always had: with nothing but their blades,
their iron teeth and nails, and their cunning.
Standing on a large balcony atop the
uppermost tower of the castle of Orynth,
Morath’s army spread far below, Manon
watched the rising sun and knew it could very
well be her last.
But the Thirteen, many of them leaning
against the balcony rail, did not look
eastward.
No, their attention was on the enemy,
stirring in the rising light. Or on the two
Crochans who stood with Manon, brooms in
hand and swords already strapped across their
backs.
It had not been a shock to see Bronwen
arrive this morning dressed for battle. But
Manon had paused when Glennis emerged
with a sword, hair braided back.
They had already gone over the details.
lily
(lily)
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