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CHAPTER ONE:

Whispers of Death

They rode on horseback, side by side, down a road overgroith the twisted liossaently tickled the face Martin wiped his cheek hurriedly, staring into the dark woods on either side The bend ahead was blind – the perfect location for a trap

“By Cheshu,” Martin muttered “I like not the look of that corner I do not This forsaken wood is the only road to Comoros, is it?” He hissed softly then sniffed at the air, listening with keenness for a sign of the warning that throbbed silently in his heart

At his side was the -maston of Pry-Ree Martin was the older of the two, but the king had a youthful face He did not look like a king, for he dressed in a si leather vest His hair was an untaold, shorn like a sheep at the nape of his neck There was a somber expression on his face, which was normal as he was a man whothe plot of a secret hter But a s soh Martin never would have called him by his common name for he was athe band of , halting as they had halted

In short, the Evnissyen were the king’s protectors and Martin had trained them all It was much more than simply that The Evnissyen were hunters, thieves, schemers, dice-throwers, warriors – theadvice to their leader Martin was the ued their positions, blustered for favors and lands, or even plotted his death The Evnissyen knew all the tangles in the skeins of power and they ruthlessly plucked at theht this with satisfaction It was in his instincts to smell trouble He smelled it on the road to Comoros

Lord Alluwyn paused his ed open the pouch fastened to his wide leather belt He was a king-limpse of his chaen just a hint beneath the open collar of his shirt, but he referred to his of Pry-Ree, he was the wisest, the youngest, and the most worthy to rule them all Which is why the others had already been assassinated, leaving his brother and nephew as co-rulers – neither of ere mastons or very wise

Digging into the pouch, the Prince reli if anyone skulking in the woods would see it Staring at the orb, the Prince watched as the spindles set in the upper half began to whirl and spin Writing appeared in the lower half of the orb Martin squinted at the tiny s that only mastons could read “Well?”

The Prince’s face paled He looked furtively at the road ahead, his face“A kishion in the shadows ahead The orb bids me west”

“Into the swamp?”

“The kishion does not want the others in our train, only one You ride with me, Martin Send the rest on to Muirwood”

The Prince did not hesitate after that Wrapping the reins in one fist, he staed into the murky depths of the oak trees Furious, Martin hissed orders and a warning to the rest of the Evnissyen guard and then rode hard after the Prince The trees whipped and slashed hiht to keep up The thrill of the chase burned in his stomach Draw the kishion after theinal plan – make him react to their movements

The hunter is patient The prey is careless

The kishion was being careless Not long after charging into the woods, Martin heard the crack of limbs, the thud of hooves from behind The payso noisy Martin slowed his beast slightly, listening The sound of pursuit was gaining on hied his boot out of the stirrup and flung hi into the ainst a stunted oak tree Muddy water dripped down his face and he brushed it aith his hand, cursing He had an arrow nocked and darted past several other trees, back-tracking He did not worry about the Prince He had the orb and could make it to Muirithout aid from a hunter

A blur of broith a milk-stain patch on the nose revealed the pursuer’s horse The kishion was low against the saddle, his mouth twisted into a scowl