Battle Mage: Winter's Edge Read Online Free Page B

Turning his sights on the senior mage, the lord added, “Perhaps we should double our patrols the next two days, just in case we are looking at more than a single straggler group, falconi.”
                  Nodding agreement, Saren added, “Of course, my lord, I’ll let the other division leaders know immediately. Should I also have someone keeping watch on our guests?”
                  Lord Dorwyn shook his head. “I don’t think we have a need to do more than maintain the usual guards in the keep, though I am debating on whether we should offer an escort to their destination. I assume the ambassador has a reason for traveling in winter to Southwall. If it’s important to our relations with Kardor, then it could be in our best interests to assist our allies on the rest of their trip. It would also give us a way to make sure they don’t get into or cause anymore trouble.”
                  The lord dismissed the mages a moment later and Sebastian followed the falcons’ leader from the hall.
                  “The lord may not think that they need watching, Sebastian, but it might not be a bad idea for you to check in on them this evening and expand your relationship with them. As it’s said, keep your friends near and keep your enemies closer. Also gathering any information as to their actual mission might not be a bad idea either. I know you’re not a spy or diplomat, but you have a good way with wizards beyond any other mage. Maybe you can get a little more out of them, but be subtle. No need to cause an incident over it,” Saren suggested.
                  “Yes, sir. You don’t think they’re trying to deceive us about why they’re here do you? If they’re from Kardor, shouldn’t they be our allies and working with us against our mutual enemies?”
                  Saren agreed. “That doesn’t mean it couldn’t be a deception of the Dark One or even maybe someone in Kardor with an agenda of his own.” The man smiled and patted down the air in dismissal, “but don’t get all worried on my account, Sebastian. I’m not truly worried over them just staying guarded after the trouble in Windmeer last summer. I just figure that it’s better to be safe rather than sorry.”
                  Sebastian’s face darkened at the thought of Windmeer. He had been there for the trouble referred to and knew exactly what the falconi was suggesting. A deception of such vile magnitude could make anyone more guarded even against friends. After all, it was a falcon that was used to infiltrate the other fortress. A battle mage he knew well and fought alongside as well.
                  It was a tragic mission with Palose, who at that time was a cadet along with Sebastian, which had caused the man’s death seemingly. Bas had been forced to flee from the Dark Emperor’s creatures leaving his friend for dead after the cadet had fallen from his horse and fell breaking his neck. Weeks later, Palose had straggled in seemingly fine after all, or so they had thought. Palose pretended to be injured from the fall, but of course never killed. The Dark One’s wizards had somehow brought the man back to life, with full memories, but with a catch. Palose’s mind had been turned dark. Perhaps it was a ghost within him. Perhaps it was truly Palose himself angry at the seeming betrayal and abandonment. Sebastian had never truly known, but in a battle that had nearly ended his own life, the falcon had fought the dark falcon, two other dark wizards, and a mass of orcs and goblins in the bowels of the castle.
                  Saved by the other defenders of Windmeer and the healing powers of the wizards there, Sebastian had survived just barely. But questions remained, and unfortunately the only one who could answer them, Palose, had escaped and not been seen since then.
                  Noting Sebastian’s lost