The Warlord's Demand

by Irene Danger

  "Those-a-mines-a-were-a-stripped-a-by-a-the-a-Tyrant-a-of-a-Ku-a-Alla—I-a-didn't-a-think-a-the-a-people-a-there-a-would-a-be-a-able-a-to-a-live-a-out-a-of-a-poverty?"

  The-a-Warlord-a-ran-a-his-a-fingers-a-through-a-his-a-dark-a-hair-a-in-a-a-a-boyish-a-motion-a-that-a-was-a-strange-a-on-a-him.

  "They're-a-a-a-poor-a-lot.-a-Those-a-mines-a-were-a-the-a-financial-a-backbone-a-of-a-them.-a-Their-a-whole-a-society-a-is-a-devastated."

  "So,-a-why-a-would-a-Siyura-a-put-a-her-a-there?-a-I'd-a-think-a-a-a-princess-a-would-a-be-a-a-a-novelty."

  "The-a-town-a-is-a-easily-a-forgotten-a-and-a-she-a-must-a-have-a-given-a-her-a-a-a-stipend-a-to-a-live-a-on-a-because-a-all-a-of-a-her-a-wealth-a-has-a-vanished.-a-That-a-bastard-a-Grimier-a-had-a-worked-a-himself-a-into-a-a-a-fit-a-of-a-stupidity-a-because-a-she-a-had-a-drained-a-Arelia's-a-inheritance-a-before-a-they-a-could.-a-It-a-was-a-considerable-a-and-a-almost-a-cost-a-them-a-to-a-lose-a-to-a-the-a-Valiant-a-Allegiance."

  Which-a-how-a-Haldane-a-had-a-been-a-able-a-to-a-further-a-entrap-a-Grimier-a-and-a-the-a-other-a-Advisor's.

  "Is-a-the-a-Chaotic-a-King-a-in-a-need-a-of-a-more-a-coin,-a-then?"

  "Thankfully,-a-no,-a-but-a-I-a-am-a-interested-a-in-a-what-a-was-a-involved-a-in-a-that-a-inheritance.-a-I-a-don't-a-think-a-that-a-it-a-was-a-merely-a-gold-a-or-a-coin."-a-He-a-fell-a-quiet,-a-his-a-face-a-becoming-a-guarded-a-with-a-something.

  "I-a-also-a-am-a-curious-a-about-a-the-a-witch's-a-origin's,"-a-he-a-became-a-sharp-a-again,-a-"her-a-mother,-a-if-a-my-a-intel-a-could-a-be-a-believed,-a-refuse-a-to-a-marry-a-Arelia's-a-father."

  "A-a-woman-a-refusing-a-a-a-king?-a-Is-a-there-a-such-a-a-a-creature?"

  "Apparently-a-so.-a-Regardless,-a-I'll-a-own-a-her-a-secrets-a-soon-a-enough.-a-In-a-the-a-meantime,-a-I-a-want-a-you-a-to-a-acquire-a-Arelia-a-and-a-return-a-her-a-to-a-me.-a-I'm-a-sure-a-Tryxoth-a-has-a-informed-a-Daendrin-a-and-a-I-a-don't-a-have-a-to-a-tell-a-you-a-that-a-he'll-a-send-a-a-a-party.-a-Get-a-there-a-before-a-he-a-does,-a-if-a-you-a-encounter-a-them-a-don't-a-kill-a-them."

  Cadeon's-a-brows-a-popped-a-up,-a-"Not-a-kill-a-Daendrin's-a-men?-a-That's-a-not-a-a-a-phrase-a-I-a-thought-a-you'd-a-utter."

  The-a-Warlord-a-cocked-a-his-a-head,-a-"I-a-didn't-a-say-a-you-a-couldn't-a-hurt-a-them,"-a-his-a-eyes-a-strayed-a-to-a-Cadeon's-a-cock,-a-"I'm-a-sure-a-you'll-a-need-a-some-a-release."

  *****

  Braydor-a-had-a-left-a-her-a-chained-a-to-a-the-a-table.

  "The-a-Warlord-a-didn't-a-say-a-I-a-couldn't-a-leave-a-you-a-as-a-I-a-found-a-you.-a-Hopefully,-a-I'll-a-see-a-you-a-soon,-a-bitch."

  He-a-had-a-stuffed-a-his-a-cock-a-back-a-in-a-his-a-pants-a-and-a-spat-a-onto-a-her-a-back-a-before-a-he-a-left-a-her-a-there.

  It-a-had-a-been-a-at-a-least-a-thirty-a-minutes-a-of-a-her-a-feeling-a-uncomfortable-a-from-a-being-a-bent-a-over.-a-Then-a-she-a-heard-a-a-a-thunder-a-of-a-boots-a-coming-a-down-a-the-a-hall-a-and-a-a-a-group-a-of-a-silent-a-men-a-came-a-in.-a-It-a-had-a-only-a-added-a-toward-a-her-a-humiliation...the-a-position-a-she-a-was-a-in-a-was-a-crude.

  They-a-hadn't-a-said-a-a-a-thing-a-nor-a-let-a-a-a-hand-a-stray-a-as-a-they-a-unhooked-a-her-a-hands-a-and-a-let-a-her-a-unfold.-a-Her-a-muscles-a-in-a-the-a-bend-a-of-a-her-a-back-a-sang-a-of-a-release.

  There-a-were-a-at-a-least-a-five-a-men-a-and-a-while-a-they-a-seemed-a-like-a-emotionless-a-puppets,-a-she-a-could-a-see-a-the-a-tensed-a-positions-a-as-a-if-a-they-a-were-a-waiting-a-for-a-her-a-to-a-attack-a-them

  But-a-she-a-couldn't-a-fight-a-anymore-a-tonight.-a-Too-a-much-a-had-a-happened.

  They-a-hadn't-a-taken-a-her-a-arms-a-but-a-herded-a-her-a-out-a-of-a-the-a-room-a-and-a-away-a-from-a-the-a-kitchen.-a-To-a-her-a-surprise-a-she-a-was-a-led-a-to-a-a-a-part-a-of-a-the-a-fortress-a-she-a-hadn't-a-seen-a-yet.-a-She-a-felt-a-a-a-little-a-unbalanced-a-being-a-taken-a-away-a-from-a-the-a-kitchen,-a-having-a-already-a-gripped-a-onto-a-the-a-small-a-comfort-a-of-a-Lyda's-a-simplicity-a-and-a-Umla's-a-harsh-a-words.-a-They-a-gave-a-Siyura-a-the-a-sense-a-of-a-normalcy.

  And,-a-damn-a-him,-a-the-a-Warlord-a-was-a-taking-a-them-a-away.

  They-a-led-a-her...up.-a-Further-a-and-a-further-a-they-a-walked-a-up-a-steps-a-that-a-were-a-well-a-preserved-a-and-a-she-a-knew-a-she-a-was-a-back-a-in-a-a-a-tower.-a-There-a-were-a-doors-a-at-a-odd-a-intervals-a-that-a-did-a-not-a-give-a-her-a-an-a-idea-a-of-a-where-a-she-a-was-a-or-a-who-a-was-a-up-a-here.

  Eventually,-a-Siyura-a-thought-a-she-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-go-a-mad.-a-It-a-was-a-like-a-everything-a-was-a-the-a-same-a-and-a-it-a-was-a-disorienting.

  Finally,-a-they-a-reached-a-a-a-dimly-a-lit-a-corridor-a-that-a-already-a-had-a-two-a-men-a-stationed-a-outside-a-of-a-it.-a-A-a-soldier-a-stepped-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-her-a-and-a-pulled-a-out-a-a-a-shiny-a-key.-a-Unlocking-a-the-a-door,-a-he-a-gently-a-pushed-a-her-a-in-a-and-a-the-a-door-a-shut-a-and-a-locked-a-behind-a-her.

  The-a-room-a-was-a-a-a-circle-a-and-a-it-a-looked...comfortably-a-furnished.-a-There-a-was-a-a-a-soft-a-fire-a-going-a-and-a-it-a-painted-a-the-a-room-a-a-a-soft-a-orange.-a-There-a-was-a-nook-a-area-a-where-a-an-a-averaged-a-size-a-bed-a-was-a-sitting.-a-It-a-was-a-on-a-a-a-small-a-platform-a-and-a-seamed-a-into-a-the-a-wall.-a-To-a-her-a-left-a-was-a-a-a-distressed-a-white-a-wardrobe,-a-a-a-floor-a-length-a-mirror-a-that-a-even-a-Siyura,-a-who-a-wasn't-a-prone-a-to-a-small-a-details,-a-thought-a-was-a-gorgeous.

  She-a-had-a-been-a-afraid-a-she-a-would-a-be-a-in-a-an-a-enclosed-a-room-a-but-a-felt-a-blessed-a-when-a-she-a-walked-a-over-a-to-a-a-a-large-a-arched-a-window-a-that-a-was-a-the-a-length-a-of-a-the-a-wall-a-and-a-had-a-enough-a-room-a-at-a-its-a-seal-a-to-a-allow-a-her-a-to-a-sit-a-and-a-look-a-out.

  Near-a-the-a-fireplace-a-was-a-a-a-small-a-table-a-with-a-a-a-chair-a-and-a-stationary.-a-Which-a-was-a-stupid.-a-He-a-had-a-killed-a-everyone-a-she-a-loved.-a-Who-a-the-a-fuck-a-would-a-she-a-write-a-to?-a-Unless-a-this-a-was-a-all-a-left-a-over-a-from-a-the-a-past-a-occupant.-a-She-a-could-a-not-a-tell-a-how-a-recently-a-the-a-room-a-had-a-belonged-a-to-a-someone-a-else-a-because-a-she-a-could-a-still-a-smell-a-the-a-cleaner-a-used-a-from-a-whomever-a-was-a-assigned-a-to-a-prepare-a-the-a-room.

  She-a-turned-a-around-a-in-a-small,-a-unsure-a-circle,-a-and-a-caught-a-a-a-billowy-a-curtain.-a-There-a-was-a-another-a-room-a-and-a-as-a-she-a-pushed-a-the-a-curtain-a-aside-a-with-a-the-a-back-a-of-a-her-a-hand,-a-she-a-was-a-pleasantly-a-delighted-a-to-a-find-a-a-a-large-a-bathtub,-a-a-a-basin,-a-a-a-rack-a-with-a-folded-a-fabrics,-a-and-a-a-a-chamber-a-pot.

  Siyura-a-saw-a-that-a-the-a-tub-a-had-a-been-a-filled-a-and-a-the-a-steam-a-beckoned-a-her.-a-She-a-relieved-a-herself-a-first-a-and-a-then-a-almost-a-gleefully-a-slipped-a-into-a-the-a-tub,-a-her-a-whole-a-body-a-going-a-lax.

  She-a-wanted-a-to-a-dive-a-under-a-the-a-water-a-and-a-completely-a-submerge-a-herself-a-but-a-even-a-though-a-her-a-mother-a-hadn't-a-been-a-tormenting-a-her-a-throughout-a-the-a-night—the-a-last-a-thing-a-she-a-wanted-a-was-a-to-a-come-a-up-a-and-a-see-a-her-a-mother's-a-decaying-a-face.

  She-a-was-a-so-a-mentally-a-exhausted-a-and-a-numb-a-she-a-couldn't-a-trust-a-herself-a-to-a-stay-a-in-a-the-a-hot-a-water-a-for-a-too-a-long.-a-She-a-was-a-afraid-a-her-a-drained-a-energy-a-would-a-make-a-her-a-fall-a-asleep.

  She-a-picked-a-up-a-one-a-of-a-the-a-cut-a-chunks-a-of-a-soap-a-and-a-washed-a-herself.-a-She-a-scrubbed-a-her-a-skin-a-where-a-Braydor-a-had-a-touched-a-her.-a-Her-a-brown-a-skin-a-didn't-a-go-a-red-a-easily-a-but-a-as-a-she-a-rinsed-a-the-a-soap,-a-her-a-skin-a-was-a-blotchy-a-with-a-the-a-abuse.

  Finishing-a-up,-a-she-a-stepped-a-out-a-of-a-the-a-tub-a-and-a-wrapped-a-herself-a-in-a-one-a-of-a-the-a-towels.-a-She-a-hesitated-a-because-a-she-a-didn't-a-know-a-if-a-she-a-had-a-clothing.-a-She-a-didn't-a-balk-a-at-a-being-a-naked-a-but-a-she-a-didn't-a-like-a-to-a-be-a-that-a-vulnerable.

  Walking-a-out-a-into-a-the-a-main-a-room,-a-she-a-looked-a-into-a-the-a-wardrobe-a-and-a-saw-a-an-a-array-a-of-a-clothing-a-hanging-a-on-a-a-a-bar.-a-One-a-of-a-the-a-outfits...was-a-fighting-a-gear?-a-It-a-was-a-clearly-a-made-a-for-a-a-a-female-a-but-a-there-a-was-a-an-a-emblem-a-on-a-it.

  A-a-wolf.

  Madness-a-in-a-Blood-a-Ch.-a-05

  Siyura-a-awoke
-a-at-a-the-a-clip-a-of-a-the-a-door-a-of-a-her-a-room-a-shutting.-a-She-a-lifted-a-her-a-hand-a-to-a-move-a-the-a-hair-a-out-a-of-a-her-a-eyes-a-and-a-saw-a-the-a-sparkling-a-of-a-the-a-gold-a-chain-a-on-a-her-a-wrist.

  She-a-sat-a-up-a-from-a-her-a-pillow-a-and-a-looked-a-at-a-the-a-charms.-a-They-a-were-a-clearly-a-runes-a-of-a-magic-a-but-a-not-a-in-a-a-a-language-a-she-a-knew-a-of.-a-If-a-she-a-had-a-been-a-at-a-home,-a-in-a-her-a-own-a-altar-a-room,-a-she-a-would-a-of-a-had-a-the-a-resources-a-to-a-study-a-it.

  If-a-it-a-had-a-been-a-her-a-magic-a-that-a-had-a-formed-a-the-a-entrapment-a-curse-a-she-a-could-a-have-a-broken-a-it.-a-Or-a-anyone-a-else's-a-for-a-that-a-matter.-a-Magic-a-native-a-to-a-the-a-Western-a-Realm-a-was-a-different-a-in-a-that-a-it-a-was-a-coldly-a-more...civilized.-a-It-a-was-a-wielded-a-in-a-the-a-hands-a-of-a-cloistered-a-hags-a-and-a-cruel-a-ladies.

  Her-a-magic...her-a-mother's-a-magic-a-was-a-native-a-to-a-the-a-Isle-a-of-a-Shadows.

  She-a-noticed-a-a-a-tray-a-sitting-a-on-a-the-a-table-a-of-a-her-a-new-a-"room".-a-Sliding-a-out-a-of-a-the-a-bed,-a-ignoring-a-the-a-heat-a-of-a-the-a-fireplace-a-she-a-had-a-not-a-put-a-out,-a-she-a-studied-a-it.-a-The-a-tray-a-had-a-a-a-steaming-a-kettle-a-on-a-it-a-and-a-little-a-compact-a-boxes.

  She-a-had-a-not-a-heard-a-anyone-a-come-a-into-a-her-a-room.-a-She-a-could-a-not-a-have-a-been-a-that-a-exhausted.-a-She-a-had-a-spent-a-almost-a-two-a-years-a-in-a-a-a-hyper-a-aware-a-state-a-to-a-ensure-a-she-a-didn't-a-get-a-her-a-head-a-cut-a-off.

  The-a-pot-a-was-a-rounded-a-nicely,-a-obviously-a-meant-a-for-a-her-a-to-a-keep-a-over-a-her-a-own-a-fire.-a-Under-a-the-a-polished-a-clay-a-mug,-a-she-a-saw-a-a-a-note-a-and-a-bared-a-her-a-teeth.

  "You-a-will-a-be-a-joining-a-me-a-this-a-morning.-a-There-a-are-a-guards-a-waiting-a-to-a-escort-a-you.-a-Do-a-not-a-make-a-me-a-come-a-get-a-you."

  She-a-noticed-a-his-a-handwriting-a-was-a-rather-a-beautiful.-a-As-a-stupid-a-as-a-that-a-was.

  She-a-crushed-a-the-a-paper-a-with-a-her-a-fist.

  She-a-studied-a-the-a-small-a-boxes.-a-One-a-was-a-smaller-a-than-a-the-a-other,-a-and-a-blood-a-red.-a-She-a-flipped-a-the-a-lid-a-and-a-was-a-surprised-a-to-a-see-a-a-a-folded-a-piece-a-paper-a-wedge-a-there.

  It-a-seems-a-everyone-a-had-a-something-a-to-a-say-a-to-a-her.

  Unfolding-a-it-a-she-a-read,-a-"I-a-can't-a-stop-a-what-a-is-a-going-a-to-a-happen-a-to-a-you.-a-But-a-Cadeon-a-isn't-a-the-a-only-a-one-a-who-a-has-a-a-a-small-a-conscious.-a-Drink-a-this-a-at-a-least-a-three-a-times-a-a-a-week.-a-This-a-will-a-stop-a-your-a-monthly."

  It-a-wasn't-a-signed-a-but-a-Siyura-a-had-a-an-a-idea-a-of-a-who-a-sent-a-it-a-to-a-her.-a-Goddess-a-above,-a-she-a-hadn't-a-even-a-thought-a-of-a-that.-a-The-a-thought-a-of-a-carrying-a-any-a-child—especially-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-made-a-her-a-shudder.

  She-a-spooned-a-the-a-pulverized-a-leaves-a-into-a-her-a-cup-a-and-a-poured-a-hot-a-water-a-from-a-the-a-pot.-a-Thankfully,-a-her-a-monthlies-a-had-a-always-a-been-a-sporadic-a-and-a-Sarca-a-witches-a-were-a-not-a-known-a-for-a-being-a-extremely-a-fertile.

  Siyura-a-pushed-a-back-a-her-a-past-a-tragedies-a-and-a-focused-a-on-a-her-a-"now"-a-circumstances.-a-She-a-needed-a-to-a-find-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-anchor.-a-To-a-do-a-that,-a-she-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-have-a-to-a-behave.-a-Her-a-baiting-a-last-a-night-a-had-a-been-a-second-nature-a-and-a-she-a-could-a-slap-a-herself.-a-That-a-bastard-a-brought-a-out-a-the-a-worst-a-in-a-her.

  Siyura,-a-took-a-small-a-swallow-a-of-a-the-a-brew-a-and-a-walked-a-over-a-to-a-the-a-wardrobe.-a-Opening-a-it,-a-she-a-ignored-a-the-a-black-a-uniform-a-tucked-a-behind-a-all-a-the-a-dresses-a-and-a-too-a-feminine-a-things.-a-She-a-was-a-tempted-a-to-a-put-a-it-a-on-a-because-a-she-a-was-a-certainly-a-going-a-into-a-a-a-battle-a-but-a-knew-a-she'd-a-be-a-trying-a-to-a-provoke-a-him.

  Everyone-a-had-a-spoken-a-of-a-his-a-cruelty,-a-of-a-his-a-twisted-a-logic,-a-and-a-last-a-night-a-she-a-had-a-almost-a-believed-a-it.-a-But-a-now-a-that-a-she-a-was-a-in-a-the-a-morning-a-light,-a-she-a-wasn't-a-too-a-intimidated.-a-Him,-a-whoring-a-her-a-out-a-was-a-typical-a-"dominant-a-male"-a-behavior.

  She-a-bottomed-a-out-a-the-a-brew-a-and-a-plucked-a-a-a-dress-a-at-a-random.

  After-a-using-a-the-a-bathroom-a-and-a-freshening-a-up,-a-she-a-dressed-a-herself-a-in-a-the-a-gown-a-that-a-felt-a-soft-a-against-a-her-a-skin.-a-She-a-had-a-braided-a-her-a-hair.-a-She-a-did-a-the-a-barest-a-check-a-of-a-herself-a-in-a-the-a-mirror-a-and-a-tilted-a-her-a-head-a-in-a-acceptance.-a-She-a-turned-a-to-a-rapt-a-on-a-the-a-door-a-and-a-stopped.-a-She-a-looked-a-at-a-the-a-stationary-a-that-a-was-a-on-a-the-a-table-a-and-a-studied-a-the-a-sharp-tipped,-a-metal-a-pen.

  Should-a-she?-a-She-a-was-a-trying-a-to-a-be-a-good.-a-But-a-it-a-was-a-against-a-her-a-nature-a-to-a-go-a-in-a-somewhere-a-hostile-a-without-a-arming-a-herself.-a-Fuck,-a-she-a-would-a-go-a-to-a-the-a-Arvaka-a-bakeries-a-armed.

  Siyura-a-could-a-not-a-help-a-herself;-a-she-a-plucked-a-the-a-pen-a-out-a-its-a-holder,-a-and-a-slid-a-it-a-into-a-the-a-garter-a-on-a-her-a-thigh.-a-As-a-she-a-did-a-so,-a-she-a-noticed-a-her-a-mother-a-peeking-a-out-a-from-a-behind-a-a-a-curtain.

  She-a-rapt-a-on-a-the-a-door,-a-quickly.

  ****

  Farrow-a-leaned-a-back-a-in-a-the-a-wooden-a-chair,-a-plucking-a-a-a-pinkberry-a-from-a-the-a-plate-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-him.-a-He-a-had-a-ridden-a-to-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-estate-a-this-a-morning,-a-hoping-a-to-a-find-a-some-a-type-a-of-a-entertainment.-a-Of-a-course,-a-the-a-Warlord-a-never-a-disappointed.

  He-a-had-a-walked-a-into-a-his-a-red-a-study,-a-not-a-surprised-a-to-a-see-a-him-a-behind-a-the-a-desk,-a-coffee-a-in-a-hand-a-and-a-a-a-missive,-a-obviously-a-annoying-a-him.

  He-a-had-a-not-a-even-a-looked-a-up-a-when-a-Farrow-a-walked-a-in.

  "If-a-you're-a-going-a-to-a-just-a-show-a-up-a-unannounced,-a-you-a-better-a-have-a-some-a-news-a-about-a-the-a-rest-a-of-a-the-a-Valiant."

  Farrow-a-laughed-a-and-a-took-a-a-a-seat-a-at-a-the-a-table-a-where-a-servants-a-had-a-been-a-in-a-the-a-process-a-of-a-laying-a-out-a-breakfast.

  He-a-started-a-eating-a-and-a-made-a-sure-a-to-a-order-a-a-a-pitcher-a-of-a-wine-a-before-a-he-a-answered-a-the-a-Warlord.

  "Who-a-is-a-to-a-say-a-I-a-don't?-a-Would-a-I-a-just-a-infiltrate-a-your-a-inner-a-sanctum-a-for-a-nothing?"-a-Farrow-a-said-a-taking-a-the-a-wine-a-from-a-a-a-disproving-a-servant.-a-Yes,-a-it-a-was-a-the-a-morning-a-but-a-it-a-was-a-never-a-too-a-late-a-to-a-feel-a-great-a-was-a-it?

  The-a-Warlord-a-made-a-an-a-indifferent-a-noise-a-and-a-joined-a-him-a-at-a-the-a-table.-a-He-a-sipped-a-his-a-coffee-a-and-a-watched-a-Farrow-a-through-a-narrow,-a-intrusive-a-eyes.-a-Farrow-a-took-a-another-a-swallow-a-of-a-his-a-wine.-a-Dealing-a-with-a-the-a-Warlord-a-one-on-one-a-was-a-almost-a-best-a-under-a-the-a-influence.

  "Your-a-praises-a-are-a-being-a-whispered-a-in-a-the-a-streets-a-of-a-all-a-of-a-Haldane.-a-Another-a-victory-a-under-a-your-a-belt—another-a-nation-a-on-a-its-a-knees."-a-He-a-said,-a-picking-a-up-a-a-a-fork,-a-shoveling-a-eggs-a-into-a-his-a-mouth.

  "They-a-also-a-sing-a-about-a-loosed-a-leg-a-maidens-a-and-a-the-a-wrath-a-of-a-dying-a-Gods."-a-He-a-said-a-unimpressed.

  "They-a-love-a-and-a-fear-a-you.-a-More-a-so-a-than-a-the-a-Chaotic-a-King.-a-It's-a-going-a-to-a-drive-a-him-a-into-a-further-a-madness,-a-you-a-know.-a-He-a-hates-a-you-a-but-a-can't-a-accomplish-a-half-a-as-a-much-a-on-a-his-a-own.-a-You're-a-the-a-only-a-thing-a-keeping-a-this-a-nation-a-glorious."

  "He's-a-not-a-without-a-his-a-intelligence."-a-The-a-Warlord-a-said-a-simply.

  "You-a-praise-a-much,"-a-Farrow-a-said-a-sarcastically,-a-"but-a-let's-a-not-a-forget-a-he's-a-a-a-fucking-a-raving-a-madman.-a-Did-a-you-a-know-a-that-a-he-a-was-a-entertaining-a-court—completely-a-naked?-a-When-a-someone-a-suggested-a-he-a-put-a-clothes-a-back-a-on-a-he-a-threatened-a-to-a-have-a-you-a-come-a-assassinate-a-them."

  The-a-Warlord's-a-face-a-changed-a-slightly...it-a-could-a-have-a-been-a-aggravation-a-or-a-amusement,-a-it-a-was-a-hard-a-to-a-tell-a-with-a-him,-a-"He's-a-not-a-mad.-a-He's-a-a-a-forsaken-a-drunkard."