Son of the Shield by Mary Schlegel

Author:Mary Schlegel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Outcast Media
Published: 2022-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

Allegar, Delvan, Kars, and Lelan hurried single-file over the rocks. Through the fading twilight they saw two guards still posted on the walls, but the sentries’ attention was focused on the party arriving in the courtyard and the Farin were able to reach the paddock gate unseen.

A barred opening ran the width of the gate’s top. Kars made a stirrup of his hands and boosted Lelan up to peer through. “This will let us into the stables,” Lelan whispered.

“Then we have to hurry,” Delvan said. “It won’t be long before they bring the horses from whoever just arrived.”

“We could wait until they stable them and secure the place for the night,” Kars suggested as Lelan jumped down.

“We’re not waiting that long,” Allegar said.

“Give me one minute, then, sir.” Kars drew a long knife from his belt and slid it between the gate and its frame.

Allegar held his breath as the sergeant squinted and twisted his mouth around, manipulating the knife in the latch.

“There it is,” Kars said finally, biting his lip as he levered the knife in the gap.

Allegar eased the gate open and slipped through. The others followed.

As they moved through the shadowy stables and crouched in one of the side aisles, they heard Cytharocian voices. Allegar paused to listen.

“I thought General Ronarres was going to the capital to report to him,” one voice said.

Allegar’s eyes widened. General Ronarres? Sorek was a general?

At least he knew with certainty now that Sorek was here. If Sorek was here, that meant Orienne had to be as well.

The voice continued: “So why did King Saras bother coming here instead?”

King Saras? Allegar sat back against the wall in disbelief.

“Well, sir?” Kars whispered.

Allegar slowly turned his head. “Corporal Lelan, would you care to guess who is arriving at the gates?”

The corporal frowned in confusion at being singled out. “Who, sir?”

“The Cytharocian king himself,” Allegar said, imitating Lelan’s tone and inflection.

Lelan’s eyes widened. “You’re serious?”

“No hard feelings, corporal, but I wish you’d kept your mouth shut.”

Lelan cringed. “I wish that too, sir.”

The voices moved out of earshot and the Farin moved to the edge of the stables, where they could peer out into the courtyard. The king and his entourage were dismounting and turning their horses over to grooms. The front of the castle’s keep was well-lit and well-guarded, but the side and back were shadowed and vacant.

“It looks like they’re putting on a good show of security for his highness,” Delvan whispered, “but it’s only show.”

“That means they’re not likely guarding places like kitchens or scullery doors,” Lelan said.

Allegar gave Lelan a look. “After what you said about his highness, I’m not sure I’m willing to count on that.”

“Very funny, sir.”

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