"Homeless," whispered Sathi, and Kery thought her eyes grew bright with tears.
"Barbarian robbers!" snapped Jonan. "I know of the havoc they have wrought on their way."
"And what would you have done," growled Bram. Jonan gave him a stiff glare, but he rushed on. "Your majesty, we have taken only what we needed...."
And whatever else struck our fancy, thought Kery in a moment's wryness.
"—and much of our fighting has been done for honest pay. We want only a place to live a few years, land to farm as free yeomen, and we will defend the country which shelters us as long as we are in it. We are too few to take that land and hold it against a whole nation—that is why we have not settled down ere this—but on the march we will scatter any army in the world or leave our corpses for carrion birds. The men of Killorn keep faith with friends and foes alike, help to the one and harm to the other.
"Now we saw many fair fields in Ryvan where we could be at home. The Ganasthi have cleared off the owners for us. So we offer you this—give us the land we need and we will fight for you against these Ganasthi or any other foes while blood runs through our hearts. Refuse us and we may be able to make friends with the Dark Landers instead. For friends we must have."
"You see?" snarled Jonan. "He threatens banditry."
"No, no, you are too hasty," replied Sathi. "He is simply telling the honest truth. And the gods know we need warriors."
"This general was anxious enough for our help out there in the eastern marches," said Kery suddenly.
"Enough, barbarian," said Jonan with ice in his tones.