Steel and Shadow: An Epic Fantasy by LaJonn O. Klein Page A

too, is….special.”
                  “You know he is a shadow?”
                  “Aye.”
                  “Do you understand what that means,” he asked.
                  “I understand enough.  He is still a good man, my lord….”
                  “You may call me Eric,” he smiled back at her now, hearing just a hint of an indignant tone he recalled in Bella’s voice when he had last seen her.
                  “I’m not sure ’twould be proper.  Sister, or nay, you are the king,” she told him.
                  “And you are a princess, and my sister.  Do I bid you call me Eric, imp.  You may do so.”
                  She gave him a curious look.
                  “What?”
                  “You….  You always…..  Called me imp.  I remembered that just now,” she said, her eyes suddenly bright.  “I…..I am…..your sister,” she half choked, half asked.
                  “I’d know my own sister, Lia.”
                  “You called me Bella.”
                  “She lives in you, imp.  You’re her very image.  I almost expected to see a blade at your side, and hear you demand to go riding into battle.”
                  “I remember….my sister fought furiously that day,” she said quietly.  “But….there were so many.  They ambushed us.  Arrows were flying, and…..  And then that man grabbed me.”
                  She shuddered.
                  “But you survived, and you lasted until you could be found, and restored,” he told her as they neared the encampment of his own legion.  “Now, let me show you a true welcome home, imp,” he told her, and paused at the first sentry.
                  “Sergeant, behold,” he called out to one of his nearby men watching them ride up from the mercenary camp.  “My lady-sister Princess Amalia has been found, and restored to us!  Surely the true god is on our side,” he grinned as Lia gaped at his posturing to the man.
                  The man stared up at her, stared hard, then bowed so low his helm nigh brushed the ground.  “Welcome home, Princess Amalia,” the man said with an obviously emotionally choked tone. 
                  “Th-Thank you,” she smiled, fearing tears again as she saw the loud declaration had brought out more men in Valdoran armor, and all were looking her way.  On cue, they bowed low as Eric rode through their midst, and stopped at the center command tent. 
                  When she was set down, the men bowed again, and then bowed for their king who dropped from his horse.
                  “Well,” Eric demanded.
                  The men exploded into a raucous, howling cheer as they literally applauded her, and wide smiles greeted her as she shrank back against her brother in alarm.
                  “Welcome home, imp,” he told her, hugging her from behind.
                  She couldn’t help but cry now.
                 
     
    X
     
     
                  “I’m sure he’s fine,” Eric told her as he came out to find her still up later that night.  “From what I’ve heard, I doubt anything would hold him if he didn’t wish to be held.  Let alone harm him.”
                  “I know, my lord….  Eric.  I just fear for mother, though.  ’Tis been years.  What must she think befell us?  What must have befallen her?  I recall the last thing she said to me was….”
                  “Aye?”
                  “Be strong,” she said quietly.  “Just that.  Be strong.”
                  “And you were.  You are.  How else did you survive until we could find you, Lia?”
                  “Yet, had I not