Of Darkness and Light (The Bound and the Broken, #2)

by Ryan Cahill

“Pain is the path to strength,”

Settling the tremble that had set into his legs, Calen pushed himself to his feet. He didn’t think he would ever get used to death, no matter how much of it he saw. Growing up, he had always adored the stories of noble heroes going off to war and hearing of the incredible feats of heroism achieved by one man against all odds. Every time the bards told those stories, Calen had hung on every word they said. But now he knew there was a difference between hearing the stories and living them. When you heard the stories of war and heroes, you couldn’t smell the death, the scent of crackling flesh, the stench of voided bowels. You couldn’t see the utter devastation, taste the blood on your tongue, feel the fear and horror in your bones. Stories were beautiful. They were words that painted a canvas in your mind. But death could not be beautiful. He had come to that decision in Belduar, and it echoed again in his mind, here.

horror of war

“There is not a soul in this world who does not feel the push and pull of pride. Damage it, and you can make an enemy for life. Keep it intact, and you may find allies in the strangest of places.”

Will you fight by my side? Will you bear the colours of our people? Will you lead the armies of Valtara on the ground as we retake our homeland?” Dayne’s throat went dry, and his pulse slowed to a hammering beat, thumping his blood through his veins. Lead the armies of Valtara? That was an honour he did not deserve. But it was not one he would turn away now his sister had asked it of him. “I…” He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “What about the others? The council?” “I will deal with them. What say you?” “I will stand by your side until my lungs take their last breath and my heart ceases to beat. In darkness, and in light, by blade and by blood, I am yours. Let me be your sword.”

by blade and by blood am I yours -- great moment

We are born, we live, and we die. Those three things cannot be changed. The only thing within our control is what we choose to do with the short time we have – the things we fight for, the people we love, the things we hold dear. Good men stand even when it is against all odds. They were, each of them, good men.” Calen sighed, feeling the frustration swell within him. “That doesn’t make it any easier.” “It wasn’t meant to,” Tarmon said, shrugging slightly. “Things that matter are rarely easy.” Calen dropped his head, nodding