Page 1 of Of Kings and Thieves

PROLOGUE

COL

Magnus and I journeyed for an entire day before we reached the great bridge over the river. The structure was in disrepair, and the banks were such a mass of refugees and wounded that hardly anyone thought to look our way as we crossed. From here, it was mostly due north into my homeland, and after that, it would be death or triumph. There would be no turning back.

I’d been away a long time, but already the landscape looked familiar. Tall peaks to the north and east, covered in hard, stony ground. Despite the river, not much would grow here outside the valley. And though we were now in The Harrow’s occupied territory, I didn’t expect to see many soldiers in this unforgiving land. I shivered as the wind blasted down from the snow-capped peaks ahead. It would only get colder from here, where winter held on much longer than it did in the valley.

There were no soldiers, only bedraggled travelers. Orcs were said to have taken over the mountains to the east of Iron Deep, but they were farther north. Magnus and I didn’t have to worry about them… yet.

Though I was now closer than ever to the alicorn horn, we were trekking through enemy territory, worsening weather, and gods knew what else. Monsters, probably. I thought about the creatures that were rumored to grow unchecked and said something to Magnus, who rode beside me on his giant horse.

“They get bigger here,” he said with a nod. “But I’ve also found that where there are fewer people, there are fewer monsters. You would think it would be the opposite, but the monsters like to be near people.” He grinned. “There’s more food that way.”

It began to rain, soaking everything and making us shiver. I figured it would turn to snow by tomorrow and was glad for my heavy cloak.

“I could have used your help sooner,” I said. “I’ve fought two monsters recently. Got myself into trouble.”

Magnus chuckled. “Everyone always wants me around when the monsters close in.” He was studying me. “You look well. Does some of that trouble have to do with that lovely young woman who was sleeping with you in the barn?”

“Maybe.” I cleared my throat.

Magnus reined in his horse. “You’ve got to give me more than that, Col.”

Leaving Samara behind had almost killed me, but taking her along into my country would be reckless and dangerous. I knew I’d made the wise decision, but every part of my being was clamoring to turn around and go get her.

When I didn’t answer, my friend whistled. “That bad, huh?”

“I suppose it is,” I said, urging my horse forward again. I had told Samara I loved her. Had watched her eyes when I said it—eyes that were blue with a speck of light inside them, like a faraway star. But she hadn’t returned my love. Or at least, she had been afraid to. I had seen the moment that light in her eyes dimmed as I pronounced my love for her, something I had only witnessed when she was afraid.

“And you just left her to fend for herself?” Magnus asked. “What were you thinking?”

“You know me better than that,” I grunted. “Samara can take care of herself. But since you asked, I am thinking that she shouldn’t have to be in danger because of me. It’s better this way.”

I kept arriving at the same decision no matter how many ways I looked at it.

I was very likely going to die, and though I didn’t want to think about it, Magnus could too. He knew the stakes, though, and I’d only just met Samara. I couldn’t ask her to throw her life on the line for me again. But I was going to find that alicorn horn. I would probably die, yes, but I had made a silent vow to find the alicorn horn first and stop it from being used.

“Andris, King of Iron Deep,” Magnus said with a broad grin, “brought down by a pretty face.”

“I’m not king,” I said. “And it’s more than that.”

“You are a king as far as I’m concerned. So, you love her or something?”

I didn’t respond.

Magnus whistled again, and this time ended it with a laugh. “Better you than me, brother.”

* * *

“Why this time?” I mused sometime later. “Why has The Harrow left me alone all these years, and why is he trying to find me now?”

“Because he’s having a hard time keeping Iron Deep in check. The weather is harsh, the terrain is a fucking nightmare, but The Harrow needs those mines and control over the river to ship the ore. He’s struggling to maintain order there and in the neighboring lands. Glimmerdale is putting up a helluva fight, as you’ve seen, and they’ve been causing him trouble along the river. And you know these mountain people in Iron Deep. They’re stubborn, ruthless, and not one bit afraid of causing trouble.

“If The Harrow gets you,” Magnus continued, “he can kill you and thus solidify his own leadership, or…”

“Or try to install me as a puppet king,” I finished. Obviously, neither option was going to work for me. We rode for a while in silence. Finally, I knew what I had to do. “It’s time to send some ravens, Magnus.”

“Going to call everyone in?”