The young wizard knew that he had more than met his match. He bowed low from the back of his horse. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness, and you, Your Lordship. I have taken careful note of the fact that you could have harmed us but chose not to and would like to thank you for your forbearance since in similar circumstances, I believe I would not have been so circumspect.”
Tarkyn’s eyes twinkled. “I appreciate your honesty and will take care not to give you the advantage in the future.”
Without another word, the wizard, followed by the sorcerers and bloodhounds, picked their way carefully past the prince and his liegeman to head back towards the clearing, and from there, to begin their long journey to the encampment.
Just before they disappeared from sight around the bend in t
