10
After dinner, Caden and the other Runesmen retired to the barracks. Darkness had fallen, and there was still no word from anyone on Lord Klodian’s status. Caden shuffled along behind his fellow soldiers, Thais beside him.
His thoughts kept returning to the odd thing he’d found in Slia. He’d stashed it in the upper portion of his right boot to keep from losing it, and it had eventually worked its way down until he was walking on it. It pressed painfully against the sole of his foot, but he ignored the ache and listened to Thais as she talked.
“What happens if Lord Klodian never wakes up?” she asked.
“Don’t say things like that,” Caden replied, glaring at her.
“Why not? Everyone’s thinking it. I’m just saying it. And it’s a valid question. Who takes his position if he dies?”
“How wo
