The Shadowbearer (An Aegis of the Gods Book)

Chapter 10

As the sun drifted high enough to illuminate the broad shoulders and soaring peaks of the Cogal Drin Mountains, Celina and Anton skipped along the garden path. Rose vines climbed up one side of the villa, the red and yellow blooms adding color to the otherwise drab sandstone and granite walls. Two months had passed since Stefan came home, and these daily walks with his children were now a routine he anticipated. His children brought a smile to his face, made him laugh outright at some new antic, or caused him to stare in wide–eyed amazement at how quickly they learned. More often than not, they grasped the wrong things the fastest especially swear words. He needed to remember to watch his mouth in front of them.

A squeal from Celina, followed by Anton’s giggle, revealed the boy chasing her while brandishing some new insect he discovered. They ran around a circular hedge of blue bellflowers. When they returned from the other side, Anton was still after her, but this time she had somehow gotten his favorite toy soldier crafted by one of Benez’s woodworkers from him. Her own doll in her other hand, Celina was the one laughing.

Stefan basked in the joy of watching them at play while inhaling the sweet scents. Blue and yellow bellflowers highlighted most of the hedges. Carved in circles and squares, the gardens extended several hundred feet, sloping down from the villa toward Tezian Avenue. Servants tended to the flowers and small trees, making sure each stayed uniform. Beyond the gardens grew Thania’s small kinai orchard. The red fruit stood out in the bright sunlight as several workers under Perta’s direction harvested them. The day was another good one, not chilly like the past week.

The synchronous thud of marching feet announced another five–guard patrol travelling down Tezian Avenue. Right on time this evening, Stefan noted. He still had difficulty adjusting to their regularity. At night, a watch joined them. His inquiries about the increased security revealed assassination attempts on the King and several of his court members. Since the first attack, when Nerian lost the Knight General that Cerny had replaced, there had been no further deaths. Cerny’s promotion still bothered him. Despite the Knight General being a powerful Alzari who seemed to enjoy kissing royal ass, Stefan could not picture the benefits, not when other competent Alzari made up the King’s High Council. The Nerian he knew was meticulous in making his choices; there had to be some special factor he simply was missing.

“Papa.”

Stefan glanced down to Celina’s voice and the pull of tiny hands on his trousers. The patter of small feet announced Anton’s arrival next to his sister. With her doll, Celina pointed toward the colonnade at the villa’s entrance.

Stefan allowed his gaze to follow her toy. What he thought had been the usual patrol was marching through the gate. They took up positions next to the columns. Ahead of them rode Knight General Cerny on a roan gelding. Speak of a shadeling and one will appear. Stefan shook his head.

Back straight, chest puffed out like the prideful fool he was, Cerny wore a formal green jacket with silver scrollwork on the sleeves. Sunlight glinted off the three golden knots of his station attached at the chest. One of Stefan’s guards approached the Knight General. The guard bowed and a conversation ensued between the two. Cerny gave a dismissive wave of his hand then continued up the colonnade.

Stefan’s lips curled—both at the Knight General’s presence and for not hearing the horse’s hooves ringing on the flagstones when the patrol approached. “Children go inside to your mother.” He peered over to the kinai orchard. Perta was riding hard toward the villa’s stables and its rear entrance. Knowing Cerny could not see him yet, Stefan hurried toward the front door.

This section of hedge was taller than the rest. Unable to catch a glimpse of the Knight General any longer, Stefan waited. Time passed as he listened to the unhurried clip–clop of hooves. As the sound drew closer, his hand drifted to his sword. He inhaled a deep breath and forced himself to relax.