flashback

With a buttoned, fur-lined cloak and her cloaker-leather mantle covering her spidersilk robes and weapon-belt, freshly shod in a barely broken-in pair of warm, sturdy leather boots, and her wide-brimmed spidersilk hat pulled down as far as she guessed decorum might allow, Vel’duith Voiryn stood...

"Lordling Saderzaine, your humble servant Eliezer is here," came a voice from behind the door to his room. "Eli, please be quiet. I fear you're mocking me with such a formal tone," Sader replied with a tired grumble. He and Eliezer were good friends despite their difference in social status...

August, Year 369 Amol-Kalit / Owain d'Athée / On the deck of a boat "You are being paid handsomely to protect me, are you sure these children are up to the task?" The swarthy man who had asked the question look pensive as he said it, stalking back and forth on the deck of the flat bottomed...