Horace shook his head, took the letter, and broke the wax seal.
Devonia had written the letter. In her usual steady handwriting, the Crucible Knight described the "official version" of events:
"...His Highness the prince and Ancient Dragon Fortissax arrived at Leyndell late at night. As no advance notice had been given, a misunderstanding led to a clash with the wall guards. His Highness acted rashly and did indeed damage the gates and parts of the walls, but this was by no means an 'attack'..."
Horace stared at the phrases "a misunderstanding led to a clash" and "damage the gates," the corner of his mouth twitching.
How was that any different from an attack?
He tossed the letter back onto the desk, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling.
Godwyn, Godwyn... what on earth are you doing?
A few days later, Horace got his answer.
And in the most direct way possible.
That afternoon, the sky over Lakeside Town suddenly darkened.
Ancient Dragon Fortissax landed on a patch of level ground outside town.
Three people jumped down from the dragon's back.
The first was Godwyn.
The second and third...
Standing at the Manor's entrance, Horace narrowed his dark red eyes slightly as he watched the two figures following Godwyn toward him.
They were two children.
Twisted, hard horns grew from their bodies. They were manifestations of the Aspects of the Crucible, the marks of an "Omen."
And... for some reason, Horace sensed Bloodflame. Had the Formless Mother found them after all?
Godwyn reached the Manor's entrance and grinned-a smile exactly like his father Godfrey's, hearty and bold, with no sense that he had done anything earth-shattering.
"Uncle!" Godwyn called in a booming voice.
"I brought my little brothers to see you!"
Horace said nothing. *Looks more like