by Jon Kiln
“Now Hendon… there’s no such thing as magic,” the Duchess’s eyes twinkled, “but we know that we are stronger together, that when we put our hearts and minds together there is nothing that can stand in our way. We know that our blood comes from an ancient line of kings, and that when we choose to spill our blood for something that we believe in, something we are passionate about, then the earth will tremble before us, and we will reach for the stars.”
Hendon nodded his understanding. “The bells are ringing. What does that mean?”
“It means that a storm is coming. A storm that will change the world for all of us. But we have to have faith that the future that we have visualized is the future that will come to pass.”
There was a gentle knock on the door.
“Yes?” said the Duchess. It was Ganry.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Your Excellence.” Ganry bowed respectfully. “I think it’s time that Myriam and Hendon came with me.”
“You’re quite right, Ganry.”
“But we’re not leaving you, are we, Grandmother?” protested Myriam.
“No child, you’re not leaving me. Remember, we are stronger together. But I have asked Ganry to keep you both safe. No matter what happens, you must listen to him and trust that he is looking after your best interests. Any day now our castle will be under siege. There is a strong chance that our walls will be breached. The castle keep is the most secure part. It will be the last to fall. If all else fails, beneath the keep is a tunnel that will take you away from the castle and then it will be up to Ganry to keep you safe.”
“Grandmother, I’m scared,” whispered Myriam, hugging the Duchess tightly.
“Turn that fear into determination. We must not be bowed, we must not crumble, the old world may fall but the House of Locke must rise from the ashes like a phoenix from the flames. From dusk until dawn, my children!”
As Ganry led Myriam and Hendon out of the Duchess’s study and down towards the keep that would be their stronghold for the duration of the impending battle, the Duchess looked from the window of her study out across the plains of the Berghein Valley.
“A storm is coming,” she said quietly to herself. “A storm is coming.”
About The Author
Jon Kiln writes heroic fantasy.
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Continue the story in Guardian, available now on Amazon.
Books by Jon Kiln
Blade Asunder Series
Mercenary
Guardian
Warden
Champion
Sentinel
Honor Bound Series
Forsaken
Betrayal
Dominion
Veiled Dagger Series
Assassin’s Quest
Assassin’s Shadow
Assassin’s Winter
Assassin’s Remorse
Champion of the Gods Series
Gladiator
Swordsman’s Gift Series
The Wandering Knight
