“Good. Now, I’m off. I played cards far too long last night, and I’m ready for my bed.”
That explained why he came with his not so urgent news this morning instead of sending it via shimmer or coming later in the afternoon.
“Good-bye, Father,” I said dutifully.
“Glade,” I heard him say in greeting as he passed my blood father on his way out.
“Hello, Glade,” I said.
“Lord Willow,” he nodded. “The scout has returned from the location you mentioned.”
“And did he get the items?” I asked.
“He did. I’ve left them in the armory.”
Ghost watched this exchange with curiosity.
“Have them set up targets, inside the armory, but keep the one thing locked away from sight. Place a no pass through rune on the wall behind the targets.” I turned to look at Ghost. “After breakfast, fancy a bit of target shooting?” I grinned. “I sent someone to fetch your rifle.”
He beamed.
“It’d be better at a long-distance range.” Ghost looked at Glade as he spoke.
“I can arrange that. We can go to the main house and use the range there, Glade.”
It was used for arrows, but it would work as long as no one saw us. The element of surprise and all that.
“Fine, fine. I’ll make sure it’s known that the area’s off-limits. I’ll tell them you’re practicing defensive magic,” Glade said.
It was a good idea. No one wanted to get caught in a hail of ice daggers if a spell went awry.
“Sounds good,” I told him. “Come on, let’s eat so we can get going,” I said to Ghost.
