New Moon Rising (Guardian's Prophecy Book 4) by D.A. Godwin

Author:D.A. Godwin [Godwin, D.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-10-29T05:00:00+00:00

A Broken Trust

Two days later, they emerged from a mist gate far from Kenzing. The famed white tower of Kendenhall stood tall above the treetops ahead, marking their destination. Long the ancestral home of the Deurmark family—of which Shalindra’s cousin Edward was the last survivor—the three stacked cylinders of the citadel stretched some fifteen stories into the sky, commanding both attention and countryside for miles around. It was with fondness that Shalindra remembered her younger self standing atop that tower, reveling in the grand view it provided, even as it left her dizzy from the height. As then, the city surrounding it was modestly sized and surprisingly compact, nothing more than a convenient stopping point at the intersection of roads that led to Halisford in the north, Locksall and the Gold Road to the southeast, and Lisiria and on to Merallin in the southwest.

Yet the wrong banner now flew above the battlements: one belonging to a Ceringion house that had been awarded the fiefdom after the Deurmark family had been brutally cast aside. That injustice still burned at her as they made their way towards the tower. It would be a long walk over cold and wet fields, but there were far too many people on the roads—and too many devoting too much attention to her—to use a mist gate to speed their travel. It had been easier to move through the Kingdom when no one knew who she was. Now everyone seemed to recognize her.

The road emerged from trees into fields, and they spied Kentrick’s command bivouacked in the fields south of town. It was a relief that her brother was still here.

“Where do you think they’ll be?” Enna asked.

“Either city or camp is possible,” Shalindra said, “but I think the camp more likely.”

They altered course towards Kentrick’s banner but had covered less than half the distance when they were hailed by a pair of approaching riders. Both men wore tunics and leggings of muted earthen colors and rode with longbows strapped to their backs. The first was clean-shaven while the second possessed a dark beard, and both looked to have spent more nights sleeping outside than in. Shalindra recognized the Rangers as Loren and Drex, more from Tormjere’s memory than her own.

“Your Highness,” Loren said with a bow as he dismounted. “It’s a relief to see you healthy.”

“And you as well. How did you find us?”

“We discovered your horses wandering several days ago. This was cause for concern, as you might imagine. It took some time given how far apart they were, but after locating your campsites I concluded that your method of travel had become… unusual. I would dearly like to know how it was achieved.”

“My brother sent you?” Shalindra asked, avoiding his question.

Loren affirmed her guess. “I followed long enough to gauge your speed and direction and estimated when you might return. His Highness was concerned for your safety.”

Everyone was, of late. “I will see that his fears are assuaged. May I ask what details of

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