Alessan was sitting on his horse with an...
Alessan was sitting on his horse with an easiness, even after a day in the saddle, that seemed to deny even the possibility of weariness, or the tension of where they wereBut then his right hand came up and pushed once, unconsciously, through his already tangled hair, and Devin, seeing the familiar gesture, knew that whatever he himself was feeling now, it was doubled and redoubled in the man he followed
And then in the stillness of that pass, with the only other sounds the whistle of wind between the hills and the stirring of the horses on the young grass, he heard: "My name is Alessan di Tigana bar ValentinIf you are as old as you appear to be, Naddo di Tigana, you will know who I am
With a prickling of rolex wrist watches hairs on his neck and a shiver he could not control, Devin saw Naddo drop to his knees on the cold ground even before the last words were spoken
"Oh, my Prince!" the wounded man cried in a raw voiceAnd covering his face with his one good hand, he wept
"Prince?" said Ducas, very softlyThere was a restive movement among the outlaws"Sertino, you will explain this to me!"
Sertino the wizard looked from Alessan to Erlein, and then down at the weeping manA curious, almost a frightened, expression crossed his pale, round face
He said, "They are from Lower CorteIt had a different name before Brandin of Ygrath cameHe has used his sorcery to take that name awayOnly people born there, and wizards because of our own magic, can prada handbags replica hear the true nameThat is what is happening here
"And 'Prince'? Naddo called him thatHe looked over at Erlein, and there was still that odd, uneasy look on his faceHe said, "Is it true?"
And Erlein di Senzio, with an ironic half-smile, replied, "Just don't let him cut your hair, brotherUnless you like being bound into slavery
Sertino's mouth fell openDucas slapped his knee with his hat"Now that," he snapped, "I do not understand at allThere is too much of this I do not understandI want explanations, from all of you!" His voice was harsh, much louder than beforeHe did not look at Alessan though
"I understand it well enough, Ducas," came a voice from behind themIt was Magian, the captain of the group that had knock off chanel earrings driven them into the gapHe moved his horse forward as they turned to look at him"I understand that we have made our fortunes tonightIf this is the Prince of a province Brandin hates then all we need do is take him west to Fort Forese across the border and turn him over to the Ygrathens thereWith a wizard to bootAnd who knows, one of them probably likes boys in his bed, too His smile was a wide loose thing in the shadows
He said, "There will be rewards
He said nothing more than thatIn rigid disbelief Devin saw Magian's mouth fall open and his eyes grow briefly wide, then the man slid slowly sideways off his horse to fall with a clatter of sword and bow on the ground beside Erlein
There was a long-handled dagger in fendi handbags discount his back
One of the outlaws from the line behind him, not hurrying at all, dismounted and pulled the dagger freeHe wiped it carefully clean on the dead man's surcoat before sheathing it again at his belt
"Not a good idea, Magian's," he said quietly, straightening to look at Ducas"Not a good idea at allWe aren't informers here, and we don't serve the Tyrants
Ducas slapped his hat back on his head, visibly fighting for controlHe took a deep breath"As it happens, I agreeBut as it also happens, Arkin, we have a rule here about weapons drawn against each other
Arkin was very tall, almost gaunt, and his long face was white, Devin saw, even among the shadows of duskHe said, "I know that, DucasYou will have to forgive chanel bucket tote bag m