The Elder Blood Chronicles Bk 1 In Shades of Grey by Melissa Myers Page A

ease
for her wellbeing,” he offered.
    With a sigh, Victory relaxed back in his
seat. He could see the tension leaving Havoc’s shoulders. The
slight Symphony had given him was not forgotten, but for the moment
it was set aside. “We would thank you kindly for that, Charm,”
Victory said with a slight smile. He gave the rogue a look that
showed he thanked him more for his intervention than the offer of
reports.
    Charm returned the smile easily. “Think
nothing of it, tis no trouble,” Charm replied with a slight bow. He
turned gracefully to face Symphony. “With Milady’s permission I
would gather what I will need for the journey and make haste to
Sanctuary. I would prefer to arrive before the girl.”
    Symphony’s face had softened once more, and
she gave him a gracious nod. “That would be most appreciated,
Charm, and I think Isador is a splendid choice of a partner. Thank
you.”
    Charm gave her a deep bow as graceful as a
dancer and stood, turning to leave. With a quick flip of his hand,
he pulled his cloak up concealing his pale blond hair, blending
even more with the shadows before leaving the room. Had it not been
for the stubborn door guarding the room, Victory wasn’t sure he
would have known when the man left the room. With a smile, he
looked to Caspian. No doubt that was the true reason all doors in
the Fionahold seemed to fit so poorly. It wasn’t for lack of
carpenters; it was the surplus of sneaky people. He gave a slight
chuckle at the revelation and rose, also. “Havoc and I should be
off, as well,” he said with a slight bow of his own. It would be a
minor blessing of Fortune if he could get the Firym out of the
Fionahold without further incident.
    Fortune was apparently smiling though because
Havoc stood without objection and left the room without so much as
a by-your-leave. Victory watched him go, and glanced back at
Caspian. With a slight shrug, he gave the Lord Commander a smile.
“Manners have never been his strong point, Milord.”
    Caspian gave a slight chuckle and smiled.
“Firym have very little use for etiquette, Victory. Safe journeys
to you and do try to keep him from starting a brawl in the
Warrens.”
    “I will do my best, Milord,” Victory agreed
with a sigh and followed his partner from the room.

Chapter 5
Southern Greenwild
     
    It was late evening by the time the coach
jounced its way into Brannaford. The city had grown since the last
time she had been here, and she found herself looking around in
dismay. She heard the driver clucking to the team of horses as he
pulled the coach to a rough stop outside a gateside inn.
    “An’ ‘ere ya be, M’lady.” He called back to
her. His accent was so thick it was difficult to understand . He
must be from one of the far Northern provinces, to have an accent
such as that . She wondered briefly to herself as to what had
brought him so far South to work but shrugged off the thought
quickly. She had more direct things to worry about. She considered
asking directions of him, but decided it wasn’t worth the trouble
of deciphering his answer. Surely she could find her own way.
    “Thank you, sir. Would you kindly help me
with my trunks,” she called back as she gathered her belongings
inside the coach. Her answer came in the form of a solid thump from
outside the coach. Eyes wide, she looked through the window to see
the smaller of her two trunks rocking lightly in the dirt, from its
drop from the top of the coach. She glanced up in time to see the
second, heavier trunk, teetering above her head, and barely pulled
back inside the window as it, too, dropped to the dusty road.
    “I suppose that would be a yes,” she
grumbled, as she stepped down from the coach, before the driver had
a chance to toss her out, as well. “Thank you, I suppose. Most kind
of you.” Her tone was a bit brittle as she spoke, drifting her gaze
from her battered trunks to the driver. She doubted he even noticed
her words, though, let alone her tone. With his