war council remained silent, listening to the
king’s words. Na’zora’s mages had been brought into full action, and they were
quickly decimating Ra’jhou’s ranks with their destructive magic.
“Their fireballs tear through lines of men without
slowing. How do we counter such an attack?” Gannon looked around at his
councilors, who were staring at the conference table, their heads held low. His
eyes landed on his brother. “Efren?”
Efren shook his head and opened his mouth to
speak, but no words came. After a moment, he said, “Perhaps we could create a
diversion? Draw their attention away from our main force?”
“How?” Gannon asked.
Efren scanned his mind but found he had no valid
idea. What could possibly interest mages enough to convince them to leave the
fighting?
General Willem scoffed. “He doesn’t know,” he
said. “He’s no fighter.”
Gannon slammed his hand against the table and
stood. “One of you had better think of something!” he shouted. “These mages are
dangerous, and they must be stopped. Our survival depends on it!”
With a deep breath, Efren said, “I am working on
something with the help of a Ral’nassan sorcerer, but things are not going as
quickly as I would like.” Master Uhnar drank more than his fair share of wine
during his short stay, and he took half the castle’s reserves back home with
him. He also tried to charm all the single women at court, in addition to several
of the married ones. So far, there was little benefit to be seen from his
visit. Efren doubted that the elf was the most trustworthy person to depend on,
but he could do nothing more than sit and wait. With any luck, Uhnar’s contacts
on the Sunswept Isles would prove more helpful than he had.
“Keep me informed,” Gannon said, as if defeated.
Councilman Faril arrived late to the meeting, a
somber expression on his face. With a bow, he presented a letter to the king.
“A message from King Tyrol, Your Majesty.”
Gannon snatched the letter away and sank into his
chair. His eyes scanning the letter, he said, “It seems my sister has been
found guilty of treason. He intends to punish her severely.” Rising to his
feet, he stared momentarily at the wall. Then, with a quick movement he kicked
over the wooden chair, sending it crashing to the floor. “Damn him!” he cried
in frustration. “I will rip his heart out if he harms my sister!” His face was
red with rage. Tearing the letter to shreds he threw it onto the floor. “Saddle
my horse,” he commanded. “There is no time to spare.”
“Your Majesty,” Efren said. “We have no way of
knowing if King Tyrol is telling the truth. You mustn’t rush in too quickly.”
“What gives you the right to tell your sovereign
what he must not do?” Gannon was irritated by his brother’s words. Though he
was grateful to have him tend matters of state, Efren was a novice when it came
to war. “This is a time for action, Brother.”
“I only meant to ask you to be cautious. King Tyrol
knows well that Aubriana has had no contact with us. I fear he might be laying
a trap.”
“I’m surprised by these words,” Gannon replied.
“You do not wish me to rescue our dear sister?” How could Efren possibly insist
he take no action? Aubriana’s life was at stake, and Gannon would do whatever
it took to save her.
“That’s not what I’m saying at all,” Efren said
quickly. He would do anything to shield his sister from harm, assuming she was
truly in danger. There was no way of knowing whether Tyrol’s letter was a trap.
It was best to take caution and confirm this report if at all possible.
Otherwise, Gannon might be risking his own life unnecessarily.
“Do you not fear for her safety?” Gannon
continued. “I will not sit by while her life is in danger. King Tyrol is a
monster, and he means to do her harm. Where is your courage?”
The disappointment in his brother’s tone rang in
Efren’s ears. “I would not trade one sibling
king’s words. Na’zora’s mages had been brought into full action, and they were
quickly decimating Ra’jhou’s ranks with their destructive magic.
“Their fireballs tear through lines of men without
slowing. How do we counter such an attack?” Gannon looked around at his
councilors, who were staring at the conference table, their heads held low. His
eyes landed on his brother. “Efren?”
Efren shook his head and opened his mouth to
speak, but no words came. After a moment, he said, “Perhaps we could create a
diversion? Draw their attention away from our main force?”
“How?” Gannon asked.
Efren scanned his mind but found he had no valid
idea. What could possibly interest mages enough to convince them to leave the
fighting?
General Willem scoffed. “He doesn’t know,” he
said. “He’s no fighter.”
Gannon slammed his hand against the table and
stood. “One of you had better think of something!” he shouted. “These mages are
dangerous, and they must be stopped. Our survival depends on it!”
With a deep breath, Efren said, “I am working on
something with the help of a Ral’nassan sorcerer, but things are not going as
quickly as I would like.” Master Uhnar drank more than his fair share of wine
during his short stay, and he took half the castle’s reserves back home with
him. He also tried to charm all the single women at court, in addition to several
of the married ones. So far, there was little benefit to be seen from his
visit. Efren doubted that the elf was the most trustworthy person to depend on,
but he could do nothing more than sit and wait. With any luck, Uhnar’s contacts
on the Sunswept Isles would prove more helpful than he had.
“Keep me informed,” Gannon said, as if defeated.
Councilman Faril arrived late to the meeting, a
somber expression on his face. With a bow, he presented a letter to the king.
“A message from King Tyrol, Your Majesty.”
Gannon snatched the letter away and sank into his
chair. His eyes scanning the letter, he said, “It seems my sister has been
found guilty of treason. He intends to punish her severely.” Rising to his
feet, he stared momentarily at the wall. Then, with a quick movement he kicked
over the wooden chair, sending it crashing to the floor. “Damn him!” he cried
in frustration. “I will rip his heart out if he harms my sister!” His face was
red with rage. Tearing the letter to shreds he threw it onto the floor. “Saddle
my horse,” he commanded. “There is no time to spare.”
“Your Majesty,” Efren said. “We have no way of
knowing if King Tyrol is telling the truth. You mustn’t rush in too quickly.”
“What gives you the right to tell your sovereign
what he must not do?” Gannon was irritated by his brother’s words. Though he
was grateful to have him tend matters of state, Efren was a novice when it came
to war. “This is a time for action, Brother.”
“I only meant to ask you to be cautious. King Tyrol
knows well that Aubriana has had no contact with us. I fear he might be laying
a trap.”
“I’m surprised by these words,” Gannon replied.
“You do not wish me to rescue our dear sister?” How could Efren possibly insist
he take no action? Aubriana’s life was at stake, and Gannon would do whatever
it took to save her.
“That’s not what I’m saying at all,” Efren said
quickly. He would do anything to shield his sister from harm, assuming she was
truly in danger. There was no way of knowing whether Tyrol’s letter was a trap.
It was best to take caution and confirm this report if at all possible.
Otherwise, Gannon might be risking his own life unnecessarily.
“Do you not fear for her safety?” Gannon
continued. “I will not sit by while her life is in danger. King Tyrol is a
monster, and he means to do her harm. Where is your courage?”
The disappointment in his brother’s tone rang in
Efren’s ears. “I would not trade one sibling
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