How savage a power over a free, a living soul He was forced to stop, white-faced, his hands clenched, to regain control of himself"Do you even know how seldom this gift has been used
"Twice," Alessan said calmly"Twice, to my knowledgeThe old books recorded it so, though I fear all the books have been burned now
"Twice!" Erlein echoed, his voice skirling upwards"Twice in how many generations stretching back to the dawn of records in this peninsula? And you, a puling princeling without even a land to rule have just casually, viciously, set your hands upon my life!"
"Not casuallyAnd only because I have no homeBecause Tigana is dying and will be lost if I do not do something
"And what part of that little speech gives you rights over my life and death?"
"I have a http://www.ualuxury.com" target="_blank duty," Alessan replied gravely"I must use what tools come to hand
"I am not a tool!" Erlein cried from the heart"I am a free and living soul with my own destiny!"
Watching Alessan's face Devin saw how that cry shafted into himFor a long moment there was silence by the riverDevin saw the Prince draw air into his lungs carefully, as if steadying himself under yet another burden, a new weight joined to those he already carriedAnother part added to the price of his blood
"I will not lie and say that I am sorry," Alessan said finally, choosing his words with care"I have dreamt of finding a wizard for too many yearsI will say, and this is true, that I understand what you have said and why you will hate me, and I can tell you that I grieve for what necessity demands
"It demands http://www.snluxury.com/categorys_82_Speedmaster_1.html" target="_blank nothing!" Erlein replied, shrill and unrelenting in his righteousnessThere is always a choice
"Some choices are closed to some of us It was, surprisingly, Sandre
He moved forward to stand a little in front of Devin"And some men must make choices for those who cannot, whether through lack of will or lack of power He walked nearer to the other two, by the dark, quiet rushing of the stream"Just as we may choose not to slay the man who is trying to kill our child, so Alessan may have chosen not to bind a wizard who might be needed by his peopleNeither refusal, Erlein di Senzio, is a true alternative for anyone with honor
"Honor!" Erlein spat the word"And how does honor bind a man of Senzio to Tigana's fate? What Prince compels a free man to a sure death at his side and http://www.snluxury.com/categorys_27_Seamaster-300600M_1.html" target="_blank then speaks of honor?" He shook his head"Call it naked power and have done
"I will not," the Duke replied in his deep voiceIt was quite dark now; Devin could no longer see his hooded eyesFrom behind them all he heard the sounds of Baerd beginning to light the fireOverhead the first stars were emerging in the blue-black cloak of the skyAway west, across the stream, there was a last hint of crimson along the line of the horizon
"I will not," Sandre said again"The honor of a ruler, and his duty, lies in his care for his land and his peopleThat is the only true measureAnd the price, part of the price of that, comes when he must go against his own soul's needs and do such things that will grieve him to the very bones of his handsSuch things," he added softly, "as the Prince http://www.ualuxury.com/category_5_Dior_1.html" target="_blank of Tigana has just done to you
But Erlein's voice shot back, unpersuaded, contemptuous"And how," he snarled, "does a bought sword from Khardhun presume to use the word honor or to speak about the burdens of a prince?" He wanted the words to hurt, Devin could see, but what came through in the inflections of his voice was the sound of someone lost and afraidBehind them the fire caught with a rush, and the orange glow spun outward, illuminating Erlein's taut rage and Sandre's gaunt, dark face, the bones showing in high reliefBeyond them both, Devin saw, Alessan had not moved at all
Sandre said, "The Khardhu warriors I have known were deeply versed in honorBut I will claim no credit for thatBe not deceived: I am no KhardhuMy name is Sandre d'Astibar, once Duke of that http://www.muluxury.com/scategory_30_Cartier-Watches.html" target="_blank provin