Chapter 5: Fort Rigwald     Chapter 7: Phantom Ship

    Chapter 6: Turning Traitor

    We rode south the next two days, passing through the hills of the Grado Highlands. On the third day we approached the port town of Bethroen, which, if we could charter a ship, would take the army directly to the main highway out of Tai’zel on the southern coast to Grado Keep. On the second day, the earthquakes started. Grado was usually rocked by earthquakes every once in a while.

    Vanessa, scouting the third morning, brought us the layout of the terrain and confirmed that it was the same as our maps.

    “Bethroen Port is a pair of small islands connected by bridges to the mainland,” she reported. “The main road we’re on runs straight there. On the western island are the town and the docks. On the eastern island is a fortress, I think to protect against pirates.”

    “And probably us, too,” I commented a little drily.

    “To the north of the town is another village only a mile away.”

    “That probably won’t figure into our plans,” Syrene said contemplatively. “Did you see any enemy units?”

    “No, ma’am! There either are no opposing forces, or they’re still in the fortress.”

    “Better suppose they’re in the fortress,” I said. “It’s highly unlikely they’ve not figured out where we’re going; Rigwald pointed our direction clearly enough. We’ll move in quickly, but cautiously.”

    “Right away, sir,” Syrene said, saluting, and went off to make preparations to move out.

    I rubbed a hand over my face and clapped my hands together, stretching as I got up. “Good work, Vanessa.”

    “Thank you, milord!” Continue reading →