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  Isabel idly wondered how many of the people here had lost someone to Alexander’s sword as they tried to prevent him from retrieving the Sovereign Stone. Then there was the matter of their collective pride. They had lived for the purpose of safeguarding the Stone only to have it taken in spite of their best efforts. Winning them over as allies might prove to be difficult.

  She was glad to have her knife strapped to the back of her belt. She was starting to wonder if they had been safer locked away in their comfortable cell. The triumvirate said they were guests, but she wasn’t entirely sure that everyone else on the island agreed.

  They didn’t wait long before Wren came out of the kitchen. She threaded through the dining hall looking at the ground like she was trying to be invisible. The Sky Knights and tradesmen in the hall ignored her, until she stopped in front of Isabel and gave her a timid smile. A few of the Sky Knights seemed to take note that the young serving girl was associating with the enemy.

  Isabel started to wonder if they were putting Wren at risk. The last thing she wanted was for the innocent young woman to be harmed because she was friendly with her and Abigail. They left the hall quietly. Both Isabel and Abigail noted the Sky Knights who had the most unfriendly looks on their faces.

  The fortress island was bigger than it seemed it should be. The entire interior was riddled with halls, passages, chambers, and staircases leading this way and that. It was apparent that the original interior architecture was very old, but there were many passages that had been carved later to accommodate a larger population.

  Wren led them through a meandering course that she followed with casual familiarity. They followed silently, taking note of the many rooms and large halls they passed. Some areas of the community served as marketplaces, others were reserved for quarters, while still others were set aside for the wyverns.

  She led them up a staircase onto a semicircular platform that jutted out of a high wall overlooking one of the launch bays. It was an observation deck for watching the wyverns come and go.

  The chamber below was enormous. It stood open to the elements on one side and was easily three hundred feet across with an arched ceiling a hundred feet high. The giant launch deck reached into the fortress island nearly five hundred feet with numerous passages leading out, some sized for men and others large enough to accommodate the passage of wyverns.

  “This is the eastern launch deck,” Wren said. “There are four in the island. Each can launch up to five Sky Knights at once but usually they only launch two at a time.”

  Motion over the ocean caught their attention, and Wren pointed excitedly. “Look! There’s a patrol coming in.”

  Two wyverns glided gracefully toward the gaping opening in the side of the fortress island. They were separated by about fifty feet, with the one on the right slightly behind the other. Mounted on each was an armored Sky Knight. From the floor below, a horn sounded and a number of men took positions on the side of the deck. The two wyverns coasted in under the cover of the giant vaulted ceiling, flaring their wings to slow themselves before landing gently in the middle of the deck.

  Teams of handlers raced to each of the giant flying steeds. The Sky Knights dismounted and gave their wyverns an affectionate pat on the neck before heading off the deck, unbuckling their armor as they walked stiffly toward the barracks built into the sides of the giant chamber.

  The handlers went to work quickly. They removed the tack and saddles and gave each wyvern the hindquarter from some large beast. The wyverns ate their snacks in one bite but didn’t seem to pose a threat to the handlers. They behaved much the way a well-trained horse does with a familiar stable master.

  Until now Isabel had never thought about the graceful beauty of the beasts. When they were trying to kill her, she saw them as monsters. Now, they were nothing short of magnificent. They had long powerful necks that met their bodies where their broad, leathery wings extended from the shoulder. Their rear legs were powerful and ended in talons that could grasp prey much like a raptor. They were easily big enough to snatch a full-grown horse from a field and carry it off without ever touching the ground. Their tails were long and powerful, ending with a flat-bladed bone spike. From nose to tail each beast was at least eighty feet long, with wings spanning over fifty feet when fully extended.

  As the two wyverns returned to their stables, another two were led out of the interior of the fortress and calmly allowed a team of handlers to saddle and harness them. Once they were ready for their patrol, two Sky Knights dressed in armor came out of the barracks area and carefully checked all of the buckles and clasps. Once they were satisfied, they mounted up and strapped themselves in place. It looked like their armor was designed to strap into the saddle so they couldn’t fall off even if they were knocked unconscious. Given how high they flew, it seemed like a reasonable precaution to Isabel.

  The departing patrol waited patiently until a horn blew from a position at the edge of the opening. Once the launch signal was given, the wyverns thrust up their wings, lifting themselves and their riders thirty or more feet off the deck. The second flap of their mighty wings sent them forward toward the edge of the launch deck and a fall of a thousand of feet to the ocean below. They locked their wings into a soaring position and slipped out into the sky not ten feet off the deck where they passed the edge.

  It all seemed so routine and yet so breathtakingly awesome at the same time.

  “How many wyverns live here?” Isabel asked with just a hint of awe in her voice.

  “Last count was four hundred and thirty-eight, but there’s a brood of eggs that should hatch any day now,” Wren said. “There are five Sky Knights who’ve lost their steeds in the past several weeks. They’ll get the first chance to bond with a newborn. After that, the senior trainees will vie for the rest. Those selected by the remaining newborns will be promoted to the rank of Sky Knight. Those who are not selected will be given another chance with the next brood.”

  “How many trainees are there?” Abigail asked.

  “Right now there are twenty-eight,” Wren said. “But the triumvirate just announced an expansion of the training academy and ordered the breeders to increase the number of wyverns allowed to mate. Our biggest constraint is space. The wyverns can breed more quickly than the academy can train new Sky Knights, especially since we have a limited population to choose from. Aside from that, we only have space for five hundred wyverns at the most.”

  “They’re impressive creatures,” Abigail said. “It must be a thrilling experience to ride one.”

  Wren nodded with excitement. “During festival, the Sky Knights give people rides just so we can see what it’s like. Last summer I got to go up. It was amazing. I’ve never felt so free in all my life.”

  They heard boots on the stairs behind them and turned to see three Sky Knights approaching. They looked angry.

  Chapter 4

  “What is your purpose here?” the first demanded. Isabel recognized him from the dining hall.

  Wren looked timid and afraid but didn’t back down. “We were just watching the patrols launch,” she said.

  “Silence, girl! I wasn’t talking to you!”

  Wren seemed to withdraw into herself as she stepped back. Her face went scarlet.

  Isabel and Abigail positioned themselves so they would be ready to fight if it came to that. They were trapped. The staircase in front of them was filled with three big men wearing armor and armed with short swords. The low wall to their back was the only thing standing between them and a fall of seventy feet.

  Isabel stood tall and didn’t flinch despite the hammering in her chest. “As she said, we were watching the patrols arrive and depart.”

  “You have no business here,” the Sky Knight said. It was clear that he was the leader. The other two stood behind him just at the top of the staircase and remained silent.

  “I wasn’t aware this was a restricted area,” Isabel said.

  He looked a bit flustered but quickly regained h
is sense of moral outrage. “You should still be locked in a cell,” he said. “You and your accomplices killed two of my friends and my steed.”

  “They’d still be alive if they hadn’t attacked us,” Abigail said.

  Isabel cringed inwardly. Abigail was sometimes a bit too brash. These men were caught up in their grief and anger. They were spoiling for a fight and Isabel was hoping to talk them out of it.

  “You trespassed on the Reishi Isle,” he shouted. “You should have all been killed!”

  “The triumvirate thinks differently,” Isabel said calmly. “Mistress Magda assured us that we would be treated as guests. Are you trying to make a liar out of her?”

  He started to say something but stopped short while glaring at her with pure hatred. “Maybe you’re just clumsy and you fell,” he said with an undercurrent of menace. “It’s a long way down and no one here would much care if you two turned up dead.”

  He reached for Isabel. Rather than back away from him as he expected, she stepped into his guard and grabbed his wrist, pulling him closer as she slipped her knife free and brought the point up to his throat. In the same moment, Abigail stepped past him and kicked one of his friends in the chest, sending him tumbling down the stairs. Then she deftly drew the leader’s short sword from his scabbard while Isabel held him at knife point.

  When the third man drew his sword, Isabel shifted the leader between herself and him, then walked him backwards into his friend. She released his arm as he lost his balance and the two of them tumbled down the long staircase.

  Isabel and Abigail raced down the steps with Wren in tow. Isabel scooped up one of the guards’ short swords as it clattered to a stop at the base of the stairs. All three men were injured and bruised—one had a broken arm—but they were all still alive.

  Wren backed up against the wall at the base of the stairs as Isabel and Abigail surveyed the men. The first staggered to his feet and reached for his sword but it wasn’t there. Abigail grinned and waggled the short sword at him mockingly. A mixture of hatred and embarrassment contorted his face. He snatched the sword from the scabbard of his broken-armed friend and faced them, just as Mistress Constance rounded the corner behind him.

  “Warrick!” she shouted.

  He stiffened but didn’t turn his back on Isabel and Abigail.

  Constance stalked past him and stopped in the space between the points of raised blades, surveying the situation with a calm air of command.

  “They attacked us,” Warrick said. “I claim the right of challenge.”

  “Silence,” Constance said calmly. She turned to Wren. “What is your name, child?”

  “I’m called Wren, Mistress,” she said with wide eyes and a bit of a tremor in her voice.

  “You’re Tovi’s daughter.”

  “Yes, Mistress.”

  “Tell me what happened here. Speak only truth,” Constance commanded with calm assurance.

  “Yes, Mistress,” Wren said. “Our guests asked that I show them the island. I brought them here to watch the patrols. It’s one of my favorite places, so I thought they would like it. Knight Warrick and his men came up the stairs behind us and threatened to throw them off the balcony.”

  “You lie, girl,” Warrick shouted.

  Constance slowly turned a glare on Warrick and he shrank back a bit and fell silent.

  “Please continue, Wren,” Constance said gently.

  “Knight Warrick reached for Lady Isabel’s throat, but she and Lady Abigail were faster. They knocked them down the stairs and took their swords. Knight Warrick regained his feet and drew his friend’s sword just as you came around the corner.”

  “You’re a traitor, girl,” Warrick growled.

  Wren swallowed hard and seemed to shrink in on herself again.

  “Lady Isabel, do you agree with Wren’s account?” Constance asked.

  Isabel lowered her sword and looked Constance in the eye. “Yes,” she said calmly but firmly.

  Constance appraised her for a moment. She was clearly a woman accustomed to command. With a nod she turned her back to Isabel and Abigail and faced the three Sky Knights.

  “I understand your anger, Warrick, but your actions are unacceptable. First, Lady Isabel and Lady Abigail are guests by order of the triumvirate. If you or any of your associates cause them to feel unwelcome in any way, I will see to it that you never ride again. Second, Wren is under my protection. Harm her and I will challenge you myself to single combat.” She paused to drive home the likely outcome of such a challenge. From the look on his face it was clear that he understood. “Third, you attacked a force of unknown capability from a position of weakness. That was foolish. Learn from the mistakes you made here today. Now, take your men and attend to your injuries. I will accept the bruises to your bodies and your pride as sufficient reprimand for your transgressions.”

  Constance turned to Isabel and Abigail. “Please, return their weapons to them. You have my word they will not bother you again.”

  Isabel and Abigail flipped the swords around and held out the hilts for the Sky Knights to take. Warrick gave them a look of smoldering hate. His friends looked more embarrassed than anything. Mistress Constance watched them hobble off down the hall until they turned the corner before she faced Isabel and Abigail again.

  “Warrick lost his steed attempting to stop your husband from entering the Reishi Keep,” Constance said matter-of-factly. “Two of his close friends never returned from that battle. He feels guilt that he was not at their side when they fell and grief for their loss. I say these things not to excuse his actions but to explain them. If you choose to take this matter to the triumvirate, as is your right, they will be punished severely.”

  “I don’t think that will be necessary,” Isabel said. “But hear me clearly, Mistress Constance, Wren has offered us her friendship freely and honestly. I will not have her harmed for being my friend. I will view any retaliation against her as an attack against me and mine and respond accordingly.”

  Constance smiled gently. “Then it would seem that she has two protectors.” With that, she turned on her heel and strode off down the hall.

  Wren was quiet as she led them back to their quarters. When they arrived at the door she stopped and looked up timidly, her wispy hair floating around her head like a halo. She was clearly shaken by the violent turn the evening had taken.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I’m honored to have you as friends.”

  Isabel smiled. “Thank you, Wren. We’re a long way from home and this would be a very lonely place without you.”

  Abigail gave her a hug, then held her out at arm’s length. “If anybody gives you any trouble, you let us know right away.”

  Wren nodded seriously.

  Abigail smiled. “Good night, Wren.”

  They bolted the door to their quarters and did a quick sweep of their rooms to ensure that they were alone. Isabel went out onto the balcony and found Slyder perched on the railing. She rubbed under his chin and he leaned into her affections.

  “It’s going to be a long night,” she said softly. “We have some work to do before we can rest.”

  Slyder stood and unfurled his wings to stretch before taking flight.

  “What do you have in mind?” Abigail asked.

  “I’m going to look in on the witches,” Isabel said. “Wren said they’re gathering tonight. I want to know what they’re up to.”

  She took a seat in one of the comfortable low chairs in the sitting room and relaxed. As she had so many times in the past, she tipped her head back, closed her eyes, and linked her mind with Slyder. A moment later she was soaring high over the ocean, gradually gaining altitude in wide circles. She reached the level of the plateau top and still she climbed. Fires surrounding the gathering place of the witches came into view. Isabel circled silently a hundred feet overhead, watching as the witches gathered.

  They assembled in a circular amphitheatre. A well filled to the brim with still water occupied the center. The t
op ring of the seven steps leading down to the well was flush with the ground. Each ring was three feet wide and three feet deeper into the ground than the one encircling it. Torches burned brightly around the outer ring, but the light dimmed toward the center.

  Magda, Cassandra, and Gabriella, each wearing a simple white robe, stood in a triangle around the well. On each of the steps radiating away from the central well stood a ring of women. There wasn’t a single man anywhere on the surface of the entire plateau. Once the women had all assembled, over a hundred in total, they began chanting in unison. It was a light and airy verse that they repeated over and over. Isabel thought she could feel the power being drawn to them and focused into the three at the center of the coven.

  Magda, Cassandra, and Gabriella joined hands and started chanting another verse. The power reverberated through the air with every word. Isabel circled higher and remained silent.

  The night-black surface of the water in the well began to shimmer, slightly at first, and then it started to glow. The witches all around continued chanting, but the triumvirs fell silent, continuing to hold each other’s hands and forming a triangle over the well with their arms.

  The surface shifted and moved as the three witches focused the power of their entire coven into their spell. Gradually the surface of the water began to reveal an image. It was blurry and unfocused at first but became sharper as the seconds passed.

  Isabel almost lost her connection with Slyder when she realized the image was of Alexander. He was sitting at a table inside a large tent. To his right were Jack and the man who’d been hunting them for months, Jataan P’Tal.

  Around his neck, Alexander wore a glowing blood-red ruby cut into a teardrop shape and suspended from a heavy gold chain. Isabel had to remind herself to remain detached. She was almost overpowered with relief at the sight of her love alive and well.

  The view shifted and a man wearing a breastplate and sitting on Alexander’s left came into focus. He was a good-looking man with strong features, fair hair, and grey eyes. Isabel looked closer through the keen eyes of her forest hawk and saw the crest emblazoned on his breastplate. It was the family crest of the House of Ithilian.