"Nevertheless, we will resist while we can. At least they will know that their forbears were not cowards."
There was an empty, hollow silence as Baldric drained his cup. And the the feast began.
"I intend to fight," muttered Damond, "but I do not intend to die."
Brogan huffed. "Nor do I. But what we intend has little to do with it."
"Aye," said Garnak. "But just remember, they'll be suffering from their own ignorance for a change, fighting on our lands, and on our terms. I'll give them a taste of the Ford of Minden they'll never forget."
"What about you, Julina," asked Dorain. "You seem rather distant these days."
"I am going with Rhia to her homeland," replied Julina.
"I thought Amrhost had volunteered for that," said Brogan.
"He plans to go on from there," said Julina in a low voice. "I do not trust his motives."
"Where could he possibly go from there?" asked Dorain, "Except north along the coast into the Burning Lands . . ."
"As the evil Wights did before him," Julina finished for her.
There was a long silence, some of it angry. "That cannot be true!" Garnak said at last. "I have seen the man fight the enemy, as have some of you! No, I cannot credit it. There must be some other reason."