WE COULD HEAR THE TRUMPETS. I wouldn't have thought it possible with the distance but the still morning allowed the rich noise to carry with ease. The cool air made my skin prickle as I watched soldiers lower another of the longboats, the soldiers within it spreading their feet to keep balance. The centaurs had it easy when it came to balance but their size meant the boats could carry just twelve. Eight of the other soldiers (the two-legged variety) slotted in around them to man the oars. Still, the ship had ten long boats so only half that many would need to make a return trip. The reminder of how few of us returned made me close my eyes for a moment, breathing deep. The salt air felt even sharper than usual as if it would sandpaper the inside of my nose which I wrinkled, resisting the urge to sneeze. No sneezing allowed, doesn't look serious at allI looked down to the main deck, meeting Loi's teasing gaze with the hint of a smile.Thanks for that. Nervous? You're up next.Not a

HIS LEGS WENT GIDDY. PATEL forced his body forward while his mind struggled to make sense of the apparition before him. Alek. The boy he'd trained, the man he'd mourned. Yet there he stood beside his flame haired princess.Tremors ran through his limbs at the sight of the two of them.Gold and red light surrounded them, Catherine's hair twisting through the air, molten tendrils of flame. Any trace of the boy he'd trained seemed gone from the handsome stern-faced man before him. Alek held himself with something more than confidence. Patel had witnessed his return from many missions but Alek had still been Alek, confidence mixed with a certain level of cockiness and uncertainty. The man before him bore a striking resemblance to Nikias after he lost Ariadwen, the lines of experience wrought on his face.Patel stopped before the couple then bowed low. A moment ticked by before Catherine's voice bid him to rise. Meeting first her eyes then his, Patel felt a certain measure of relief. T

'ARCHDUCHESS?' ALDEERN'S QUIET MURMUR WITH an underlying warning tone caused Elena to pivot, a hand half lifted at the instant protest Duke Maghlon made.'There's another villager. From Crenna.''Another?!'Aldeern nodded. 'Excuse me, your Grace.' Elena turned away, giving the man no time to protest further instead forced to bow low with an appropriate response.'Of course, your Majesty.' The title squeezed out through clenched teeth.If Elena weren't so concerned at Aldeern's words, she might have smiled. Though she technically bore the title Archduchess, her position as regent outranked that; which meant she had to be addressed as 'Majesty'. Something the painfully snobbish Duke Maghlon choked on.Hurrying alongside the tall solid guard, she listened as he ran through the brief information. 'A number of elgrids and something else, something large with tusked forearms. Killed three of the remaining villagers then cleared off into the forest when a patrol of allies came around.

WILHEIM SLOWLY REACHED OUT TO touch a dark bronze zip encrusted with darker bronze crystals. The pull tab was shaped to cup a teardrop crystal, smooth not faceted.'I do, Miss Ada. They are a work of art,' he directed the compliment to Ormbel, nodding at the man. The metal fabricer stiffened, blinking rapidly for a moment and returned the nod. 'Thank you.' He turned to Ada. 'After the last order you took, I thought it might be an idea to make more elaborate pieces. I've had many questions about them, it might create a fantastic side business from the armoury.'The breath-taking array of zippers would catch anyone's eye. Some shone bright gold with pretty enamelled leaves, berries, and flowers. Others silver, set with ebony in a striking chevron pattern that followed the lines of the zip. Several of the zips were plain, but the pull tabs were shaped like beautiful flowers, a glittering gem at the centre.'I feel guilty taking these,' Ada said, unable to tear her eyes from the tiny

I NODDED, WATCHING AS AL, Loi, Kass, Rumal, and Sabyn all headed back to the centaurs. When they reached them I called the energy inward. The tiny creatures uttered an array of distressed and annoyed cries, some clinging tight as I shook my arms to dislodge them.'Ow!' One hanging from the mail covering my elbow spat, the spray just touching my chin. 'You little!' I growled while working away at unhooking its claws. 'OW! Stop it! Jeeze give me a chance.' The last little claw unhooked. As it dropped, I darted away, pausing to unhook another I hadn't noticed at the back of my neck.With a grumble I shook all my limbs again, spinning around to check I hadn't missed any. I heard laughter from those watching and screwed my face up as I walked back. 'Oh, very funny.''Lovely dancing, princess,' Al teased when I reached his side. 'Just three weeks to perfect those moves.''Shut up,' I said with a grin. 'Just three weeks?''Give or take, we're making good time.' He lifted me onto the cent