Valour (The Faithful and the Fallen, #2)

by John Gwynne

Maquin strode to where he had seen Kastell fall. He lay face down, a black pool of blood spread about his waist. Maquin knelt and rolled him over, cradling him in his arms. ‘Oh, Kas,’ he whispered, tears rising up and choking the rest. So many memories.

💔💔💔

Orgull looked at them both, then strode into the darkness. Tahir followed. Maquin paused, looking back into the chamber. ‘Farewell, Kastell,’ he said, and after a few long moments he gritted his teeth and stepped into the tunnel.

I am not crying, you are

‘And what is your relationship with her, Evnis?’ Lovers, once. Conspirators, always.

My love hate relationship with this man.

‘When you’ve uncomplicated it, come and talk to me. I’ll tell you about the mist.’ She walked away.

Into this clearing strode a figure, cloaked and hooded, a sword at its hip. The figure stopped, pushed his hood back and looked up at the walls. Tukul squinted, then smiled.

MEICAAAAAALL

He reached the figure, gripped his wrist and pulled him into an embrace. ‘It is good to see you, Meical,’ he whispered, looking up at the dark-haired man. ‘And you, old friend.’

Silver scars raked one side of Meical’s face.

My baby ❤️‍🩹

she said as she strode up to him. He took a step back and placed a hand protectively over his groin. ‘Not too close,’ he said. ‘I saw what you did to Helfach’s boy in the hall the other day. Me, I’m very fond of my stones.’ She hid a grin of her own

Same. Love hate relationship.

‘I am sorry,’ Veradis whispered, ‘about Kastell.’ Maquin stepped back into the foliage, pausing before the gloom took him. ‘Before the battle you warned us about what side we were choosing.’ ‘Yes,’ Veradis said. ‘I did.’ ‘I would give you the same advice,’ Maquin said, then disappeared into the forest.

HEHSTAURJTKSKAJAVRJENS