Naturally, when it all went south, Selene happened to be away.

  As the sound of an explosion shook the main building, I reflexively grabbed my sword and sprinted out of my office toward the entrance of the estate.

  As I passed the barracks, I saw that the squires were in a mild state of panic, hurrying to put on their armor. I waved them off and told them to return to their training. More warm bodies wouldn’t help with this problem. I selected the most reliable of the new recruits and told him to leave through the rear exit and bring word to Dame Selene, though I hoped such an intervention would not be necessary.

  I neared the entrance and was met with the sound of crying and the scent of burning flesh. A pair of maidservants were collapsed in a bawling heap near the main building’s front steps, and seven guardsmen stood in a semicircle around our unwanted guest, blocking their path. Between the guards and Coroban sat a smoldering pile of ash and the remains of a dented short sword, warped by heat.

  “What’s going on here?” I demanded.

  The eldest member of the guards present turned to face me. “My apologies, captain, but an uninvited guest means to enter the estate. When Gerald ordered Her Grace to halt, she unleashed some sort of cantrip on him.”

  We would need to send our sincere condolences to Gerald’s family and ensure that his young wife was cared for. Only one guard perished - things could have been much worse.

  “I see. You’ve done well to keep the others in line. You can go now.”

  The elder guardsman regarded me with shock. “Pardon me, captain? We’re allowing her in?”

  Stolen story; please report.

  “No. But you and the others should leave now. I will stay to resolve matters with the duchess. Please remove the maids from the premises as well.”

  Her Grace watched our conversation with some degree of amusement. Her status meant that she could largely do as she pleased in any circumstance, doubly so now that she apparently carried a written order bearing the king’s seal. Still, if she planned to use our guardsmen for target practice, I would have to stand in.

  “Duchess Coroban, I presume.” I gave her a polite bow. “What brings you to the estate this afternoon?”

  She smiled and looked up at the sky. “Where is Solana?”

  “My apologies, Your Grace, but I am not at liberty to disclose that information.”

  She tore her gaze away from the sky and stared at me with ink-black eyes. “Were she present, she would have already confronted me, blade in hand, so I’ll have to assume she is away. All the better. Because I am here for the Lady Saintess.”

  I swallowed. “I regret to inform you that the Lady Saintess is also not here.”

  As she tilted her head in curiosity, her long black hair swayed in the wind. “Oh? I take it you’re not at liberty to disclose her location, either?”

  “That is half-correct, Your Grace. All I know is that she is not here.”

  “Are you aware that I come bearing the king’s authority? Withholding information can be considered an offense against the crown.”

  “I intend no offense against the crown in this or any other matter, Your Grace. I simply was not informed of her new location. The same applies to all but a few residents of the estate, so I beg your understanding.”

  She grinned. “And I assume those few residents are all away at present?”

  “That’s correct, Your Grace. If you wish to leave a message with me, I can ensure the countess receives it at the earliest possible moment.”

  The duchess considered the blade at my hip for a moment before looking me in the eye.

  “Yes,” she said. “I believe I will be leaving a message.”