Marked for Death (The Lost Mark) by Matt Forbeck

Author:Matt Forbeck [Forbeck, Matt]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780786964840
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast Publishing
Published: 2013-05-14T00:00:00+00:00

Burch watched Esprë’s eyes grow wide. He tried to kick her under the table to tell her to be quiet, but the wizard spotted him and her scowl sent him back to perching on the seat instead. Majeeda turned to the girl and stretched out her hands.

“I’m sorry, my dear,” the deathless elf said. “I didn’t mean to disturb your young mind with such terrible tales about such horrible people. Please forgive me.”

Esprë glanced at Kandler, who nodded at her. The girl looked back at the wizard and gulped. “I’m fine,” she said. “I was just thinking about that vampire and how you got rid of him.” The girl let a smile poke through her fear. “That was a good thing you did.”

A grin grew across the wizard’s face, so wide that it seemed her jaw might fall off into her lap. “I’m so glad you think so,” she said. Her pale, sunken eyes sparkled with joy, and the light within her glowed a bit brighter.

Majeeda beamed at each of the people around the table with her, even Burch, although less so when she saw the shifter wiping his face with her table linen.

“It’s so good to be surrounded by such fine people again, people who understand me.” She sighed. “It’s been so long.”

“We’re glad to be here,” Kandler said. “This is far better than spending another night in the Mournland. We spent most of the night chasing that vampire and changeling.”

With that reminder, Esprë covered her mouth as she tried to stifle a long yawn.

“Where are my manners?” Majeeda said. “I forget that the living tire so easily, and you must have had such a harrowing ordeal. Can I show you to your chambers?”

The guests nodded as one and followed as the deathless elf rose and strode from the chamber. She walked over to the stairs in the north wall and ascended another flight to the next floor up.

“The guest chambers are up here,” Majeeda said.

They emerged into a sitting room about a third of the size of the dining hall or the library on the first floor.

Overstuffed chairs sat scattered about the room in pairs, accompanied by low tables for resting feet or drinks upon. A roaring fire blazed in an open hearth near the rear wall, showering the room in warm, flickering light. Two closed doors stood at opposite ends of a wooden wall, otherwise covered with gold and red tapestries that ran across the tower from side to side.

“Ladies reside on the left,” Majeeda said. “Gentlemen on the right.”

Burch leaned in to whisper something to Kandler. The justicar turned to their hostess and spoke to her in her native tongue again. “My compatriot here”—he pointed to Burch—“prefers to sleep outdoors. We’d be in your debt if you could find appropriate arrangements for him.”

Majeeda frowned for a short moment. “You think he’d fare better in the courtyard?” she responded in the common tongue.

Burch’s face lit up.

“I think so,” said Kandler as he rubbed his eyes. “Otherwise, he’s liable to start howling and keep us all awake.

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