<- Chapter 26 Chapter 28 -> As Riley walked through the halls and up the stairs, she thought about what her father had told her about the design of forts.  Stairs should spiral counter-clockwise because most soldiers are right-handed.  The palisades should be solid, with crenelation spaced six feet apart.  The walls should have holes…

<- Chapter 25 Chapter 27 -> Gavin was surprised that L’Marc had found him a sparring partner in five days.  He was grateful for the exercise.  He loved to read, but that was all L’Marc ever did and his legs were growing stiff. It was four hours yet until he’d meet the king.  There would…

<- Chapter 24 Chapter 26 -> Crossing the border from Switforst to Terndowns was like traveling through time into civilization.  With one step, the bank of the river was no longer sand.  It became a road.  Paved in neat white stones, inlaid with different carvings of fawns.  There were lampposts on the side.  There were…

<- Chapter 23 Chapter 25 -> Ruskin started whining and lay on his belly, one paw over an eye.  Riley stopped on the path and stared at the little dog. “It seems like he doesn’t like Fairfield,” suggested Lissie. Alexander took a deep breath before picking up his companion, and whispered something to him.  He…

<- Chapter 22 Chapter 24 -> The sky was still clear the next morning.  The horses seemed fresh from oats and sleeping in a stable.  Riley felt refreshed as well. As they tacked the horses and strapped on the packs, Cora gazed at the river.  She said, “It sure would have been nice to clean…

<- Chapter 21 Chapter 23 -> Riley thought the ‘inn’ was really just a house.  The bedrooms shared a bathroom at the end of the hall.  The shutters used to be blue, and the curtains used to be flour sacks.  The common room was where Alexander was playing.  He had worked out a deal in…

<- Chapter 20 Chapter 22 -> Vaughn bent at the waist, his fat belly nearly rubbing against the white stone altar.  “It is a fine piece of steel.  Why would you give it up for twelve goats?” “It’s worth at least a hundred and you know it,” Riley spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. …

<- Chapter 19 Chapter 21 -> Cora had tried to say it had been an accident.  Lissie had said nothing.  That was worse.  But Alexander’s voice was the worst of all.  Before that night, it seemed like he sang every word. She kicked Sugarsnap into a canter.  She didn’t look back.  The road was very…

<- Chapter 18 Chapter 20 -> Riley put one foot in front of the other.  The reins were limp in her hands.  Sugarsnap nuzzled her.  Riley flinched.  “Riley, did you hear me?”  It was Cora’s voice.   “What was that?”  Riley mumbled.  “I said, do you want to stop here for lunch?”  Cora sounded concerned.  They…

<- Chapter 17 The man slapped his knee, “You’re General Ziggy’s boy?”  Montegue’s eyes searched him up and down.  “Your ma must have been a twig.” “Will you make me a sword, then?”  Gavin’s chest beat to the sound of the hammers. “Well, it’s complicated.  Back orders. Materials.”  The man rolled his shoulders.  “My time,…