Cleora stood with all worry disappearing, and seeing him now made her smile despite all the fear and death that surrounded them. He had always been different, always been special, but now he looked like something from the old legends come to life.
From far away, on high ground that overlooked the square, another man watched everything unfold.
Lorryll stood in the shadows with a smile on his weathered face, but even he could not hide his amazement. He had known Jolthar would come—had counted on it, in fact—but seeing the young man arrive on the back of Maelruth the drake was beyond anything he had imagined possible.
He leaned forward on the stone, eager to see what would happen next.
He wanted to wait and see what Lord Eude would do.
Down in the square, Jolthar began to walk forward.
