A Time of Turmoil
Page 26
He managed to crack an eye open long enough to realize Greta was bringing him over to a staircase Noll had never used before. Only servants walked here, but like the rest of the castle, none were in sight.
And the queen’s mother proceeded to push him down the stairs.
Noll fell. He struggled and flailed his arms, but nothing could stop his descent. His last thought before he smashed against the cold floor was that he should have learned long ago to not listen to conversations that did not include him.
Epilogue
Princess Vivian Rivera
Vivian was appalled. Her sister had failed so epically. The people were refusing to leave. They were having too much fun insulting and humiliating not just Rosalynne but also Noll too. For the most part, Vivian did not hear her name, but she was certain some were ridiculing her as well.
For whatever reason, the people had soured against the Riveras.
After Rosalynne stormed away, Vivian realized Noll was missing, and it wasn’t until the next morning that he was found. A piercing scream had roused her, and Vivian bolted out of bed. She hastily changed into a simple gown that she could tie herself in the front and dashed out of her room.
People were screaming and crying, and Vivian had no notion or clue as to the source of panic, not until Ulric raced to her side. The servant wore the grimmest of expressions, and she noticed the sword at his hip and the bow and quiver on his arm and back.
“Don’t,” he warned, gripping her arm. “Are you safe?”
“I am and would be if you would only unhand me,” she said gruffly.
Instead, he pinched her arm that much tighter. “Your brother is dead. Some believe he was killed.”
“Noll? Murdered?” she protested.
“I am going to get you out of here,” he said. His lips set into a firm, fierce line.
“Me? What of Rosalynne?” Vivian could hardly think or feel or do anything at all, which meant that she was running alongside Ulric as he was forcing her along.
“She will have to remain here,” he said firmly.
“But—”
“She has guards looking after her.”
“If someone is going after the Riveras, they will go after her,” Vivian protested.
“Again, she has guards. You don’t.”
They came to one of the servants’ staircases, and Ulric paused, staring down at her.
“Whoever killed Noll did so for a reason. It will not be easy to go after Rosalynne now. If she was the killer’s target, he or she was foolish to not go after her first. It is reasonable to think you will be next.”
“This is ridiculous,” Vivian said. She freed her arm and placed them on her hips. “I am not going anywhere with you.”
“You will if you want to live,” Ulric said grimly. “Because there are also other rumors.”
“Such as?”
“That Bates was killed, that the king was.”
“That does not make any sense,” she protested. “Rosalynne was in the room when Bates died.”
“And she told others that she fell asleep. It is not possible that someone sneaked into and out of the room without stirring her?”
Vivian hesitated. Her sister was a rather sound sleeper.
“This is ridiculous,” Vivian said firmly. “I wish to see my sister.”
Ulric lifted her over his shoulder. Vivian screamed and pounded her fists onto his hard back, but the servant would not stop. He hurried her down the stairs and out a door she had not even known the castle had. Outside, only one horse waited for them. Ulric plopped her in front and then climbed on himself. Before she could do anything, Ulric had the horse racing them away.
Vivian twisted to stare behind them at the castle. The idea of leaving frightened her terribly.
“I won’t abandon my sister,” she said. “I will find a way to return home.”
“Yes. When it is safe.”
“It’s not safe for her!”
“She is queen. Her guards will make it so.” Ulric glanced down at her. “For now, I am your guard.”
“Great. Just great,” Vivian muttered.
She faced front and did her best not to cry. Noll dead. Bates dead. Her father dead. All of them were dead, and Ulric feared she was to be next.
Was this punishment for what her father had done to the Lis? Had all of the deaths been murders?
All Vivian longed for was peace. At the moment, the castle and perhaps all of Tenoch Proper were facing a time of turmoil, and Vivian had no notion as to what the future might hold for them all.
Author’s note
A Time of Turmoil is the first book in the In the Eye of the Dragon series. This collection of books, this world, these characters, they all mean so much to me. I tried to make the world and the characters as real as our world and real people.
In The Deceit of Tongues, you’ll meet new characters. Want a sneak peek? Sign up for my newsletter to get early access to a chapter featuring one of the new characters from book two!
If you loved A Time of Turmoil as much as I did writing it, please write a review. The more reviews, the more motivated I’ll be to release the next books faster!
Until the next book,
N. M. Zoltack
Other Books By N. M. Zoltack
In the Eye of the Dragon
A Time of Turmoil
The Deceit of Tongues - coming soon
Keepers of the Flames - coming soon
The Triumphant Return - coming soon
When Claws and Swords Collide - coming soon
The Might of Magic - coming soon
Blood and Ashes - coming soon
About the Author
N. M. Zoltack loves epic fantasy more than life. Game of Thrones is amazing, and George RR Martin really needs to finish the last books. More than willing to talk theories and it’s up for debate which is better—the books or the show.
For more information:
Email nmzoltack@gmail.com
Newsletter sign up for an early sneak peek at a new character introduced in book two