Page 76 of An Archer's Reckoning

Declan

The sun sat low on the horizon. Wind whipped pennants one way, then another. Pregnant clouds heralded another bout of winter’s rage.

Nothing stilled the clamor of activity on the streets of Saltstone.

The clanking of hammers on anvils and the scraping of saws struggling through stubborn logs rose above the clatter of horses and the chatter of men. Bitter, tar-filled smoke from never-failing hearths mingled with the tang of manure from the thousands of horses held within. It took a while for my nose to numb and my eyes to stop watering.

Everywhere I looked, men and women hauled wood and stone toward the walls. I lost count of the carts carrying barrels of newly fletched arrows. Soldiers in crisp navy coats scurried from one place to the next, carrying messages or following orders.

I’d never seen the place so alive—or so crammed.

If I’d been traveling alone, without a complement of soldiers parting the way before me, I might never have reached the Triad’s marble edifice.

Despite growing up in Saltstone, I had never actually entered the nation’s capital building. I caught myself staring up at the towering white structure that spanned dozens of feet taller than the tallest building around. Two massive doors, inlaid with the crest of Melucia, stared down as we approached.

The procession halted a few paces from the doors.

The guard who’d questioned us outside the gate snapped to attention. “The Triad awaits you in the Chamber of the Eye, Mage Rea.”

“Chamber of the Eye? How dramatic. You might need to do that thing with your underwear again.”

“Not helping, Miss High Holy of Magic.”

“Ooh. I like that. Maybe you should call me that instead of Daughter.”

I stifled a laugh as I realized the guard, still at attention, was gaping.

In that moment, I wondered what a mental conversation looked like to an innocent bystander who didn’t even know a conversation was taking place. That thoughtdidmake me laugh out loud, earning a curious gaze from the other soldiers standing nearby.

My eyes darted from one soldier to the next, and I schooled my expression, realizing I was supposed to hold rank here. “Right. Thank you, soldier. We will need our horse stabled,” I said as I dismounted.

Órla hopped from my shoulder and flew to rest on the railing atop the stairs.

I removed my cloak and stuffed it into one of the saddlebags. When I turned, each of the soldiers shared a look of unabashedawe and stepped back. I had already forgotten about the golden color of my tunic and the Phoenix on my chest.

This is really going to take getting used to,I thought.

One of the soldiers who had escorted us stepped forward. “I’ll take your horse to the stables at the Mages’ Guild. That’s where you’re staying, isn’t it?”

I hadn’t thought that far ahead but didn’t want to sound unsure in front of the men. “Of course. That’s fine. Thank you, Sergeant.”

The man snapped to attention, offered a crisp salute, grabbed the reins, and disappeared down the street. I turned toward the marble building and strode through its majestic doors. As I passed Órla, she hopped onto my outstretched arm.

Angry voices greeted us as we entered the Triad’s chamber.

“What in the holy hells is so important that I had to be called from shoring up our defenses? The last thing I need is another pointless meeting,” General Vre boomed throughout the chamber.

Guildmaster Burner sat slumped in his chair. “We expect another ten supply shipments from coastal cities before the night is over. None of us has time to waste, General, but if Velius says this boy’s report is important, we should listen. The three of us must stand united if our people are to do the same.”

“Thank you, Ceryl.” Arch Mage Quin inclined his head toward the portly Guildmaster. “I do not know the details, Titus, but a Ranger showed upaliveat our gate with atalking owlon his shoulder—and he usedourphrase. I would say he is worth a moment or two of our time.”

“You said he was a Ranger. What in Spirits is he wearing?” Vre whispered to Quin as I strode into the circle of thrones and stepped atop the Eye. A sliver of moonlight peeking through the clouds and shining through the oculus above added little to the soft light of lamps scattered throughout the chamber.

I tried to stand tall with my back straight.

I had never been so nervous.

Giving speeches had never been an impressive skill of mine. Talking to powerful men was even less so. I only hoped the three seated around me couldn’t see my nerves. I found myself wishing for Ayden. His wit was quick, and his tongue sharp.

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