Her Knight's Quest: A Warriors of the Mist Novel by Alexis Morgan Page A

it up to the light and carefully studied first one side and then the other. “This looks no different than any of the other gold coins I have seen. What do you think?”
    As she stepped closer, she concentrated on keeping her breathing slow and even, knowing any agitation on her part would affect her control over the power she’d poured into the wards.
    “You are right. On the surface, there is nothing that distinguishes them from other coins from Agathia. The likeness is of the current Duke Keirthan.”
    Duncan cocked his head to the side and looked from her to the coin and back.
    “Do you know of any reason the duke might want to kill you in particular?”
    Lavinia lifted her gaze to meet Duncan’s head-on and did the only thing she could possibly do. She lied.
    “No, I don’t.”
    *  *  *
    When Gideon returned from dealing with the loss of Merewen’s horses, he looked like hell. At least his countenance brightened upon seeing Murdoch marching along the hall with Averel’s assistance.
    Gideon crossed his arms over his chest. “About time you left that bed.”
    Murdoch kept trudging toward him. “Yes, well, somebody had to give young Averel here something to occupy his time besides playing with those flea-bitten dogs of his.”
    “Hey, now. It’s one thing to insult me, but leave my dogs out of it.” Despite his protest, the young knight shot Gideon a quick grin.
    “Averel, I’ll stay with Murdoch while you go check in with Kane. We brought back a foal that might need your touch with young animals.”
    Averel’s smile faded. “How bad was it? How does Lady Merewen fare?”
    Gideon clenched his fists at the memory. “Bad enough. Seven horses were killed by the same foul means as the attack on Scim. She’s taking it all pretty hard, but having the foal to fuss over is helping. Right now she’s out in her workshop brewing a special mix to feed him until they can find a mare to nurse him.”
    As they passed by a window, Gideon paused to look out, probably trying to give Murdoch time to catch his breath before continuing on without being obvious about it.
    “Tomorrow, she’s going to send Kestrel out to move the herds closer to the mountains. There’s no way to know how far that magic can reach, but we’re hoping the hills and valleys will provide some protection against the attacks. I don’t know what else we can do. We must find the source of this evil, and soon.”
    “Duncan should reach the abbey any day now. He’ll find answers for us.”
    Averel sounded far more convinced of that than Murdoch was, but then the young knight always was the most positive of their group.
    “I hope so for all our sakes.” Gideon’s own doubts showed in the deep lines bracketing his mouth as he moved on down the hall. Murdoch started walking again.
    The three of them reached the far end of the hall and wheeled around to start back. Gideon continued. “Kane is in the stable with Jarod, trying to keep the foal calm and warm.”
    Unexpectedly, he smiled. “Even Rogue has taken an interest in the foal, refusing to leave his side. Not sure what to make of that.”
    “I’ll go check on them.” Averel clapped Murdoch on the back. “Don’t wear yourself out completely. You promised me a game of chess later.”
    Murdoch nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”
    Gideon waited until Averel was gone to ask, “So how are you really feeling?”
    Murdoch gave up trying to put on a brave front and let his shoulders sag with weariness. “As if I don’t make it back to my bed soon, I won’t make it at all.”
    “Want some help?”
    “No, but stay with me that far.” He stopped about halfway down the hallway and leaned against the wall for support. “I had an interesting conversation with Sigil, my fellow patient.”
    Gideon’s eyebrows shot up. “Sigil? So we finally have his name. That’s something.”
    Murdoch gave Gideon a weary smile. “Not exactly. His memories only go back to the moment he awoke in that bed. He