and sorrow reflects in the eyes of Kydon and his kinsmen. Mercy of the Gods, what has befallen? What woe sunders my heart at this hour of uncertainty?”

“I daresay, I feel the same,” Lish confessed. “For now we must exercise patience. We must wait till eventide, in the assembly hall, after the feast. We must brace ourselves, I gather, for some sort of dark upheaval. Whatever ill-tiding be revealed, we shall seek to preserve the peace.” Lish smiled in remembrance of days gone by. “I confess it is good to see Torcus again, returned after many a’ winter. Far too long he has been away, taken to road, alone in the borderlands. Sure am I there will be much to reference… much to transcribe in the All-Knowing Tomes.”

“Your words ring true, counselor.” Ethwin took a short intake of air scented by spruce and pine. He gathered his thoughts, slung Gleanfire over his shoulder, and watched the sunlight stream behind the gated tower. “

The old keep,” Ethwin whispered. “May the Gods, again, protect the House of Eldoren.”

Lish stiffened slightly. “May the Gods protect us all.”

With a skyward glance the two men turned from the courtyard and entered the castle.

Behind the mural crown of East Tower, just beyond Ethwin’s turning gaze, a pair of lidless eyes glared with hate.