Prince Fiere poured himself a flagon of wine and opened the doors which led out onto the balcony of his chambers. He breathed in the fresh night air and took in the peace and solitude of the cool evening.

The day had passed mostly uneventfully following their arrival early in the morning. He had decided to leave Shay alone for the day but had regular reports sent to him and Meerde reported on Andy’s progress. Andy was in a stable condition but his wound would take longer to heal than Meerde had originally thought the day before.

Fiere had met his father, King Mayle, briefly during the day. Fiere had...