shield moved among the wounded, so Robin’s eyes did not linger on any of them.
Instead, her gaze found the man standing at the steps of the great hall.
Ian was looking for her. He was covered in sweat, breathing heavily, and blood dripped down the sleeve of his sword arm. His eyes found her a moment later.
Her shoulders fell as she returned his gaze, releasing more of the tension she’d been holding. She sent him a small smile.
He was alive. She was not sure if he could look any more exhausted, but he was alive.
Sol and Aizel moved up the steps and stopped next to him. They also appeared unharmed.
Robin stepped forward to join them. Gareth had disappeared during the fight, and they needed a new plan.
In the few short steps it took for her to reach Ian’s side, Onric, Aden, and Erich had also flocked to him. Robin did not miss how it was Ian, their older brother, they all gathered around.
Ian, however, was looking at Sol. “As the acting king of Iseldis, I ask you, Sol, both a Majis and a prince of Iseldis, to become the next general of the army of Iseldis.”
Sol dropped to his right knee. “It would be an honor to serve Iseldis, my king.”
Ian looked to Robin as Sol stood.
She nodded her approval. Ian had made this decision on his own, without consulting any of them, but it was a brilliant move. Sol was a Majis. And in front of several witnesses, Ian had just given him command over an army.
Dropping his voice, Ian spoke to Sol directly. “Can you take the remaining army to the city and ensure that Gareth’s remaining soldiers are routed or surrender?”
Sol nodded.
“We need to ensure the people are safe from Gareth’s chaos magic wielders,” Ian continued.
“Take half of my guard,” Onric said. “They are known in the city and can be trusted.”
Sol nodded his understanding.
“Go, then,” Ian said. “We have one more fight here at home.”
“I will ask some of the Majis to remain with you,” Sol said. “To help diffuse any chaos that Gareth has remaining.”
Ian nodded. “Thank you. That would be greatly appreciated.”
Sol stepped down the stairs, and Ian turned his attention to the locked doors of the great hall.
Robin noticed the tension in his jaw as the relief of one victory was replaced with worry. His mother and father were still inside.
