“Greetings, cousin,” said Meck, always the more talkative of the two. “We bring good tidings from the north. Prince Torvyn of Gadlizel accepted the offer of black steel. We return with payment in gold…for you.” I didn’t bother asking why they negotiated with the prince and not the king. There were rumors that Prince Torvyn’s father had gone mad. That conversation could wait for another time. “For me?” I questioned sharply. “My father commanded you to take this mission. As I’m sure you know by now, he is dead. And while I can assume that your return with gold owed to Näkt Mir is a sign of your
...more
