The Sphere Chronicles: A Holding Kate Series Book by LaDonna Cole Page B

streets in celebration.” Chief Murkhul broke into a full smile. “I have named your whole strike force as my personal bodyguards. There is no higher honor known in the Crags. But if you are alone in this, I will have to demote them.”
    Starlythe reached for her monarch’s hand and kissed it. “Thank you, Mother.”
    “No, my jewel, thank you.” She held tightly to the warrior’s hand.
    A knock on the door preceded the entrance of her six warrior companions. They filed in and stood around her bed, grinning down on her. On Staid’s cue, they knelt and slammed their fists over their chests in salute.
    “The Dracosphynx is downed. Long live Starlythe our War Leader!”
     
     

 

     
    MANIFUS STOOD AT the end of the pier and waved his bardic blessing to the Sisterhood of the Sword as their barge drifted away from the dock. The townspeople, who had gathered around the lakeshore, drifted back to their normal routine. Chief Murkhul stood behind the Royal Bodyguard as they watched the boat carry away their loved ones.
    Manifus softly sang a song of blessing and safe passage to his mentor, Lady Grace, as he watched her boat lumber around a bend in the river and pass from sight. When he turned around, Staid had taken Chief Murkhul’s arm and was leading her back to the horses with Brashtor and Candol following behind them.
    At the other end of the pier stood Krenne, shielding her eyes and waiting for him. Her blonde hair hung loose around her shoulders and ruffled in the slight morning breeze. He paused and took in the sight of her. She was wrapped in a long white fur that topped her knee-high boots. Her sword jutted beneath the coat at an angle, and her other hand rested on its hilt. She was stunning in the morning sunlight as though a ray of it had broken away and landed in human form.
    He walked toward her but she did not move from her position, and he realized she was not looking at him but rather where the barge had been. He drew alongside her and turned to look in the same direction. She seemed lost in thought, and he did not want to disturb her.
    “Who knows what they are headed into?” she whispered, concern sketched across her face.
    Manifus wondered who she was most worried about, the calculating and invincible Stealthlin, the formidable and most skilled warrior in all of Ampeliagia, Starlythe, or the physically stunning and freakishly handsome Drayse.
    “We will sing prayers for them every day. How does that sound?” he answered.
    She turned her vivid blue eyes to him and smiled. “That sounds really nice.”
    “Good. Every day we will meet at a time and place of your choosing and sing our prayers together.” Manifus was already looking forward to it.
    “Third watch, starting tonight.” She glanced over the mountain city that curled up to the heights. “Right there.” She pointed to a midway point where a small landing had been built along the main roadway overlooking a sheer drop to the roots of the next mountain. The west side of the cobbled street was bordered by merchant storefronts, stalls, and shops.
    “Accord.” He slapped two fingers across his wrist to indicate a deal had been struck.
    Krenne laughed and repeated his gesture.
    They began the ascent to the horses where Agus, Manifus’s servant, awaited.
    Manifus suddenly turned to Krenne. “Would you like to walk with me?”
    She hitched up one brow and looked at the steep climb up the mountain to the palace far above. “Are you sure you are up to it, Bard?” she asked skeptically.
    Manifus jerked back in exaggerated shock at her insult. “I am more than capable of climbing the city streets of Cheulseti!” He feigned injured feelings but glanced up at the steep incline, a little worried.
    Again, Krenne’s sparkling laughter rang out echoing around the mountains. “Well, if you are sure, I would be happy to accompany you.”
    Manifus waved Agus on ahead and he and Krenne moved to the paved walkway that bordered the shops along the