The Terror of Thorn: Child of War: Book 2 by Alonna Lissett Page B

whenever she says so and dealing with her mother, the real power in Rangel.”
                  “I don’t get you enchanter, you were married to the second most powerful woman in Rangel who never stepped out on your relationship once. Your sole job was to make babies and be pampered, and as Rangelian women go, Aubrey was easier on the eyes than most. Instead you would rather be a pauper in some hole.” Patrick said to Xander.
                  “You mistake me Patrick, I am not content to be a pauper, I want it all. I am the son of Erik of the Red and Maxine, Witch of Rangel. I want it all; I am going to be a ruler in my own right someday in a land far from the reach of Rangel.”
                  “This is madness enchanter, you the son of Erik the Red?” Patrick said shaking his head. “Let’s say this is true, who would follow you? Thorn has not looked kindly upon the conqueror since his death and Rangelians wouldn’t follow a male. How exactly are you going to get people to follow you into battle, it doesn’t matter how strong you are, you would still fall.”
                  “Mad I am not Patrick.” I want you to look around you, already I have the strongest man in the world, the Champion of Rangel and the future Queen of Thorn following me. I am sure once I help place her on the throne a small bit of land would be secretly set aside for the Xander the Red to establish my new land.”
                  “This is not worth fighting over” Samantha chimed in. “If Xander can help and get me placed on the throne, then I would be happy to give him a plot of land to do whatever he wanted to do with it. I would even play my part in the Queen’s plan and marry you, or do you think I do not know her machinations with your mother?”
                  “So you escaped one forced marriage to be brought in another” Xander laughed grimly, “The women of Rangel can never be trusted, you are a fool if you believe otherwise.”
                  “One marriage was with an old man who would never even think of giving me any power, my future was to be laid upon until I squirted out child after child, while he ran the streets sowing the countryside with his bastards. At least with this one I know the people would only see him as my husband, someone to be cheered and celebrated but at least I would have power. I am not silly enough to trust your Queen, but I know she would rather have me on the Throne than any male. I also know while she would give any help she could to help make Thorn into a system like she has set up in Rangel, she definitely does not want to get her hands dirty here in Thorn.”
                  “Ha Patrick, it looks like whatever plot was hatched did not escape the Thornian’s notice. She had you and whatever scheme was hatched figured out” Xander said with humor in his voice.
                  “Enchanter, this tossing of insults is not like you at all. Have you gone mad since the attack?” Patrick inquired.
                  “I am far from mad” Xander began, “You have no idea what I am really like.”
                  “Can we save this posturing for another day, we need to find out where we are” Samantha said.
                  Xander created a teleport symbol that was a twin to the one he made in his small cabin in the Norrayan woods. After trying to teleport and failing, Xander sighed to himself, and came to the realization that someone must have somehow altered or destroyed the one he had back at his cabin, his father’s book now lost to him until he could get back to the woods. He told this to his party and they began to walk following the setting sun. Xander had no idea if they were heading deeper into the wilderness or towards a road, but he did take the time to take in the scenery.
                  Xander felt the slight summer breeze