Autumn 1094 SR
Lord Malory, the Baron of Dornbruck, advanced, halting at the door. Inside the great hall, guests danced the evening away. It was the eve before the Feast of Saint Agnes and the traditional ball to mark the occasion was in full swing. As a noble of Neuhafen, he was an outsider here. Yet, even in his own kingdom, religious holidays were held in reverence, and so he waited as someone made their way across the hall to greet him.
“Lord Malory,” the man said, “this is rather unexpected.”
“I’m here to see your lord,” said the foreigner, “on a matter of some importance.”
“Then I shall take you to him immediately,” said Piltz, “but I fear this is neither the time nor place to discuss such things.”
“I’m well aware of the holiday,” said Malory, “but my king insisted I make the tr
