It came apart like the fall of leaves from an autumn tree, except that every leaf was a span of wood larger than a man. There were men too, in that fall, each one screaming as they tumbled, the red of Ravins colors filling the sky as they fell to the enveloping gray waters of the Slate. There was blue among them too, because some men had been so deep on the bridge that there was no chance for them. Godwin stared at those specks, thinking of his son, and all the other fathers who would know the pain he was feeling now.

Around him, the battle continued, but it was a losing thing now for those of Ravins men who were on this side of the bridge. There were too few of them to hope to achieve victory, too few to do anything but fall to his knights, or offer themselves in surrender.

One man came at him, charging with a blade ready in his hand. Godwin stepped in to meet him, shield raised…

And that was when a second man, dressed in scraps of armor that had obviously been stolen from dead men, stepped in close, jabbing a knife into Godwins side.

King Ravin thought you would come for your daughter, he whispered. So he told me to be ready.

Godwin didnt answer, but turned, lifting the man bodily. The king hauled him over his head, and then flung him, over the edge, into the river with the others. Even as he was doing it, Twell cut down the one who had come from the front. Godwin turned to congratulate the knight, then found himself falling, caught only because Sir Twell was there to interpose himself.

Godwin felt something throbbing in his side, the world closing in around him. He couldnt move then, couldnt speak, couldnt blink. The knife… there had been something on the knife…

The king! Sir Twell called out. The king has fallen!

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Greave had never been more grateful than when the Serpentine finally drew to a halt outside Astare, the ship bumping up against a narrow quay a little way from the city. Only a few other boats sat in the harbor, mostly fishing vessels and an occasional small merchant cog. The Northern Kingdom was not a place that valued the sea; having seen its dangers, Greave was starting to understand why.

Were here, Aurelle breathed beside him. Were actually here.

She sounded worried by that, as if certain that things wouldnt be so easy, or as if some other problem was about to loom. Greave couldnt blame her for that, after everything that had happened. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Everything will be all right, he promised her.

Because you will stand and protect me against whatever dangers this part of your fathers kingdom holds? Aurelle asked.

I would, Greave said. In a heartbeat.