Changing Of The Guard (Book 6) Read Online Free Page B

your approval to release the first Koradictine raid.”
    A spike of anger shattered Zutrian’s calm and destroyed his magic. He turned to the man, standing, and suddenly experienced the sharp pain of the balcony’s true temperature.
    “I ordered that party to leave last night.”
    His lieutenant started to say something, then stopped.
    “Did I, or did I not meet with you and the rest of the commanders until the moon had fallen last night?”
    “Yes, Superior. You did.”
    “And was I, or was I not clear about my expectation that the operation against the Koradictines should commence?”
    Halsten’s lips drew to a straight line.
    “So, tell me again why you felt the need to interrupt one of the few moments I have to myself?”
    “I’m sorry, Superior.”
    “If you’re trying to gain my notice, you’ll find there are better ways.”
    “Yes, Superior.”
    A blast of cold mountain air struck Zutrian full in the chest. He strode into his chamber, where a fire’s heat greeted him. Halsten was like most of his commanders. They were all power hungry, anymore. Maybe it was because he was getting older—nowhere near “old,” of course, but older. Discussions were sure to be happening, rumors and petty little power struggles inside the order as members jockeyed for position underneath him.
    Let them struggle.
    He had no plans to leave this post for a very long time.
    Halsten’s footsteps noted his return from the balcony. The door shut.
    “Make the operation happen, Halsten. I want the Koradictines completely hamstrung on this side of the plane throughout the winter months. Report again in a week.”
    “Yes, Lord,” the commander said, bowing, and then leaving Zutrian’s chamber.
    Zutrian Esta removed the poncho and rubbed his arms before the fire. He was more tired than he could ever remember. But it would pay off. He had the entirety of his Lectodinian order housed in the Vapor Peaks, now.
    One-by-one, he would pick off the Koradictines.
    By the springtime, they would all be gone.
    That would leave only Garrick, and his rag-tag Torean order.
    And for them, he had other plans.

Chapter 2

    Halsten lead his team of five Lectodinian mages through a wooded glen. He was anxious, but certainly pleased to be doing something, even if it was just a simple precursory cleansing. A dusting of snow lay on the ground, and the horses’ breath billowed with each exhale. The morning sun hugged the horizon behind them. The smell of a wood fire came from ahead. A house built of log, mortared with clay and soil, stood nestled into the hillside across the shallow gully. It was a sleepy house, he thought. Poorly built. Appropriate for a Koradictine. Served the mage inside right.
    He raised a gloved hand to bring his own mages to a halt, then turned to Marcus and motioned him to go around the far end of the property.
    Marcus’s head was wrapped in a heavy scarf that revealed only his brown eyes. He nodded and turned his horse to the north. Trae and Martin went with him. They had been over the plan in detail late into the evening last night, sitting in Halsten’s tent and drinking tea warmed over an open fire. He wouldn’t mind a bit of that fire right now. He rubbed his hands together, then stopped when he realized the motion created an unnatural noise.
    No excuses.
    He had reminded everyone of that fact as they prepared to break camp.
    No excuses for failure.
    By the time they returned to the Vapor Peaks, the Koradictine order would lie as dead in this region of the map as if it were a physical body, a Lectodinian stake jutting from its chest. And he would own a part of that stake.
    That should be enough to draw Helena’s attention. He was sure she would be his once she saw what he was prepared to become. Waiting, and sitting silently on his mount, he thought of regaling Helena with the tale of the exercise. It would be warm there, wherever they were. They would share a mug of spiced ale, and Helena would gaze at him with those