Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 590
still in control of herself. Obviously of noble birth, he thought.
"General Armiger is a threat to your world," she said.
Lavin barked a laugh. "He’s not that good, madam."
"I don’t think you take my meaning--"
"I don’t care what you mean. It seems to me that you are
the problem at this moment. We have a common enemy in
Armiger, it’s true. You may or may not have done my men
injury. That’s all beside the point. The Diadem swans are
pacing my camp right now, turning over every rock looking for
something. I think the thing they are looking for is you."
Her composure cracked at last. "It’s him! Armiger’s the
one they want."
"In that case, if I offer you to them they will simply
return you, and then there’s no harm done. Yes?" He leaned
forward (dizziness soared and crashed) and smiled at her.
"You don’t understand! You can’t give me to them. It’s
him they want. If they take me they stop searching, and they
mustn’t!"
"Gag her."
She fought. Lavin turned away in distaste, and gestured
to Hesty, who waited in the shadows. "Call the swans. Tell
them I may have something for them."
The prisoner was on her knees now, gagged, and glaring
at him. Not the first to do that, but the first woman.
He had felt this way the first few times he had ordered
men killed. If giving this Lady May to the Winds guaranteed
the safety of his men, then he had to do it. Lavin knew
nonetheless that he would be thinking about this moment for
weeks.
Light welled outside, converging from several directions.
The camp fell silent. Seeing those swathes of light through the
canvas of the tent made the hairs on Lavin’s neck rise. He