with a proud history of art, music, mathematics, science, and poetry.
"I'm so glad you've joined us, Prince Jaraz. It's wonderful to meet you both. Please allow me to introduce you to my dear friend, Lady Rose, daughter of Duke Salzar."
Prince Jaraz inclined his head at Rose. "Well met, Lady Rose." She blushed at his attention.
"Why has no one bothered to serve us drinks?" Marquis Kalan's voice was clear and confident and utterly unattractive to Sebine.
She faced Prince Jaraz once again. "How was your journey to the Kingdom of Valance?"
"Long and hard, I'm afraid. We traveled by ship along the coast for weeks and by boat up the Elden River." The Prince's eyes held a faraway look as if remembering the journey. "We've only just arrived this noon."
"You must all be exhausted." She fixed her attention on the Prince's sister. "You look lovely, Princess Marei. Your skin is so radiant and smooth...like silk...simply beautiful. I'm amazed you look so well considering your long adventure here."
Princess Marei flushed in friendly excitement and flourished her fingers as if casting a spell. "We live in the desert, Princess Sebine. We're accustomed to harsh conditions. Our civilization is very old and we've learned to thrive in places where no life should exist at all. In fact many historians say the birthplace of mankind lies in the Malathian Kingdom."
"Really? I haven't discovered that yet in the lessons of your Kingdom. Perhaps we should send more historians to study abroad in your kingdom." Sebine grinned enticingly at Princess Marei. "I've always dreamed of traveling to exotic lands outside our borders."
Prince Jaraz raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Which lands allure you, Princess?"
"Dance with me, and I will tell you." Sebine felt a hot flush rising up her neck at her boldness, but was rewarded as the Prince stood and offered his hand to her.
Chapter Seven
TAEL THOUGHT HE felt his heart stop beating at hearing Bishop Draven's words. He witnessed me fighting the Hakkadian sorcerers and the ghoul? Or maybe he only saw the last battle with the ghoul... Which part of the battle did he see? Tael narrowed his eyes at the Bishop, studying his face for hints. He decided he'd start backwards.
"Master Loral was in dire need...the creature of the dark," Tael said, his voice low and cautious.
"Why did you leave him?" Bishop Draven sighed, but kept his eyes fixed on Tael.
"I didn't want to be blamed by the city guard. How could I explain all that? They wouldn't listen to a commoner like me."
The Bishop's bobbing head assented the truth of his words. "Of no matter...Master Loral will recover. The ghoul only stunned him with its gaze." He glanced at the sword mounted on Tael's back. "Luckily you were able to ward off the ghoul, your sword is a bane to undead."
At Tael's wary expression, the Bishop raised his hands in an assuring gesture. "Don't be frightened. I have no intention of prying. Suffice it to say your secret is safe with me. I vow to the Goddess Naria not to tell another soul. You will not be identified in my official account to the Patriarch. Merely a mysterious hero saved the wizard, bearing a magical sword that warded off the ghoul. I will say it was dark that night, and I was unable to identify the hero and the man disappeared."
Tael couldn't believe the Bishop gave him such a pure and kind smile. Was he being truthful or was this simply a ruse to win his trust?
"And you need not worry about Master Loral. He is quite trustworthy and rarely cares for what those of power think of his ways. I suspect that's why he was targeted. Don't look surprised, although I arrived late as you were chasing off the ghoul, I clearly recognized the slain sorcerers." He leaned in and whispered in Tael's ear. "Hakkadians. They don't much like those of the Arcanum. I suspect you had a hand in their demise as well?"
A cold chill sank down Tael's spine. So he witnessed everything? Bishop Draven chuckled and leaned back, studying
"I'm so glad you've joined us, Prince Jaraz. It's wonderful to meet you both. Please allow me to introduce you to my dear friend, Lady Rose, daughter of Duke Salzar."
Prince Jaraz inclined his head at Rose. "Well met, Lady Rose." She blushed at his attention.
"Why has no one bothered to serve us drinks?" Marquis Kalan's voice was clear and confident and utterly unattractive to Sebine.
She faced Prince Jaraz once again. "How was your journey to the Kingdom of Valance?"
"Long and hard, I'm afraid. We traveled by ship along the coast for weeks and by boat up the Elden River." The Prince's eyes held a faraway look as if remembering the journey. "We've only just arrived this noon."
"You must all be exhausted." She fixed her attention on the Prince's sister. "You look lovely, Princess Marei. Your skin is so radiant and smooth...like silk...simply beautiful. I'm amazed you look so well considering your long adventure here."
Princess Marei flushed in friendly excitement and flourished her fingers as if casting a spell. "We live in the desert, Princess Sebine. We're accustomed to harsh conditions. Our civilization is very old and we've learned to thrive in places where no life should exist at all. In fact many historians say the birthplace of mankind lies in the Malathian Kingdom."
"Really? I haven't discovered that yet in the lessons of your Kingdom. Perhaps we should send more historians to study abroad in your kingdom." Sebine grinned enticingly at Princess Marei. "I've always dreamed of traveling to exotic lands outside our borders."
Prince Jaraz raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Which lands allure you, Princess?"
"Dance with me, and I will tell you." Sebine felt a hot flush rising up her neck at her boldness, but was rewarded as the Prince stood and offered his hand to her.
Chapter Seven
TAEL THOUGHT HE felt his heart stop beating at hearing Bishop Draven's words. He witnessed me fighting the Hakkadian sorcerers and the ghoul? Or maybe he only saw the last battle with the ghoul... Which part of the battle did he see? Tael narrowed his eyes at the Bishop, studying his face for hints. He decided he'd start backwards.
"Master Loral was in dire need...the creature of the dark," Tael said, his voice low and cautious.
"Why did you leave him?" Bishop Draven sighed, but kept his eyes fixed on Tael.
"I didn't want to be blamed by the city guard. How could I explain all that? They wouldn't listen to a commoner like me."
The Bishop's bobbing head assented the truth of his words. "Of no matter...Master Loral will recover. The ghoul only stunned him with its gaze." He glanced at the sword mounted on Tael's back. "Luckily you were able to ward off the ghoul, your sword is a bane to undead."
At Tael's wary expression, the Bishop raised his hands in an assuring gesture. "Don't be frightened. I have no intention of prying. Suffice it to say your secret is safe with me. I vow to the Goddess Naria not to tell another soul. You will not be identified in my official account to the Patriarch. Merely a mysterious hero saved the wizard, bearing a magical sword that warded off the ghoul. I will say it was dark that night, and I was unable to identify the hero and the man disappeared."
Tael couldn't believe the Bishop gave him such a pure and kind smile. Was he being truthful or was this simply a ruse to win his trust?
"And you need not worry about Master Loral. He is quite trustworthy and rarely cares for what those of power think of his ways. I suspect that's why he was targeted. Don't look surprised, although I arrived late as you were chasing off the ghoul, I clearly recognized the slain sorcerers." He leaned in and whispered in Tael's ear. "Hakkadians. They don't much like those of the Arcanum. I suspect you had a hand in their demise as well?"
A cold chill sank down Tael's spine. So he witnessed everything? Bishop Draven chuckled and leaned back, studying
Similar Books
