Anvar was in tremendous pain but still had his wits about him.
“Officer Acreas, you can put the spear away now. I can walk very
little, and I have no use of my arms or my magic. It would be safe
to say that I am not a flight risk at this time.”
“The name is Commander Acreas, if you please,” Acreas
demanded. “I suppose the spear is unnecessary at the moment. It
was more for show and intimidation. I sense no fear from you.”
“Why should I fear at this time?” Anvar asked bluntly. “Even
with my advanced healing abilities, my wounds would have taken
my life if I had not been treated. Not only did I receive care but I
was fed as well. One does not do those things for someone they
plan to run through with a spear. Lord Mandrean has other uses for
me that require me being alive. So let us dispense with the pointy
objects. I will come without trouble.”
Acreas pulled the spear away. “My research said you were the
logical one in the group. Your logic makes sense to me.”
As they emerged from the jail to enter the courtyard of the
palace, Anvar addressed his escort again. “Research? I am
surprised the Commander of the imperial guard would research
someone like me.”
“Knowing your enemy is the best way to defeat him. I have
studied you and your family for that purpose. I have, however,
paid particular attention to your nephew Linvin Grithinshield. His
body of work is immense and required a good deal of analysis. I
have memorized his background, commerce and battlefield tactics.
If I could set my hatred of him aside for a moment, I might
actually respect his abilities. Every battle he has fought has been
against superior forces and every time, he has won. Whether he
was in Valia, the Territory or the Valley of Broken Soldiers where
he last fought, Grithinshield has used everything from the cover of
night to the morning mist and even the geography to his advantage.
He is a worthy opponent.”
“I had no idea Lord Mandrean’s commander furnished him with
such detailed information,” Anvar noted. “Perhaps it will help him
in the oncoming fight with Linvin.”
“Help him?” repeated Acreas. “Why in Lavacia would I ever
want to help my hopeless father?”
Anvar stopped and looked at him in complete surprise. “You
are Lord Mandrean’s son and heir?”
“You are partially right,” Acreas said as he shoved Anvar to
continue his march. “I am his son though my legitimacy is in
question, at least in his eyes.”
Anvar became confused. “If Mandrean is your father, than
why would you not want to help him against his biggest rival? He
must think something of your abilities to have advanced you to
such a prestigious position.”
“We loath one another,” Acreas confessed. “For two years
he has sent me into every cauldron of death so that I may meet my
own but instead I returned again and again victorious. I earned this
rank just like one day I will earn the chance to be emperor. Then
Linvin will be my adversary. When that day comes, I will know
everything about Grithinshield. I will finally be able to repay him
for this.” Acreas pointed to a long scar above his eye.
“Linvin did that to you?” Anvar asked.
“He did indeed during your flight from Marinhalk. Surely he
mentioned it to you.”
Anvar shook his head. “I do not recall any story about an
encounter with you. Knowing Linvin as I do, if that was your only
damage then it must not have been much of a fight.”
Acreas’ voice became bitter. “He dispatched me without even
making an effort. Only his expedience to escape allowed me to
survive. Much has changed since then. I have matured. When my
day comes, I will know how to handle your nephew.”
“Officer Acreas, you can put the spear away now. I can walk very
little, and I have no use of my arms or my magic. It would be safe
to say that I am not a flight risk at this time.”
“The name is Commander Acreas, if you please,” Acreas
demanded. “I suppose the spear is unnecessary at the moment. It
was more for show and intimidation. I sense no fear from you.”
“Why should I fear at this time?” Anvar asked bluntly. “Even
with my advanced healing abilities, my wounds would have taken
my life if I had not been treated. Not only did I receive care but I
was fed as well. One does not do those things for someone they
plan to run through with a spear. Lord Mandrean has other uses for
me that require me being alive. So let us dispense with the pointy
objects. I will come without trouble.”
Acreas pulled the spear away. “My research said you were the
logical one in the group. Your logic makes sense to me.”
As they emerged from the jail to enter the courtyard of the
palace, Anvar addressed his escort again. “Research? I am
surprised the Commander of the imperial guard would research
someone like me.”
“Knowing your enemy is the best way to defeat him. I have
studied you and your family for that purpose. I have, however,
paid particular attention to your nephew Linvin Grithinshield. His
body of work is immense and required a good deal of analysis. I
have memorized his background, commerce and battlefield tactics.
If I could set my hatred of him aside for a moment, I might
actually respect his abilities. Every battle he has fought has been
against superior forces and every time, he has won. Whether he
was in Valia, the Territory or the Valley of Broken Soldiers where
he last fought, Grithinshield has used everything from the cover of
night to the morning mist and even the geography to his advantage.
He is a worthy opponent.”
“I had no idea Lord Mandrean’s commander furnished him with
such detailed information,” Anvar noted. “Perhaps it will help him
in the oncoming fight with Linvin.”
“Help him?” repeated Acreas. “Why in Lavacia would I ever
want to help my hopeless father?”
Anvar stopped and looked at him in complete surprise. “You
are Lord Mandrean’s son and heir?”
“You are partially right,” Acreas said as he shoved Anvar to
continue his march. “I am his son though my legitimacy is in
question, at least in his eyes.”
Anvar became confused. “If Mandrean is your father, than
why would you not want to help him against his biggest rival? He
must think something of your abilities to have advanced you to
such a prestigious position.”
“We loath one another,” Acreas confessed. “For two years
he has sent me into every cauldron of death so that I may meet my
own but instead I returned again and again victorious. I earned this
rank just like one day I will earn the chance to be emperor. Then
Linvin will be my adversary. When that day comes, I will know
everything about Grithinshield. I will finally be able to repay him
for this.” Acreas pointed to a long scar above his eye.
“Linvin did that to you?” Anvar asked.
“He did indeed during your flight from Marinhalk. Surely he
mentioned it to you.”
Anvar shook his head. “I do not recall any story about an
encounter with you. Knowing Linvin as I do, if that was your only
damage then it must not have been much of a fight.”
Acreas’ voice became bitter. “He dispatched me without even
making an effort. Only his expedience to escape allowed me to
survive. Much has changed since then. I have matured. When my
day comes, I will know how to handle your nephew.”
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