Page 43 of To Love a Dark Lord

Distant barking told her they were about to have more company. The pack of hounds, eight in all, were tearing across the field toward them, with Eod in the lead.

“This, I do not mind.”

“Mom! Dad! Mom! Dad!” Eod barked as he jumped around the horse. The stallion snorted angrily but knew better than to kick at the animals.

Gwen unceremoniously jump-slid off the horse to greet the dog, ruffling his ears and kneeling so the big creature could lick her face without jumping up and likely knocking her over. “Hey, you silly doofus. I told you I’d be back.”

“I protect! I good!”

“You’re the best pup.” She smiled.

Mordred dismounted the horse a bit more gracefully than she did.

Eod jumped up to greet his master, tail wagging frantically. “Dad! Dad-Dad-Dad-Dad-Dad?—”

“Yes, yes.” Mordred petted the animal but allowed the ecstatic creature to get a few licks in before urging the animal back to all fours. “It is good to see you as well.”

Eod sat, his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth.

“Oh, tell the dog he’s a good boy, will you? It won’t kill you.” Gwen stood, brushing the dirt from her knees.

Mordred rolled his eyes. “Good boy, Eod.”

“Yes!” Eod shot back up to his feet and began running around gleefully. The other dogs were far more subdued in their excitement, but they all seemed thrilled they were home.

Mordred took the reins of his stallion as they headed through the encampment toward the keep. The villagers paused to stare at them as they passed. There were people of all shapes and sizes—there was even a damn centaur. Some people were normal-looking, but most had something unusual about them. Well, unusual to Gwen. They were probably perfectly average for Avalon.

They had armor and weapons, but most of their equipment looked like it had seen better days. Most of it didn’t even look like it was made out of metal—it was wood, or leather, or even stone. Right. Iron nullifies magic. Sometimes, it was hard to remember that. She was usually around Mordred or his iron army. For everyone else, it was dangerous and unusual.

Mordred was quick to comment on the state of the army. “Look at their equipment. They will be lambs to the slaughter.” He didn’t bother lowering his voice. One woman nearby gasped.

Gwen shot him a look. “Well, it’s too bad we don’t know someone who can just summon armor and weapons. That’d be super useful right about now, wouldn’t it? Where could we find one of those…”

“Yes, yes. I see your point.” He sighed. “It will take time to create enough for everyone. But it will take less effort than it would to raise a larger iron army. The mortals will be faster and more agile in the field. There may be some sense to this mad scheme, after all.”

She’d take that as a win. “I’ve been working at making armor for them the past few weeks. We’ve got a good start, but we’re not there yet.”

“But they will all still die,” he added.

Slapping a hand over her eyes, she walked beside Mordred as they headed through the courtyard. He put his stallion back in the stable before they went inside, Eod happily leading the way.

It was Tim she saw first. The broken iron guard was standing by the wall, holding his lance with his better arm. His posture changed upon seeing them, shoulders relaxing.

Walking up to the soldier, Gwen hugged him. “Missed you. Glad to be back.”

With a squeak, he turned his head to glance nervously at Mordred before returning the favor.

“You would befriend a candlestick if given the opportunity, I swear.” Mordred kept walking without her.

“Maybe you could stand to befriend a few more candlesticks.” She waved goodbye to Tim as she jogged after the Prince in Iron. “Or are you giving up on that, now that you’ve sworn to kill everyone who gets in your way?”

Mordred smirked. “You continue to say that as though it is a bad thing. I will convince you in time, when you see the inevitability of my actions.”

“Whatever.” There would be time for an argument. This still wasn’t it. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten in a while.

When they entered Mordred’s study, they weren’t alone. Sitting at the table were Bert, Lina, and Mirkon. Maewenn was busy placing platters of food down on the table.

“How’d you know we were back already?” Gwen laughed as she walked up to the cook, hugging her.

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