bridge that led to the swamp. The northern castle was named Romnov and the southern, Vi Dogam. The lord of each castle answered directly to Lord Malco and was responsiblefor trade negotiations with different areas in the region surrounding Moorue and beyond. Baron Karoshi had been given the largest city district to govern and the largest region to manage beyond Moorue’s borders.
Evidently Malco was establishing a trading network that was quickly spreading and expanding his own personal wealth and influence. Si Kon had heard that Malco was acquiring and building other castles at key locations in other parts of the kingdom to create more production and distribution points for his esca crystals. In spite of his remarkable influence in the city, to Si Kon’s knowledge, Malco had never entered Moorue. But the castle lords made frequent visits to Esca Prime, Lord Malco’s castle.
The afternoon was well spent by the time they mounted up and rode near to the eastern castle. Carliss knew they would have to make the most of the time remaining in order to complete their investigations and make it back to Si Kon’s home for the evening haven meeting. She wanted to meet with the families of the haven to see if they could offer aid of any kind.
They traveled along the city wall until they spotted the castle gate. Just beyond it, they could see the road and the bridge in the distance that led to the swamp, its torches flickering in the long afternoon shadows.
“Carliss,” Salina ventured as they neared the gate. “I know you said we should investigate the bridge and the swamp first, but I’d like to check the castle
while
you’re at the swamp.” Salina’s eyes were fastened to the gate tower. “It would save time. Perhaps I could talk to the guards and find out if there are prisoners within.”
Carliss paused, then nodded. “That makes sense, but Si Kon should go with you. I’ll take Ganoaf.”
“You will need Si Kon more than I, and we both know that Ganoaf is more of a hindrance than a help,” Salina protested. “I’ll be all right. I don’t plan on doing anything foolish—just ask a few questions.”
Carliss hesitated, thinking of Salina’s earlier reckless behavior in riding after the marauders but not wanting to hinder her friend. “Do you promise?” she asked.
Salina smiled. “Promise.”
“We’ll meet back here in two hours, then, and ride back to Si Kon’s together.”
Carliss watched as Salina rode through a narrow street toward a marketplace of shops near the gate of the castle. Something in Carliss wanted to call her back, but she didn’t. Then her mind quickly turned toward the road and the bridge that led to Despon Swamp.
MARTYRS TO BE
“How far dare I go?” Carliss asked without taking her eyes off the edge of the swamp.
“Soro claims it is safe as long as you can see the walls of the city. Once you lose sight of the wall…”
Carliss, Si Kon, and Ganoaf had secured their horses to a post on the swamp side of the bridge. Now they were standing on boggy ground, staring into a misty, foreboding swamp.
Carliss took a deep breath. She looked at Ganoaf, who was gazing wide-eyed at the dark swamp before them.
“Ganoaf,” she said gently, “you should wait here.”
Ganoaf shook his head. “Ganoaf come with you.”
Carliss nodded, realizing that staying here alone would be just as frightening to him as proceeding into the swamp.
They bypassed the locked gate in front of the stairs that led up to Lord Malco’s causeway. Carliss paused and marveled at the height of it. Then she and Si Kon drew their swords, and they all entered the swamp. They walked quietly but with all senses on full alert.
The swamp was a challenge to navigate, and Carliss was discouraged by their progress. Tall trees stretched overhead, their spanning branches casting constant shadows on the ground beneath them. Mosses, lichens, mushrooms, and ferns dominated the undergrowth, winning out over the sun-starved
Evidently Malco was establishing a trading network that was quickly spreading and expanding his own personal wealth and influence. Si Kon had heard that Malco was acquiring and building other castles at key locations in other parts of the kingdom to create more production and distribution points for his esca crystals. In spite of his remarkable influence in the city, to Si Kon’s knowledge, Malco had never entered Moorue. But the castle lords made frequent visits to Esca Prime, Lord Malco’s castle.
The afternoon was well spent by the time they mounted up and rode near to the eastern castle. Carliss knew they would have to make the most of the time remaining in order to complete their investigations and make it back to Si Kon’s home for the evening haven meeting. She wanted to meet with the families of the haven to see if they could offer aid of any kind.
They traveled along the city wall until they spotted the castle gate. Just beyond it, they could see the road and the bridge in the distance that led to the swamp, its torches flickering in the long afternoon shadows.
“Carliss,” Salina ventured as they neared the gate. “I know you said we should investigate the bridge and the swamp first, but I’d like to check the castle
while
you’re at the swamp.” Salina’s eyes were fastened to the gate tower. “It would save time. Perhaps I could talk to the guards and find out if there are prisoners within.”
Carliss paused, then nodded. “That makes sense, but Si Kon should go with you. I’ll take Ganoaf.”
“You will need Si Kon more than I, and we both know that Ganoaf is more of a hindrance than a help,” Salina protested. “I’ll be all right. I don’t plan on doing anything foolish—just ask a few questions.”
Carliss hesitated, thinking of Salina’s earlier reckless behavior in riding after the marauders but not wanting to hinder her friend. “Do you promise?” she asked.
Salina smiled. “Promise.”
“We’ll meet back here in two hours, then, and ride back to Si Kon’s together.”
Carliss watched as Salina rode through a narrow street toward a marketplace of shops near the gate of the castle. Something in Carliss wanted to call her back, but she didn’t. Then her mind quickly turned toward the road and the bridge that led to Despon Swamp.
MARTYRS TO BE
“How far dare I go?” Carliss asked without taking her eyes off the edge of the swamp.
“Soro claims it is safe as long as you can see the walls of the city. Once you lose sight of the wall…”
Carliss, Si Kon, and Ganoaf had secured their horses to a post on the swamp side of the bridge. Now they were standing on boggy ground, staring into a misty, foreboding swamp.
Carliss took a deep breath. She looked at Ganoaf, who was gazing wide-eyed at the dark swamp before them.
“Ganoaf,” she said gently, “you should wait here.”
Ganoaf shook his head. “Ganoaf come with you.”
Carliss nodded, realizing that staying here alone would be just as frightening to him as proceeding into the swamp.
They bypassed the locked gate in front of the stairs that led up to Lord Malco’s causeway. Carliss paused and marveled at the height of it. Then she and Si Kon drew their swords, and they all entered the swamp. They walked quietly but with all senses on full alert.
The swamp was a challenge to navigate, and Carliss was discouraged by their progress. Tall trees stretched overhead, their spanning branches casting constant shadows on the ground beneath them. Mosses, lichens, mushrooms, and ferns dominated the undergrowth, winning out over the sun-starved
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