The guards manning the gate dressed differently to the soldiers I had grown used to. Though their armor gleamed just as brightly in the sun, their capes were more decorative and elegant. The hilts of their swords were sparkling gold, and a large eagle’s head sat in place of the usual plain pommel. Each of them scanned our surroundings meticulously while we waited for the large gates to swing open.
We rode up a long white stone drive lined with beautifully trimmed shrubs leading to the wide steps of the castle’s impressive entrance.
Our procession halted in front of the steps, and several stable hands scurried forward. A young boy, no more than twelve, reached for the reins and held my mare steady while Idismounted. When I thanked him, a look of pure shock lit up his face before he scrambled away without a word, hauling the tired horse behind him.
I watched him go until Eleanor joined me. “How was your muffin?”
“Is this where you ask me for something?”
She guffawed, drawing attention from the servants gathered for our arrival. “I’m keeping that one for when I need it later. Do you think we’ll be able to go into the city again?”
It was clear she enjoyed herself among the people and merchants, it was often where she was most happy.
“If you do, don’t go without me,” I murmured. I didn’t want to dull her spark, but the thought of her alone and out of reach, among the desperate … threatened to send me into a spiral I would struggle to break free from.
“Ugh, Lia!” She threw up her hands, and I grabbed them before she could attract everyone’s attention again.
“Eleanor.” Something in my tone killed the fire in her hazel eyes. “Please. We have to be careful. Not just in the city, but here as well. Promise me?”
Her eyes narrowed for a moment, searching, then they softened and she sent me a small smile. “I promise.”
Chapter 17
Arm in arm, we stepped up to the entrance, pausing at the top to absorb the magnificent sight—the face of the castle so wide we couldn’t see either end. Pale stone walls towered high into the sky, and I had to crane my neck to spot the tips of the spires.
The deep-chestnut doors swung open in a slow arch, so large three men were needed to push them ajar. An incredulous giggle escaped me at the sight. Extravagant and excessive. Everything I had learned to expect from the King of Torglea.
Eleanor released me to rush through the open doors, but I walked slower, taking in every detail of the black iron embellishments decorating the timber. It was molded into Terym’s house crest, the eagle’s wings stretched over the width of the double doors.
When I finally pulled my gaze from the intricate design, I froze. If I thought the large doors were ostentatious, the entrance hall was beyond words. Pale stone floors so polishedmy reflection shone back at me, and walls covered with exquisite colorful tapestries depicting a variety of scenes from our history. Wars. Sickness. Even magic.
Two staircases rose on either side of the room, curving in a wide arch to meet at a large mezzanine overlooking the massive room and leading to the next level. The ceiling made the room truly magnificent, a high dome with intricate molding and dominated by an enormous iron chandelier, black like the iron decorating the doors.
I spun in a slow circle as I took it all in, the room buzzing with the arrival of our party. Servants and nobles filled the space, greeting the king and his lords. I drifted to the walls to study each of the tapestries, drawn to one partially hidden beneath the large staircase. A soldier in a blood-strewn battlefield. I thought it was a life-size depiction, but the soldier rode a horse so large it couldn’t be real. I had never seen a beast of that size. Its black coat shimmered with sweat and speckled blood, muscled forelegs lifted off the ground. The man on his back pointed a sword forward. Something about his face was oddly familiar, twisted in a fierce expression of determination and rage.
“Magnificent, isn’t it?” I released a small squeak at the king’s voice, clutching at my chest to stop my heart from jumping out of it. Heat flushed my cheeks at Terym’s wry amusement to my reaction.
He nodded to the tapestry, surveying it with his arms behind his back. “The Fortenax was the King of Beasts. A breed so strong they could move mountains. At least, that’s what they say.” He chuckled, and I forced a small laugh of my own, willing my heart to slow into a more reasonable beat.
“Were they really that big? The horses?” I asked, it was unbelievable an animal so large could have existed.
“History tells us so. They were bred for war and endurance to travel longer distances than regular horses. It’s said theKingdom of Galisordis was forged on the back of the Fortenax, and only with the extinction of their breed did it eventually fall.”
“And the man?”
“A forgotten king, in a forgotten war.” Terym waved his hand, turning his back to the magnificent tapestry. “Come, my dear. I’ll show you to your rooms.”
We joined Harkin and Eleanor in the center of the room, whose discussion cut off at our approach. Together, we headed up the staircase where servants lined the wall of the mezzanine. Terym snapped his fingers to summon one, and the woman who approached curtsied low when she reached us, her navy skirts brushing the clean floor.
“Please show Miss Eleanor to the Raven Wing. She will be staying with us for some time and will join the other students.” Acknowledging her orders without a word, the woman curtsied again and led Eleanor down a hall to the right.
“We’re not staying in adjoining rooms?” I asked when we didn’t immediately follow, dread filling my chest and settling in my stomach.
“Oh no, I have a very special room set aside for you.”
Harkin cleared his throat. “Fear not, Miss Adelia. I will be on the same floor as the Raven Wing. I’ll keep an eye on Eleanor.” That didn’t ease my anxiety at all. Before I could respond, he uttered a formal goodbye and followed Eleanor, with another servant trailing him.
“Come.” Terym took off down the hall opposite with long, purposeful strides, and I hurried after him.
