Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“Except Galinaes still stands,” Adeline pointed out from where she was walking on the other side of Nylian.
Nylian grunted. “True, and I’m of the belief that it would be best if we remained two separate countries. Our ideals are far too different for us to be successfully merged ever again.”
I waved one hand at the surrounding market. “But the town…”
“It grew up to serve the soldiers and their families as they came to be stationed here longer than expected. The town of Blackscar remains small, so they can all fit inside the walls of the fortress if there is an attack.”
My mouth opened to ask how long it had been since the last attack on the castle, but the words became lodged in my throat when I noticed what looked to be a full squad of soldiers in gleaming green armor that winked and shone as brightly as glass. They marched toward us with spears pointed at the clear blue sky.
“Umm…Your Highness…” Jasper’s thin voice wavered, and I thought I saw the wizard dart behind me while Binx squeaked as he moved to somewhere safer on Jasper’s body.
“Relax. It’ll be okay,” Nylian murmured as he took a step forward, moving in front of our group. He held his long, elegant hands up before his chest with his palms out.
The leader of the squad barked an order I didn’t quite catch, but it didn’t matter. The soldiers rushed forward and circled us, their spears now leveled at our chests, leaving no room for escape. My heart skyrocketed into my dry throat while my hand itched to reach for the sword on my back. Not that it would have been a good idea in the slightest. We were outnumbered by more than two to one, and my sword skills still needed a lot of help.
“Nylian—” I bit out between clenched teeth.
“By order of Duke Thallan Elrich, you are under arrest for illegally entering the Kingdom of Wolfrest and disobeying the king’s order that banished you from these lands,” the head of the guard announced in a loud, ringing voice.
The people who’d been shopping scurried off as the soldiers surrounded us. A gasp of horror rose from them now as they realized who was with us. Goody. I was now a pariah in Wolfrest.
“At ease, sergeant,” Nylian replied in a calm voice. “We have no intention of fighting you. We will go peacefully before the duke.” He reached out his hand and placed it on my shoulder, squeezing just tight enough to force muscles to untense. I frowned at him, inspecting his face for any signs of fear or anger, but there weren’t. Sadness filled his eyes, but he gave no indication that he was worried or afraid for our lives.
The sergeant barked another sharp order, and the spears were pointed upward again while the soldiers closed ranks. When they started toward the castle, we had no choice but to move with them or risk being trampled. None of us dared to speak as we walked. The black castle walls loomed ahead of us, the scars and gouges in the stout walls growing more prominent with every step. A wide drawbridge crossed a moat in which I could only catch glimpses of murky water. I wondered if the danger was drowning in the moat under the weight of your armor or if there was something that called those dark waters home that was an even bigger threat.
Inside the walls, I found the fortress far more austere than the town with its colorful market. The stones had kept most of their gray color, but the height of the walls cast long shadows across the courtyard, creating a dreary atmosphere. We were escorted past soldiers going through training drills while others worked on armor and weapons maintenance or cared for the horses in the stables. There was a fair mix of men and women, but everyone was wearing armor or some kind of uniform. It didn’t appear as if there was anyone working outside who was a servant.
As we entered the castle, most of our escorts peeled off and a fresh set of guards took over without missing a beat. The interior of the castle was more appealing, with thick rugs to guard against the coldness of the stones and colorful tapestries depicting happy forest scenes of hunts and picnics by shimmering lakes. There were curtains and elegant silver candelabras holding fat yellow candles. Not quite the richness that might be expected of a castle belonging to a member of the royal family, but still warmer than a place dedicated solely to war and ruthless battles.
Even though we were taking the scenic tour through the castle, I prepared myself to be taken to yet another dungeon with cold damp walls and flickering torches casting dancing shadows.