everyone to advance an attack on Brightstone, he’d set out to make the Highlanders proud. News of this reached King Garlan, and remaining quiet, fearing this new rival, he withdrew his army and avoided any further confrontation.
Caster made the army stronger with financial aid from everyone in the Highlands; he would be able to defeat the King and his army and looked forward to the day with enthusiasm, until today’s news halted the plan.
Looking towards the door and hearing Jace greet his mother; he frowned at his early return. After a short while, Jace joined him. Sitting opposite his father, Jace relaxed in the leather chair and blew out a long sigh.
‘I’m guessing your afternoon didn’t go as planned?’ Raising his eyebrows Caster stared at is son. ‘Losing your touch?’ He sniggered.
Jace pushed his hair behind his ear and avoided his father’s gaze.
Waiting to hear what made him somber; he reached to the side table and poured a glass of port. Handing it to Jace, he gave a concerned stare. Sipping casually, he remained silent. Jace wasn’t usually this quiet. Something upset him, and he hoped it wasn’t because of the news that morning.
‘Do we need to start planning a wedding?’ His father joked.
Jace glared at his father. ‘Not on my account.’
‘Well, that’s good to hear, you had me worried there for a moment. Didn’t your sword fit the scabbard?’ Caster chortled.
‘It fits perfectly, thank you. The Tanner did a good job, but I don’t think that’s what you’re asking.’ His lips curved in answer. ‘Let’s just say, I had a lucky escape, and leave it there.’
Raising his brows in surprise Caster changed the subject.
‘I’ve made a decision about Brightstone.’ Pausing, he turned his glass in his hand while staring into it. ‘I want you and me to travel to Blackhill. I’ll speak with Kai of Darkmide about his alliance with Garlan.’
Slowly bringing his eyes to meet Jace, he watched for a reaction. Not replying immediately, Jace thought for a moment. He’d a suspicion there would be changes, but knowing his father made good choices, he didn’t have any concerns.
‘I’m sure you’ve thought about this carefully father.’ he leaned forward to touch his hand. ‘I’ll do whatever you want.’
Breathing a sigh of relief Caster took his son's hand and gave it a squeeze. ‘Thank you, it means a lot that you don’t think badly of me.’
Jace frowned. ‘I wouldn’t. Why would you think that?’
‘Because I know you wanted to fight in the army, by my side.’ Taking a drink, he mulled the next words over in his mind. ‘I have something I need to tell you about Garlan.’
Shuffling to the edge of his seat, Jace waited to hear.
Caster hesitated and looked to the ceiling before he took a deep breath.
‘I know something about him, from his past. And once everyone knows, it’s going to change everything.’
Chapter 6
Already waiting in Littlewood forest as planned; Kai, Sabe, Kiera and two other warriors arrived ahead of the agreed time. Saul and Maika, two of Kai’s best archers, waited at the entrance to the forest, hidden among the foliage ready to signal the first sight of the caravan. While Kai didn’t think King Garlan was stupid enough to try anything, he still liked to be prepared. Although Sabe and Kai were fearless in the face of battle, and their sword skills were impressive, there’s nothing wrong with planning ahead as Sabe often remarked. Kai sent him to check on Saul and Maika, while he waited in the cool of the shade with Kiera.
Hypnotized by Kiera’s hands as they moved the whetstone slowly across the edge of her sword, Kai’s mind, for the first time in days, was quiet. Not easily unnerved, Kai knew he would have his patience tested today. Sitting on a large log, next to Kiera, he stabbed at the wood with his dagger and continued to watch her.
Kiera, aware of Kai’s watching eyes, continued to sharpen her sword. She’d been quiet on
Caster made the army stronger with financial aid from everyone in the Highlands; he would be able to defeat the King and his army and looked forward to the day with enthusiasm, until today’s news halted the plan.
Looking towards the door and hearing Jace greet his mother; he frowned at his early return. After a short while, Jace joined him. Sitting opposite his father, Jace relaxed in the leather chair and blew out a long sigh.
‘I’m guessing your afternoon didn’t go as planned?’ Raising his eyebrows Caster stared at is son. ‘Losing your touch?’ He sniggered.
Jace pushed his hair behind his ear and avoided his father’s gaze.
Waiting to hear what made him somber; he reached to the side table and poured a glass of port. Handing it to Jace, he gave a concerned stare. Sipping casually, he remained silent. Jace wasn’t usually this quiet. Something upset him, and he hoped it wasn’t because of the news that morning.
‘Do we need to start planning a wedding?’ His father joked.
Jace glared at his father. ‘Not on my account.’
‘Well, that’s good to hear, you had me worried there for a moment. Didn’t your sword fit the scabbard?’ Caster chortled.
‘It fits perfectly, thank you. The Tanner did a good job, but I don’t think that’s what you’re asking.’ His lips curved in answer. ‘Let’s just say, I had a lucky escape, and leave it there.’
Raising his brows in surprise Caster changed the subject.
‘I’ve made a decision about Brightstone.’ Pausing, he turned his glass in his hand while staring into it. ‘I want you and me to travel to Blackhill. I’ll speak with Kai of Darkmide about his alliance with Garlan.’
Slowly bringing his eyes to meet Jace, he watched for a reaction. Not replying immediately, Jace thought for a moment. He’d a suspicion there would be changes, but knowing his father made good choices, he didn’t have any concerns.
‘I’m sure you’ve thought about this carefully father.’ he leaned forward to touch his hand. ‘I’ll do whatever you want.’
Breathing a sigh of relief Caster took his son's hand and gave it a squeeze. ‘Thank you, it means a lot that you don’t think badly of me.’
Jace frowned. ‘I wouldn’t. Why would you think that?’
‘Because I know you wanted to fight in the army, by my side.’ Taking a drink, he mulled the next words over in his mind. ‘I have something I need to tell you about Garlan.’
Shuffling to the edge of his seat, Jace waited to hear.
Caster hesitated and looked to the ceiling before he took a deep breath.
‘I know something about him, from his past. And once everyone knows, it’s going to change everything.’
Chapter 6
Already waiting in Littlewood forest as planned; Kai, Sabe, Kiera and two other warriors arrived ahead of the agreed time. Saul and Maika, two of Kai’s best archers, waited at the entrance to the forest, hidden among the foliage ready to signal the first sight of the caravan. While Kai didn’t think King Garlan was stupid enough to try anything, he still liked to be prepared. Although Sabe and Kai were fearless in the face of battle, and their sword skills were impressive, there’s nothing wrong with planning ahead as Sabe often remarked. Kai sent him to check on Saul and Maika, while he waited in the cool of the shade with Kiera.
Hypnotized by Kiera’s hands as they moved the whetstone slowly across the edge of her sword, Kai’s mind, for the first time in days, was quiet. Not easily unnerved, Kai knew he would have his patience tested today. Sitting on a large log, next to Kiera, he stabbed at the wood with his dagger and continued to watch her.
Kiera, aware of Kai’s watching eyes, continued to sharpen her sword. She’d been quiet on
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