Wars of Magic: Book 6 in the Chronomancer Series by Mark August

Author:Mark August [August, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: readmarkaugust.com
Published: 2022-04-04T16:00:00+00:00

32

KINCAID - WRONG WAY

“We’re going the wrong way,” Kincaid said. Riding on horseback was becoming more natural for the carpenter, but his discomfort was from their lack of progress against the Drakean Order. They traveled across kingdoms, fought against dark magicians, and plunged into battling armies. Kincaid was no closer to his goal than the day they left Qurcheira.

“How do you know?” Nakira asked. The woman had also become a better rider, and she rode on the king’s road with natural ease, and those brown eyes watched his reaction.

“We’re off to the Court of the Northern States in some far-flung city, and the Drakeans have the book’s pages to guide their journey.” Kincaid wanted to kick his horse for more speed and move along their journey. Adelaise wasn’t pushing them as hard as they traveled these roads.

“If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be?” Nakira asked. Her face gave away nothing, but the wrinkles at the corner of her eyes gave away her amusement. It was cute, but Kincaid didn’t like the game.

“I need to be in the place where I can stop their plans.” Kincaid was pleased with his answer. It was the kind of stuff Nakira liked.

“Exactly,” Nakira said. “So how do you know we’re going in the wrong direction. You don’t know where you need to be.”

Kincaid wanted to develop a witty retort and show how wrong she was, but she was right. They could travel in any direction or linger in a comfortable city and be no closer to their goals. Where were the Drakeans going with Archmagi Cormac’s remains?

“Must be a good discussion,” Sholeh nudged her horse alongside Kincaid’s. “It is not often I see you at a loss for words.”

Sholeh adapted to life on horseback faster than Kincaid, and her natural athleticism made the transition nearly flawless. She bit her lip as she watched Nakira ride on Kincaid’s opposite side. Kincaid didn’t need special abilities to guess her thoughts.

“What city are we going to?” Kincaid changed the subject.

“Banin. We should get there in less than an hour,” Sholeh said. “The roads are good, villages clump closer together, and the fields are flourishing. Getting close to a thriving city.”

“The Court of the Northern States doesn’t have a capital, Kincaid.” Nakira changed her tone, and the academic returned to the forefront. “The king travels between cities and sets up his court at the expense of the local ruler. No one has a political advantage with a permanent capital, and the king gets to put pressure on any noble family he chooses.”

“Then he could have come to Adelaise,” Kincaid said.

“That is not how kings work, my friend,” Sholeh said. “Imagine the pressure on our new marquess if she had to prepare her castle to support the entire royal court? Besides, it would elevate her position to the highest levels, and I do not think Adelaise is going for congratulations.”

Kincaid released his frustration and watched the land’s transformation from rural production to a city of powerful nobles.

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