The Emerald Storm (The Riyria Revelations #4)

“Three barrels, right?”


As Gwen talked with Dixon, Royce slipped his arm around her waist and gave her a gentle squeeze. The fact that he loved her was no secret, but Royce had never even held Gwen’s hand in public before. Seeing him with her, his friend looked different. It took Hadrian a moment to realize what it was—Royce was smiling.

When Gwen followed Dixon into the pantry to discuss inventory, Royce and Hadrian resumed the task of pulling chairs off tables. Throughout the years, Hadrian had likely sat in each one and drunk from every wooden cup or pewter tankard hanging behind the bar. For more than a decade, The Rose and Thorn had been his home, and it felt odd to be just visiting.

“So, have you decided what you’ll do now?” Royce asked.

“I’m going to find the heir.”

Royce paused, hold the chair inches above the floor. “Did you hit your head during the Battle of Ratibor? The heir is dead, remember?”

“Turns out he’s not. What’s more, I know who he is.”

“But the nice priest told us the heir was murdered by Seret Knights forty years ago,” Royce countered.

“He was.”

“Am I missing something?”

“Twins,” Hadrian told him. “One was killed, but the midwife saved the other.”

“So, who is this heir?”

“Degan Gaunt.”

Royce’s eyes widened and a sardonic grin crossed his face. “The leader of the Nationalist Army, who is bent on the New Empire’s destruction, is the imperial heir? How ironic is that, and how unfortunate for you seeing as how the Imps snatched him up.”

Hadrian nodded. “Yeah, it turns out that Esrahaddon has been helping him win all those victories in Rhenydd.”

“Esrahaddon? How do you know that?”

“I found him in Gaunt’s camp. Right before the Battle of Ratibor. Looks like the old wizard was planning to put Gaunt on the throne by force.”

The two finished with the chairs and took seats at a table near the windows. Outside, a lone apple seller wheeled a cart past, presumably on her way to the Gentry Quarter.

“I hope you’re not taking Esrahaddon’s word about Gaunt being the heir. You can never be sure exactly what he’s up to,” said Royce.

“No—well, yes—he confirmed the heir was alive, but I discovered his identity through Gaunt’s sister.”

“So, how do you plan to find Gaunt? Did either of them tell you where he is?”

“No. I’m pretty sure Esrahaddon knows, or at least has a good idea, but he wouldn’t tell me, and I’ve not seen him since the battle. He did say he would need us for a job soon. I think he’ll want help rescuing Gaunt. He hasn’t been around here, has he?”

Royce shook his head. “I’m happy to say I haven’t seen him. Is that why you’re in town?”

“Not really. I’m sure he can find me, wherever I am. After all, he found us in Colnora when he wanted us to come to Dahlgren. I’m on my way to see Myron at the abbey. If anyone knows about the history of the heir, he does. I also had to drop off a letter to Alric.”

“A letter?”

“When I was stuck in Colnora during the siege, your old friends helped get me out.”

“The Diamond?”

Hadrian nodded. “Price arranged for me to slip away one night in exchange for delivering the letter. He preferred risking my neck rather than one of his boys.”

“What did it say? Who was it from?”

Hadrian shrugged. “How would I know?”

“You didn’t read it?” he asked incredulously.

“No, it was for Alric.”

“Let me see it.”

“Can’t. I dropped it off at the castle on the way in.”

Royce dropped his face into his hands. “Sometimes, I just…” Royce shook his head. “Unbelievable.”

“What’s wrong?” Gwen asked, joining them.

“Hadrian’s an idiot,” Royce replied, his voice muffled by his hands.

“I’m sure that’s not true.”

“Thank you, Gwen. See, at least she appreciates me.”

“So, Hadrian, tell me about Ratibor. Royce told me about the rebellion. How did it go?” Gwen asked with an excited smile.

“Emery was killed. Do you know who he was?”

Gwen nodded.

“So were a lot of others, but we took the city.”

“And Arista?”

“She survived the fight, but took the aftermath hard. She’s become something of a heroine there. They put her in charge of the whole kingdom.”

“She’s a remarkable woman,” Gwen said. “Don’t you think so, Hadrian?” Before he could answer, a loud crash from the kitchen made her sigh. “Excuse me while I help Dixon.”

She started to stand but Royce reached his feet first and motioned her to stay. “Sit,” he said, kissing the crown of her head. “I’ll help him. You two get caught up.”

Gwen looked surprised but simply said, “Thank you.”

Royce hurried off, shouting in an unusually good-natured tone, “Dixon! What’s taking you so long? You’ve still got one hand, haven’t you?”

Gwen and Hadrian both laughed, mirroring surprised expressions.

“So, what’s new around here?” Hadrian asked.

“Not a whole lot. Albert came by last week with a job from a nobleman to place the earrings of a married woman in the bedchambers of a priest, but Royce declined it.”

“Really? He loves plant jobs. And a noble? That’s just easy money.”

She shrugged. “I think with you retired, he’s—”

Outside, an approaching clatter of hooves halted abruptly. A moment later a man with a distinct limp, dressed as a royal courier, entered the tavern. He paused at the doorway, looking puzzled.

“Can I help you?” Gwen asked, as she stood.

“I have a message from His Majesty for the Royal Protectors. I was told they were here.”

“I’ll take that,” Gwen said, stepping forward.

The courier stiffened and shook his head. “It is for the Royal Protectors only.”

Gwen halted and Hadrian noticed her annoyed expression.

“You must be new,” Hadrian addressed the courier, rising to his feet. “I’m Hadrian Blackwater.”

The courier nodded smartly and pulled a waxed scroll from his satchel. He handed over the dispatch and departed. Hadrian sat back down and broke the falcon seal.

“It’s a job, isn’t it?” Gwen’s expression darkened and she stared at the floor.

“It’s nothing. Alric just wants to see us,” Hadrian said. She looked up, her eyes revealing a troubled mix of emotions Hadrian could not decipher. “Gwen, what’s wrong?” he pressed, his voice softening.

At length she replied, almost in a whisper, “Royce asked me to marry him.”

Hadrian sat back in his chair. “Seriously?”

She nodded and added hastily, “I guess he thought that since you retired from Riyria, he would, too.”