Harshini

tried to break out of the city and take the battle to Cyrus on open ground, where he at least would have had some freedom of movement.

He should never have put so much faith in R'shiel.

Another boom sounded, and his horse reared again, but this was a different sound to the solid cracking of stone against stone. The noise came again and he looked at Almodavar with a puzzled expression.

“That didn't come from the walls.”

“It sounded as if it came from the harbour.”

Another boom rolled over them as Damin spurred his horse forward. The sounds became more frequent, like a constant wave of thunder. As he neared the palace, the faint smell of smoke was drifting on the still air. But it wasn't ordinary smoke. It had a flavour he did not recognise. He flew from the saddle and ran up the steps into the palace and through the main hall to the balcony overlooking the harbour, gripping the balustrade in astonishment.

The sight that greeted him left him speechless. Three of the ships that had been blocking the harbour entrance were in flames. Behind them were a dozen or more warships. Fardohnyan warships. The booming sounded again as flames shot out from the nearest ship, and another of the blockaders fell victim to the Fardohnyan cannon. The ship in the lead headed for the gap in the sinking blockade line and sailed majestically through, her oars dipping and rising in a flawless rhythm.

“The Fardohnyans,” Almodavar remarked unnecessarily.

“They believe in cutting things a bit fine,” Damin agreed, finally finding his voice. The relief he felt was so intense he felt faint with it. “Where's Adrina?”

“I'm here, Damin,” she said, stepping out onto the balcony. She was smiling fondly as she pointed to the ship in the lead. “That's the Wave Warrior.”

“Your father's flagship?”

“R'shiel has outdone herself.”

“Does that mean Hablet has come?” Almodavar asked.

“Gods, I hope not,” Adrina muttered, stepping up to the balustrade. “Do you have a looking glass?”

Almodavar produced one from a pouch on his belt and handed it to her. She placed the tube to her eye and trained it on the ship. Then she laughed and lowered the glass.

“What?” Damin asked impatiently. “Is it your father?”

“No. It's better than that. He's sent my half-brother, Gaffen.”

Damin refrained from telling her how relieved he was that he would not have to confront her father. They watched the ship sail forward, heading for the dock below the palace. As it neared the wharf the oars banked sharply, turning the ship into the dock.

“Come on. Let's go and greet our new allies. We've about an hour before Cyrus breaks through the walls.”

“That'll make Gaffen happy. He'd be dreadfully disappointed to come all this way and not have someone to fight.”

* * *

By the time they reached the dock, the ship was secured and a long gangplank was being shoved out from the tall deck of the Fardohnyan warship. The first man off the ship was a tall, blond fellow who strode purposefully up the dock and swept Adrina up in a massive bear hug. She squealed as her feet left the ground. He put her down then held her at arm's length for a moment.

“You're getting fat,” was the first thing he said.

“I'm having a baby, Gaffen. I'm allowed to get fat.”

Gaffen looked startled at the news. He turned to Damin and eyed him up and down. “You'd be Wolfblade, I'm guessing. Where's the fight?”

“You guessed correctly. And the fight is just about to start, my Lord. They are breaking down the walls as we speak.”

“Then what are we standing around here for?” The Fardohnyan spun on his heel and marched back towards his ship, yelling orders for his troops to disembark as he went. Damin turned to Adrina, looking rather bemused.

She smiled. “Don't worry. He likes you.”

“How can you tell?”

“He didn't try to kill you. That's always a good start with Gaffen.”

Before he could answer, a messenger came running down the dock towards them, calling for him. The man skidded to a halt and bowed hastily before delivering his news.

“Lady Lionsclaw said to tell you they've broken through, Your Highness.”

“Where?”

“On the north wall. Near the weaving district.”

“Tell her I said to hold on. I'll be there with reinforcements shortly.”

The courier glanced at the Fardohnyans pouring off the Wave Warrior and saluted sharply, suddenly grinning from ear to ear. He ran back the way he came, whooping with delight.

“Seems your brother's arrival has somebody happy today,” Damin murmured as he watched the young man's departure. Then he turned to Adrina. “I want you to go back to the palace and stay there.”

“Yes, dear.”

“I mean it, Adrina. You're not to stick your nose outside the palace until this is over. With your brother's troops, we could have Cyrus on the run soon enough, but I don't intend to spend the next few hours worrying about what you're getting up to.”

“Don't pussyfoot around, man!” Gaffen declared, coming up behind them. “Tell her to stay put, or you'll beat her senseless. It's the only thing that works with Adrina.”

“Gaffen, shut up!”

He grinned at his sister then turned to Damin. “Come on, Wolfblade! Let's go slaughter your enemies. Adrina, get back to the palace now, or I'll throw you over my shoulder and carry you screaming all the way back, and lock you up.”

Adrina glared at her brother, but to Damin's astonishment she turned and strode haughtily back towards the palace without another word. Gaffen noticed Damin's expression and laughed.

“I can see you and I need to have a talk about Adrina when this business is done with, Your Highness.”

“If I had threatened her with that, she would have killed me.”

“Probably,” Gaffen agreed cheerfully. “Can you organise someone to get the rest of my ships docked? I've a feeling we'll need every man before the day is out.”

“How many did you bring?” he asked.

“Three thousand. Do you think that will be enough?”

He'd been hoping for twice that many. Cyrus had ten thousand men outside the walls. Between Gaffen's reinforcements and the troops he had in the city they were still outnumbered, but at least the odds were a little better.

“It's going to have to be enough,” Damin said, trying not to sound disappointed.

* * *

The breach in the wall near the weaving district was contained easily enough, but it was followed by more reports of breaks in the walls from all over the city. By mid-morning, Cyrus had broken through and Damin gave up trying to plug the gaps. He pulled his troops back from the walls and the battle for Greenharbour was well and truly under way.

They fought for the city, street by street, falling back when they had to, surging forward to repel the invaders when they could, but slowly, a street at the time, they were pushed back towards the harbour. The Fardohnyan forces were still not completely disembarked. There simply weren't enough berths to get them all ashore quickly enough.