Nessa turned to the others. She stared at them, heat growing in her eyes. “The Yahinv must convene. We must discuss the leadership of the tribes.”
“I called the Yahinv,” Isabel said.
Nessa shot her a heated stare. “After our meeting, it is likely that you will no longer even sit among us. Come,” Nessa said, motioning to the others.
33
Endric sat outside of the tower, waiting. The rest of the Antrilii who had accompanied him back this way remained near, practically guarding him, almost as if they were suspicious of what he might attempt. Endric didn't mind. He wondered what would come of the Yahinv meeting, now that he thought he understood what it meant.
Isabel and Melinda had thought to draw out the groeliin, knowing the breeding season was near. They must have suspected that teralin was involved, and had negatively charged it. This had, in turn, angered the merahl, who then had abandoned the Antrilii and caused the groeliin to converge on the lands they used for breeding.
Melinda had sent her tribe, and but had done so in a way that wouldn't put them in direct conflict. She had made certain that it was Isabel's tribe that went first. Somehow, Isabel’s tribe hadn't reached the breeding grounds first; it had been Rebecca's, and they had all been lost.
It made his head swim.
Yet Endric had changed the polarity of the teralin, and he had hopefully ended the conflict with the merahl. He hoped that in time, the enormous cats would once again work with the Antrilii.
And as much as he resented what had happened, and as much as it had nearly led to his death, he still understood. The Antrilii wanted to end the fighting.
The door to the tower opened, and Nessa came out. She was the only one to emerge.
She saw Endric and made her way toward him. She took a seat, settling next to him, smoothing her long, colorful skirt and staring at the cub sitting at Endric's feet. After long moments, she sighed. “Does he have a name?” she asked.
Endric grunted. “I'm not certain I should name him.”
“He is yours, and you are his. You will need to give him a name.”
“I can't remain with Antrilii,” Endric said. “I'm not certain that I deserve to have one of the merahl accompany me. They need to continue to hunt, fighting the groeliin.”
Nessa looked up, pulling her gaze from the merahl up to Endric, and she smiled. “When you first came to Farsea, you wanted to know about the Antrilii. You wanted to know what it would take to prove that you were descended from them.”
“I understand that I can't be a part of both the Denraen and the Antrilii. I think my father understood that as well.”
“Perhaps,” Nessa said. “Yet you have satisfied his penance. “
“You believe me?”
Nessa shrugged. “Gron sent word ahead. They came upon a valley littered with dead groeliin. They counted almost two hundred gone. They were of several broods, unusual for the groeliin.”
Endric nodded. He hadn't known how many broods there were, but two hundred groeliin? The merahl really were impressive creatures.
“I wasn't responsible for most of them,” he said.
She chuckled. “No, I wouldn't think that you were. But you are responsible for enough of them. And the merahl fought with you. That, to the Antrilii, is the same.”
“The Yahinv agrees with you in this?” he asked.
Nessa shrugged. “The Yahinv required that you serve a penance. They required that you eliminate a brood. Considering most broods are no more than fifty groeliin, two hundred would be equivalent of four broods. That doesn't even take into consideration the fact that you removed several queens as well.”
“I didn't think you believe me.”
“I believe what you say, Endric, son of Dendril. You have been true to your word.”
“What will happen to Isabel and Melinda?”
Nessa chuckled softly. “They will be stripped of leadership.”
“No penance?”
“Do you think they require penance?” she asked. There was an earnestness in her voice, and it seemed she truly wanted to know his opinion.
“They wanted to destroy the groeliin. They thought to draw them into a Chisln.”
“That is what they claim.”
Endric sighed. “I think they both acted in ways they felt would help the Antrilii. I don't think either of them intended to risk their people. I don't think either of them intended for Rebecca to lose her people.”
“Rebecca felt the same way.”
“There’s something I still don’t understand,” he said.
“And that is?”
“Someone had captured the merahl cub and used flesh from one of your warriors to hold him to draw the groeliin.”
Nessa’s eyes narrowed. “That troubles me as well. There are several possibilities, including that Melinda and Isabel were more involved than they admit. It will take much questioning to discover the answers.”
Endric had hoped for more clarity, but he would have to be satisfied with whatever Nessa could learn. “I am sorry you lost the hunters that you did. I hope the gods have welcomed them back.”
Endric still didn't feel devout, but it felt right to say. It felt right to think that the Antrilii, especially the men who had never forsaken the gods, who lived every day in service of them, should return to them.
“I find you interesting, Endric, son of Dendril.”
“Why is that?”
“You come to the Antrilii, seeking to understand your ancestors. Yet it was you who helped remind us what it means to be Antrilii.”
Endric shook his head. “I thought I could come and understand what it meant to be Antrilii and what that meant for me as Denraen.”
“And what have you learned?”
“I've learned that I can't be both.”
Nessa watched him, studying him. “Are you so certain? It seems to me that Dendril managed to serve both the Antrilii and the Denraen. You're more like him than you give yourself credit for.” She stared at the merahl cub for a moment longer. “You really should give him a name.”
Endric smiled. He didn't have a name, not yet, but if the cub was to remain with him, perhaps he should name him.
“How long will you stay?” she asked.
“You're asking this time?”
“You have proven that you deserve to know your people,” Nessa said. “And I think your cousin would appreciate more time to spend with you.”
“I would like that.”
“Besides, one of the tribes came upon a man in the mountains and brought him to me. He was injured, near death, but I've been nursing him back to health, much as I did with you.”
“Brohmin?”
She nodded. “He was most concerned when he heard that you accepted the penance. He was even more concerned when he heard what that penance entailed. I think he will be pleased to learn that you returned. He can be most persistent. If he had his way, he would have gone after you into the mountains.”
“Can I see him?”
“Soon. There are some things we must discuss first.”
“Such as?”
“Such as which tribe you would claim.”
Endric frowned. “Which tribe?”
“You are Antrilii, Endric, son of Dendril. You have been away, but you have proven yourself. All men get to choose their tribe.”
He thought about the tribes, thought about what he knew of them, but it was very little. Without spending any time with the Antrilii, how could he make such a decision? He could join Nahrsin, be a part of his tribe, but that meant Melinda or her successor would lead. He thought about Nessa. He respected her and thought that she would treat him fairly. Yet, something else came to him. A tribe that needed him perhaps more than any others.
“Do you think Rebecca would welcome me to her tribe?”
Nessa watched him, a sly smile spreading across her face. “I think she would.” Nessa stood and smoothed her skirt. “I think… I think that I am disappointed you would
not choose my tribe. I think that you will make a great Antrilii, Endric, son of Dendril. I think that Dendril knew what he was doing when he sent you north.” She looked at the mountains in the south, squinting slightly. “I believe your cousin approaches. He will be pleased to see you alive. But I would like to visit with you more while you remain in our lands.”
Endric smiled. “I would like that as well.”
“You are welcome among us, Endric, son of Dendril, Denraen soldier and Antrilii.”
As she walked away, Endric smiled.
Maybe it was possible for him to be both Denraen and Antrilii.
Check book 4 in The Teralin Sword series, Soldier Saved:
Endric returns to Vasha after discovering his connection to the Antrilii and how they serve the north but finds that much has changed, including his relationship with Senda and Pendin. As he struggles to understand how he can serve the Denraen, he learns that the Denraen hold Urik—and that his father has granted him the freedom of the city.
Urik isn’t done plotting and Endric fears that whatever he intends is the reason Mage Tresten has disappeared. Discovering those answers will put Endric at odds with the Denraen and sends him on a journey that leads to even more understanding about his role in the Denraen—and the Conclave.
Author’s Note
Dear Reader,
THANK YOU SO MUCH for reading Soldier Sworn. I hope you enjoyed it. If you would be so kind as to take a moment to leave a review on Amazon or elsewhere, I would be very grateful.
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D.K. Holmberg
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Also by D.K. Holmberg
The Teralin Sword
Soldier Son
Soldier Sword
Soldier Sworn
Soldier Saved
The Lost Prophecy
The Threat of Madness
The Warrior Mage
Tower of the Gods
Twist of the Fibers
The Lost City
The Last Conclave
The Gift of Madness
The Great Betrayal
The Cloud Warrior Saga
Chased by Fire
Bound by Fire
Changed by Fire
Fortress of Fire
Forged in Fire
Serpent of Fire
Servant of Fire
Born of Fire
Broken of Fire
Light of Fire
Cycle of Fire
The Endless War
Journey of Fire and Night
Endless Night
Summoner’s Bond
Seal of Light
The Shadow Accords
Shadow Blessed
Shadow Cursed
Shadow Born
Shadow Lost
Shadow Cross
Shadow Found
The Dark Ability
The Dark Ability
The Heartstone Blade
The Tower of Venass
Blood of the Watcher
The Shadowsteel Forge
The Guild Secret
Rise of the Elder
The Sighted Assassin
The Binders Game
The Forgotten
Assassin’s End
The Lost Garden
Keeper of the Forest
The Desolate Bond
Keeper of Light
The Painter Mage
Shifted Agony
Arcane Mark
Painter For Hire
Stolen Compass
Stone Dragon