Ruin (The Faithful and the Fallen, #3)

by John Gwynne

‘Halion ben Eremon.’ He looked surprised, then too relaxed to care. Rhin smiled. ‘And whom do you love, above all others in these Banished Lands?’ ‘Conall ben Eremon, my brother.’ Conall took a step back, as if from a blow. ‘And who is your lord?’ ‘I have no lord,’ Halion corrected. ‘I serve a lady; Edana ap Brenin. Queen of Ardan.’ Rhin scowled at that. ‘Why are you asking him these questions?’ Conall growled. ‘How are they relevant?’ ‘I am establishing that he is telling the truth–that the drug has him fully.’ She looked back to Halion. ‘And where is Edana now?’ ‘At sea, I would imagine.’ ‘What are her plans?’ ‘To reunite with the resistance in Ardan. To take back her crown.’ ‘It was never hers,’ Rhin muttered. Halion stared ahead. ‘And where is this resistance? What is Edana’s destination?’ ‘Dun Crin, the giant ruins in the marshes of western Ardan.’ Rhin smiled triumphantly. She reached out and stroked Halion’s cheek. ‘Thank you. You have been most helpful.’