Birthright (Griffin Wars Book 1) by Wendy Koenig

Author:Wendy Koenig [Koenig, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cadillac Press
Published: 2020-09-12T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Bartheleme arrived at his father’s Chester home in the dark between midnight and dawn. They’d ridden straight through, disregarding those they passed when warned about thieves. Really, what was there for a dragon to fear? He almost relished a chance to let a little blood. Sadly, they’d reached the city gates unmolested.

Sitting in one of the heavy walnut chairs, he gazed around the lamp-lit great hall. His father had arranged it much the same way as the war room in the castle. More chairs, such as the one he sat in, lined the walls with thick tapestries hung between.

In fact, heavy everything was everywhere. The place felt small, too small for a dragon of his stature, but it was comfortable and he liked it. Instead of less, it felt like more. More comfort. More peace. More freedom from prying eyes.

His father’s agent entered the room and bowed. “Your Highness.”

Bartheleme waved his hand languidly, playing the role that would be his in a few centuries. “What is it?”

The fat man straightened, his calculating eyes meeting gaze for gaze. “No one has seen the two witches, My Prince.”

“Not yet. But they’re here.”

“Yes, Sire. That is certain. We will find them.” His air of conviction was absolute and Bartheleme trusted his father’s agent would not fail the mission, knowing who the next king would be.

Bartheleme nodded as the fat man bowed again and left the room. The man was good at what he did. He had his own agents who, in turn, had those who worked for them. It was a net that would cast wide enough to catch one specific kind of witch. One who could expose the dragons’ deepest kept secret.

His father’s agent returned a few moments later, a robed woman beside him. Dark hair spilled from her head and down her back. The fat man bowed and said, “Sire, this woman brings news of the girls.”

Bartheleme waved the agent away, stood, and approached the woman, who seemed to shrink within herself the closer he came. She was breathing hard and a fine sheen of perspiration covered her skin as if she’d hurried to share her news. He smiled as an encouragement. “You may feel comfortable here. We’re all friends.”

She curtseyed and he felt his smile deepen. There would be many such meetings with informants when he assumed the throne. The agents wouldn’t be his father’s, but his own. She said, “They’ve come to the meeting place. It’s a barn behind the parish wife’s home. One of the girls was badly injured. We prayed for her.”

He glanced over her head at the fat man, who nodded, confirming he knew the location. Bartheleme returned his attention to the woman. He laid his hand on her shoulder. “Thank you. You need concern yourself with this no longer. Your service will be remembered.”

“Bless you, Sire.” The dark-haired woman blushed, bowed, and backed out of the room.

He turned to the agent and said, “We leave now. Get all the men you have.”

****

Alone, Fiera walked to the edge of the circle and stared down at the body of Marie.

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