There was also something else that was positive. I glanced down at the slightly huffing woman by my side. I had a woman fit to be a Queen, entirely unlike my first wife. Now, if only, I was fit to be a King. I slowed the pace as we approached the ship and its welcoming committee. My eyes scanned over the awaiting warriors with appreciation for several factors. They weren’t surprised by our appearance so that meant that they had scouts out in the ruins that had alerted them to our approach. They weren’t displaying all of their number in one mass group, but rather I could sense the presence of warriors closing in behind us and while they didn’t know what they may be facing I sensed that they were ready to meet the challenge head on, which I respected. These men were experienced and they most certainly weren’t cowards. I focused on one in particular, who separated out from the group toward us. He held a sword of unparalleled rival and something in me stilled at the sight of it. It had been a long time since I’d seen that sword.
