Empress of Wolves Read Free

were carved in the likeness of autumn trees, mostly bare of leaves, and images of King Holly, the Argosian deity of autumn and winter, those seasons of death's slumber.
    As they climbed out of the carriages a group exited the prison- six of the Praetorian Guard escorting a bound prisoner to the Court's execution grounds.
    Kalla's eyes narrowed as she looked over the prisoner. His gait was proud, his head held high. The man wore the tattered, disheveled remains of a Guard uniform.
    The uniforms consisted of a dark green tunic, black breeches, and black boots. A chain-mail vest of snakeskin was worn over the tunic. This was no ordinary snakeskin. Crafted from the skins of armour snakes, it was a very fine, lightweight, and flexible. A dark iridescent grey in color, snakeskin armour was strong enough to stop most weapons. A black surcoat open to the front, with the Trinity Claw of House Sykes embroidered on the back, was worn over the mail. Each Guard had a sword belted at the waist, and a holster slung across their backs held the trade-mark weaponry of the elite Praetorian Guard- a short-barreled rifle.
    The Praetorian Guard were the best of the Argosian military, and the personal Guard of the Emperor himself. Kalla wondered what one of them could possibly have done that warranted his execution. She also knew that Manny could do no worse for a magister, if the man would accept. She reached out and touched his hand, reforging the link between them, even as the Guards shoved the prisoner to his knees against the inner wall of the palisade that surrounded the Golden Court.
    “
Time to learn to throw your weight around, Lord kyl'Malkador. That man is one of the Praetorian Guard. You could find no better choice, save among the Harriers of Arkaddia. And trust me when I say that might make the Khan a bit upset at the moment,
” she said with a dry laugh.
    Manny swallowed hard, but took a decisive step forward and when he spoke, it was in a strong voice.
    “Stop!” The young Healer's voice rang across the courtyard. The Guards froze and looked over at Kalla's group. Their guides spun around, agitated. Before they could say anything, Manny was already striding from the path, crossing the courtyard to where the prisoner knelt. The man looked up as the mage approached, his face tired, but fiercely proud. The captive Guard was an older gentleman, his black hair turning a gunmetal grey.
    The Guards had backed off, scowling at the mage. Kalla was too far way to hear what Manny said to the prisoner, but they exchanged a lengthy conversation that earned several angry looks from the Guards. Finally the man nodded wearily, bowing his head as Manny crouched down before him.
    Manny made a small gesture and the man's shackles fell away. The prisoner shrugged his shoulders and rubbed his wrists, but remained kneeling where he was. He didn't flinch as Manny reached out and placed hands to his face. A few moments passed, then Manny rose to his feet, offering a hand to help the man up.
    The dignitaries frowns deepened as Manny spoke with the Guards, then disappeared into the Golden Court with them, followed by his new magister. Unmoved by assurances that Manny would be brought to the Evergreen Palace, Kartoff insisted that they be allowed to follow him. Their guides finally gave up and escorted the Dashmari into the prison. The Guards inside took them to a room where Manny waited while his magister was cleaned up and properly clothed.
    “I see you found what you were looking for, Lord kyl'Malkador,” Kartoff said.
    “Yes, my Lord. I thank you. If not for your intervention, I wouldn't have gotten this far,” Manny replied. “Lukas Aricsson, former Praetor, accused of treason and attempted assassination. He tells an interesting story though. Says he wasn't trying to kill Emperor Sykes, but rather Grosso, who is apparently interfering with the Imperial Court.”
    As if speaking of him had summoned him, voices outside the door heralded the arrival