Total pages in book: 222
Estimated words: 210715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1054(@200wpm)___ 843(@250wpm)___ 702(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 210715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1054(@200wpm)___ 843(@250wpm)___ 702(@300wpm)
“What in the void is he doing now?” Bellen growled.
Another knight descended a staircase, a lean, dark-haired man. Bellen pointed toward the Mage Tower.
“Apparently, we are expecting a rock from the heavens,” the other knight said.
“Again?”
“It’s a larger one than last year’s. He sent the dispatch to the Eagle Roost this morning. At least he warned us this time.”
“Thank the Aspects for small favors,” Bellen said.
The fireball blazed with pure white. A laser beam of light shot out of it toward the sky, sucking the fire into itself. A sonic boom pulsed through the city and smashed into my ears. The Citadel shuddered.
Bellen wrapped his arm around me. It was like being steadied by a mountain.
A wind gust fanned us and died.
“My apologies.” Bellen let go of me.
The space above the Mage Tower was perfectly clear.
A shower of sparks lit up the sky above the city. They flared and melted into the blue.
Holy fuck. Damaes had just blasted a meteor out of the sky. Probably before it even hit the atmosphere.
This was a man I was picking a fight with. Damaes was a power unto himself. He recognized Sauven’s authority, because Sauven was the king, but not anyone else’s. If he decided to take issue with what I was doing, nobody could stop him. There would be no discussion, no negotiations. He would just do whatever he did and then our house would turn into a smoking crater.
Maybe I should rethink the whole Isadau thing.
No, I was committed now. I had no choice. Besides, now that I knew I could read Sareso, leaving Isadau where she was wasn’t an option. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“I swear, one day that man will destroy the city.” Bellen pointed toward the entrance to the keep. “This way, my lady.”
He led me into the keep. I had expected a dungeon-like fortress, but it was a bright, beautiful space with soaring ceilings and tall arches. We crossed the floor to a patio, where two squires were setting up a table.
“A light lunch?” Bellen asked.
To decline would be rude.
“I would love to.”
He held the chair out for me. I took my seat. The view from the patio was stunning. I looked at the array of finger foods in front of me.
“You have rescued me and fed me, Lord Bellen. I’m afraid I have no way to repay you.”
“The pleasure of your company would more than suffice.”
He looked so pleased with himself, it was hard not to smile back.
“Wine?”
“I would prefer tea.”
“As you wish.”
One of the squires reached for the teapot. Bellen waved him off and poured the tea for me. The squires withdrew.
“This is too much, really. I can pour my own tea.”
“You are so easy to overwhelm, Lady Maggie. You must endeavor to be more demanding.”
I sipped the tea. Delicious. “How did you know I was at the Guard station?”
“Interesting, that. A child brought a note to the Citadel. It said that you had been arrested and were held at the Southern Guard Station.”
Another note. Who the hell was sending these?
“Was it from one of your people, perhaps?” Bellen asked.
“No. I gave them strict instructions to do nothing and wait for me. Did you question the child?”
“He said a priest paid him a quarter to deliver it.”
Interesting. “Did he say which Aspect?”
Bellen shook his head. “No. The child was too young and didn’t pay attention.”
“I’m at a loss then. I do not have close ties to any of the temples.”
Bellen studied me. “Why leave the safety of your house?”
“Because city guards do not usually come to the door of law-abiding citizens and invite them to meet with a Knight Captain. Especially not over something so trivial as a trade permit. I wanted to know who was behind Jehan.”
Bellen nodded. The charm and humor were gone now. The man sitting across from me was sharp and focused. “A sound strategy. Might as well flush the culprit out into the open. You must’ve been quite frustrated when I pulled you out of that office.”
“Never.” I smiled at him. “You were so gallant it was worth it.”
One of the squires returned with a note and withdrew. Bellen glanced at it.
“Ah. Just in time. Owyn’s chat with the Knight Captain was most productive. Is there a reason Ulmar Hreban might want to intimidate you?”
That’s what I thought. Jehan had mentioned the soap. Silveren wouldn’t have paid attention to that, but Hreban was a businessman. If he somehow figured out that I had sold soap to the Garden and he wanted to know my identity, he would check for a trade permit. Since one wasn’t filed, he’d used its absence as a pretext to get my name.
I wished I could tell how much to freak out over this.
“I can’t imagine what that would be,” I lied. “We’ve never been introduced. Our families have no conflicts or mutual trade interests. It is puzzling.”