Free Knight's Valor by Ronald Coleborn

something that’s forbidden in this realm.”
    â€œWhat is happening?”
    â€œI believe a conspiracy is afoot,” Breen replied. “They mean to take you by force, I think.”
    â€œBut they were sapients. The same as you.” As she spoke she took a step backward.
    â€œI assure you I am not a part of any conspiracy, except the one that involves keeping you safe.”
    She watched him closely, wary of his every movement. “That parlor trick you performed, making us invisible, where did you learn that?”
    â€œFrom teachings I read in ancient books and through much practice. Many sapients of the East apply the shadow crafts these days, despite the laws against them. But we haven’t time to stand here and debate these issues. I have to get you away from here. Far away.”
    â€œWhat about the safe room?” Redora asked.
    â€œConsidering the conversation we just overhead, that would be anything but safe,” Breen said. “You shouldn’t remain within the castle walls.”
    Redora looked as if she might cry. “But this is my home.”
    â€œYou must trust me,” Breen said. “And we must leave here. Now.”
    â€œAll right,” she said. “Show me the way.”
    Sapient Lejrik found Princess Ellyssa in the royal gardens with her aunt, Se’Vienne. They had been tending a bed of cissuphras bulbs when the clamor of battle began and had remained there, each sitting on a stone bench, waiting for someone to come and tell them what was happening. When Sapient Lejrik arrived, Se’Vienne rose from her bench to greet him. “What were those dreadful sounds we heard?”
    â€œThe castle is under siege, my lady,” replied Lejrik, his voice too composed to match the message he brought.
    â€œBy whom?” asked the princess, as she rose and took a step toward him. Soil stained her field dress where she had knelt.
    â€œBy men of the plain, your grace,” said Lejrik. “A terrible lot. Quite brutal.” He stiffened his body and pointed his chin at the princess, an act meant to assert his authority in the present situation. “You must come with me. For your own safety.”
    â€œWhat of my safety?” Se’Vienne asked.
    â€œThe Daughters of the Realm take precedence, my lady, as you well know. They are most valuable as regards the future of the kingdom, and therefore are of greater concern. Doubtful that you will be harmed.” His eyes wandered back to the princess. “Please do come along now.” The sapient left the garden with the princess in tow, leaving Se’Vienne to stand among the cissuphras bulbs.
    â€œWhere are you taking me, sapient?” Ellyssa asked after they walked through the entrance of the great hall and stood before the door of its underground dungeon.
    â€œThe time for questions is not now, girl,” Sapient Lejrik replied.
    â€œI am a woman, twenty-two annos since the turn of the annum and no girl. What’s more, you will address me as your grace.”
    The sapient pushed open the iron doors that led to the dungeon steps and grabbed the princess by the arm. She screamed and struggled as he dragged her down the steps, but she was helpless against his greater strength. When they came to the dungeon doors, they squeaked opened without a hand touching them and clanged as they slammed into the stone walls on either side of the entrance.
    Primus Vayjun stood inside the dungeon, his hands poised toward its doors. Nine men, all of them members of the Council of Elders, stood behind the primus, who gave the princess a sinister smile. “Let us trade places, shall we, your grace?”

“S hould we wait for the spice wagon to catch up?” asked Sendin, as the four riders crested another hill along the narrow back road that led to Eastern Plain.
    â€œNo. We can’t afford to,” replied Jerreb. “And I care not for the boy’s company, nor his