28
A Declaration of War
The howl that came from young Storm Wakesell when she learned of her father’s murder was the worst sound Jesse had ever heard.
The news arrived courtesy of a man named Stirling Oakenwell, one of Quinlanden’s top men and the steward of Oak Hill. Lord Warwick had a sword at the man’s throat before he could even cross the town boundary, but Brandyn was just as quick, stepping alongside the flash of steel between the men to remind them who was at the helm.
An eye for an eye, young Lord Blackwood. This man is complicit in your father’s murder!
He wouldn’t be here, alone, if that were so.
Jesse thought if Brandyn were anyone but Byrne’s only son, Khallum would have taken over by now; perhaps had the boy under strict counsel until he was older. But those who had know
