Page 6 of Keeper of the Word

The capital city of Asalle was the grandest city in the mightiest empire on the continent of Tasia. There was no dispute. Hundreds of songs and epic poems celebrated what for centuries had been referred to as the Heart of the Capella Realm. Tolvar watched for Hux’s reaction as the capital’s many spired towers and outer curtain wall—crystal white and the tallest that Tolvar had ever laid eyes on—came into view miles away.

Joss, Barrett, and Gus, the knights who traveled with them, also went slack mouth at the sight. Barrett, who was by far the quietest of the three, even uttered, “Stars be good.”

’Twas impossible to gaze upon it the first time and not be awed.

“If I knew no better, I would dare say the very walls of the city glittered,” Hux said, his voice somber.

“’Tis Asalle’s Light. A gift from the StarSeers,” Tolvar returned.

“The StarSeers. I know the term, of course. There are five, correct? All women? Supposedly gifted from birth to See the future in the stars?” Hux cocked his head. “Is it true? The stories that surround them would have one believe they’re the stuff of fairy stories.”

“They are very much real, I can assure you,” Joss interjected from her mount.

“Have you met them?” Hux’s eyes rounded.

“No one meets the StarSeers.” Joss threw her shoulders back.

“I have once,” Tolvar said.

Joss’s cheeks bloomed.

“Oh?” Hux slowed his steed.

Lady Tara.Her very form had been as a vision sculpted by a master artist. And her very words were a phrase that Tolvar still contended with.

Never mind that now.

“And are the StarSeers and this Light you speak of truly the key to the Capella Realm’s power?” Hux chuckled.

“An entire millennium would suggest just that, aye,” Gus spoke, his gaze fixed on the city.

Hux followed Gus’s gaze as they rode.

’Twas not a literal light. At least not to Tolvar’s mind. He certainly couldn’t detect it. But even as a man of no faith, Tolvar would not deny that Asalle’s Light drew their attention.

Yet Tolvar also knew that the Capella Realm’s peace, prosperity, and power were two-fold. Aye, the Light graced by the StarSeers was a part, but the capital in the very heart of the empire—one side bordering Lenfore, Tolvar’s country, and the other side bordering Grenden, the Capella Realm’s other half—was the other.

“’Tis the StarSeers, but ’tis also the unification of its twin countries, Lenfore and Grenden,” Tolvar replied.

Hux nodded along. “I see. The StarSeers reign in Ashwin, do they not? I believe that’s not far from your province, Lord Wolf?”

“Aye, ’tis the southernmost province of the realm.” Tolvar’s chest thrust out, thinking of how his own family’s land was the safeguard province to Ashwin.

They crossed the Stella Pohl Bridge, a gigantic construction so tall that ships could easily sail under it along the Glendower River. ’Twas the only one of its kind—built centuries ago. Tolvar smirked as Hux dismounted momentarily to gaze upriver.

“It flows all the way from the Mehr Sea,” Tolvar said.

They traveled off the bridge and down the last bit of meandering road. An expanse of open countryside stretched into the distance along the river.

They reached the main city gate. Open, as always.

“No guard?”

“Bah. Asalle is the safest city on the continent,” Tolvar said, as they trotted through the gate and into the city.

“Aye, aye. Its Light. I know.” Hux waved his hand in dismissal.

Theyclip-cloppeddown the paved road, miles of boroughs on either side. Hux lost his words, and Tolvar’s chin jutted higher. Deogol’s capital, Kestriel, could fit in one district of Asalle.