Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 515
"Thank you, your majesty." He bowed. "But I have
given equal authority over to General Armiger. He will be
commanding the defense of the gate."
"Good." He bowed again, and turned to leave.
"Matthias?" She couldn’t go through with it--perhaps she
could hide her true feelings from the rank and file, but it would
be unworthy to do so to her closest friends. When he looked
back with a puzzled look, Galas said, "No one should have to
die for me."
He glared at her. "You are the rightful monarch and heir,
blessed by the Winds. We would all be honored to die to
defend you." He walked quickly away.
Galas stared after him. She felt a stab of pain in her
chest--sorrow made physical--and hugged herself miserably.
Dawn had just broken. Morning light slanted in through
the ruined windows of the great hall. The shattered flame
pattern worked in stained glass seemed like a centuries-old
joke only now reaching its punch-line. To hinder Lavin’s men
from gaining access to the tower through the thin walls of the
hall, Matthias had doused everything in here with oil. This
great chamber would be an oven soon.
Men in heavy battle armor ran back and forth, faces
blank with concentration or fear. One or two even laughed, but
it was forced bravado; they knew she was here, they wanted to
prove themselves to her even in this situation.
She should be doing something.
"You!" She pointed at one of the running men. He
stopped dead in his tracks.
"Your majesty?"
"I wish to give a... a final address to the commanders.
Are they here?"
He shook his head. "They’re dispersed about the walls,