Damien and the others landed in the castle courtyard with two hours to spare before dark. Two patrolling Crimson Legionnaires had joined them as they descended. Damien didn’t know the two men, but they looked more like warriors than most sorcerers he’d met. They led David off to the dungeon where he’d be kept under constant observation by at least two sorcerers.

The archmage let her eagle vanish and strode towards the castle. Damien and Salem fell in behind her, but she waved them off. “I can take care of this. Why don’t you get our guest settled in and rest up? Once David breaks we’ll be moving against Connor. It’ll take a few days to gather our forces. Until then you’re free.”

Damien couldn’t have been more pleased. He was so tired, both mentally and physically, it took all his concentration to put two thoughts together. His master left them standing in the courtyard.

“She doesn’t trust me,” Salem said.

“If it’s any consolation I don’t know where the vault is either. Give her time. She’ll warm up to you. In the meantime let’s see if we can’t find you a room.” Damien’s stomach grumbled. “And something to eat as well.”

They found the kitchen in full roar. Servants ran around with trays heaped with food. A dozen chickens roasted on spits by the oven. His favorite honey rolls were cooling on a rack. Damien spotted the head cook and waved.

She scowled, her white hat cockeyed and flour over half her face. “No! Dinner will be served in an hour. I haven’t time to fix you anything.”

If she was going back on their deal there was nothing to keep Damien from snitching a couple rolls. He concentrated and a pair of rolls flew across the kitchen and into his waiting hands.

“How many times have I told you to leave my rolls alone?” The cook waved a wooden spoon at him.

Damien waved back and led Salem toward the guest quarters. He handed her a steaming roll and bit into his. He sighed as sweet, yeasty, buttery perfection melted in his mouth. Of all the things he’d missed, honey rolls were near the top of the list.

“These are wonderful,” Salem said. “I’ve never tasted anything like them. I don’t think that woman was very happy with you stealing them.”

“It’s an old game and we’ve been playing it for years. I’m not certain where we’ll find Dale, the castle seneschal, but you can rest in my room until we track him down. There’s always several empty rooms in case of unexpected visitors.”

“I wouldn’t want to put anyone to any trouble.”

“It’s no trouble. Handling things like this is Dale’s job. My friend John’s around here somewhere. He’s a gift for healing as well. I bet you two would hit it off.” They reached the door to Damien’s room and he pushed it open. He conjured light globes, filling the room with golden radiance. Everything looked just the same as he left it. “Be it ever so humble.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing.” Damien waved her over to the room’s lone chair and sat on the edge of the bed. “Hopefully, in time, you’ll come to think of the kingdom as home.”