intended to leave no room for doubt and to emphatically emphasise that all six were his children.
‘I am honoured to meet the entire family of the famous Flaming Sword.’ The legate seemed to smile beneath his helmet. ‘Now, Jarl, please allow me to introduce my companions.’ The legion commander turned slightly to one side and pointed at the knights. ‘These are my attending knights, Ru’tseh Tahon’veth and Octavian Livitus.’ The armoured soldiers saluted in unison.
Einara was puzzled by the name of the first of them. Whilst the second knight must have been a native of Xuindo, the first was from the provinces. The boy was certain that he’d once learnt about the races of the Empire and that members of one of them bore similar names, but he couldn’t quite remember which one.
‘Apart from constantly keeping an eye on me, they’re also my long-standing friends.’ the legate added in a slightly lighter tone. ‘We’re also accompanied by one of the sergeants of the 44th Legion, Anauriel Pleinselin.’ The soldier standing in the front row gave a sweeping salute. Only now did Einar notice his long, pointed elven ears protruding from beneath his helmet.
‘I hope you’ll do us the honour of introducing us, Legate.’ Everyone looked towards the gangway, down which a huge man in a naval officer’s uniform was just descending. The captain was almost as tall as Olaf, and his appearance made it easy to guess that he was a Ytren. Although his clean-shaven face and neatly cropped, well-groomed hair did not fit the usual appearance of the Sea People.
‘Hahahaha! I’d recognise that voice even from the depths of hell!’ cried the jarl suddenly, overjoyed. ‘The gods really do have a sense of humour, if Alrik Svenson has become a captain in the Imperial Navy!’
‘And I’m even more surprised that Olaf Anson, the biggest troublemaker and womaniser south of Alfsjord, has settled down and become an exemplary husband and father!’ The officer stepped onto the quay and, paying no heed to the legionaries, walked over to the jarl and gave him a bear
