“Loch Loden,” Cassiel said, pausing beside her. He pointed to a patch of forest on the north of the lake outside the city. “Beyond the woodland is an inlet that streams past the Kazer Bluffs to the Saxe Fjord which opens to the Saxe Sea.”
Dyna smiled, glad that he was speaking to her again. “Is that how we will reach the port?”
“No, it’s safer to take the road. Hurry along. We are almost at the gate.” He ushered her onward, keeping to her right side, and Zev blocked the crowd on her left.
The bridge was the only way into Corron. It was packed with people slowly inching toward the entrance. Standing guard at the gate were several men wearing navy regimental coats, black trousers, and boots. Brass buttons shone on the lapels, gold stitching trimming the cuffs and pockets. A badge of the Azure sigil was pinned on the right side of their chests. Each was armed with a gleaming sword sheathed at their waists.
“Who are they?” Dyna asked.
“The Azure Guard,” Zev said as they watched a pair of uniformed men inspect wagons and carts before allowing them through. “They keep the King’s peace. Something must have happened to bring so many together.”
“They are searching for someone,” Cassiel said warily.
A nervous jitter grew in Dyna with each step they took closer to the gate. Zev and Cassiel visibly stiffened. But why should they worry? The Guards weren’t looking for them.
When it was their turn to enter, the Guards only glanced at them fleetingly before waving them through. Her apprehension melted away, Zev exhaled and Cassiel’s shoulders loosened.
They passed through the city gates where more Guards were handing out notices. She received one and found that it held the sketch of a man.
His face was all angles, expression indifferent, cold. His eyes were outlined and devoid of color, leaving them to appear almost piercing. A distinct, long scar ran diagonally across his face from his right brow to the left side of his chin. She found him attractive despite the disfigurement. He appeared young, but those hard eyes made him seem older. Large black script was stamped across the top of the page.
WANTED BY THE CROWN
REWARD OF 10,000 GOLD PIECES
DEAD OR ALIVE
Ten-thousand gold pieces? Dyna couldn’t imagine having that amount of money. She had five russets in her pocket, which was the common currency. Five hundred russets were the equivalent of one silver coin, and fifty silvers equaled one gold piece. Why was this man worth so much?
The notice listed his crimes; theft, obstruction, murder, and several others. Under the man’s sketch was his name:Tarn Morken.
“He sounds a most dangerous man,” she said.
“Oh, aye,” the Guard agreed. “Pray you’ll not cross paths with him. But don’t you fret none, miss. The Azure Guard will soon have him in irons.”
Zev frowned at the sketch. “And you believe he may have come this way?”
“Rangers spotted him in Landcaster. His only path is east. We’ve men patrolling each village, town, and city from here to Hallows Nest. Including every seaport in the kingdom. I reckon he’ll be noosed and hooded in The Blue Capitol before winter’s end.”
“Noosed and hooded?” Dyna repeated.
“He’s destined for the gallows, miss, if the King is in a merciful mood. If not, Tarn will meet the royal executioner to be drawn and quartered. Then he will be beheaded,” he added with a shrug.
She gasped in horror, reaching for her neck. Cassiel glowered at the Guard and Zev quickly steered her along.
She soon forgot about the wanted man’s fate as they followed the crowd into the marketplace. A blend of exotic spices and the smell of fried fish filled her nose. A chorus of accents from all over the country blended in a hum. Stalls lined the streets, merchants selling and auctioning a panoply of wares. Their hawking shouts blurred together in a roar.
Colorful banners and canopies hung between the buildings. Flags fluttered from the rooftops displaying the King’s colors; deep navy with Azure’s golden sigil of a woven seven-pointed star.
Tiny pink sprites flitted overhead, zipping through the air like curious dragonflies. Dyna gaped at the sight of an enormous Ogre with blue-tinted skin and a mace resting against his shoulder. It stomped by, causing the ground to tremble under his heavy steps. Inhumanly beautiful women with flowers and leaves in their moss-green hair rolled past in their chariots pulled by steeds made of smoke.
“It is impolite to stare,” Cassiel told her, and she promptly closed her mouth.
“There were only humans in Landcaster.”
“You’ll find the deeper we travel through Urn, the more variety of folk you’ll see.”
She looked in every which way, trying to take it all in. “This is amazing.”
