Arthur Daigle's Blog - Posts Tagged "king"

I have written many stories with Dana and Jayden, without them ever meeting or even seeing the king and queen they oppose. I felt it would be helpful to have a series of short stories to introduce them.
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The king and queen strolled down a castle hall escorted by eight soldiers. In most castles so many bodyguards would be excessive bordering on paranoid, but after five assassination attempts the king took no chances. Normally the king kept busy at such an early hour with the endless paperwork of his job, but today he and his queen had to be in the throne room after they were done with breakfast. The day promised to be busy, with four noblemen seeking an audience, an update from his army commanders by way of magic mirror, and representatives of the dwarf corporation Golem Works expected later in the day.

No couple could pose a bigger contrast. The king was a man in his early fifties, still strong and handsome to behold. His black hair showed hints of gray, and there were wrinkles at the corner of his eyes, but otherwise he looked younger than his years. His clothes were the finest furs and silks over magic chain armor, and he never traveled without three magic weapons.

His wife was his junior by twelve years and looked even younger than that. Her dress was the finest silk dyed golden yellow, her long hair expertly combed and styled, her jewelry the finest gold, and none of it was enough. Her face was etched in a permanent scowl, the look of the outraged who couldn’t strike at the source of their annoyance. It marred what should have been legendary beauty.

They turned a corner and passed the castle library. The king didn’t break his stride, but his eyes lingered on the door. He hadn’t entered the library in twenty years. When he needed a book, he had a servant bring it to him. The room reminded him of his long-departed son. There had been times when the boy would spend every waking hour there for weeks, learning of the ancient past, preparing for his tutor’s tests, or simple reading for the love of it. The king recalled having to send meals to the boy, and wondering if he should add a bed to the room. It was—

“You’re doing it again,” the queen said sourly.

The king didn’t look at her as he continued walking. “I am allowed to recall happier times.”

“Brooding over the past helps no one. Prince Mastram is dead and gone twenty years.”

“Twenty-one.”

The queen’s scowl deepened. “How long must you deify a boy unworthy of your attention even when he was alive, and totally beneath your attention now that he’s gone?”

The king was sorely tempted to grit his teeth, to return her scowl, anything to show his displeasure, but such a response would be the act of a lesser man. He’d had many conversations like this with his wife, to the point that it was almost expected, except she usually showed the good sense to entertain this foolishness when they were alone. He trusted his bodyguards, but even loyal men could talk after they’d had a difficult day or too much to drink. His wife should have the sense to understand that.

“I desire privacy,” he told them. His bodyguards fell back enough that they couldn’t hear the royal couple’s conversation but close enough to come in case of danger. He didn’t look at his wife when he said, “We are to have guests soon. Speak your piece now, for I won’t tolerate this in front of others.”

The queen took his arm. “This is madness. You want to be respected, yet anyone with working eyes can see you longing for a past both gone and dead. It’s time and energy wasted. How much longer must this farce continue?”

The king was a practical man who had mastered his emotions long ago. Loss and pain had seared away much of his feelings. That gave him the strength to not slap the queen. Instead he spoke words no less brutal.

“You knew how deeply I loved my first wife before we were wed. Only her death separated us. The marriage between you and I was political when it began and remains so today. Then as now, we need each other, nothing more. You have earned my respect, grudgingly, but nothing you have done has earned my love. I don’t expect that to change.”

He continued before she could reply. “Your family’s soldiers and fortune helped end the civil war, and I honored their demand to marry you. That was all our relationship was, a transaction. Any chance for it growing into something more meaningful ended long ago when your family made more demands, and more, and more beyond those. You spite me every chance you get and wonder why I am cold to you? You wonder why I fondly recall a wife who cared for me, her family making no demands?”

“They demanded nothing and offered nothing!” The queen took her hand away from him. “What chance did I ever have? Your true love keeps your heart, and in death can make no mistakes and have no flaws. I’ve spent half my life competing with a dead woman for a live man’s attention.”

“You are ever careful to omit your own many failings,” he noted. “How many have you destroyed when your temper flared? How many times did I have to rein in your vengeance? I’ve lost count of the court members, lesser nobles and even castle staff ruined for failing to avoid your ire. You wield your authority like an ogre swinging a club.”

“A queen is owed respect. You protest me defending my good name and position, but no one else will, present company included.”

“Lie to yourself if it pleases you, but not to me. I’ve seen the pleasure you take in inflicting punishment on others. You revel in their pain and humiliation. It is a flaw that makes more enemies with every passing year, forcing me to work harder to ensure obedience from my followers. I’d exclude you and your sharp tongue from more meetings, if only I could without your family protesting.”

The queen stopped walking and turned to face her husband. “If you have no care for me, have some for your children. You have sons still alive, both desperate to earn your favor, to prove themselves to you, yet you trust neither with high office or even let them attend court meetings. You haven’t even named one as crown prince! Bad enough I contend with the memories of a dead woman, must our sons compete against a boy you sent to his death?”

“An execution you and your family demanded as the price for their help in my hour of need. I did as I must, but never think I did so out of hatred for him or love for you. As for our offspring, one is a brute and the other a fool. I give them no positions of importance or trust them with secrets because they are incapable of handling either. Our sons have proven themselves Prince Mastram’s lesser at every opportunity. In Prince Mastram’s short life he did more that the pair of them have done in twice as long.”

“And were he alive today, Mastram—”

“Prince Mastram,” he corrected her. “I satisfied your clan’s bloody desires by denouncing him as illegitimate, but in the privacy between us I can call him my son and a prince.”

The queen rolled her eyes. “Prince Mastram lived in a world of books. He was small, weak, timid, hiding behind a scholar and a jester. He held to ideals no one could live by, much less rule by. That’s the son you lionize.”

The king nodded grudgingly. “He was a scholar at heart. In times of peace he would have ruled justly, but he lacked the courage and strength for war.”

“You started a war he’d never stomach.” The queen put her hands on her hips. “You’ve always prided yourself on being practical, doing what had to be done. Be practical now. You need an heir ready for your position when you die, or all you’ve done is for nothing. You have two sons, and given how cold our marriage has become there will never be another to pick from. One or the other, husband.”

The king allowed himself a slight smile. “Planning my funeral so soon?”

“No man is promised tomorrow,” she countered. “Death comes for all men, and only a fool doesn’t prepare for his own end.”

“Ture,” the king admitted. He’d long been taking powerful potions to slow his aging, and more to grant him resistance to exotic poisons used by assassins. That plus his skill in battle and loyal followers should put off the grave long enough to set the kingdom on a solid foundation, but life came with no guarantees.

What the queen never seemed to understand, or anyone else for that matter, was that the specter of death was what drove the king so hard. He had only so much time left, and so much to do to save a kingdom filled with enemies within and without. His lands were ever on the knife’s edge between prosperity and annihilation. Mercy, love, tolerance, those were the luxuries of the safe and secure. What were those ‘virtues’ compared to the lives of countless people? He did what he had to do for their survival as much as for his own.

The queen’s expression softened, and her tone was more compassionate than it had been in months. “Will our children never have your respect the way your dear prince did? Will you never give them your heart as a father should?”

“I give nothing. If they want my favor, have them earn it. On the training grounds, in their studies, in lesser court functions where I tolerate their presence, tell them to perform to expectations and I will reconsider my opinion of them. Make them prove we have not sired idiots. Whatever you do, don’t tell them their ascension to the throne is assured, for I will let a stranger not of my bloodline take my crown before I give it to one unworthy.”

The king continued to the throne room without giving his wife another glance. “We have delayed long enough. Come, my queen. Business demands our presence. You may deal with our sons after more important work is completed. For your sake I hope you succeed. The days ahead will be difficult enough without their continued buffoonery.”

“This is a new disaster,” Queen Amvicta said. She had the good sense to speak quietly when there were so many witnesses, but King Tyros still frowned. Formal banquets like this were part of being king. This was a large one with over a hundred court members, noblemen and other notables. It wouldn’t do to unsettle them.

In other kingdoms such banquets would be an opportunity for developing comradery with followers and encouraging their efforts. Not here. Tyros had no sense of fellowship with the men who served him. They were doing a job, nothing more, and if they failed were replaced. Instead Tyros used the meal as another opportunity to read reports and issue written orders. Paperwork was staggering, and the war vastly increased the workload. This meal began with a stack of paper four inches tall, and Tyros had only gotten through half of it.

King Tyros looked over a report from one of his spies while he ate. The meal was filling if too rich for his liking. Cakes, roast duck, sugared fruit, and there were more courses to come. Food was for sustenance, and this use of spices and sugars a needless expense. “Which one? Your cousin’s failures, the slow progress against Zentrix, or the army stalled at Kaleoth’s border?”

Amvicta gave him a sour look. The two of them were alone at their table at the head of the hall, placing the nearest person thirty feet away. That gave them some privacy, but they still had to keep their tone low to avoid eavesdropping. “Vander’s problems are your making. You sent that walking abomination to him.”

“Flawed tools are all I have. Vander was told to be subtle using Victory’s Edge. Instead his poor security resulted in the wizard’s death.”

Amvicta scowled before dabbing her bread in a honey sauce. “There was never going to be anything subtle about using that foreigner. You heard what he does to men.”

“That’s why Vander was instructed to use his magic on the gladiators. We wouldn’t have to pay them once they were dead, or deal with their insubordination. It would have been a force equalizer after losing the stone and timber golems.”

Tyros and Amvicta fell silent when a servant cleared away their empty dishes. Tyros would have to skip a meal tomorrow after such overeating. There was still a lot of food on the table, wasteful in Tyros’ opinion, but people were watching. If the king didn’t eat well they’d think something was wrong, possibly that he was sick.

Their guests were only too happy to gorge. Richly dressed, wearing jewelry and eating like hogs at a trough, it was hard not to hold them in contempt. Tyros was willing to forgive some of them when they worked hard, but for most of them it was gluttony, plain and simple. Sadly that included his sons. Palan was indulging in his usual behavior, chatting with servant girls and feasting on sweets. “Must he act like a child?”

Amvicta followed his gaze and rolled her eyes. “He’s a young man with a youth’s appetite, and not an ounce of fat on him. As for talking with the staff, that wasn’t a sin last I checked.”

Eskas was as bad. The older of Tyros’ sons was stronger after years of regular combat training. He ate like a horse because he worked like one. Sadly he was nearly as smart as one. Brutish, uncultured, arrogant, he was Palan’s opposite yet managed to be just as much a failure in his own way. The surly, dark haired young man kept his eyes on his parents.

Amvicta broke his line of thought when she handed him a sheet of paper. “Since you brought him up, Palan has submitted a proposal for repairing Grist Castle.”

Tyros wiped his hands off on a towel and took the paper. He expected worthless drivel in keeping with all Palan’s ideas, but this had some merit. The boy must be learning, or had someone coach him. “It uses manpower on hand and keeps costs down. The timetable is reasonable, too. I’ll look over it in more detail tonight.”

Amvicta looked pleased that one of her sons had done something right for once. Tyros was merely surprised they hadn’t let him down again. Heaven above, what had he done to earn such weak, stupid offspring? Even Mastram had showed little potential, hiding away in the castle library, mourning the dead instead of moving on. Tyros had loved the boy as much as he’d able to after so much pain and loss, but Mastram had been a scholar when his father needed a warrior. Losing him had hurt, a pain that cropped up in dark times, but it was a necessity rather than a tragedy. If Mastram had been a stronger son the loss would have been greater.

“I was referring to this,” Amvicta said tartly. She pointed to a report from their forces near Zentrix.

Tyros had already read the report. “And?”

“The hunting party we sent after the Sorcerer Lord failed. Five dangerous men went out. Two are dead, two more sort of dead. How does someone become sort of dead?”

Tyros had seen such horrors during the civil war that little surprised him regarding death. “One is a ghost and the other is immortal. He will already be reborn in fire and screams, somewhere or other. I’m told he could return ten feet from where he died or a thousand miles away.”

“They failed.” It was surprising to see Amvicta admit her blunders. She must be emboldened by the fact that Tyros had agreed with her, making it their failure and not hers alone.

“They succeeded,” he replied. “We sent them to find and kill Jayden. They found him, an impressive feat few have even tried. This gnome, Bargle, claims responsibility for locating the Sorcerer Lord, and he isn’t among the dead. He succeeded once, he can do so again, but this time at the head of a larger, stronger, better equipped force.”

Amvicta looked shocked. “You’re not angry?”

Tyros pointed at the report with a knife. “The people we lost were strong but could only be used in limited situations. Those that died were the worst of the lot, and the other two hardly better. We lost nothing that mattered while proving the plan can work. This Bargle fellow, pay him a hundred silver coins and offer a hundred times that when he finds Jayden again.”

Amvicta looked more thoughtful. “Who do we send? The Kaleoth expedition can afford to send a hundred men, no loss when they’re just sitting around eating our food.”

Tyros handed her a letter. “I had someone different in mind.”

His queen’s eyes opened wide as she read it. “The Inspired?”

“Wizards should know how to kill wizards, and these ones will be motivated by lust for knowledge. Jayden knows secrets of the Sorcerer Lords they’ll want for themselves.”

“These are incredibly dangerous men you’re inviting into the kingdom. They’re schemers of the worst kind and will stab us in the back the first chance they get.”

It was tempting, so very tempting to say, ‘Then you should feel comfortable around them,’ but he bit back the harsh response. Tyros had known the risk his wife posed to him even on their wedding day. She wanted her sons on his throne as badly as her clan did. They had waited patiently for him to die so they could take over his kingdom, barely hiding their desire to seize his crown.

He wondered briefly if she understood how much of what he was doing was to hold back that day. The compromises, secret agendas, backroom deals, the atrocities, it kept Meadowland Kingdom whole and healthy, but it also kept Tyros on his throne. Was it enough? He didn’t know. He knew all kings faced the same risks and did no less than he did to hold power. His wife’s clan would take his place in a second if they thought they could.

Tyros shook himself out of his musings. There wasn’t time for doubts. He resumed his meal and was about to pick up another letter when he saw Eskas still staring at him and Amvicta. His son’s eyes narrowed. “Eskas is about to act foolishly again.”

The signs were plain to see. Eskas was as subtle as a charging bull and showed the same poor judgement. He’d beaten sparing partners near to death, ridden horses so hard they had to be put down, insulted any man close enough to hear regardless of their rank, yet thought himself entitled to the throne. He was breathing harder and threw his knife and fork on the table instead of setting them down.

Amvicta wiped off her hands on a towel and stood up. “I’ll deal with this.”

The queen had barely risen from her seat when Eskas got up and marched to his parents’ table. He had a determined look on his face and pushed aside servants between him and his target. Men across the room noticed and stopped eating. Palan noticed the scene, and for a change made no effort to save his brother from embarrassment. That wasn’t surprising given how often he’d failed to save Eskas from himself.

“My son, there is work for you when the banquet is over,” Amvicta began. She had years of experience mollifying her two failures. The most effective was to give them something to do in the hopes it would earn their father’s approval. This time it didn’t work.

“My father and king, I must speak with you.” Eskas was loud enough for everyone to hear him. Guests looked away, some whispering to one another.

“This is not the time to discuss family affairs,” Tyros replied, his voice calm, cool, commanding. His son no doubt thought he could press his case harder and face lighter punishments by having witnesses to his petition.

“It’s never the time! I have waited years for you to name me crown prince and your successor. That day has never come. Every king within a thousand miles names their eldest son as their successor once he is old enough to hold a sword. I have strived to prove my value to you and my ability to rule Meadowland. How much more must I do? How much longer must I wait for what is mine?”

Amvicta winced at her son’s harsh tone. Public scenes like this were terrible for morale and would be cause for talk across the kingdom. She looked at Tyros with an expression that practically begged for leniency. She got none.

Tyros stood up. “I wouldn’t tolerate this disrespect from anyone, least of all my son! You demand honors when time and again you have proven unworthy of them.”

“You give me no chance to prove myself! How many times have I asked for command of an army?”

“You’ve never proven capable of leading a squad and you want an army? What man would follow an untested leader known for being stubborn and easily enraged? The very fact that you approach me like this without permission and in front of witnesses proves your unworthy.”

“What more must I do?” Eskas screamed.

Tyros pointed at his son. “You can start by not making a public spectacle of yourself! Show proper respect and humility, and wait.”

Not finished, Tyros snatched up a paper off his table. Eskas had gone too far and deserved punishment for the offense. “Prince Palan, rise and approach.”

Palan had been watching the scene with the tired resignation of one who’d often seen such squabbles and was embarrassed to have his family’s dirty laundry being aired. That disappeared quickly and he marched up to his father.

“Your plan to restore Grist Castle has earned my approval.” Tyros had intended to scrutinize the proposal for error. No longer. Giving anything to Palan was punishing Eskas, reason enough to agree. “You have two weeks to make preparations. Go, and prove your place at my side.”

“I obey my father and my king,” Palan said and saluted.

“No!” Eskas screamed. “This is not about him!”

“Leave the hall and return to your quarters,” Tyros said, his voice cold. “You may go willingly or be carried out, but you are leaving.”

Eskas stood his ground for a few seconds before he left, his face red and his hands clenched into fists. Tyros watched him go before gesturing for Amvicta to join him. She gave a long suffering sigh, humiliated by her eldest son. Tyros glared at his guests before addressing them.

“If word of this debacle spreads outside this room, I will learn of it and punish those responsible.”

The rest of the meal was held in silence. Tyros finished eating and left, disgusted with his family and his kingdom. The deeds he had done, the pain he had endured, and it never ended. There was a slender chance, a sliver of bright light in the distance that gave him hope he could get through this disaster. It kept him going, and kept him from exacting a terrible vengeance on the fools who surrounded him.

* * * * *

Prince Palan left the hall later alongside his father’s followers. Normally there would be conversations, but everyone remained silent after Eskas’ embarrassing outburst. Palan was silent for another reason. He dared not trust his tongue when his feelings were so strong. The men around him were suspicious by nature and would notice anything out of place. If he sounded too excited, too happy, they’d sense it. They might attribute a change in Palan’s behavior to stress after his brother’s meltdown or elation at his opportunity to prove himself, but he couldn’t risk it.

Palan returned to his room and paced like a caged tiger. Night couldn’t come fast enough, and his heart beat like a hammer at being forced to wait. Only when he was sure the guards were changing shifts and the servants were asleep did he sneak out of his room and head deep into the castle. He found an entrance to the sewers.

Two goblins slipped out of the shadows to meet him. The first had tanned skin, long messy hair, dirty clothes and spikes jutting from his shoulders. The second was spear bald, had turquoise colored skin and a coil of rope wrapped around his ratty clothes.

“Well?” the one with spikes asked.

Palan sat on the floor so he could look his friends in the eyes. “It worked, Thipins!”

King Tyros stood in his bedchambers as he put on his belt and best cape over his silk clothes. Dressing up like this annoyed him. Simple, functional, that was what was needed. Trying to fit the expectation of others wasted time and money. In theory the men and women of his castle, his kingdom, should adjust their behavior to match his.

That was not the way the world worked, though. So much of being a king was looking the part, acting like others expected a king to behave. He’d made efforts to introduce changes in uniforms and behaviors, cutting down on costs and needless ceremonies, but they kept creeping back in. Commoners, artisans and nobles all wanted life to be as it always had been.

Amvicta joined him in dressed in her finest gown and jewels. She looked pleased with herself, so there might be fewer incidents at court caused by her sharp tongue. “Everyone’s ready.”

“A moment longer,” he told her as he put on his crown. Once he’d owned several crowns, but during the civil war he’d sold the less valuable ones to pay his soldiers. Other kings would find that galling, a diminishment of their authority. To Tyros it had been a move long coming. Luxury was waste in his eyes.

Tyros and Amvicta left their room and headed for the courtyard. Guards followed them as always, but there were more defenders. Tyros had increased the castle’s defenses as of late in case his newest followers proved ambitious. These guardians followed at a distance, slipping into this world and back to their own so quickly few noticed them and none got a clear look. One guard glanced to his left and paused, catching the barest glimpse of his mystic defenders, then resumed marching.

“My father sent words of encouragement for this mission,” Amvicta said proudly.

“Palan is restoring a castle, not going on a quest,” Tyros grumbled. Meadowland was filled with ruined castles awaiting restoration or demolition. Fixing one should prove no difficulty, but Palan would no doubt make it harder than it had to be.

“Simple tasks must come before difficult ones. Giving your son a chance to prove himself has been a long time coming. He won’t disappoint you.”

“That would be a welcome change,” Tyros replied, earning him a scowl from Amvicta.

He didn’t care. His wife and sons had proven massive disappointments at every turn. That his father-in-law felt the need to speak on Palan’s behalf was all the more galling. Amvicta’s family constantly overstepped their bounds, acting as kings in his kingdom, offering counsel, as if they had a right to, and constantly seeking advantages at Tyros’ expense.

They reached a point where the castle corridor branched, and Tyros turned left. Amvicta grabbed his arm and demanded, “Where are you going?”

“To see to military matters.”

She scowled. “That revolting wizard? Your son and important men await you.”

“One of the advantages of being king is no one is more important than I am.”

Tyros marched on followed by his wife and guards. He reached the guest bedrooms where the Inspired wizard waited for him. Tyros had accepted the man as a necessary evil, something life was filled with, but he’d never trusted him. This room was well away from sensitive areas of the castle, and nearby servants were in fact highly trained and well-armed agents ready to kill the wizard should he step out of bounds.

“Wait here,” Tyros said, and entered the room. He didn’t knock. This castle and kingdom were his, and he could go where he pleased when he pleased without asking permission. Once inside he shut the door. Best if no witnesses were present for what was about to be said.

The room was simple, with a bed, table and chair. The man within was anything but. Hyress of the Inspired wore the white and black robes common to his order of wizards, and carried an oak staff. He had a book on the bed filled with notes in a language Tyros had never seen and diagrams the meaning of which Tyros couldn’t even guess at. Hyress was a young man of perhaps twenty years, his brown hair cut short, his features almost boyish, but his expression was a riddle. He always looked curious, like the world was somehow new no matter how simple a thing he looked at. Tyros expected the wizard to be furious at his sudden entrance, maybe afraid, but Hyress was unphased.

“You failed me.” As starting moves it was brutal and likely to cause discontent, but Tyros liked his enemies unsettled.

“The plan was high risk and high reward when I proposed it,” Hyress replied casually. “Failure was not merely possible but likely. Nothing of value was lost in the attempt, and more missions are planned for this week, next week and the week after that. Bascal will fall under the volume of assaults.”

“A bold claim when you have only five undertrained, underpowered wizards. Your order is known for the number of wizards they can send, if not their strength. When will more come?”

That was another calculated insult. Tyros knew the best way to beat an enemy was to push them hard and often, and Hyress was an enemy despite their current arrangement. Anyone fool enough to think they could take over the world was a madman, or a deadly threat.

“The Inspired have committed more wizards to your cause than they have anywhere else on Other Place,” Hyress said calmly. “If you want more then more must be offered, or at least paid. We have received nothing we asked as payment for our services.”

“You ask for garbage!” Tyros yelled. He wasn’t used to being unsure about someone, but he couldn’t make sense of Hyress. He’d expected Hyress to demand gold, jewels, noble titles. Instead the wizard had asked to be paid with worthless refuse that even a beggar would ignore. Why? No explanation had been offered.

“It is of value to us,” Hyress replied. “As our prize means nothing to you, all the more reason to give it to us.”

Tyros held his ground a moment longer. He despised Hyress and men like him. The world was filled with opportunists, graverobbers and scavengers looking for scraps during times of crisis. And curse him for even thinking it, Tyros needed this vulture of a man.

He needed victories. The war was progressing poorly. Kaleoth was untouched, safe behind Racehorse River. Bascal had closed the main pass into their kingdom. His armies struggled to open it and had lost two major assets sent to assist the effort. Only in Zentrix did his armies advance now that the ground was dry enough to walk on rather than sink in, but their losses were heavy and morale was low. Tyros needed to reverse this trend, and Hyress might be able to do it.

“How soon after payment can your fellow wizards come, and how many of them will arrive?” Tyros asked through clenched teeth.

“If full payment is made, I can have eight additional wizards in Meadowland within ten days. They will bring summoned monsters, magic weapons and funds sufficient to play an active role in your war for an entire year.”

Tyros reached for the doorknob. “You will have it by day’s end. You disappointed me once, wizard. Those who make a habit of failure suffer for it.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“A question first. All the Inspired Wizards I’ve met wear uniforms of black and white. What is the significance of it?”

“White is commonly associated with goodness and black with evil,” Hyress replied. “We wear a blend of both white and black to show how we are above such thinking. Good and evil are childish concepts. There is only success or failure. Everything else is noise.”

“An interesting point of view,” Tyros told the wizard. It was one he agreed with. He’d survived a civil war, countless assassination attempts and constant challenges to his authority. He’d done what had to be done to survive. Good like the Brotherhood of the Righteous championed was weakness cloaked in dogma. The evil of bandits and monsters was needlessly destructive and heedless of the future. A king had to be decisive, brutal, confident and plan for the future.

That he agreed with Hyress sealed the man’s fate. Hyress would be equally decisive, brutal and confident, and he planned for a future where he ruled. If the time came when he thought he could overthrow Tyros, he would do so without pity or gloating. That meant the Inspired wizard and his fellow practitioners of the dark arts would have to die. Tyros would squeeze all the use he could from them and put them to death.

It was unfortunate, even a touch wasteful, but that was life.

Tyros rejoined his wife and guards outside the guest room and closed the door behind him. Amvicta gave him a sour look before complaining, “I don’t know what you tolerate that man in our castle.”

“Even serpents have their uses.” It was lost on her how that statement applied to her as much as the wizard. She would doubtless press her point, so to head off that argument he said, “With that settled we can move on to Palan. Restoring Grist Castle will take the rest of the year. If Palan succeeds there are other projects I can assign him.”

“Military tasks?” she asked hopefully.

Tyros would sooner put a goblin in charge of his armies than his spineless son. “Construction for now, military if he is and continues to be successful. As for Eskas—”

“We’re not talking about Eskas,” Amvicta interrupted. Her eldest son was no longer allowed in the castle, and she had no desire to see new punishments placed on his shoulders.

“You’re right. Palan has earned a chance to prove himself. We’ll see him on his way.”

They walked on in silence. The more Tyros thought about it, sending Palan on this task was a good idea. Palan had more failings than were acceptable in a man, much less a ruler, but he was clever. Rather like Mastram that way, always thinking. The boy might see what his father was planning. That wouldn’t do. Better to send him far from court, and when the time came deal with him alone.

They reached the courtyard to find Tyros’ court officials and resident nobles in attendance. It has a hot, sunny day, and the guests were sweating. Servants had hung pennants and banners to commemorate this dull event, and tables filled with refreshments had been set on the grassy field. Tyros and Amvicta stood on a low wood platform well away from their followers. Palan wasn’t present, waiting to be summoned and awarded royal orders.

“Announce the prince,” Tyros told an attendant. The man blew a horn, and Palan entered the courtyard from a gate opposite Tyros. He wore armor, as if he expected to fight, and was followed by a procession of soldiers. Those men were in their thirties and forties, competent but well past their prime. That met with Tyros’ approval. They could do the job asked of them without their absence being a drain on the military. Following them were hundreds of boys and young men.

Officially those callow youths were guests of the crown, to be protected and educated at royal expense. That lie fooled no one. They were the eldest sons of mayors from across Meadowland, men Tyros wasn’t entirely satisfied with. Their fathers had served him competently but without the enthusiasm. Replacing so many mayors would cause chaos and convince his officials they had to fear their king. This ensured the mayors’ cooperation, and served as a reminder to everyone there was a price to be paid for any slackening of support.

Palan bowed. “My father and my king, I come to serve.”

“Rise, Prince Palan,” Tyros replied. His son stood up straight. “You have sought royal command to rebuild Grist Castle for the good of Meadowland. This is granted.”

“I shall bring honor to your name and to Meadowland,” Palan replied.

That was doubtful, but Tyros went through with this tedious ceremony and handed a rolled up vellum scroll to his son. Palan accepted it and saluted, and the men with him saluted. Normally there would be a celebration or feast to commemorate assigning a prince a mission for the crown, but this deed was so minor Tyros had ordered it canceled. Palan hadn’t refused the move, some slight sign of maturity on his part. With this foolishness done, Palan led his meager force away, and good riddance to them all.

“You did the right thing,” Amvicta whispered to him.

Tyros watched his son leave. The boy was a waste, trash, a coddled child grown into a worthless man. When he died it would be no loss to Tyros or Meadowland, and that day was coming ever closer.

Tyros turned to his wife. “It was the logical choice.”

* * * * *

Palan stopped his small command late that night, far from the nearest house or witness. He had four hundred hostages, fifty older soldiers to guard them, ten wagons pulled by oxen, food and construction tools. It was enough.

Morale was high. Palan had hand-picked the soldiers, making sure these men knew the real meaning of honor and loyalty. They had served the crown long enough to see brutality masked as necessity, and been sickened by it. The hostages were in good cheer now that they were out of the capital. They knew some of Palan’s intensions and realized they were far from safety, but every step brought them closer to family and freedom. His soldiers fed them generous portions. They’d need their strength for the days ahead, and he’d made arrangements for more supplies along the way.

Palan sat at the edge of the camp away from the others. This small, desperate force under his command was in great danger. He knew this was their only chance, his only chance, but that was little consolation. If caught they would all be put to death. He’d made every effort to avoid such a fate. For months he’d been sending letters by means of discrete couriers to men and women he knew he could count on. He had friends in the kingdom who would risk their lives for him, if he could reach them. He’d also secured weapons and riches his father didn’t know about that could turn the tables in their favor. Would it be enough?

There was a rustling in the tall grass just off the road, and a horde of goblins emerged from cover. Some he recognized, others not. Thipins and Campots came up to him and shook his hand.

“You did it,” Thipins said proudly.

“The journey’s just begun, and father will have men watching us,” Palan told his friend.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of them,” Campots promised. “We brought friends.”

“So I see.” Palan studied the newcomers. Most were typical goblins, dirty, smelly, dressed in rags, but two were different. One wore a strange white coat and carried a finely made leather bag. The second was even stranger, wearing black and green clothing in the same style of the King of the Goblins, and armed with a wood club carved to look like a scepter.

“It’s good to have friends,” he told the goblins. “Until you came, I’d never had one.”

“It’s gonna be okay, kiddo,” Thipins promised. He gave Palan a reassuring pat on the arm. “You won’t be exiled like your half-brother. We won’t let that happen.”

“I’d think you’d be happy,” Jayden said as knights escorted him and Dana to their hotel. “A serious threat has been permanently removed, free of charge.”

“You’re making it worse,” Dana told him.

“Just keep moving.” Stillman sounded exhausted after the fight with Ghost Hunter. More likely he was worried about his career. Ghost Hunter had attacked him, his knights and Bascal secret agents. Their best efforts to kill him failed. Granted killing a ghost is no easy task, but having some of their top men helpless must be embarrassing.

“Surely the matter has been settled to everyone’s satisfaction,” Prince Onus said. “The danger is gone.”

“Prince, if you’ll kindly go to the castle,” Stillman said. “Royal authorities assumed you would be in no danger in Dragon Roost, which has been proven to be optimistic boarding on naiveté. A serious attempt was made on your life, and there may be more.”

“It’s not the first time,” Prince Onus told him.

Jayden took Stillman’s side. “Both your nations are in danger of being not merely defeated but totally absorbed into Meadowland. If you die, no one in Kaleoth can take your place. Your death would also end any chance for meaningful cooperation between your kingdoms when that is essential.”

“I’m considered a coward if I stay in the castle, a fool if I stay on the streets, and I insult my host if I bring my own security,” Prince Onus said bitterly. “Is there a route I can take that does work?”

“Refusing to let you bring guards was a mistake,” Stillman admitted. “I will ask King Rascan to allow you to bring personal retainers in future visits, but I need you alive and well for there to be future visits. Galling as this must be, please, go with our agents to the castle.”

“And how long are we to stay in our hotel room?” Jayden asked.

“Until you’re summoned,” Stillman told him. “With the ghost defeated there are no threats to your life, so you may stay there with all your needs met until King Rascan decides how best to employ you.”

They reached the hotel, but Jayden stopped at the door. “Our services do not come free.”

“We will negotiate compensation worthy of your efforts,” Stillman promised.

Prince Onus stepped toward Dana and Jayden. “I’d like to speak with Jayden and Miss Illwind in private.”

Stillman’s faced paled. “While we’re willing to work with the Sorcerer Lord, the man has a reputation for damage and disorder we can’t ignore. There’s going to be trouble from royal security about them even getting close enough to see you.”

The prince’s face darkened. “They have given honorable service to Kaleoth, and asked nothing in return except passage to their homeland.”

“I’m sure they—” Stillman began.

Prince Onus didn’t let him finish. “Do not presume to give me orders. I realize Rascan thinks I’m a country bumpkin, but I am a prince, sir. I speak to whomever I choose, whenever I choose, and any attempt to restrict that will be considered a grave insult. I will take security measures seriously without being a fool or a puppet.”

There was a long, awkward pause as Stillman stared at Prince Onus and Jayden smirked.

“I apologize for not showing proper deference,” Stillman said. “If you wish to see them, we will certainly arrange it. Please do not think King Rascan has anything but the highest opinion of you, your grandfather and your kingdom.”

“Thank you.” Prince Onus turned to Dana and Jayden. “I would appreciate the chance to speak with you in the morning, if it’s convenient.”

“We’d be delighted, wouldn’t we, Dana.”

“Oh, um, sure.” Dana shook Prince Onus’ hand, making Stillman roll his eyes in exasperation.

Jayden and Dana went to their room, and once safe inside Jayden said, “I’m growing to like him.”

Dana collapsed onto the bed. “He makes a strong impression. So, how badly did we screw up?”

“We didn’t. Ghost Hunter had to be removed for our safety and that of others. Meeting the prince again was a happy coincidence. In regards to Stillman, there was going to be difficulty working with him no matter what we did. In a way we may have improved our chances of securing the spell tablets. Stillman, his knights and the secret agents saw us kill Ghost Hunter. They are eye witnesses to what we can do for them, and that we are worth having even at a high cost.”

Dana drew Chain Cutter and set it on the bed. Her weapon had glowed ever since she’d gotten it, but now it was different. The light was stronger and warmer. She could hear whispered prayers from the blade. “Next question, exactly what is a sanctified weapon, because it looks like I’ve got one.”

Jayden studied the sword without touching it. “I’ve heard about such weapons without ever seeing one. They are rare, strong and much prized. The priest spoke honestly when he said a small piece of heaven now resides within Chain Cutter. In most situations that won’t have much effect, as the sword was already strong, but you saw what it did to Ghost Hunter. Chain Cutter was already effective against the undead due to the shadow magic used to make it. As a sanctified weapon that will be greatly magnified. Living beings that have turned to dark ways will be equally vulnerable. Hags would be a good example.”

Sounding concerned, he added, “Chain Cutter might also be selective about who touches it.”

“I can touch Chain Cutter.”

He smiled at her. “Yes, the girl who befriended a church grim. Others of us might be less acceptable.”

“Us?” Dana got up off the bed. “Oh no you don’t. You’re not a bad guy.”

“I’ve committed questionable deeds.”

“No.” Dana grabbed his hands before he realized what she was doing. “You’ve done too much good to talk about yourself that way. People are alive today because of you.”

“What are you doing?”

“Come on.” Dana pulled his hands down and pressed them against Chain Cutter’s handle. “See, nothing happened. If he’s picky, he likes you.”

He pulled free of her hands. “That’s not how you test whether it’s safe to touch a magic item! And since when do you call Chain Cutter him? I recall you wanting to call it Buttercup at one time.”

“I felt calling Chain Cutter him was, I don’t know, appropriate. And I wasn’t testing whether he liked you, I was showing you he does.” Dana sheathed Chain Cutter and set the sword on the bed. “We both got help from on high when we fought Cimmox the necromancer. That means He likes both of us. You’ve got to stop seeing the worst in yourself.”

Jayden sat in a chair across from the bed. “Old habits die hard. We have Prince Onus’ invitation to the ball, and from there will hopefully meet King Rascan. Please be careful during the event. Nobles have little regard for commoners and may cause trouble for you. My presence should lessen this, but never underestimate the pride, callousness and stupidity of the rich and powerful.”

“I can take care of myself, thank you very much. If I can fight golems and monsters, I can deal with catty women. I’m sixteen, after all.”

That got his attention. “When we met you said you were fifteen.”

“That was more than a year ago.”

Excited, he said, “You never told me you had a birthday! We should have celebrated.”

“We’re on the run from almost everyone!”

“That doesn’t matter. I know places where gold can buy secrecy and a good time. We could have had an expensive meal, desserts, hired a musician—”

“Don’t make such a big deal out of it,” she told him.

“It is a big deal,” he replied. “A birthday means you survived another year, and in these times that’s an accomplishment worthy of respect. I don’t celebrate my own birthdays because it could be a clue to my earlier life as Prince Mastram, but you’re under no such restrictions. Next time tell me, because we’re going to celebrate.”

* * * * *

“Ma’am, I’m very sure the ghost isn’t coming back,” Dana assured a female guest. It was breakfast time and Dana was enjoying a meal in the hotel’s common room when the older woman had approached her table and asked if Ghost Hunter would return. “Jayden and I took care of him for good.”

“You can understand my concern,” the woman replied. “He pushed me to the floor.”

“I’m sorry that happened. I promise he won’t do it again.”

Still looking worried, the woman asked, “But what if another villain attacks? We are at war, you know. The hotel guards couldn’t stop someone like that. Could you possibly deal with them?”

“We’ll do what we can to keep everyone safe while we’re here.”

“Thank you so much. I feel like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders. If only my dear Herbert could be here to comfort me in these troubling times, but no, he’s gone trout fishing.”

Dana watched the woman leave and couldn’t help but notice many guests watching. They looked relived at her promise, but some kept their distance. Dana didn’t blame them. Ghost Hunter’s attack had been frightening, and Bascal’s capital city should have been far from danger.

Jayden came down from their room and joined her at the table. “Good morning, and a glorious one it is. I see you’ve been busy assuring our fellow guests that they have our protection. That’s sure to smooth ruffled feathers.”

“It’s only fair. Most of them aren’t armed and none cast spells. If the hotel is attacked, we’re the best line of defense these people have.”

“True,” he admitted, and waved for a waiter to come. “Menu, please. Pray tell, what’s this note that came with it?”

“It’s from the lady in room 111,” the waiter said before he left.

Puzzled, Dana asked, “Who is she, and why does she want to see us?”

Jayden read the message and slipped it into a pocket. “She wishes to see me, not us. It seems Prince Onus isn’t the only one attracting attention.”

“What do you—oh!” Dana clapped a hand over her mouth. Red faced, she slid her hands down and whispered, “She sent you a note for that at breakfast?”

“I’ll have the poached eggs with pepper steak,” he told the waiter. More softly, he told Dana, “It’s been my experience nobles have more free time than is good for them. Few use it wisely. Too many get involved in plotting, while others seek entertainment to ease their boredom. I don’t take kindly to being reduced to a diversion after mastering shadow magic. It’s demeaning.”

Dana was startled when everyone in the common room jumped to their feet. She glanced at the door and saw Prince Onus entering. He looked as surprised as she did, and he waved for the guests to sit down. “I’m not here on an official capacity. Please carry on.”

“We’ve over here,” Dana called out. Guests stared at her as if she’d done something wrong. “What?”

“Ignore them,” Jayden said. “Prince Onus, please, join us.”

Prince Onus approached their table. “If we could talk in private.”

Jayden smiled. “Certainly. Waiter, send my meal to my room, please.”

“Yes, sir,” the waiter said, and passed him another note. “Room 238.”

Dana finished her meal and got up to leave. “Let’s get you both out of here while everyone still has their dignity.”

“It’s years too late for that,” Jayden said. He led the prince to their room, and once they were inside closed and locked the door. “It’s good to see you well, prince. I hope matters in Kaleoth remain favorable.”

“Yes, but only just. Meadowland’s army still can’t cross Racehorse River, but they never stop trying. We’ve seen them harvesting timber for another bridge, and they’ve assembled a powerful force of catapults that fire across the river every day. River Twin has taken heavy damage. Thankful the loss of life has been limited. We fight back with wizards and our own siege weapons. The stalemate has caused much damage.”

“Last winter you told us your father was trying to get help,” Dana said. “Did anyone come?”

“The Guild of Heroes sent three of their top men, one of them an expert at designing and building fortifications. They’ve already been a great help. The Brotherhood of the Righteous sent five combat priests, twenty paladins and a hundred volunteer knights.” Prince Onus hesitated before saying, “This will sound odd, but goblins in Kaleoth have suddenly become helpful. Pranks and troublemaking have stopped. They’ve actually caught a dozen Meadowland spies and turned them over to us.”

Dana giggled. “They did?”

“They keep referring to this War Winner of theirs. Some claim to be following his orders, but how much faith can you place in a goblin’s word?”

“I take them more seriously than I once did,” Jayden said. He waved for the prince to take a seat. “We may have a chance to help your people in the future, but for now let us speak of tonight. How are you being treated?”

“Words can’t express how grateful I am to see you both again,” Prince Onus said as he settled down on a chair. “My time in Bascal has been trying. Half the people I meet treat me like I’m more than human because I’m a prince. Others act like I’m a dull child who must be endured. Talking to those who regard me as a person is sweet relief.”

“Why would they treat you like that?” Dana asked. “I mean, besides being rude, they need your help. Bascal can’t win on its own.”

“Kaleoth is a relatively new kingdom,” Jayden explained. “Onus’ grandfather King Brent is only the third ruler to sit upon that throne. Bascal boasts an unbroken string of kings thirty-two generations long. Few lineages are as ancient. It makes them proud.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Dana asked in bewilderment.

“They’ve had centuries to develop traditions and needless bureaucracy,” Jayden said casually. “Their rules are often senseless or outright counterproductive. It doesn’t help that the nobility finetuned those rules to benefit themselves at the expense of commoners and foreigners. The situation works, barely, and for most residents that’s enough, but it makes their leaders arrogant and inflexible.”

Prince Onus pointed at his clothes. “I’ve been told to get more appropriate clothes for the ball. It’s not like I’m wearing rags. And I’ve been asked twice why I don’t have a royal striker, one of those brightly colored birds everyone seems to own.”

“You’re better dressed than most of the people I’ve met,” Dana told him.

“We’re in a war!” Prince Onus protested. “Clothes, parties, these stupid birds, none of that matters.”

Prince Onus got up and paced across the room. “I’ve had seven women send me notes asking to see me in private. I almost accepted one of the invitations until I was told these meetings are intended to be intimate, if that’s the right word. Three of the women are married! I’ve heard that’s accepted behavior here.”

Dana could feel herself blushing. “I guessed what you were talking about earlier, but seven? And married?”

He turned to her and said, “I feel awful for asking you to come with me to this event, but it’s getting so I can’t even go to breakfast without being embarrassed. I even had two of these women fight over me. You might find it far less pleasant than a party should be. If you don’t want to go, I’ll understand.”

“Oh no, I’m in.” Dana showed off her new dress. “I’m ready for the occasion.”

Prince Onus stared. “That…that’s beautiful. I think you won’t face difficulties in my company, but if someone should treat you with disrespect, allow me to deal with it. Bold as nobles are in Bascal, they’ll listen to a prince, if only because I’m useful to them.”

“Your common sense is showing,” Jayden told him. “But as you seem to have a problem, let us help. Dana and I know a seamstress who can get you ready for tonight.”

“Cassandra?” Dana asked. “Oh, right, she’s great. I don’t think she can get you one of those birds, but she can get you dressed.”

Jayden put a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you introduce the prince to her?”

“You’re not coming?”

“I have to make preparations before we attend the ball, not least of which is summoning Stanley to look after our belongings. I doubt the king will let us bring our baggage with us.”

“Stanley?” Prince Onus asked.

“Long story, but he’s friendly and loves singing,” Dana told him. “I’ll take you there and she’ll get you a nice suit.”

“I like these clothes,” Prince Onus protested as he went with Dana. They left the hotel to find secret agents outside pretending to be tradesmen. Dana spotted a few new faces among them, so Prince Onus must have had his security detail enlarged after Ghost Hunter’s attack. They followed Dana and Prince Onus without straying farther than ten feet from him while seeming to be just men walking down the street. This pretense stopped when they reached Cassandra’s shop.

“Sir, this isn’t the best choice,” one said softly.

“Stillman recommended it,” Dana said.

“Some establishments are suitable for those of questionable reputations, but royalty must be more careful where they tread.”

“Your insult against the young lady is inexcusable,” Prince Onus said angrily. “Miss Illwind, you spoke highly of this woman, and her workmanship impressed me. That is enough for me.”

“We won’t be long,” Dana told the agents as she led Prince Onus inside.

Cassandra’s store had changed since Dana’s last visit. The mannequins had been moved to the corners to make space for a massive pile of luggage. Eight men and women of various ages competed for limited floor space, all of them well dressed in the style Cassandra used in her clothes. The newcomers chatted as they unpacked.

“Hello, we’re,” Dana began, but no one noticed her. “Hi there, we’re…excuse me, we need to see Cassandra.” Still no response. “Customers!”

That stopped their conversations and brought Cassandra running from the back of the store. She pushed aside three men and a woman to reach Dana. “You again? And you brought a new man with you.”

“He needs your help for tonight,” Dana told her.

Cassandra’s two granddaughters caught up with her, took one look at Prince Onus and burst out giggling. Cassandra shushed them before turning a critical eye on the prince. “My, my, you bear a burden that would break most men like a twig. Green suits you, add some silver, nothing too ostentatious and we’re there. Give me a minute to get my relatives out of the way. Sissy, Meryl, get the girl’s hair prettied up.”

“Wait, what?” Dana asked.

“Don’t question grandma when she’s being nice,” one of the girls told Dana. “It doesn’t happen often.”

Cassandra didn’t need long to get a fantastic outfit for Prince Onus, with a green silk shirt and pants, and a darker green coat with silvery highlights. She added a dark green cape, blue boots and blue gloves with just a hint of silver.

“It’s impressive,” Prince Onus said as he tried on the coat. “The gloves are made of much thicker material.”

“You’re a man who works with your hands,” Cassandra said as she pressed a silver ribbon against his sleeve. Tossing it aside for another, she added, “I sewed steel plates into the knuckles. The way things are going around here you’ll need them.”

“Who are these people?” Dana asked as Cassandra’s granddaughters trimmed and styled her hair.

“Kinfolk pushed out of their homes,” Cassandra said. She sewed the ribbon into the sleeve so it formed a line running from his wrist to elbow. “They were evacuated ahead of the Meadowland army. Now I have to take them in. A pity they didn’t bring money to cover their expenses.”

An older man pulled at his hair. “It’s not my fault my sheep were confiscated to feed the army! All I got was this stupid claim ticket!”

“I’m so sorry,” Dana told him. It hurt to see her homeland making everyone miserable.

“Don’t be sorry, just pay,” Cassandra told her.

Prince Onus paid Cassandra and tipped generously, earning a smile from the old woman and giggles from her granddaughters. They left to find the secret agents waiting on the street. One took a look at the prince’s new clothes and nodded in approval. He did, however, say, “For your own sake, please don’t tell people you got it here. You’d never live it down, sir.”

* * * * *

“So, how do I look,” Dana asked. She put on the silver and ruby necklace she’d gotten from Braston’s chest. It worked perfectly with her dress.

“You’re ready to turn heads and break hearts,” Jayden told her. It was early in the evening, and both of them were in their room wearing Cassandra’s clothing. Dana felt giddy at having such a pretty dress, the best she’d ever seen, much less owned.

Dana laughed. “Me? What about you? You already have to beat girls off with a stick.”

“There may be some of that tonight.” Jayden checked himself in a mirror and nodded. “It’s impractical for traveling through the wilderness, but it will do. I’ve told the hotel manager we’ll be gone for the evening, and Stanley is on duty to make sure no one is tempted to steal our belongings while we’re out.”

Stanley floated across the room, only visible as dust in the air being pushed gently aside. He brushed against Dana and felt like a summer breeze. “It’s too bad we can’t take him with us. I think he’d like it.”

“I think he’d savagely assault anyone who insulted you,” Jayden replied. “A perfectly natural reaction I approve of, but society would not. While we’re on the topic of violence, let me make sure your sword isn’t visible on your back. Yes, quite nice.”

“I’m conflicted about bringing Chain Cutter,” she admitted. “It’s a party! I shouldn’t bring a sword, but Cassandra sounded like I’d need it.”

Jayden kissed her hand. “Dear Dana, you should always be armed.”

There was a knock at the door. Dana opened it to find the hotel manager looking almost as giddy as she felt. “Sir, madam, it honors my establishment to have royalty visit us again. Prince Onus of Kaleoth asks for your presence at the door.”

“Let’s not keep him waiting,” Jayden said.

They found the hotel abuzz with excitement as guests stared and whispered. Prince Onus had arrived in Cassandra’s suit, and he looked amazing. Dana was at a loss for words until Jayden took her arm and led her to the prince.

“So good to see you again,” Jayden said. “Ah, I see you brought a carriage.”

“Hired for the night, and charging by the hour,” he told them.

“Then let’s not run up the bill.”

Dana followed Jayden outside to find a black carriage pulled by white mares. This night felt like a dream. She was a mayor’s daughter back home before the war started, but her family had never been rich. Now she was dressed like a queen and escorting a prince. It made up for a lot of the madness she’d been through.

The carriage rode through the city for a short time before stopping in front of the castle. The building was massive, with tall walls expertly carved with dragons and eagles, towers that flew gold and red banners, and surrounded by beautiful flowers. Gates were open to admit a long line of men and women dressed like they were wealthy beyond imagination. Dana, Jayden and Prince Onus exited and went to an attendant dressed in red by the gate. The man looked mildly annoyed before whispering to Prince Onus.

“This looks bad,” Dana whispered to Jayden.

“There seems to be some dispute over whether we’re going to be allowed entry,” Jayden said casually. “It’s annoying the prince.”

“No,” Prince Onus said firmly. “In the short time I’ve been here I saw a malevolent spirit attack innocent people, a being only killed with great difficulty. Your best men were unable to defeat it while they could.”

“Sir,” the attendant began.

Prince Onus was having none of it. “Your people have been relentlessly demanding I be protected, but when I bring individuals who risked their lives for my kingdom you object. Fine. If I’m not allowed to bring them as guards, I wish to bring them as my guests. Other men brought wives, children, mistresses!”

Dana had some pity for the attendant. He was a snob, but he had orders from people who could punish him. Dana and Jayden were dangerous enough to hurt or kill a lot of important people, so letting them in was risky. She didn’t like him, but she understood his position.

“If you’ll excuse me.” The attendant left and whispered into the ear of a man dressed in silks and furs. The man glanced at Dana and Jayden before whispering back. The attendant returned and said, “My superiors have agreed to allow them entrance, provided they remain well away from the king’s table.”

Prince Onus looked like he had a harsh response ready, but Jayden said, “We are humbled by your generosity in such trying times, and will speak well of you to others. If you would be so kind as to direct us to our seats?”

“This way, please.”

Dana tried desperately to keep from gasping in awe as she, Jayden and Prince Onus were led into the ballroom. Silk banners hung between marble pillars holding up the vaulted ceiling. The marble floor was polished until it reflected like a mirror. Magnificently scented flowers with blooms as big as apples grew in intricately carved marble urns. Tables were set along the edges of the room, most for guests while some held silver trays heavy with mouthwatering food.

The guests were nearly as inspiring as the room. Men and women wore the most beautiful clothes, and jewelry worth a fortune. Silks and furs, gold and rubies, it was a king’s ransom in treasures. Over half the guests had brightly colored birds perched on their shoulders, with padded shoulder guards for the birds to grip onto. Most guests were seated and spoke in stiff, formal tones, but a few danced to the tune of twenty musicians, some playing instruments Dana had never seen before. Light was provided by silver chandeliers hanging from the ceiling burning white candles.

“Oh wow,” she said. “It’s like being in heaven.”

“The hereafter is far more beautiful than this,” Jayden replied. “It’s also a good deal friendlier.”

Their seats were at the very corner of the room. Dana saw waiters whisper to one another and direct guests away from them.

“Must we be treated with disrespect at every turn?” Prince Onus said bitterly.

“I kind of prefer it this way,” Dana told him. “I don’t have anything in common with rich people. If we spoke, I’m worried I’d embarrass myself and you.”

“Kaleoth had poor relations with Bascal before the war,” Prince Onus said. “We didn’t fight, but they made it clear we were beneath them. There wasn’t much trade between us, and our people were treated like bumpkins when they visited. Necessity makes us allies, but we’re not friends.”

“How did they used to get along with Meadowland?” Dana asked Jayden.

“Nearly as badly. Meadowland’s kings ruled uninterrupted for fifteen generations, far less than Rascan’s line. While Meadowland was much larger, militarily more powerful and had a stronger economy, Bascal’s leadership never thought much of their neighbor. At best they treated Meadowland like a large, angry dog that had to be treated gently.” Jayden beckoned to a waiter. “Wine.”

More guests entered the ballroom. Not all wore equally beautiful clothes and jewelry, and those with simpler appearances were seated in the ballroom’s corners. Dana saw a young man and woman with black hair and less expensive garments seated at the next table over. They were at most two years older than she was, and Dana was surprised they came without parents or relatives. Jayden smiled at them, but the pair looked away.

“Charming,” Jayden said. “I don’t expect much for myself, but surely a prince deserves a warmer reception.”

“I’d rather she didn’t,” Prince Onus replied.

“Sister or girlfriend?” Jayden asked.

“They don’t look related,” Dana said. Her gaze wandered across the ballroom, and met many eyes along the way. “People are staring at us.”

“I imagine they don’t get many foreigners at these events,” Jayden told her.

Prince Onus looked away. “There’s another reason for them staring. It’s mostly women watching us.”

“I’m sure they wouldn’t do anything silly at a ball,” she assured him. He gave her a look that said otherwise. “Really? In front of all these noblemen?”

“They will try to be discreet,” he said.

An attendant rang a bell and called out, “Announcing Princess Estell.”

Just then a young woman wearing the most beautiful dress entered the ballroom. Her blond hair trailed down her back and included silver jewelry, her yellow and red dress had jewels sewn into it, and she carried a scepter made of gold and rubies. Men and women across the ballroom rose to their feet when she appeared, and many hurried over to her.

“That’s the crown princess,” Prince Onus explained. “She’s next in line for the throne until Rascan fathers a male heir.”

The couple at the next table separated, much to the girl’s distress. The young man whispered to her before kissing her hand and joining the growing mob around Princess Estell. The girl sat down with such a long face it made Dana hurt along with her. She told Jayden, “Girlfriend, and he should know better than to treat her like that.”

Jayden glared at the young man trying to speak with the princess, an impossible act when so many others were trying to do the same. Jayden’s voice was barely above a whisper, but held a level of scorn he normally reserved for the worst villains. “I’m familiar with his kind. Young, ambitious, untested and desperate for a chance at glory. He’s asking for an army commission or other unearned position. The poor girl will be lucky to see him again before the night is over while he fawns over his betters.”

“I’ve seen that during my stay here,” Prince Onus said. “It surprises me you recognize this behavior. I thought you had little to do with royalty.”

Oops. Dana worried that might give away secrets Jayden didn’t want revealed. Jayden showed no such concern.

“Begging for political or military office happens at all levels of Meadowland society. It’s repulsive how far men will debase themselves in the name of career advancement. Those promoted based off their ability to ingratiate themselves to those in authority inevitably use that power for self-enrichment at the expense of those beneath them, or prove themselves so incompetent that they destroy what they asked for. The only exception is for positions few want.”

Worried, Prince Onus asked, “This is common?”

“Be grateful Kaleoth does a better job promoting men to positions of authority,” Jayden said. “It may give you an edge in the war.”

“Hold on, my dad inherited his job as mayor,” Dana protested. “He didn’t beg for it or buy it.”

Their conversation ended briefly when waiters brought plates, eating utensils and trays of food to their table. A waiter also slipped a note to Jayden before leaving.

“I meant no disrespect,” Jayden began. “Your father is an upstanding man. He is, however, responsible for a town far beneath his capabilities. North Lights is a small town on the edge of the kingdom, sparsely populated and producing little income. There is no opportunity for graft or bribe taking, only the burden of guiding and protecting it. In such cases leadership passes from father to son. Were your home town more prosperous there would be many men seeking to claim his job.”

Prince Onus gestured to the trays and said, “Ladies first.”

“Thank you!” Dana piled food on her plate. “Everything looks so good. Um, why is the princess here and not the king?”

Jayden waited until she’d served herself before taking a portion. “For now he’ll stay in another room and have important men brought to him so they can speak in private. He’ll come out around midnight to make speeches and issue proclamations.”

“You’re surprisingly experienced at this,” Prince Onus remarked. “How many balls have you been to?”

“Enough that I’m not surprised at the attention you and I are drawing from bored women with money.”

Dana glanced at the young woman sitting near them, still alone. “Should I keep her company?”

“We’ll give the boy a fair chance to do right by her,” Jayden told her. “Then we destroy him utterly.”

“Must you make a scene?” she asked.

Jayden pointed his fork at the depressed young woman. “For that I am most definitely making a scene.”

A waiter came by to pick up empty trays, drop off full ones and pass Jayden another note from an admirer. Dana giggled when he put it and the others in an empty water glass. She asked, “Is that going to happen all night?”

“Yes,” Prince Onus replied. “If he actually picks one it could make the others jealous enough to act foolishly.”

A young nobleman in an expensive suit with a brightly colored bird on his shoulder sauntered by their table, slowing down only briefly as he met Jayden’s eyes. “I hadn’t realized we were this desperate.”

“Your citizens are pulling down houses outside city walls,” Jayden told him. “I’d think that would tell you how dire your situation is long before we arrived. You must be a tad dull.”

The nobleman harumphed and continued on his way. Prince Onus scowled and got up, but Dana put a hand on his arm. “He’s a jerk, not an enemy. If we hit everyone who spoke badly to us there wouldn’t be many people still standing.”

“But imagine the fun we’d have,” Jayden said playfully. “It’s amusing how many of these people don’t want us here and how many do.”

A waiter walked by them, trying to look casual as he dropped a note on Dana’s lap. She felt herself blush and clapped both hands over her mouth. Jayden’s expression darkened, and he seized the note and uttered a quick spell to burn it. The light drew attention from nearby tables. A few women gave Jayden appreciative nods while men chuckled.

“Who sent that?” Prince Onus asked. His voice was rich in hatred.

“I didn’t check,” Jayden said. “It spares us from crippling the man for life.”

Dana looked away in shame. What kind of girl did these people think she was? In her humiliation she almost didn’t notice a servant leading a nobleman away from the room. “Where’s he going?”

“The king is finally having personal meetings with his followers,” Jayden said. “I’d like to get to the head of that line before someone embarrasses us further.”

“I don’t see how,” Prince Onus said darkly. “The princess is surrounded by petitioners. You’d never get through them without hurting one, not that I’m against it at this point. She’s the only one in the room with the authority to show you to her father without his asking for you.”

Dana glanced at the young woman at the neighboring table. She looked as miserable as Dana felt, with her head propped up with her right hand while she ran the fingers of her left hand around the edge of a wine glass. There was a small pile of notes on the edge of her table, all unopened. She wanted one man’s attention and wasn’t getting it.

Instead the young man waited by the princess. Dana saw him speak to her; his expression eager, almost hungry. She couldn’t hear what the princess said, but he looked away in shame. Rather than leave, he pressed his case again. Whatever his request was, it proved no more successful a second time. Still he didn’t leave.

Jayden was also watching. “This has gone on long enough.”

Jayden got up and marched through the ballroom to the band. They were resting after finishing a long piece. Jayden passed a few coins to their leader and spoke briefly to him. The band leader nodded and led his players in a song Dana recognized. “That’s Hearts over the Moon.”

Dozens of women watched as Jayden marched to the young woman. He spoke loud enough to be heard by nearby tables. “Waiting for someone?”

“Waiting a long time for someone,” she said, her voice soft and sad.

“I’m someone. Stop waiting.” Jayden took her left hand and gently helped her to her feet. He led her in a dance, his eyes fixed on her the whole time.

“I, um,” she began, but her protests died as quickly as they began. Dana watched them move gracefully across the ballroom, and she wasn’t the only one watching.

“He’s quite a dancer,” Prince Onus admitted. “It’s not a skill I would have expected.”

Jayden led his partner by Dana and Prince Onus. He didn’t take his eyes off the girl while saying, “Come along, prince. Dance with the girl you brought.”

“Jayden!” Dana scolded him.

“I, um,” the prince began. “I guess we could. If you wouldn’t mind.”

“I know I’m going to humiliate myself,” Dana said, but she got up and joined Prince Onus. She wasn’t a graceful dancer, but they managed to acquit themselves reasonably well. They tried to stay near Jayden and the girl as more dancers joined them.

The girl stared at Jayden, her expression perplexed. “Do I know you?”

He bowed to her. “Jayden, Sorcerer Lord.”

The girl gasped. “The man who killed an iron golem? Why would you dance with me? You don’t know who I am.”

“You’ll tell me if you wish.”

Dana caught sight of the young man who’d come with the girl. He was still trying to convince the princess of his worth long after there was any chance of getting whatever he wanted. The princess gave him a condescending look before pointing at Jayden.

“Trouble coming,” Prince Onus said.

“I think that’s what he wants,” she told him as the outraged young man ran across the ballroom, slipping between dancers and pushing some out of the way.

“How dare you!” the young man yelled. Musicians stopped playing and dancers moved away. Jayden got between the girl and her boyfriend, looking bored by the outburst. “Stay away from her!”

“I asked the girl to dance, nothing more. I’m surprised you didn’t.”

His expression turning red from anger and shame, the young man held a finger an inch from Jayden’s nose. “If you touch her again, I’ll break you in half!”

Jayden turned to the girl. “I have brought you trouble. Please accept my apology.”

“I’m talking to you!” the youth yelled. Jayden turned his back on the young man and walked back to his table. Being ignored only infuriated him further, and the youth yelled before charging Jayden. He got within ten feet before two men dragged him to a halt. “Let go!”

“You’re going to get yourself killed,” a man said to him. “That’s the Sorcerer Lord.”

Unphased, the young man yelled, “You think your magic lets you take advantage of my beloved?”

Jayden raised one eyebrow. “She’s yours? The way you treat her I would have never guessed.”

The crowd of onlookers parted as Princess Estell approached. Her disapproval fell on the young man. “This behavior is unacceptable. Return to your seat. Sorcerer Lord, I apologize for this man’s actions and hope you won’t take offense. Boys mature more slowly than girls.”

Jayden bowed. “The matter is already forgotten.”

Not finished, the princess said, “Prince Onus, I would appreciate the pleasure of your company to discuss matters of state, as would several of my father’s most loyal retainers who share a border with you. Sorcerer Lord, I would be grateful if you and your assistant would wait in the library.”

“Of course,” Jayden said. “I wish you good health and success, Prince Onus. Until we meet again.”

Prince Onus let go of Dana’s hand slowly when a servant led her and Jayden from the ballroom. As they left, she heard a nobleman say to another, “The boy survived. You owe me a gold piece.”

“I know we weren’t having a nice time, but did you need to do that?” she asked Jayden as they exited the ballroom.

“The longer we stayed, the better the chances of our visit ending badly.”

“That was bad enough.”

The servant brought them to an ornately carved wood door and opened it. Inside was a library as fantastic as the rest of the castle, with tens of thousands of books on oak bookcases engraved with dragon motifs. An enormous map covered in colored flags dominated one of the library’s walls. A lone man wearing silks and furs stood by a table with open books, a decanter and small crystal goblets. He looked to be about fifty years old with graying hair and an annoyed expression on his face. Dana figured he had the right to be annoyed after the trouble they’d caused, for the jeweled crown on his head could only mean this was King Rascan.

“Your majesty, what a pleasure to meet you,” Jayden said, confirming Dana’s theory. She curtsied while Jayden merely smiled.

“Not two hours passed since you arrived, and already there was a scene,” King Rascan told them. “You have a lot of gall coming here.”

Jayden wasn’t bothered by the hostile greeting. “I’d never get anywhere without it. You are a man with the weight of the world on your shoulders. That map speaks volumes on the danger your kingdom faces.”

Dana stepped in front of the huge map. “You’ve got every house and game trail here. I’ve never seen such a complete picture of the kingdom.”

King Rascan glanced at her only briefly before turning his attention, and anger, back to Jayden. “Time has not diminished your boldness. Years ago you had the audacity to seek to buy my treasures. Most recently I heard you’d survived an assassination attempt by some of the most dangerous men alive.”

“None of them were technically men, and one wasn’t alive,” Jayden told him.

“Of course they weren’t.” King Rascan poured himself a drink and took a sip. “You are guilty of breaking nearly every law there is. Other men would show shame or remorse.”

“I feel no shame because I saw the danger to you and your neighbors long before you’d admit it,” Jayden replied. His tone was firm without being confrontational. “War if successful must be planned years in advance. I saw measures being taken to bring violence to your lands. I warned others and was ignored. When that failed, I did what little I could to prevent it from happening, and failed again. If you seek to demonize me, do so for that.

“Despise me, insult me if it pleases you, but don’t turn down my help when your kingdom needs me. Yes, your majesty, you need me. You need every resource, every man, every opportunity you can get, or your dynasty ends with you. I do not ask more than you can give. The spell tablets I seek are worthless to you and your wizards except as showpieces or paperweights, but in my hands can do limitless damage to those trying to hurt you.”

Jayden stepped in front of the map. “I presume this sea of blue flags represent Meadowland forces sent against you. Point at one, your majesty, a threat your men can’t defeat without suffering grievous losses, and I will make it go away.”

King Rascan took another sip of wine. He stared at the map for a moment before saying, “How little you understand.”

“Then explain it to me.”

King Rascan waved to the door. “The men and women at the party are Bascal’s richest and most powerful. They are also the most judgmental snobs you’ll ever meet. They place great stock in ancestry and proper behavior. You are by all accounts a criminal, admittedly not the worst our world has known. I am judged by the company I keep, Sorcerer Lord. Your reputation damages mine. Yes, I need you. Yes, I am afraid all I have will be lost, all those I love killed or enslaved. Meadowland accepts slavery these days, you know.”

“We’ve seen it, and set the girls and kids free,” Dana told King Rascan.

“Then you know the danger my people are in,” King Rascan told her. “But in victory I may sow the seeds of defeat. My people won’t forgive me for associating with a criminal, no matter that you’ve come to help. They will look down on me, question my orders, scrutinize my every move for more signs of weakness. If they find any, they will use that as their excuse to ignore my orders when it suits them. Such disobedience will spread and grow in strength. Your presence tonight will haunt me until I am dead, and haunt my successors for generations to come because their father welcomed a criminal.”

King Rascan’s lips pulled back to show his gritted teeth. “That is what you are costing me, Sorcerer Lord. It is a price I must pay for my kingdom, my people, my daughter, and it’s going to get worse. I have invited hundreds of outsiders into Bascal. Mercenaries, adventurers, even a mad scientist, and with each of these questionable defenders I doom myself and my heirs to the threat of rebellion from my nobles. Meadowland once suffered the scourge of civil war. I have no desire to share their fate.”

“I’m sorry you’re hurting,” Dana told him. “We wouldn’t be here if there was another way, but we need those tablets. Sir, you’re in more danger than you know. Jayden thinks the Inspired are in Meadowland.”

King Rascan dropped his drink. “He wouldn’t! Tyros couldn’t be such a fool!”

“He had the wizard Victory’s Edge in his service, which shows he is such a fool,” Jayden replied. “Victory’s Edge hinted he was with the Inspired, and if one of them is present more will come to sink their claws into Meadowland. Disastrous as that is, they will surely seek to expand their influence, and kingdoms weakened by war would be their most likely targets.”

“Then I have no time to find other ways to protect Bascal.” King Rascan stabbed his finger at a single blue flag on his map, close to his border but far from other flags. “There is a threat here equal to your boasts, one I need to die quickly and horribly. End its life and you shall have the reward you seek.”

“You make it sound like this isn’t a person,” Dana said.

“I have a dragon in my employ,” King Rascan told them, his voice softer. “Scald serves me as he once served my father. He is young by the standards of his kind and needs centuries to reach full size. Despite his youth he serves bravely. It is his reports from high in the sky that produced this map. That nearly cost him his life.”

Dana realized this dragon was more than an employee to Rascan. Scald was a friend in time of need, one who had been hurt almost to the point of death.

“Scald was on a reconnaissance mission observing enemy troop movements when he saw a newly built fort far from enemy forces. He was curious why, and as he approached, he smelled a foul odor noticeable from miles away. He didn’t get close enough to see what it was before a full grown wyvern with a rider attacked him. Had Scald been larger, stronger, he could have effortlessly torn the impudent beast apart, but as a youth he escaped by the narrowest of margins.”

“Will he be okay?” Dana asked.

“My healers and holy men tend to his wounds,” King Rascan said. “They say he should make a full recovery. Scald begs to go back in the air. I dare not let him, yet I must have him there.”

“You need this wyvern dead,” Jayden said.

“Your assessment of my map was incorrect, young lady,” King Rascan said, the force returning to his voice. “This is no longer a complete picture of the region. With Scald grounded I don’t know where Meadowland sends its troops. Even worse, Meadowland’s forces can now create a map as detailed as this one for themselves, for their wyvern’s rider studies us from the safety of the air. I need the wyvern dead, Sorcerer Lord, and I’ll willing to work with you to do it.”

King Rascan pulled the flag from the map and handed it to Jayden. “Bring me its head, and both spell tablets in my treasury are yours.”

“We shall return victorious,” Jayden promised.

“If we have a deal then leave at once,” King Rascan ordered. “The longer you stay the more damage it does to my reputation. I trust you can find your way out.”

Jayden bowed and left the library. Dana stayed only long enough to say, “I’m sorry you have so many problems. We’ll do what we can to help.”

Once they left, Jayden headed back to the ballroom. “We’ll say our goodbyes to Prince Onus and leave.”

“Do we have to? He’s so lonely.”

“I’m no happier than you, but we have what we came for, and our continued attendance could cost us that.”

Dana studied his face as they walked. “What’s wrong?”

“King Rascan promised both his spell tablets. Both implies there are no more in his possession. I’d heard he owned far more than that, which now appears incorrect. There is a chance these are spells I already know. We could be risking much for little reward, or none at all.”

“The spells might be weak even if they’re new.”

“Also possible.” They returned to the ballroom to find little had changed. The band was playing a new song and nobles danced gracefully across the room. “There’s the prince talking to two noblemen. Let’s make our apologies to him and go.”

Dana caught sight of the young man Jayden had embarrassed earlier. “Look who’s heading our way spoiling for a fight. Don’t maim him.”

Jayden opened his mouth to no doubt offer a sarcastic reply when he was interrupted by whistles. Guests stopped dancing and the band stopped playing. Bells rang outside the ballroom. Armed guards rushed in and surrounded Princess Estell.

Then the wall in front of them dissolved, bricks melting like hot wax and dripping onto the floor to reveal the night sky. Men yelled. Women screamed. The colorful birds so many guests had brought squawked and flew off in terror. Dana saw a white cloud sailing across the sky with men riding it and stone gargoyles flying alongside. The cloud shot across the sky to the breached wall.

The magic cloud dissolved and unleashed its cargo. Dana saw at least twenty gladiators taking the lead. Behind them were two wizards with staffs, both dressed in unusual outfits made of white and black cloth. One had a white mask across his face with thin eye slits in the fabric, while the second had a bushy black beard. Behind them Dana saw a score of skeletons and a disgusting barrow wight hunched over and howling like a mad dog. A wave of pain washed over the guests from the presence of the undead and they cried out, but thanks to Jayden’s mind shield she felt nothing.

Panic took hold and people across the ballroom screamed. Guests and servants ran for their lives, tipping over tables and spilling food on the floor, while some cowered from the intruders. Only Dana and Jayden headed toward the invaders. Jayden cast a spell to form his black sword, raised it high and yelled, “Protect Princess Estell!”

Those three words worked a kind of magic equal to any Dana had seen him use. Many guests fled, but not all. Men in finest clothes seized chairs, knives from their tables, even wine bottles and went to the princess’ defense. Guards horribly outmatched by stone gargoyles and heavily armed gladiators held their ground or pushed forward with Jayden in the lead. Princess Estell ran from the room while guests and her personal guard risked their lives to protect her.

Gargoyles flew across the ballroom and slammed into the defenders. The guests’ makeshift weapons were no good against stone monsters, and the gargoyles effortlessly knocked men and women aside. One gargoyle left the others and flew at Princess Estell. Her guards tried to stop it and failed as it plowed into them and knocked them to the ground. It nearly reached her when a giant black hand seized hold of it by the legs.

It was Jayden’s work. He used the giant black hand to pull the gargoyle away from the princess and swing it into an intact stone wall, smashing off the top half of its body. He threw what little was left into the onrushing gladiators, knocking two down.

Another gargoyle flew overhead and tried to drop onto Dana. She jumped out of the way and the gargoyle landed next to her. Dana drew Chain Cutter from the concealed sheath on her back and swung at her enemy’s wings. Her sword hacked off the wings, and to her shock buried itself deep in the stone monster. It looked as surprised as she did, and fell apart into a pile of gravel when she pulled her sword out.

With the defenders so overpowered, Dana and Jayden had to hold back the full force of the attack. Dana saw the skeletons charge the guests. The presence of the undead sent men and women into a frenzy, and they fought back viciously. Chain Cutter was her most effective weapon against these abominations, and she went straight for them.

“You’ve kidding, right?” a skeleton asked as its eyes flared red. The skeleton met her charge and tried to claw her face. She swung Chain Cutter to literally disarm her foe, and sword met bone in a blinding flash of light. The skeleton didn’t blacken and die as others had when Chain Cutter had hit them. This time it was blasted to dust as her sword sang hymns of praise.

The next skeleton backed away from her. “Uh, boss, maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

“Kill her,” the masked wizard ordered his skeletons. “Kill everyone.”

Dana ran into the mob of skeletons. A year ago they would have been a threat, but not when she was armed with a magic sword and had been trained by Jayden for months. They tried to overwhelm her with sheer numbers and failed. Two skeletons ran from her and died shrieking when their own creator made them crumble apart with a wave of his hands.

“Disobedient curs,” the masked wizard hissed. He pointed his staff at Dana, and the barrow wight leaped at her with sharp claws reaching for her throat. Dana jumped left and stabbed her sword into the barrow wight as it passed her. The monster’s howls degenerated into a high pitched screech. Light poured from its gaping maw, then rays of light burned holes across its body from the inside before it burned into dust. With them gone the pain and rage affecting the crowd vanished.

Jayden’s magic hand seized another gargoyle out of the air. He brought it down like a hammer on the gladiators, knocking four of them down. He swung the gargoyle again and battered aside more gladiators, making openings in their formation that defenders rushed in to take advantage of. The gargoyle eventually cracked apart under this abuse.

The bearded wizard cast a spell that pulled bricks up from the floor. They hovered in the air for a second before launching at Jayden as fast as arrows. Jayden cast his own spell and formed his shield of spinning black blades. Bricks met shadowy blades, destroying both.

“Curious,” a voice called out. Dana couldn’t tell who was talking, but she heard it clearly. “What else do you have?”

Screams erupted around them. Both Dana and the masked wizard turned to their right. The gladiators had formed a wedge and were forcing their way deeper into the ballroom. Guards tried to stop them, but even with a steady stream of reinforcements coming from across the castle they were being pushed back. The bearded wizard supported them by making bricks on the floor rise up and form a long whip of stone. The whip lashed out and knocked down men like they were toy soldiers.

Dana couldn’t help them while fighting the masked wizard. She raised her sword and told him, “You’re not the first necromancer I’ve fought. Surrender!”

The masked wizard clapped his hands. “Your sword makes you a threat, but nothing makes you my equal. Ladies and gentlemen, the cacophony of madness.”

The masked wizard cast a quick spell, and to Dana’s amazement he began to gibber. It was random sounds, bits of words and animal cries blended together into an obscene tirade that grew in volume with every passing second. Guests and guards gripped their heads in agony and cried out, but not Dana and Jayden, and not the gladiators.

Dana wasn’t affected by the bizarre spell. Jayden’s mind cloud spell must be protecting her again. Then she heard Chain Cutter’s prayers grow in volume to match and then exceed the masked wizard’s obscene magic until it drowned him out entirely. Dana charged the wizard and he raised his staff to block her swing. Chain Cutter effortlessly lopped off the top two feet of his staff, and the tip of her blade nicked his left arm.

There was a flash of light and the masked wizard screamed in agony as his arm burst into flames and burned away. Dana cried out in surprise and backed away. The wizard fell to his knees and gripped the charred stump of his arm. He’d lost everything up to his elbow. Dana saw a brass cap covering what remained of his arm. It took her a moment to realize what had happened. “Your arm was undead. You grafted a dead man’s arm onto your body!”

“You’ll suffer for that,” the masked wizard hissed.

Dana wasn’t sure what to do. He was defeated, and without an arm should be no threat, but he was a necromancer. He’d done inexcusable deeds. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to kill him even after what he’d done.

Her hesitation cost her the chance to make a decision one way or another. A magic cloud formed under the masked wizard and lifted him off the ground. He flew back out of the destroyed wall. It was then that she saw another magic cloud floating outside. It was small, barely big enough for the man in white and black standing on it. He watched the battle with the same disinterest as a boy watching ants warring upon one another. He even held a book in one hand and wrote in it.

“That’s disappointing,” the man said, his voice carrying throughout the ballroom. “Let’s try something different.”

The bearded wizard took a red brick from inside his uniform and threw it on the floor. Bricks across the ballroom lifted up and flew across the room, making walls buckle and the ceiling groan. The bricks swirled in a tighter and tighter spiral until they stuck together to form a crude version of a man. It started small but added hundreds of pounds every second until it was five feet tall and continued growing.

Dana had to stop the brick monster before it got any bigger. Most of the gladiators were fighting Bascal soldiers and knights coming to their princess’ defense, but one got between her and the growing monster. He raised his sword and ran two steps toward her before Prince Onus tackled him. The gladiator struggled to shove Onus away while the prince drove his right fist into the gladiator’s face again and again like a sledgehammer. The gladiator dropped like a stone.

“Um, thank you?” she stammered. A gladiator flew by her head, followed by another. Men fighting around Jayden were so tightly packed together that he couldn’t use his magic hand to its full effect without hurting innocent men. Instead he plucked gladiators from the crowded battle and hurling them across the room.

“You stop the monster, I’ll stop the wizard,” Prince Onus told her. Another gladiator flew screaming through the air to land at the prince’s feet.

Dana hated his plan the second she heard it. The bearded wizard was a major threat. Kaleoth could lose its only heir, and more importantly a good person. One look at Onus’ face showed he wasn’t going to back down regardless of the consequences. He charged the bearded wizard, leaving Dana to fight the growing monster of bricks.

And it was getting a lot bigger. Dana wasn’t sure if it was a golem, an elemental, maybe something entirely new to her, but it was eight feet tall and getting larger. It marched toward the diminishing line of gladiators still standing. The room shook and cracks spread across the floor like a spiderweb.

Dana ran for the brick monster and slashed at its right knee. There was no blinding flash of light as her sword sunk deep into her opponent. It swept its right arm at her, and she had to pull Chain Cutter out quickly to get out of the way. She swung at it again and sliced off a hundred pounds of bricks with one hit.

Jayden’s giant hand flew over her and grasped the brick monster’s head. It pushed hard enough to tip it over, and it fell with a crash that echoed across the room. Dana slashed at it while it was still down. She hit it twice in the right arm and chopped it off at the elbow.

“Die, vile girl!” the bearded wizard snarled. He formed another whip of bricks and lashed out at her. She jumped over the whip, although two gladiators and three Bascal soldiers weren’t as lucky and got bowled over. The whip pulled back for another swing that never landed.

In Dana’s travels with Jayden she was used to being ignored by his enemies. After all, she was weak compared to him. In this battle it was her turn to draw attention from dangerous enemies, while Prince Onus went unnoticed because he had no magic sword and couldn’t cast spells. Overlooking him was a mistake the bearded wizard regretted instantly. Onus charged the wizard and drove his shoulder into him, then punched the evil wizard in the gut and doubled him over. He followed up with more punches to the wizard’s head, grabbed him by the head with both hands and rammed his knee into the wizard’s face.

The brick monster struggled to its feet. Dana slashed it and did massive damage. Again and again she hit it, but more bricks flew up to replace what she destroyed. The brick monster grew no bigger, but it healed every injury she inflicted.

“I need help!” Dana called out.

“Coming!” Jayden called back. A gladiator tried to stab him and suffered for it when Jayden cut the man’s sword in half, knocked him over with a kick to the chest and stomped on him once he was on the ground. Jayden formed his black whip and swung it around the brick monster. More bricks flew across the room to join with the thing, a terrible mistake when they locked in place over the whip. His whip hissed and ate the brick monster apart from the inside. It tried to kick Jayden, and Dana sunk her sword deep into its foot before it got close. She pulled her blade out and took its foot off. The monster toppled, and this time came apart.

“The construct didn’t grow nearly fast enough,” the dispassionate voice said. “We’re going to have to work on that.”

Dana went to help Prince Onus, who didn’t need assistance. He had the wizard in a headlock with his right arm and was savagely beating him with the left. The wizard couldn’t perform the complex hand gestures or utter the arcane words to cast a spell under such an onslaught and fell to his knees. Prince Onus finished the fight with a kick to the wizard’s stomach before grabbing the man’s staff, ripping it from his grasp and breaking it against a marble pillar.

Which was a mistake. Once Prince Onus’ hands were off the wounded wizard, a magic cloud formed under him and flew him to safety. It joined the other two wizards in white and black flying outside the castle. The one who’d stayed outside the fight observed them with curiosity after their victory.

“I appreciate the opportunity to see you in action,” the third wizard said. “I’d never seen shadow magic before. It’s impressive.”

“What part of Sorcerer Lord didn’t you understand?” Jayden demanded as he ran to the edge of the hole made by the enemy wizards. “What made you think you stood any chance against me with cheap parlor tricks and disposable men?”

A gladiator struggled to his knees. “Disposable?”

“I don’t see magic clouds carrying you away,” Dana told him.

Another gladiator reached out to the escaping wizards. “No, wait!”

“You’ve failed everywhere you’ve tried to seize power!” Jayden yelled. “You’ve lost countless wizards since your wretched order formed! Men and women who could have saved this world died trying to control it! You are a band of idiots running headlong to your own destruction!”

The three clouds drifted leisurely away into the night. The only wizard of the three still capable of standing after the battle said, “This has been educational. Let me really put you to the test.”

At this distance it was hard to tell what the wizards were doing, but Dana saw a red circle of light suddenly link them together. She’d seen this when Zentrix was invaded and knew what it meant.

“It’s a binding spell!” she yelled. “Everybody run!”

Guests, guards and even gladiators still standing took her warning to heart and fled for their lives. The circle of light grew brighter, and Dana saw dozens and then hundreds of ice javelins form in the air. The remaining wizard was drawing power from his defeated allies, making his spell massively more powerful.

Jayden began casting his fireball spell. He chanted and held his hands together as even more ice javelins formed. Dana dragged tables in front to him as a makeshift barrier, and Prince Onus joined her. Jayden’s chanting ended and a tiny spark floated into the night. A second later the enemy wizard’s spell also finished, and a storm of ice javelins whistled through the air as they flew at everyone in the ballroom.

BOOM!

Jayden’s fireball went off in front of the breached wall, swallowing up countless ice javelins. Others broke against the castle’s outer wall or the floor and walls of the ballroom. Three hit the overturned tables and went halfway through.

“Are you hurt?” Prince Onus asked them.

“I’m okay,” Dana told him. “Those wizards must be with King Tyros if they had gladiators working with them, but who were they?”

“Their black and white uniforms mark them as members of the Inspired,” Jayden said as he watched the magic clouds flee into the night. “The worst is upon us.”

Greetings, all, and my apologies for not writing for so long. I have been busy with personal matters, and I was getting the second Dana and Jayden book done. That took me nine months longer than I'd expected, but it's finally done. Book 2 is titled Dana Illwind and War's Shadow, and it can be found on Amazon as a paperback and ebook, and is on Kindle Unlimited. It's my sincere hope that you will find it as entertaining to read as it was to write. Thank you all for your patience.

https://www.amazon.com/Dana-Illwind-S...