Somber Knight controls treaty

“Very well,” Ryland said, raising his sword above his head. “Amulon, son of Warrow, seeing as you speak for the taurans, and a score of your fellows aided your crime, I hereby revoke your claim to your territory, along with access to the thoroughfares reserved for the friends of Blackwell Keep.”

“Celebrant will reinstate us,” Amulon said.

“Your new domain will encompass the barrows, lackluster wood, and the adjoining meadows,” Ryland continued.

“That is a domain of haunts and shades,” Amulon scoffed.

“And now of the taurans as well,” Ryland said. “Sleep lightly. Get to your new domain promptly. Anywhere else on this preserve, you are in extreme violation of trespass, with prejudice.” He slashed his sword twice in their direction.

“This cannot be,” Amulon said, beginning to look panicked.

“They’ll be hunted anywhere else they go,” Eve said. “Fair game to any creature.”

Those taurans still at the Herdlands are also trespassing,” Ryland said. “Warn them if you can. Should they linger longer than a day, their lives are forfeit. Once they have departed, reentry is of course barred. And you will be rejected by the protections of this road the moment my sword touches the ground.”

Amulon and the taurans all scattered to the left side of the road—all except one rumitaur, who glared at Ryland until the tip of his sword touched the dirt. Brilliant streaks of energy enveloped the stubborn rumitaur, hurling him off the road to land on his side, fur badly singed. One of the cervitaurs shot an arrow at the Somber Knight, but it failed to cross the edge of the road, deflected with a flash.

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“You have some serious power,” Seth said.

“In this instance, my power derives from the treaty they violated,” Ryland said.

“The dragons violated the treaty too,” Seth said.

“Which freed me to attack them,” Ryland said. “But the territories are tied to direct treaties with the caretakers. I could banish the taurans from their homes for treason. There is no equivalent for the dragons—except I can revoke Celebrant’s status as a caretaker.”

Chapter 14-Captive