"Ah, the famous lady from Memosa," he greeted. He had to crane his neck a good half-foot to look at her when she finally brought herself down from the saddle. It was a damn uncomfortable thing for a man who had little neck to speak of. He had been told that the lady of Memosa was young, bold and ...

The Chamber of State smelled old, stale and musty. Thalion Orlan slouched in his high-backed chair, boots propped on the edge of the long table, ignoring the faint creak of the oak under his weight. He scratched at his beard, streaked with gray, and his hard eyes flicked toward the empty throne at ...