Prophecies' Pawns by D.H. Aire

Author:D.H. Aire
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: unicorn, elves, science versus magic, dragon, sword and sorcery, sci fi fantasy, science fiction fantasy, fantasy and science fiction
Publisher: D.H. Aire
Published: 2016-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20 –– Imperial Trader’s Road

The lead wagon came up the tallest of the rolling line of hills west of the Keep and had its first glimpse of the Imperial Summer Palace in the distance.

“Well, Lord Je’orj, that’s quite a sight,” Rexil said.

Agwin frowned as Shannon looked over her shoulder, “That port and town are growing fast.”

“That surprises you for some reason?” Agwin said.

“Oh, the palace was only recently finished,” George said.

“Finished? It looks hundreds of years old,” Grace said, standing behind him.

“It does at that,” George mused. “Must be the elvin magic touch.”

Rexil frowned, “We’re about to cross through the Keep’s outer wards.”

“That would explain the Legionnaire patrol ahead,” Shannon added. “The Summer Palace’s wards look like they begin in, well, five leagues.”

“What are you talking about?” Agwin said as Truthsayer rode up.

“Milord Merchant, my trusty mount here’s getting jittery. We’re about to cross the outer wards.”

“You don’t say, Truthsayer.”

“Having rode this way before,” Truthsayer added, “there’s a passage between this one and the Summer Palace in five leagues or so. There are dozens of Legion patrols traveling along it and waystations being built to the north of here, helping to create a new Imperial road of sorts.”

“Must be why the Keep’s received no unwanted visitors.”

“Truth... The wards are a bit particular.”

Agwin said, “We didn’t have any problem coming from Rian.”

“Truth... I think the Keep actually liked you, my dear. Had it not, believe me, you would know it.”

“Our coming from here could create questions.”

“Well, people are suggesting it may be haunted...” Truthsayer said.

“Really?”

“Truth.”

“And you didn’t feel the need to correct them. They were suggesting, not stating it as fact... so, my curse felt no obligation.”

“Interesting,” George said as the draft horses pulled them down the hill and toward the waiting Imperial legionnaires. “Oh, oh, a familiar face.”

Truthsayer smiled, “The Seeress made a small request of Her Majesty.”

Rexil blinked as Shannon went pale, looking down at herself dressed in merchant livery. “He can’t see me like this!”

“Shannon, it’s all right,” Rexil said hastily, then blinked as her clothing momentarily faded from view.

“All right?” she squeaked.

“Concentrate!”

“OH.”

Grace glanced back, eyes going momentarily wide, then Shannon was fully clothed again as Agwin glanced back frowning. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, that’s just my father-in-law.”

“You’re what?”

The red headed elfblood girl smiled, “We’re actually only betrothed.”

“Though it feels like we’re already married,” Rexil says. “Sort of an arranged thing that Papa isn’t entirely happy with.”

“No,” George said, “but less so your sisters’ betrothals.”

“Well, there is that,” Rexil admitted.

Agwin continued to frown as the hair on her head began to rise, “What?”

“Passing through the wards,” Shannon said, though hers and Rexil’s hair were unaffected.

“I’ll remain here and explain to the others,” Truthsayer said.

Once on the other side, Grigg was waiting, frowning at George’s manner of dress, eyes narrowing at Raven’s greater mass, tongue lolling. Then he saw Rexil and Shannon standing behind the skimpily clad wagon driver and saw a similarly dressed younger girl.

He rode up to them, gestured for them to pull over once they were clear of the wards, “Imperial inspection.

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