Effrax had nothing of value to barter with. His name might have meant something once, even to common Smarlindian countryfolk; now it was worth less than dirt. Dirt, at least, might hold some value to earthmagic wielders. Effrax Emberwill, the unwanted son of the dead king, the fool who’d led the Fironem to ruin, held no value to anyone.
There was a certain amount of recklessness in his behavior as he skulked about town, picking pockets and spiriting away food. He wasn’t as agile and fast as he’d once been—he couldn’t be when it felt like there was a knife stuck in his leg—but he didn’t care if he got caught. Maybe the townsfolk would be so furious that they’d execute him and put him out of his misery.
It would be a punishment fit for his crimes.
Fate was unbearably kind to Effrax that d
