The Lost Hero - Chapter 8

Juen glanced up as the door to her study opened. Magistrate Boas did not slow his tirade, an avalanche of percentages, yields, and shipping tonnage she had long since lost track of. His assistant looked pained; hopefully he could distill the report down for her.

“Your majesty, you are needed most urgently!” The guard’s knee brushed the carpet before he sprang back to his feet.

“What is it?”

“There is, well, there is a man at the gates.”

Unease shot through her. “A man?” Though even a sorcerer king might be a welcome relief at the moment.

“He says he’s a prince. From Athus.”

Juen gave a not entirely false start of surprise. Would the boy really just walk up to the gate? “What nonsense is this?”

“He claims he is a Lord of Athus. My queen, he has a sword.”

She waved dismissively. “So do each of my soldiers. Send him on his way.”

“Ma’am, it is the Sword.”

She looked to the tapestry on the far wall. Embroidered in exquisite detail, the Sword shone in the hand of Tanyr himself.

“You are certain?”

“Yes, ma’am.”