Fractured Throne Box Set 1 by Lee H Haywood

Author:Lee H Haywood [Haywood, Lee H]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: epic fantasy
ISBN: 9780997081084
Publisher: Free Dominion Publishing
Published: 2019-11-03T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

XVI

A SPY BY NIGHT

Leta feared it would be difficult to sneak out of the palace complex unnoticed, but it actually proved to be quite simple. The palace was typically locked down like a fortress after dusk, but tonight was no ordinary night. It was not only the sabbath, it was also the anniversary of the Battle of Vas Perloh.

Festivities were scheduled throughout the day to celebrate the Faceless God, and the palace complex was packed with revelers. Leta joined the revelry for a few drinks, making sure to speak to the necessary court gossips so that her presence was noticed, then she quietly slipped back to her apartment. She quickly changed her attire, putting on a filthy wool skirt and blouse — an outfit she had collected from one of the afflicted patients in the monastery. She pushed her hair up in a bun and covered her head and shoulders with a drab gray shawl. With her disguise complete, she regarded herself in a mirror. She could hardly recognize the woman in the reflection. Feeling pleased, Leta set off to intercept her aunt.

Lady Miren was residing in one of the many guest houses located on the palace grounds. They were used to host visiting dignitaries and lords. Miren had, of course, selected the largest and most opulent residence for herself. Leta found an inconspicuous spot to hide near the guest house, and there she waited. It did not take long. A carriage pulled up before the front door, and out of the house stepped Lady Miren dressed in her typical black attire.

Miren boarded the carriage and the driver whipped the horses into motion. Leta followed on foot, and chased the carriage through the palace’s front gate. She was happy for her disguise. Sir Rupert and his men were standing at the gate checking invitations. Neither he nor any of his guards looked in Leta’s direction as she hurried past. They were too busy policing those trying to get in to give more than a passing glance at those leaving.

Once they were out of the palace, the carriage driver quickened the pace. Leta had to jog to keep up. The carriage traveled the entire width of the city before rumbling across a drawbridge and vanishing behind an iron-banded door.

Leta scowled at the pair of brass lions flanking the drawbridge; the lions seemed to bare their teeth in reply. I should have known, thought Leta, surprised at her own foolishness. Lady Miren’s carriage had disappeared into Fort Hermsburg, the home of Praetor Maxentius.

Praetor Maxentius lived in the fortress that protected the mouth of Mayal Harbor. The fortress occupied a stone bluff that overlooked the narrow strait between the Sea of Ro and the Bay of Lares. Trebuchets lined the fort’s southern battlements, positioned such that they could sink any ship that tried to enter the harbor without the praetor’s permission. Meanwhile, the artillery on the western battlements were capable of reaching the only bridge linking Mayal to the mainland.

Due to Fort Hermsberg’s commanding position, it was often said, ‘he who possesses the fort possesses the key to the city.

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