Chapter 86

“There is a company of soldiers to the north of here, Captain Mistri, about ten leagues,” Tomas had said. “Fifty men who will be waiting for you. I sent word to them yesterday. They are yours to command.” Frank had been unsuccessful at keeping the scowl off his face, and Tomas had frowned at him. “What is the problem, Captain?”

“With all due respect, sire, they are fifty men who will probably die because of me. I do not want that responsibility, sire.”

King Tomas had stared at his young Captain for several minutes without speaking, seeing for the first time the turmoil on Ga’briyel’s face. “You need more help, Captain, do you not?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, I do, but--” Ga’briyel’s teeth had clenched tightly at that point, but he had taken a deep breath and tried again. “I cannot let them die for me, sire. I cannot.”

“They are soldiers, Captain. They know that death is always a possibility for them.”

“Not the kind of death that awaits them if they accompany me, sire. No one deserves that de