The four guards stood in stunned silence, until one of them scrambled back to the gates and opened a smaller stone door. He disappeared inside without ever speaking a word. An hour later, the wide gate opened. The first person through was Lord Herial. He was dressed in all his finery, his hair askew as if he had not bothered to neaten it before leaving in a rush to meet her. His familiar handsome face blossomed into a delighted smile the moment he caught sight of her, and he swept forward to meet her.
“My lady!” he cried. “You have changed so!” He took her hands as she laughed.
“Herial! It’s wonderful to see you again!”
“We grew worried when we received a letter last month asking for an update on Sir Dieren’s work,” he continued more seriously. “We realized you never made it to Thornin.
