Free The Twilight Herald: Book Two Of The Twilight Reign by Tom Lloyd

‘As for my piety, we must all grow up and take responsibility for our lives at some point - even you’ll find yourself doing so one day.’
    Isak opened his mouth to make a comment, then closed it again. He was the Duke of Tirah now, and barrack-room banter was hardly appropriate. Instead, he looked around at the other dark monks nearby.
    ‘Is Suzerain Saroc not with you?’
    The brother-captain didn’t react to his words, but Count Macove betrayed a flicker of uncertainty that made Isak press the matter.
    ‘Come on, I could hardly expect two forces to be tramping around without at least one alerting the suzerain. Since I see no hurscals or banners, I would guess he’s part of your order and just too far away to introduce himself yet. If, however, he is deliberately snubbing his new liege lord, I will have to take offence and replace him with someone a little more respectful unless he steps forward right bloody now! ’ Isak’s voice had risen to a shout.
    ‘My Lord,’ called a cowled figure standing twenty yards off. Revealing his face to the daylight, Suzerain Saroc marched forward to kneel before Isak, his cheeks red. The suzerain was a remarkably short man, but powerful, almost a direct opposite to the second man who stepped forward, a pace behind Saroc, and also knelt. Isak glimpsed the devices sewn over their hearts, the only signs of nobility they wore. Saroc’s was a red chalice; the other man bore a white ice cobra. Isak recognised it even as the owner spoke.
    ‘Forgive us for not coming to greet you, my Lord,’ said Suzerain Torl, his pale face contrasting with the black uniform when he pulled back his cowl. ‘It is our policy to keep those with power in the Order from having to confront their lieges as emissaries for the Brethren. Our Order does not play the great game. We have no wish to act as though we were making a show of who our members are, lest it cause complications.’
    Isak frowned momentarily, then reached out a hand to take the suzerain’s arm in greeting.
    ‘That’s the second time you’ve fought by my side; if such crimes were the only ones I had to forgive, I would be a far happier man. But what are you doing here? You’re a long way from your home . . .’
    ‘I am. I was in the hills on the Danva-Foleh border on business when an associate informed me of Lord Bahl’s death. As I came in search of Suzerain Saroc, one of my agents informed me that the Duke of Lomin had left with his hurscals suddenly, so we decided to keep track of them.’
    ‘A welcome decision for me - but how did you find out about Lord Bahl’s death so quickly if you’ve come from the Danva border?’
    Torl’s expression was grim. ‘The Brethren have a number of -we’ll call them associates -who use unorthodox methods -and in certain cases, lack sanity. These are not men we have brought into our Order, but we often find uses for them.’
    ‘That’s not an explanation,’ Isak pointed out. The suzerain looked uncomfortable for a moment, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he struggled to match the looming white-eye’s stare.
    ‘The College of Magic would describe him as a rogue mage, which he is, but not in an insane or impious way. His methods simply differ from other mages, and that makes him a valuable asset.’
    ‘So why did you hesitate to tell me that? It’s a simple enough explanation.’
    Torl gave a sigh. ‘That may be, but how he knew of the death of Lord Bahl is not. He first saw an image after spending several hours watching sunlight filter through the branches of a yew; then again in the movement of leaves in a herb garden. To most people that sounds like he’s some sort of prophet, and I wouldn’t want to give you that impression of our Order.’
    ‘I’m intrigued,’ Isak said. ‘Perhaps I should meet the man -and when you bring him to Tirah Palace, I look forward to your report on your Brethren as well.’ ‘My Lord—’
    Isak quickly cut him off. ‘Your loyalty