"Tracy Falbe - The Rys Chronicles 1 - Union of Renegades" - читать интересную книгу автора (Falbe Tracy)

were fit would be sent away to serve the needs of the Empire.
Dreibrand liked the Horde when it was this way, happy and satiated.
The drifting smoke from the defeated town marred the blue sky, but it did
not damage DreibrandтАЩs mood. To him the torn town represented the
bones of a small feast.
Turning back to his squire, he said, тАЬThe adventure is not over. Soon we
shall see the Wilderness.тАЭ
Politely the servant nodded, but he did not share in DreibrandтАЩs
fascination with the Wilderness.
Ever since Dreibrand had been a boy, the blank place on all maps of
Ektren, labeled only as the Wilderness, had captured his imagination.
Whenever life in Atrophane had been frustrating or unfair, his mind had
often retreated into the possibilities of that mysterious land. Supposedly
no one lived there, but he found that difficult to believe. He approached
the Wilderness now and he would soon know the unknown.
Tossing on his cape, Dreibrand strode toward Lord KwanтАЩs tent. He was
glad he had a spare pair of boots while the others dried out. When he
arrived at the large red tent of the Lord General, he could hear laughter
inside and he recognized the voice of Sandin Promentro. Dreibrand
frowned when he thought of the senior lieutenant exchanging pleasantries
with Lord Kwan. Naturally coveting the favor he received from the Lord
General, Dreibrand resented the competition from Lieutenant Sandin,
who had served Kwan longer than the other officers.
 The guards outside the tent saluted Dreibrand, and then one ducked
inside to announce him. A few more jocularities were shared before
Dreibrand heard the Lord General dismiss Sandin.
Sandin emerged from the tent bearing a happy expression, but when he
saw Dreibrand, he appeared to become even more pleased. SandinтАЩs gray
eyes twinkled and he smirked at Dreibrand with his usual arrogance.
тАЬHey schoolboy,тАЭ Sandin said, and it was one of his favorite derogatory
greetings.
Instantly angry, Dreibrand grabbed SandinтАЩs forearm but the other
lieutenant did not flinch. Locking eyes with Dreibrand, Sandin jerked out
of the grip. Physically both men were matched, but Sandin had the
psychological edge over Dreibrand, and he knew it.
тАЬWhat are you going to do?тАЭ Sandin demanded.
Sick with anger, Dreibrand lowered his hand. He knew better than to
react to SandinтАЩs taunts. If he struck a senior officer, Lord Kwan would
have to discipline him, and that would only lessen the Lord GeneralтАЩs
opinion of him, which was SandinтАЩs whole purpose.
тАЬSome dayтАжтАЭ Dreibrand growled.
тАЬSome day you will take orders from me,тАЭ Sandin sneered.
Dreibrand stoically let the sting sink in while Sandin walked away. He
had no time for anger now. Composing himself for his meeting with his
commander and lord, Dreibrand entered the tent. The sun glowed warmly
through the red fabric roof, and he dropped to one knee and kept his eyes
focused on the multi-colored rugs.
тАЬDreibrand, come sit.тАЭ
The rich and confident voice of the Lord General welcomed his
lieutenant, and the tone was friendly. Kwan noticed that Dreibrand sprang