The wall shattered with the scream of cracking crystal, sending shards of iceeverywhere.
Angelique was already twisting a spell when the troll bound for her, but before she could fire it off, the creature abruptly stopped, then slumped over, dead. Several arrows and a well-placed spear protruded from itsback.
Angelique raised her gaze to the incoming Loire troops. They marched intently toward the sole troll body, quickly surroundingit.
Their leader—one of the men mounted on a horse—directed his steed in her direction, and Angelique recognized the coal black hair and stonyexpression.
“Prince Severin.” She offered him a friendly but false smile as she tried to shrug off her leftover magic that still prickled around her. “I must say I am surprised to meet youhere.”
“I received word of some trolls bothering nearby villages.” Severin dismounted his horse and made several discreet hand gestures to his men, who saluted and moved into a new formation. “Reports say they wandered in fromFarset.”
Angelique frowned. “Farset?”
“So my Rangers say,” Severin grunted. “I am inclined to believe them, as the trolls left a clear trail of destruction in their wake.” He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword and eyed the troll. “Might I add a belated welcome back, and a congratulations at being the first confirmed outsider to enter and exit Zancara inyears?”
“Ahh, yes. It’s a dubious achievement, but useful.” She cringed. “Though given that I don’t wish for the Conclave to learn I trundled through it, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from discussing it at theSummit.”
He nodded. “Thank you for the detailed description of the country. I wish they hadn’t chosen isolation, but I’m glad to know they haven’t rotted with corruption or become the base for our enemy. Did you find any additional leads on the mage that attackedyou?”
“No. The smugglers I worked with said no one admitted to dropping him off in Zancara’s waters. Oliver found me at that point and delivered your message.” Angelique glanced again at the soldiers surrounding the troll. “He’s with me—I left him back in the village. We were on our way toChanceux.”
“Thank you for granting him passage,” Severin said. “Though by your presence, I assume that means you haveconcerns?”
“About the Summit? Partially. I wanted to ask you a fewquestions.”
Severin nodded and gestured north, toward the smoldering village. “Very well. Do you mind if we travel while wetalk?”
“Not at all.” Angelique meant to elegantly turn around, but she was unaware Pegasus wasright behind her, and as a result slammed into hisshoulder.
Pegasus snorted his version of a laugh—which was breathy and involved steam snorted from hisnose.
Thankfully Severin didn’t witness her embarrassment. He had turned back to his men, speaking to the soldier who possessed the most badges and braiding on his uniform. “Investigate the troll; see what you can uncover, then return to the village to aid withcleanup.”
“Yes, sir.” The soldier saluted him, then started shouting instructions to the rest of theunit.
Angelique climbed onto Pegasus’ back, and Severin remounted his horse. The animal gave Pegasus the side eye and pranced for a fewsteps.
Pegasus ignored the horse the way one might brush off a fly and grumbled as he started off, his star-studded coat dazzling in the pale afternoonsunshine.
“I must beg your pardon for my poor manners,” Severin began as his horse finally settled in and they rode side-by-side—Angelique markedly higher on Pegasus’ tall back. “I have failed to thank you for your help with thetrolls.”
“I’m glad I happened to be on-hand to help,” Angeliquesaid.
Severin nodded. “We couldn’t have caught up with them on foot. I would have had to go after them with a cavalry unit—and I’m not sure we could have mustered in time to catch them before they left Loire.” He glanced at Angelique. “Watching you fight certainly showed what an advantage mages have over such darkcreatures.”
Angelique shrugged uncomfortably. “Enchanters and enchantresses certainly have an advantage, but not all mages could have stopped the trolls. It depends heavily on their coremagic.”
Severin’s stony expression didn’t shift much, except for an extra crease on his forehead. “Yes, I suppose that istrue.”
Angelique waited for several long moments, but it seemed he had nothing more to add. “I had a few things I wished to ask you about the Summit,” shesaid.
“Ah, yes. How can I helpyou?”
“Are all countries sending a representative—besides Zancara, Iassume?”
Creases formed around the corners of Severin’s mouth, and his leather gloves creaked as he clenched his fingers. “Not quite. Mullberg chose not to send a representative. Queen Faina sent a letter explaining she saw no need for the Summit as Mullberg hasn’t encountered anydifficulties.”
I would certainlyhopethey wouldn’t. It would be embarrassing to the highest degree if dark creatures ran amok in the Veneno Conclave’sbackyard.
