Books Page 4

Chapter 1

"A girl?" Mor asked.

"Yes . . . a girl," his father replied. "Does that bother you?"

"Well, no but what does a girl have to do with defending our borders?"

"We have much more urgent matters to discuss today," Stiofan said. "And it involves the girl."

Mor hurried to catch up with his father, who hurried down the corridor towards the Great Hall. Just inside,
Zustand, Governor of Ques and Elder of the House of the Votedde, waited with his young daughter Sabella.

Mor was confused. Had they not planned to discuss the defense of the Buckhorn Mountains from the threat of
Geldarkan? Is that not why Zustand was summoned to Kasteel?

Stiofan did not pause after he pushed open the massive wood doors. Instead, he walked straight over to
Zustand and placed his hand firmly on his old companion's shoulder - a sign of welcome in the Hecreas custom.
Mor was able to catch the door with his foot, right before it closed.

"Zustand, my old friend," Stiofan greeted. "Thank you for responding to my request so soon."

Zustand stood by a grand hearth that was filled with flames almost as tall as the old Hecreas himself, but there
was no sign of the girl his father had told him about. Mor discreetly glanced around the room and found her in
the corner dwarfed by towering bookshelves and encased dagger displays. He quickly turned away.

"Your message sounded urgent," Zustand said, and touched Stiofan's shoulder in return. "And a bit confusing if I
may be so honest. I brought one of my daughters, just as you requested. Sabella!" The girl rushed back to her
father's side.

Mor couldn't help but stare at the exotic raven-haired beauty with flawless dark skin, sparkling emerald-green
eyes and a braid in her hair that hung well past her waist. Obviously born into the elite class of the fair city of
Ques where her father governed, she held herself much like the aristocracy of his own city. However, unlike the
maidens of Kasteel, she possessed an air of strength and stealth in the way she moved and by the way her
garments clung to her body when she walked. Never had Mor seen such a perfect specimen of loveliness and
agility.

The chamber doors opened once again and Mor stared as two decrepit beings, obviously not Hecreas, were
escorted into the room by Mor's younger brother Flyn, their cloaks tattered and their shoes dusty and worn. They
looked hungry and wind-burned, and smelled as though they had journeyed a great distance with nothing but the
clothes on their backs. Flyn said nothing else and quickly left the room.

One of them gazed at a chair and the cozy fire with great delight while the other one with weary eyes of ice
crystal and a beard that hung two cords below his chin, walked directly to where Mor and the others stood.

"Dear Stiofan," he said, his voice weary, yet unwavering despite his obvious exhaustion. Mor, who was standing
next to his father, wanted to cover his nose, but didn't dare.

"Bashkim Fadi," Stiofan said. "And Odran. I never thought I'd see you again in my lifetime. Welcome to Afia and
our fair city of Kasteel."

"I see Sabri arrived with my message," Fadi said.

So that's the name of that strange cat that had mysteriously showed up at the garden gate a few days ago! It
looked more like a tiny lion than someone's pet.

"Indeed he did. A noble cat I must say."

"Too bad for us, Sabri cannot share his swiftness," Odran replied, failing to hide any bitterness in his words.

"Odran, you've faired well on your long journey," Stiofan laughed, and then turned to Zustand. "Dear friend I
summoned you to Kasteel this day under very mysterious circumstances and I thank you for coming. It shows me
you are truly loyal. Perhaps after Bashkim Fadi and Odran rest a bit, they will enlighten us to the cryptic nature
of their visit."

"We need no rest," Fadi said, and removed his cloak. His companion Odran, who had crept closer to the fire,
kept his cloak pulled tight to his throat.

"But you must be weary," Stiofan said. "The journey from Bashkim de Terre is long and treacherous, and you,
my friend, are no youngling."

"I haven't been young for many hundreds of years," Fadi said. "Age means nothing."

"I tried to tell him to send the others," Odran said, and cocked his head in a disgusted manner. "But no. He had
to come all this way himself and drag me with him. It was ridiculous - two old magi stumbling around in the
wilderness like blind fools."

Mor couldn't help but snicker at the image the old mystic's words conjured, and covered his mouth with his hand
to hide his smile. She saw the girl concealing her grin as well.

"Yes, young Hecreas, it is amusing," Odran retorted.

"I meant no disrespect," Mor said quickly, and glanced at his father.

"None taken. I too, find it quite amusing - now!"