Well of Tears (Empath Book 3) by Dawn Peers Page A

itself is on the side of a cliff. It
overlooks a valley, a small holding which is owned by my uncle,
Lord Owain. It takes six hours to walk from the valley floor to the
gates of Sevenspells. The route is steep and harsh, and when you
get to the top most people, in their exhaustion, are expecting a
dusty desolate plateau. The walls protect it all; Sevenspells
proper is all within walls, a bit like Everfell. We farm in there.
Not much—the ground can’t really take it. But it means we could see
through some sort of siege, if anyone was insane enough to tackle
the city itself…” Quinn snored gently. Eden smiled to himself. He
hadn’t thought of his home much, since he had been appointed to
find the Satori in Everfell. That felt like so long ago now. He’d
been ready and willing to plunge his blade through a Sha’sekian
traitor. Instead, she was sitting in his arms. He didn’t want to
let her go, but he knew that one day soon, he’d have to.

7
     
    Sammah
crumpled the parchment in his fist, resisting the urge to throw it
at the messenger boy. He clenched his jaw so tightly that his teeth
began to ache, but he couldn’t shout out. He had to prevent himself
from looking flustered, especially in front of Obrenn and
Erran.
    “What news from Farn, Sammah?”
    Sammah fixed a false smile on his lips and
turned. “It is good news. My pleas to them have worked, and they
will not be sending troops in aggression against Everfell. They
realise that this has been a misunderstanding, and that I have the
best interests of both our people at heart. Our king is no longer
in danger from Sha’sek, just from the traitors within.”
    Erran and Obrenn showed a brief look, before
Erran ventured, “You don’t look like it’s good news. Is there any
other news?”
    “No, my lords. I was so fraught that war
might break out on all three sides, that it’s just a relief to get
this message. If you’ll forgive me, I will take some wine. Will you
join me?”
    “Of course, have some sent straight away.
This calls for celebration, surely! We should let the king know
immediately, he should come and join us.”
    “ I don ’t think now
is the time for the King to be stretched. This is good news indeed,
and I can dispatch a messenger to him. I don’t think we should
bother him, though, I certainly don’t think that he should be
drinking at a time like this. He still very weak, and we have to be
careful for him. This at least will take a lot of the pressure off
your shoulders.”
    “ Indeed , well, if
you say so, Sammah."
    “I’ll call one of my maids. Wait here.”
    Sammah yanked open the door to the
antechamber to find Neyv setting sitting right where he left her.
If it had been Quinn, Elias would have needed to be there too to
keep her in one spot. “Girl, we need wine. Bring a carafe, and
three glasses.”
    Neyv nodded once and trotted away. Sammah
turned back to Erran and Obrenn, who looked frustratingly pleased
with themselves. “How does it go with your gatherings my lords?
What news from Achteren and Mossvale?"
    “The banner gatherings are well, but hearing
talk from the other provinces, many of my men are reluctant to
bring up arms. They don’t think we should be fighting each
other—Sha’sek are the enemy. There are rumours that you are driving
this conflict forward, not Shiver."
    “And not so long ago there were rampant
rumours making Shiver and I allies. Why on earth, then, would I be
raising a sword against him?”
    “I’m only repeating what I hear, Sammah, I
mean no harm.”
    “Indeed Lord Obrenn, I wouldn’t accuse you of
such things. I’m very glad of your honesty in fact, as that’s the
only way we can be sure to defeat the traitors in our midst. You
can tell your men, that this is the will of King Vance. If
it would help you, I can see if we can take some rest from the
king, get out of his bed and writes on official notes. With the
Royal Seal attached to the gathering orders, they surely can’t
dispute its