Anais and the Broken War (The Blood Mage Chronicles Book 5) Read Free

stomach the risk.”
    Mediera slumped into the chair next to Cedric while I took a seat next to Fynn. “How are we supposed to lead without them?”
    Cedric covered Mediera’s hand with his own. “We’ll figure it out.”  
    “We’ll have to look through the communications from the captains in the field,” Gorman said. “The most important thing is the war. We have letters from the captains that demand our attention. I suggest we start reading them and providing answers.”
    Gorman handed Mediera a pile of unopened letters, and she took them, her hands shaking. Mediera was in charge now. It was what she wanted, but the reality must be daunting. The lives of the citizens of Barriershire were in her hands.
    Mediera took the small knife that Cedric offered and ripped open the seal. She squinted as she read the missive. “This captain, Captain Brentwood, is asking for more horses. Do we have horses?” Mediera asked, her eyes fixed on Cedric.
    “I don’t know,” Cedric stammered. “Gorman?”
    “Borwin,” Gorman said. “He supplies the horses to the city guard when they’re needed.”  
    Jacarda shook her head. “Borwin is gone. He left three days ago.”  
    Gorman looked at her with one eyebrow raised.
    “He took my seat on a caravan going west across the mountains,” she answered the unasked question.
    “Your seat?” I asked.
    Jacarda shrugged. “Colin’s death unnerved everyone. Recently I was offered the opportunity to buy a seat. However, when Cedric came to me and said he needed my help…” She tilted her head and pursed her lips. “Well, I offered my seat to Borwin.”
    “But why? What can we offer you? There is no council now.” Mediera asked.
    “My dear, we’re the council,” she said. “And we have work to do.”
    Mediera inhaled sharply and then nodded. “What should we do about the horses?”
    “We’ll have to talk with Hastings. He has a stable on Fenn Street. He can at least tell us how many steeds are available in the city,” Fynn suggested.  
    “I believe Hastings’ wife would appreciate a dinner invitation,” Jacarda said. “If he’s the new Guild Master of horses, he’ll expect that honor.”
    “Is it really necessary?” Mediera asked. “The last thing I feel like doing is throwing a dinner party.”
    “It’s essential. You can’t ignore your people. And it won’t just be him. There are a few others that will expect some of your time, now that Colin is gone.”  
    “It’s a good idea,” Gorman agreed. “The dinner. We need him on our side. There are a lot of people that we are going to have to win over.”
    “I’ll talk with him,” Fynn offered.  
    Gorman frowned. “We need some runners. We can’t go dashing off every time we need to get something done. Colin used guards, but I’d rather not pull them off duty to run errands for us.”
    “We could get some boys from the market,” I suggested. “There are always kids in need of work.”
    Gorman opened his mouth as if he was going to issue a command, but instead he looked to Mediera, waiting for her to say something. She twisted at a stray lock of hair but didn’t comment.  
    “Lady Mediera, perhaps you should decide if Fynn and Anais should talk with Borwin and find us some runners. Do you think the plan is reasonable?” Gorman finally asked. His choice to pay deference to her was unusual. He was a natural leader, able to make quick decisions and implement plans. Mediera, on the other hand, well, she seemed to be struggling.
    “Sister Anais you mean,” Mediera corrected Gorman.
    “Of course,” Gorman concurred. He looked at me without a trace of humor. “My apologies, sister, for being overly familiar.”
    “Cedric, do you think they should go?” She looked at Cedric, her eyes seeming to beg him to contradict Gorman.
    “I think so,” he stuttered. “We need the horses.”
    “But, shouldn’t Anais stay at the Great House? Why should she need to go at all? Fynn, do you think you