Mask of Dragons by Jonathan Moeller

Prophetess’s plans to Lord Mazael, that he was infected with a heart spider before he could reveal her intentions. The Sight gives many abilities, but I cannot see into his heart. Therefore, he shall be tested, and this shall be his trial. He will help rescue Liane from the grasp of the Prophetess. If you are successful, then he shall be free to resume his position as a headman of the Tervingi nation. If you fail…then he will be executed.” 
    “Though if we fail,” said Adalar, “then it is likely he shall be killed anyway.”
    “That is his trial,” said Riothamus. “And that, I fear, is our chance of defeating whatever dark power the Prophetess thinks to raise in the mountains of Skuldar.” 
    For a moment they stood in silence. 
    “All right,” said Molly. “If you are going to do this, father, then let us think about how to do it rationally.” 
    Riothamus offered a smile. “Logic from you, wife?”
    “I was an assassin before I met any of you,” said Molly. “Irrational assassins tend to become dead assassins in very short order. So. You are Mazael Cravenlock, liege lord of the Grim Marches and hrould of the Tervingi and the Jutai…and you can’t just go riding off while the host of the Grim Marches goes to war.”
    “No,” said Mazael. 
    “Nor can you simply say that you are following a vision of the Guardian of the Tervingi,” said Romaria. “The Tervingi and a few of the wiser lords will heed the words of the Guardian. Most of the lords will not. If you say you are riding off on a quest from the Guardian’s vision, they will challenge your authority.” 
    “Of course they will,” said Mazael. “So we won’t tell them.”
    “You will simply disappear?” said Adalar. “That would be even worse.”
    “No,” said Mazael. “I’ll send Sir Tanam out to scout in force. We’ll set out with him, and then depart on our own. You will be in command here, Molly.”
    “Me?” said Molly, frowning.
    “You are the heir to the Grim Marches,” said Mazael. “You’ve also been ruling in Sword Town for some time now.”
    Molly shook her head. “I’ve never commanded the entire host before.” 
    “You’ll have Riothamus to help you,” said Mazael. “Between him and the support of the lords, that should let you keep the host in line until I return.” 
    “I will come with you,” said Romaria.
    “The vision said so, didn’t it?” said Mazael. In truth, he would have preferred that Romaria remain behind, where it was safe. Yet her skills would be useful…and if Riothamus’s vision and Marazadra’s threats came to pass, then nowhere would be safe. “What of you, Adalar?”
    “My lord?” said Adalar.
    “You are not Tervingi,” said Mazael. “You are not one of my vassals, and I have no command over you…”
    Adalar took a deep breath, looked at Sigaldra, and then back at Mazael.
    “I promised Lady Sigaldra I would help her recover Liane,” said Adalar, “and I intend to see this to the end. Sir Wesson can keep command of my armsmen and knights until I return from Skuldar.”
    “Of course I shall come,” said Sigaldra before Mazael could say anything. “If this is the best chance to save my sister and to save the Jutai from whatever dark power the Prophetess serves, then so be it. I will even…go alongside Earnachar.” She grimaced as if she had just swallowed something vile. “But at the first sign of treachery I will kill him.”
    “So be it,” said Mazael. 
    “One other thing,” said Molly. “You should take Timothy with you.” 
    “He wasn’t in the vision,” said Riothamus. 
    “So what?” said Molly. “You saw my father, Romaria, Adalar, Sigaldra, and Earnachar. None of them can cast spells, but all the soliphages can, and the Prophetess can work dark magic. A spell or two might come in handy. Timothy can also detect heart spiders, and if a heart spider infects one of you, he knows how to expel it. Besides, the man keeps his head in a fight, which