Stupid court, with all their rules and propriety. It would be so much easier if everyone could just be friends instead of lords and vassals. The fact that a lot of them hated each other might have something to do with it.
The guardsmen formed up on either side of the group and they rode toward the gate. Dad eased his mare over beside Damien.
Taking on that dragon was very dangerous.
Damien smiled, but didn’t reply. It was good to hear Lizzy’s voice. He hoped they’d have time to catch up later. Dad hated it when he talked out loud to her when others were around, so he contented himself with sending her warm thoughts.
“General Kord said you saved the northern army all by yourself.” Dad sounded a little dubious and Damien didn’t blame him. All he’d ever seen was Damien the screw up.
“I did the best I could and things worked out. I was lucky Jen was there to catch me since I didn’t have a drop of power left after I blasted that dragon. I was hoping to kill it, but the spotters said it got away.”
“An impressive feat just the same.” Dad patted him on the back.
Damien smiled at the awkward attempt at affection. Of all Dad’s myriad of talents, showing affection to his son was not among them. It was nice that he’d made the effort though. Maybe they’d manage to be civil for however long they were in the capital. “Thanks, Dad. Did any of the monsters get through?”
“Reports say a few groups snuck past our line. I’ve got squads out hunting them down. You’ve done your part. Let others handle this.”
“Yes, sir.” That was one order he’d be happy to follow.
Chapter 39
The city gates consisted of foot-thick oak timbers held together with iron bands. The walls loomed fifty feet above them. Twenty feet thick and constructed of granite blocks fused together with soul force, the wall was almost a solid piece of rock. Beyond the gate the citizens had shoveled the cobblestone streets clear of snow, making traveling easy.
Hundreds of people walked in both directions up and down King’s Way, the central road from the gate to the castle, on their way to one of the many shops and taverns lining the street. Noon fast approached, so this was probably the lunch rush. Many people waved at the stoic guardsmen, hoping for a reaction.
Damien remembered doing the same thing when he was little and visiting the capital with Dad and Jen the first time. They never flinched despite his youthful efforts.
He sighed. It had been too long since they visited the castle together. Did the cook still make the honey butter biscuits he and Jen used to steal as kids? He hoped so and if she did he planned to steal some more.
“You look nostalgic.”
He glanced at his sister who wore a smile that no doubt matched his. “How long has it been, six years?”
“About that. Do you think Princess Karrie will be happy to see you?”
Damien’s smile soured. Princess Karrie was Uncle Andy’s daughter, heir to the throne, and a year younger than Damien. On his last visit she’d developed a crush on him and followed him and John everywhere. She even proclaimed to anyone that would listen that she intended to marry him. He’d had no use for girls at the time and now he only had eyes for Lizzy. He really hoped she’d grown out of it. “Not too happy I hope.”
Jen laughed. She’d always gotten a kick out of the little princess chasing him around. Funny, she didn’t seem to find John chasing her around nearly so amusing. Not wanting to ruin the warm fuzzy feeling he was enjoying Damien kept that observation to himself.
Fifteen minutes brought them to the inner gates. A second, thirty-foot wall surrounded the residential district and served as a second line of defense if the outer wall should fall. As far as Damien knew that had never happened.
King’s Way continued on through the neat rows of cedar-shingled multifamily houses. The further they went the nicer the buildings. In the distance the imposing gray stone castle loomed. A third wall, this one twenty feet tall, surrounded the castle just inside the dry moat. A single drawbridge allowed access to the castle.
With their escort of royal guards no one challenged them as they rode across the heavy planks of the drawbridge. Damien glanced up at the spiked bottom of the raised portcullis. How big a force would it take to penetrate this far into the city?
A bigger danger would be sorcerers flying in over the walls. Of course anyone attempting to fly into the castle would have to deal with the archmage and her Crimson Legion.
Inside the wall was an empty courtyard. Long, low barracks sat along the walls and housed the royal guards. Now that they were inside their escorts peeled off and rode towards the barracks. Perhaps they’d get the rest of the day off.
Four boys rushed out of the keep to collect their horses. When they’d dismounted and the stable boys had led the animals away Damien asked, “What now?”
In answer to his question an old man with a knobby staff wearing long blue robes hobbled out of the keep. A wispy white beard grew from his chin and he wore a golden key around his neck.
Damien grinned. Dale Alan, the castle seneschal, looked exactly as he remembered from all those years ago.
“Dale!” Damien waved.
The old man smiled. “Master Damien, it’s been far too long. And Jennifer as well. Wonderful to see you both. The king is expecting you.”
Dale led them into the keep, his staff tapping along on the stone floor. Inside, a long hall lined with suits of armor led to a set of double doors that opened into the throne room. Halfway down, a door on either side led
