To Kill a Queen by Nancy Uliano

Author:Nancy Uliano
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Epic Publishing
Published: 2020-09-10T07:28:09+00:00

Eighteen

Firanor’s blue-robed mages arrived through a portal outside of town two days later, bringing additional research with them. Kirin met with them, instructing them on where to stay and what to watch out for. He briefed them on the demons and introduced them to Raine and Thora. After meeting them, Kirin felt more confident in their abilities. They were a powerful lot—classically trained mages able to handle nearly anything thrown at them. He had considered bringing several of them instead of his own students but decided it was better not to. His students were more discreet, more loyal to him. Besides, he’d feel better traveling with people he knew rather than strangers.

The first snow of winter had begun, covering the dead grass in a pristine, white blanket. In the distance, they could just barely make out the tips of the closest peaks in the vast Everfall range, where the fortress of Stonehold was nestled in the southern mountains. Kirin pulled his cloak tight around him, thankful that the wind was still. He looked around at his companions.

He’d chosen Zeke and Adrian for their skill with magic, their potential, and their tendency to remain levelheaded. They were both exceptionally bright and might be able to help figure out what was happening. They’d been easy enough to convince once Kirin had offered them both a large sum of money for the job. Zeke had hesitated, worried about his son, Jacob, but the castle’s servants agreed to look after the boy while he was away. Kirin hadn’t initially planned on bringing him, but John had volunteered as well, offering his medical knowledge and skill for support. Zeke and John joked and bantered back and forth, while Adrian followed, somber as usual.

Kirin wasn’t entirely sure how they were going to deal with the cult of the ancient god, if and when they found them. They had to figure out the cult’s plans, find a way to stall them for a moment, and, ultimately, stop them. One of the documents Firanor had sent with his students had mentioned a gathering place beneath Stonehold, an underground temple. He figured it would be a good place to start the search. Hopefully, it wouldn’t have too many of the bird demons guarding it because he wasn’t sure the others would survive the fight.

It sounded like Vai was merely a peon in the cult’s hierarchy, incapable of making any decisions. The crow had told him what to do and threatened him, so it seemed reasonable that the crow was a messenger or possibly one of the leaders. Kirin hoped it had been one of the leaders because he’d really hate to see something powerful enough to give that crow orders.

“Kirin,” Adrian said abruptly, quickening his pace to keep up with the archmage.

Kirin glanced over at the gaunt mage. “Yes?”

“This cult is ancient. What could you possibly want with them? I know you said they threatened Altria, but how? I’d like to know why we’re on a mission that will most likely get us all killed.

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