It was a week later when Zain and old man Hobbren finally made it to Draemir territory. Zain was exhausted from the journey—not just from traveling, but from constantly watching his back around the old man. Every time Hobbren looked at him, Zain felt like he was being measured for a coffin.
That's when Renard's letter arrived. The message was short and to the point- come to Gia's Castle in Grace territory, and bring the old man.
Zain stared at the letter and wanted to cry.
The old man had been like a storm cloud hanging over him for weeks. Every morning, Zain woke up wondering if today would be the day Hobbren decided he was lying and slit his throat. Now he had to take this walking nightmare even further from home.
And there was more bad news in the letter. Renard wanted them to gather weapons—whatever the old man requested—and bring them along. Zain had no idea what that meant, but knowing Hobbren, it probably involved a lot of sharp, deadly things.
