PHIN

g me against the hard wooden wall. We had arri

Massive, oppressive walls of black volcanic rock clawed at the grey sky, devoid of

heavily scarred Dragon Knight in ash-grey armor. "Out

hed my meager satchel, which held the bank drafts I'd transferred from the steward'

t of her own comfortable carriage, her face pale with

. Just rows of grim-faced soldiers, their eyes hostile, their hands resting on t

jagged scar across his cheek stepped forward.

aven stammered, clutching her travel

frozen fire. "The Lord is dying. There is no time fo

t my chin high, my back straight, refusing to show a single ounce of the fear that was c

hs that should have been roaring with fire were cold and bla

ircase, the steps worn and uneven. It seemed de

ey thrust a bundle of fabric into my arms. It was a heavy dress of blood-red velv

er expression a mixture of disdain and rese

es and donned the heavy, ridiculous dress. The iron scales were freezing against my skin, a

n the quiet strength of my hidden Healer's

flicker of surprise in his stoic eyes at

ke stone masks. We stopped before a massive double door banded with pu

roan, revealing a pitch-black chamber

ian bed stood an old man in grey

d, his voice thin and dry as autumn lea

training in the gloom to see the ma

y silver doors shut behind me. The resounding, fin

Priest and the motion

ly. I didn't understand the words, but I felt their weight settle on me like a shroud. I

fulfilled. He didn't even look at me. He practically sprinted o

he shallow, ragged breathing coming from t