He glanced over at Royce, who sat beside him on his dirty gray mare with his hood up, his face hidden. Hadrian felt his stomach sink, knowing this was his fault. 'We're just gonna lighten your load a bit. 'We've got arrows aimed at your backs, and we'll drop you in your saddles if you try to run.' The speaker was still in the dark eaves of the forest, just a vague movement among the naked branches. 'Don't neither of you move,' a harsh voice ordered from the shadows. There were more than one, more than three, and they were closing in. Hadrian could see little in the darkness, but he could hear them-the snapping of twigs, the crush of leaves, and the brush of grass. Royalists: Those wishing to continue rule by individual, independent monarchs Nationalists: Those wishing to be ruled by a leader chosen by the people

Imperialists: Those wishing to unite mankind under a single leader who is the direct descendant of the demigod Novron

Uberlin: Son of Muriel and Erebus, god of darkness P OLITICAL P ARTIES Galeannon: Lawless kingdom of barren hills, the site of several great battles T HE G ODS Once part of Delgos, which was lost when Delgos became a republic

Warric: Most powerful of the kingdoms of Avrynĭunmore: Youngest and least sophisticated kingdom Melengar: Small but old and respected kingdom Ghent: Ecclesiastical holding of the Nyphron Church Dacca: Isle of south men N ATIONS OF A PELADORNĬalis: Southeastern tropical region ruled by warlordsĭelgos: Southern republic K INGDOMS OF A VRYN

Michael sullivan theft of swords