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He found his heart pounding as he leaned against the crenelated wall. I need to sleep, he realized, or I’ll be no good to anyone.
Still, he hesitated before going inside. The battlement was cold and lonely, but it was a good place to think. He’d leave Thendiere to manage the court, since his oldest son’s leg was still not sufficiently healed for hard campaigning. The arrangement would also keep Mhoried’s heir in relative safety while Daeric rode against Ghoere in the south. Now, with warfare in the northlands as well, he needed Gaelin to lead the fight against the goblins.
Bowing his head, the Mhor breathed a silent prayer for Gaelin’s swift and safe return.
In one corner of Ba
The wizard’s entire frame trembled in exhaustion, and he could no longer feel his hands and feet from a pervasive, bone-numbing cold. While the Shadow World was never a safe or certain passage, even in the best of times, it did allow those who knew its twisted paths to travel at amazing speeds.
In the span of a day, Ba
From below, the pounding on his door resumed. Ba
Ba
With a deep breath, Ba
Four of Shieldhaven’s guards stood outside, led by a young officer. The wizard’s sudden appearance startled them all, and the soldiers recoiled a step. “Yes?” Ba
“How may I be of service to you, lieutenant?”
The officer exchanged a wary glance with the sergeant of the guard, and then considered Ba
“Of course. Please, lead the way.”
Without a word, the officer turned and started off, the soldiers flanking Ba
Whatever the reason, the black looks he received as they headed for the Mhor’s study made it easier for Ba
They arrived at the mahogany-panelled royal quarters in short order. The wizard was surprised to see a pair of fully armored guards standing before the door, swords bared. It seemed the Mhor was taking few chances. Inside, he found Mhor Daeric leaning over a map of Mhoried, with his first son, Prince Thendiere, by his side, and old Tiery as well. The Mhor glanced up, and his expression hardened. “Ba
Ba
I have just returned from the Maesil.” When he put his mind to it, the Mhor possessed an unca
The Mhor’s brow furrowed at Ba
“What were you doing there?”
“Ghoere’s army had magical aid in crossing the Maesil,”
Ba
“That confirms our reports,” said Thendiere. He was a tall, thin man of about thirty. He had the Mhor’s height but his mother’s slightness of build. Thendiere’s face was guarded, with a cautious intelligence glinting in his eyes. He leaned heavily on a thick wooden cane, and as he shifted position Ba
Ba
The Mhor paced away from the table, hands clasped behind his back. Despite the fatigue of nearly two days of meetings, councils of war, diplomatic messages, and other endless tasks, he still presented an appearance of calm dignity and strength. Even his gray tunic was carefully pressed. He stopped by the window, gazing out over the snow-capped battlements of the castle. “Ba
“You sound as though you doubt me, my lord.”
Mhor Daeric looked over his shoulder, one eye fixing the wizard where he stood. “Ba
“My studies have consumed much of my time,” Ba
The Mhor held his eye for a long moment, studying Ba