sounded somewhere above the castle. Raaf’s eyes went wide, but he didn’t flee or even shrink back from his pursuit.
As Aron studied Stormbreaker’s grim expression, a new dread bloomed in his chest.
What if these guild members had been ambushed on the road? Canus the Bandit, the Brailing Guard trying to set stores for another winter at war, or even panicked villagers thinking they were about to be attacked, not trusting Stone’s neutrality—anything was possible.
What if it’s Zed, maimed or killed?
Fatigue fell away from him, and Aron quickened his own pace, drawing ahead of Dari, Blath, and Iko. He reached Stormbreaker as the gate opened enough to admit a very tall brown-haired Stone Brother and his equally tall apprentice. The two rode bay geldings with leathers that looked to come from Dyn Cobb, and Aron couldn’t help noticing their appearance was so similar they might be father and son. Both of the new arrivals glanced past Aron toward Blath and Iko, and shared almost identical looks of surprise that gave way to deliberate masks of nonexpression.
The weather brewing in Stormbreaker’s essence increased, and thunder cracked twice, then three times, seeming closer to the castle with each rumble. From the corner of his eye, Aron saw Raaf cower against Triune’s curtain wall, as if to hide from the bits of lightning lashing out from Stormbreaker’s shoulders. Aron no longer shared the boy’s fear of Stormbreaker’s displays, as he had learned that even distressed, Stormbreaker had remarkable control of his unusual mind-talent. He was only venting emotion, not preparing to strike out. Stormbreaker would never harm another living creature with his talent.
Because he has a good heart, Aron thought as he kept his eyes on the man and boy approaching on horseback. And because Lord Baldric would put him down like a mad talon.
As if summoned by Aron’s thoughts, Lord Baldric emerged from the keep’s archway, barreled past Stormbreaker and Aron, and shouted a greeting to the returned guildsmen. “Hasty! Terrick! Thank the Brother. We’ve had no word from the lot of you in over a year.”
The names struck a chord in Aron’s memory, and he suddenly grasped the nature of Stormbreaker’s unrest. These were Tia Snakekiller’s traveling companions, the two who were supposed to be with Stormbreaker’s sister. Instinctively, he glanced over his shoulder at Dari, who was standing post-still between Blath and Iko, worry etched across her features.
“We’re bringing word, Lord Baldric.” Hasty’s bass voice seemed as loud as Stormbreaker’s thunder as the big gray-robed man dismounted and handed his reins to Raaf, who had finally dashed past Stormbreaker to help with the horses. “Tia Snakekiller sent us to you with her fondest regards.”
All the lightning and thunder faded away from Triune. Aron felt Stormbreaker’s relief like the rush of a warm breeze as Lord Baldric grunted. “That’s a blatant lie, and you know it. She’d sooner send me a poison dart with my own name etched on the shaft.”
Hasty shrugged as Terrick gave his mount over to Raaf. “She’s a Stone Sister. What do you expect, kisses and roses?”
Lord Baldric looked faintly ill as he gestured to summon Terrick, Hasty, Stormbreaker, Aron, and Dari into the main keep. No doubt Blath and Iko would follow, but Aron knew Lord Baldric preferred they remain outside his chambers. He couldn’t stop the rumors about impropriety and side-taking generated by the presence of Sabor at Triune, but he at least made a point to minimize perceptions that they were influencing Guild decisions.
Once they reached Lord Baldric’s rooms, he seated them around his table and poured tall, frosty glasses of raspberry water.
Hasty took only one drink before he asked, “Sabor? Here?”
Lord Baldric gave the Stone Brother a quick, hot glare. “Not my idea.” Somehow, he managed not to look at Dari, but he said, “They’re bound by birth-promise to Dari, here. She’s one of our sheltered, and she’s been helping us train some apprentices who have particularly strong legacies.”
Before Hasty could even ask why in the name of the gods Lord Baldric was sheltering someone bound to Sabor protectors, Lord Baldric cut him off with a shake of the head. “I’m sorry, but that subject’s closed.”
“Tell me about my sister,” Stormbreaker said in a soft voice that nevertheless seemed as powerful as any storm he might conjure. He sat forward in his chair, resting his arms—and his clenched fists—on the table before him.
“She’s in the village of Finmont in Dyn Cobb,” Hasty explained, leaning away from Stormbreaker. “She’s caring for a rescue, a boy