John landed his conjured horse well away from the castle. A few curious people glanced his way, but for the most part sorcerers arriving in the capital weren’t so uncommon that his landing drew much reaction. If he’d tried to land in the castle courtyard, on the other hand, he would have drawn the attention of the Crimson Legion. All in all he preferred to approach the front gates and deal with the regular guards.

He guided his construct along the road up to the closed gates. Behind him a trunk loaded with a selection of his better clothes picked up from home on his way south floated on a disk of soul force. He had considered not bothering with the expensive outfits, but figured word would get back to his mother if he didn’t dress properly. In her own way his mother was every bit as fierce as the general. That probably explained why his parents had stayed married for so long.

Four warlords stood guard outside instead of the usual two ordinary soldiers. The warlords looked tense, their hands never straying far from the hilts of their swords. John eased closer, not wanting to do anything that might startle the nervous guards.

When he was ten yards from the gate one of the warlords stepped forward. “Halt! State your name and business.”

“John Kord. I’ve been assigned as Princess Karrie’s new personal healer.”

The guard looked back. One of the other warlords had unrolled a scroll. What in the world was happening? John had never seen security so tight. A few seconds later the man with the scroll nodded.

“You’re expected. I’ll have to search your luggage.”

John made the trunk move up closer and the top pop open. “Please be careful not to wrinkle my clothes.”

The guard poked around for a minute then nodded. “Okay, go ahead.”

The massive gate swung open and John guided his construct through. He dismounted and let the horse vanish. Groups of warlords, each accompanied by a sorcerer in red robes, patrolled the courtyard. Heaven’s mercy. Were they expecting an invasion?

John shook his head and headed for the door to the keep. Two more warlords stood by the closed doors. They eyed John as though expecting him to start blasting everyone any moment. Despite their suspicious looks they opened the door as he drew closer.

It had been a while, but the familiar entry hall hadn’t changed. Suits of armor still lined the path to the throne room. The message said to report to the castle, but not exactly to whom. His first thought was the archmage, but he had no idea where to find her. By the same token he didn’t know where Karrie might be either. He’d try the throne room. The king and his father had known each other for years, he’d help.

He walked down the short hall and sighed in relief to find the usual guards on duty instead of more warlords. They probably figured if an enemy made it this far two more warlords wouldn’t make much difference. He frowned when the guards made no move to open the doors for him.

“Is the king in court?” John asked.

“He’s having a private meeting with the archmage,” the left-hand guard said. “He’s not to be disturbed.”

John sighed and sat on his trunk. “Mind if I wait here?”

The guards looked at each other and the one that hadn’t spoken shrugged. “I don’t see why not,” the spokesman said.