Chapter 26

A proper thunderclap shook the skies; everyone jumped and then laughed, and Gwen’s voice swept them all up, ushering them back to The Bell for tea and a fire and stories to be told. “And don’t think you’re getting out of this one, Jer, you’re telling us everything, how did we not know?”

Jeremiah, walking next to his father, shouted back across the throng, “Because I’m not good at telling stories! Make Cade do it!”

Gwen waved an admonishing finger at him, announced, “We’re hearing from the both of you!” and put a hand on her husband’s arm to help him over slippery stones.

Cade, on Jeremiah’s other side, stayed quiet. He knew he could perform; he knew he would. They had a month to plan, a world to shape, to build, to prepare for; he had letters to write, an audience to arrange with the Queen, promises to make and to keep…