Rylee’s muscles jerked involuntarily, shoving her into a sitting position as her heart thudded. Grabbing fistfuls of her blanket, she stared blindly straining for sounds in the darkness. Nothing.

The metal was cool as I grasped the handle. Odd since until a few moments ago it had been bathed in pixie flames. “Of course. Those were illusions. I could have walked past any time,” I grumbled.

“Mmm, I wouldn't go that far,” A voice said beside me ear. Twisting my head, I looked cross-eyed at the creature plopping down on my shoulder. I opened my mouth but she cut me off. “You convinced me of the im-por-tance of your errand.” She stressed each syllable flippantly.

I stood with an arm around my wife's shoulders as we waited at the city gates. The guard inspecting us stared between me and my wife. “He's not your son.”
Not again. “He is my son.” I stared at the guard not turning toward Tom behind. Perhaps if I willed hard enough this one would get a clue and not make a fuss. Tragically, he wasn't the brightest.

“Then it is done.” I leaned forward grasping a rope for balance as the words fell across the room. Heavy and light smothering noise. No more would the Virand impose their will. Our land would be ours again. Giles Bardolf would lead us.

Bendalia stopped in front of the uneven row of brightly painted boxes. Box 11 was only mostly closed. Not even enough to hide the presence of a letter shoved where none belonged. Scowling she glanced down the cross streets. If Diel and Kedilalia thought they’d joke at her expense . . . She harrumphed annoyed.

She snatched the letter from the box and ripped it open impatiently.

Elaweth, preeminent enchantress of Veth, had never bowed before Afanad hoard. She was a bulwark between her people’s light and their waves of chaos. A role she had been born too, but one she had accepted without hesitation. At least until today. Now she questioned. Late.

Wind. Fire. Water. Closing her eyes, Eowini let her chant wash through her splinter of the ephemeral entities she represented. Calm. Her breath slowed as she centered.

Hallstienn veered as hoodlums dived before him. He could take a hit, but not Cireg. He’d escaped with the Cireg and arrived home mostly unscathed, to have children harry him?