Al Chalidholara Malkier. For my sweet land Malkier. It was the oath a Malkieri soldier took during their first posting to the Border. Lan had never spoken it. He did so now in his heart. “Al Chalidholara Malkier!” Lan screamed. “Lances, set!” Light, but those hoofbeats were loud! Could six thousand make so much noise? He turned to look at those behind him. At least ten thousand rode there. What? He pressed Mandarb forward through his surprise. “Forward the Golden Crane!” Voices, shouts, screams of power and joy. The air ahead to the left split with a sudden vertical slash. A gateway three
...more
