Dradus’s nose bled red streamers onto his silk tunic, and his skull threatened to split from the pain, but those were minor discomforts compared to the euphoria coursing through him. An ancient bridge shimmered to life under the power of complex sorcery. It stretched across the gorge, still insubstantial but solidifying with each passing moment. A bridge that connected him to fabled Tineroth and her surely substantial treasures.

The company of Castagher soldiers behind him cheered. After weeks of idle waiting while he cast spell after spell to reveal the bridge, they were restless, eager for battle and ready to conquer the city behind the heavy mists obscuring the forest on the crevasse’s opposite side. Dradus nodded to the captain of the guard.

“Remember, the men are welcome to whatever loot they can carry out, but they can’t forget their mission. We bring the girl back to Hayden, alive.”

The captain frowned. “If she’s cursed as you say, it will be a challenge to transport her.

Dradus shrugged. “A small matter. Leave it to me. Just be sure not to let her touch you when you catch her.” One eyebrow rose meaningfully. “It’s easy to subdue an unconscious captive.”

“Aye, I see your point.” The captain gestured to his troop. “I’ll tell them to prepare. We ride to Tineroth at your signal.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

A familiar shrieking sent Cededa bolting out of the bed and into a dead run for the door. Tineroth’s warning. Someone had breached the city’s ensorcelled boundaries.

Startled awake by his abrupt movement, Imogen blinked groggily as he threw open the door and raced into the corridor. He was halfway down the stairs by the time she made it to the landing.

“Cededa, what’s wrong?” Her shout didn’t slow him down. He leapt the stairs three at time, heedless of his state of undress and bare feet, fueled by a towering rage that edged his vision in crimson.

“Intruders!” He called back. “Get dressed and follow Gruah. She and the others will take you to a safe place.”

He sprinted to the armory. His armor waited inside, along with his favorite weaponry. Years of fighting wars made him quick and efficient at donning harness and buckling straps. He needed no squire to help him and soon stood dressed to face whoever crossed into his city uninvited.

Cededa glanced back once at the palace, hoping Imogen didn’t linger there. If treasure hunters invaded the city, his palace was the worst place to hide.

Fleet and silent, he traveled along familiar streets until he reached the city’s gates, open now to reveal the bridge. Cededa snarled at the sight of armed men and horses. A wizard rode in that group, one powerful enough to force the bridge into solidifying. He clenched the glaive pole he held. He’d kill the wizard first.