When the butler, Mathilda, closed the door behind the two adventurers, Elise found that she could breathe again. In fact, a huge wave of relief washed over her and she laughed a little, skipping down the steps and onto the tree-lined gravel drive that was now leading her away from the Grand Duke Ferad’s manor home. Astredian smiled his familiar faint smile, following along behind her with a more dignified gate, though he also seemed to relax now that they were no longer in the presence of one of the most powerful men in the dynasty.
“I hate to make you go from one meeting to another,” Astredian said, his long strides making it easy for him to catch up to her. “But, I think we should probably have a guild leadership meeting tonight.”
Elise groaned a little, but didn’t disagree. Leadershi
