“My lord,” Emblem Blacktouch bowed. “My lord.”
“My…servant,” the voice from the shadows was full of amusement. “The time is ripe to make our move. The Night Princess has failed them. She betrayed their trust.”
“The High Priest,” Blacktouch gulped. “The High Priest suffered death to help her escape.”
“Ah, yes,” the voice chuckled softly. “Dear, honourable Leander. So powerful and yet so…pedantic, irritating. He thought that the words of the oath changed the meaning, that I would not be clever enough to work round that.”
“He favoured her,” Blacktouch said, carefully. “His opinion means a lot.”
“So does his power,” the voice snapped. “And he is dead. People are gullible, Blacktouch, even Necromancers. You know what they’ll think? They’ll think, the Princess killed our great priest. She murdered him who defended her.”
Blacktouch smiled slowly. “You are right, of course, my lord.”
“Yes. I am. Now…what more news?”
Blacktouch’s smile vanished. “The Karn girl escaped.”
“She is no major threat.”
“Forgive me, my lord, but I believe that….”
“You believe many things, Blacktouch. You always did. But sweet Miss Karn is far more predictable than you suppose, and far easier to manipulate.”
“Very well,” Blacktouch conceded. “Your judgement is, as always, my law.”
“However….this means that your little one failed you.”
“My lord!” Blacktouch cried, “I beg you! There were…unforeseen complications!”
“She lives?”
“She lives.”
“Then she shall serve until she dies. She failed me once. Let her know for sure that she may not do it again.”
“Most merciful lord,” Blacktouch grovelled.
“So…” the voice-in-the-shadows continued. “Our little Princess travels with the sweet Miss Karn. Who else protects her? Not the Society fools, but who else makes up their little rebel band?”
Blacktouch blustered. “No one of great importance. There is a young girl, strange face, elemental…”
“The dear Miss Swallow,” shadow-voice agreed. “She is no great threat. Powerful, but young and inexperienced. Who else?”
YOU ARE READING
The Necromancer Trilogy: Prophecy
FantasySince the Dark Ages, the world of magic has been carefully concealed from mortal eyes. Yet that careful world is about to be overturned. The Necromancers, a dangerous cult exiled from the magical community, have a prophecy. It tells of the Night Pr...
