Fear of that future ripped through him, but not just fear. Not in the face of those voices. Because there was too much pride. Not in himself, but in them, and if they could give so much, if they could die because he led them, then he had no choice but to lead them, wherever that journey took all of them in the end.

  “Ave, Galloway. Ave!”

  The cry went up not just from the troops, but from every window and balcony that overlooked the quay. Rick stood there, eyes burning, his face a stone, as he felt that weight settling upon his shoulders and prayed for the strength to bear it.

  “AVE, GALLOWAY!”

  “Bring this world together, my friend,” he heard Publius say through the rhythmically shouting voices.

  “GALLOWAY, IMPERATOR!”

  “Free the stars,” Saxon said from his other side, and Rick Galloway raised his head, nostrils flaring, as the cry rang through the city.

  “AVE! AVE, GALLOWAY IMPERATOR!”

 

 

  Jerry Pournelle, Mamelukes

 

 

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