From the paladin’s soul I felt the surge of disbelief crashing into his consciousness like the waves of a storm-tossed sea crashing onto the rocks of a rugged coastline. Disbelief and relief. Intense relief. Ankor Mauk could not believe I lived. But seeing me with his own eyes was the key his soul needed to suddenly, and almost miraculously, allow hope to enter his soul again.
“I live, paladin. As does the princess. We both are well and safe. As we hope you are as well.”
The paladin nodded. I found myself mildly startled at seeing the Mauk warrior again and realizing just how large the creature was. The last five months after the fall of Anktooth had been hard for him. Hard. But not beyond his endurance. He looked like a well forged blade of steel long use to combat. Dressed in a half co
