As she had expected, two guards stood duty outside the open door of the library, signifying that Elaaron was already there. He was standing at a window, his back to the room. Gedric waited nearby. She heard the door close behind her.
‘I’m late. Still not accustomed to looking up at the sun to determine the time of day.’
Gedric eyed her riding clothes. She casually brushed away the remains of forest detritus, but nothing could hide her flushed face.
Elaaron turned and motioned them to sit. His face was grim and drawn. ‘And so it begins.’
A sudden fear hollowed her insides.
He studied them both. ‘If Dar Orien survives in a way recognisable to us, history will undoubtedly record my name as the first archprince to plunder the MageGate system. I have encouraged Mikey to tell me what he see
