The Necromancer's Prisoner (Hearts of Allaria Book 1) by Elric Shaw

Author:Elric Shaw [Shaw, Elric]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-11-26T16:00:00+00:00

seventeen

Ignatius

“You don’t have to do this. If you’d rather wait in your room, I can meet with Erys alone.”

Staring out over the small clearing at Erys’ tower, Iggie swallowed. He had to admit he found Alistair’s offer tempting. The too-friendly mage set him on edge. Why would Erys risk standing up for Iggie if he didn’t think he had something to gain? Not to mention Alistair’s previous suspicions. While nothing was certain, the runeflame connection was too incriminating to ignore.

His eyes settled on Alistair’s concerned face, and the knot of tension within him eased. “No,” he said, firming his shoulders. “I’ve followed you this far. I intend to see this through to the end. Besides, I owe these people for mooching off their supplies. The least I can do is try to help.”

Their gazes locked, and Iggie’s heart leaped as the paladin gave him a tentative smile. “Thank you,” he said softly. He licked his lips, looking like he wanted to say more…or perhaps do more. One hand tentatively raised as if to reach for Iggie, only to lower a moment later.

When the paladin resumed walking, Iggie shoved down his instant regret. I need to keep my distance, he reminded himself. That was the only way he’d escape this mess with his heart relatively unscathed. Alistair’s hesitation to defend him yesterday offered proof enough of that.

“Come on, then,” Alistair called over his shoulder. “And make sure to stay on your guard. If Erys does have a hand in whatever’s happening here, we might be walking into a trap.”

A fresh wave of unease rippled over Iggie as they stepped into the clearing, packed snow crunching underfoot. After the lukewarm reception he’d received yesterday, part of him had considered slipping off in the middle of the night. It would have been easy enough. There were no guards posted at the inn that he could detect, and Alistair had retired to his room early.

Yet, something had held him back. He’d told himself it was simple curiosity—now that he was part of this, he wanted to see how it all played out, and it wasn’t like he had anywhere else to go. But he knew that the real reason he’d stayed despite all his instincts screaming at him to flee was walking right in front of him, his golden breastplate gleaming in the morning sun.

Iggie would stick around long enough to help the paladin complete his quest and repay the town for the trouble he’d caused. Then, he’d move on. Navigating the mountain pass would be tricky in the winter, but he’d find a way to survive. He always did.

The mage’s tower appeared much like the one Iggie had occupied for the last several weeks. The battering mountain winds had worn its stone facade smooth, and the walls shimmered in the morning sun. At first, Iggie thought that might be the result of enchantments woven into the rock. As they drew closer, however, he spied the tiles of harmonite set into the tower like scales, each aglow with its own unique pattern.

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