Shards of Time Read Online Free PDF Page B

Majesty,” Alec replied.
    Elani smiled. “You are very modest, Baron Alec. All of you are. You serve Skala quietly, without any expectation of renown. Quite the opposite, it would seem. That’s quite rare in my experience at court, and most refreshing.”
    “The work is its own reward,” said Seregil.
    “There aren’t many I’d believe saying that,” she replied. “But I believe you.”

T HE day of departure dawned cold and grey. A damp wind off the harbor whipped Seregil’s cloak around his knees and blew his hair across his eyes as he walked down Whale Quay with Alec and Micum. For an instant he felt a pang of anxiety, though he wasn’t certain why. Something tugged at his memory, but he couldn’t seem to remember what it was.
    The flagship, a large carrack named Courser , rode at its mooring while sailors carried the last of the baggage and supplies up the swaying gangway. She had high castles fore and aft and looked solid as a house. It was a good thing, too. Even here in the relative shelter of the inner harbor moles, the water was choppy and flecked with foam. Three similar ships rode at anchor just beyond, loaded with horses and soldiers.
    Klia stood with a small crowd of well-wishers near the Courser ’s gangway. With her, as always, was her friend and aide-de-camp, Commander Myrhini. Klia was dressed in a fine traveling gown today, but Myrhini was in uniform, wearing the close-fitting doeskin breeches and green tabard edged in white of the Queen’s Horse Guard, with the embroidered emblem of a pair of crossed sabers supporting a crown on the front. A well-used long sword hung at her side and a golden gorget of rank glistened at her throat.
    “Here you are, my noble lords!” Klia called, striding over to embrace the three of them. “I was sorry to miss your investiture, but I was away in Cirna, seeing to the defenses at the Canal. Peace is already making some people lax.” Sheclasped hands with Micum. “Beka and Nyal send their regards.”
    “Thank you,” he replied. “The queen is certainly keeping you busy.”
    “It’s nearly as much work as war,” Myrhini replied with a laugh. “Less bloody, though, and we don’t go wanting at mealtimes.”
    By the end of the war Klia—then a regimental commander of the Queen’s Horse Guard of which she was now general—had been gaunt and sunburned, but months of peace had restored her beauty. Her dark chestnut hair was drawn back from a sharp widow’s peak, and a few strands of it had escaped to frame her heart-shaped face in soft, curling wisps. Windburned color only heightened her beauty. Seregil had watched her grow from a pretty child to a formidable warrior and had always been proud that she called him friend.
    Myrhini, tall and dark-haired, looked more worn, though her dark eyes sparkled with the old good humor as she looked Seregil and Alec over. “Barons, eh? What if this Mirror Moon of yours is some ramshackle old farm?”
    Klia laughed. “I suspect my niece thinks too much of them for that.”
    “You’ll see for yourself, soon enough, I expect,” said Alec.
    “I’m afraid not,” Myrhini replied. “I’m staying here to command the Horse Guard in Klia’s absence. I just came along to say farewell. You two will have to look after her for me now.”
    “Look after me ?” Klia snorted.
    Alec grinned and made a smart salute, fist to chest.
    Thero and Mika soon joined them, dressed for traveling in coats and breeches. In such ordinary attire, the young wizard could have passed for the boy’s older brother.
    Mika was fairly vibrating with excitement. “Are we really going to sail on that? Can I stay on the deck? How long will it take to get to the Canal? Oh, hello, Klia!”
    “Decorum, Mika,” Thero reminded him. “You must address her as Your Highness when we’re in public.”
    “Your Highness, I mean,” Mika amended.
    Klia gave the boy a wink. “Once we’re under way, it won’t matter so much. It’ll be like a