Wolfe quirked his mouth. “So much, lad. So very much.”
Kalynn looked over her shoulder at the barracks. “I’m going to speak to Warna,” she said
and started off in that direction.
“How bad was the attack?” Wolfe asked.
“Bad enough,” Verice said wearily. Yet another failure to place at his door.
“Will you retaliate?” Wolfe’s voice was soft but his eyes were sharp.
“No,” Verice said grimly. “We pursued them to my borders, and then stopped. I can’t hope to take on the Usurper’s army and win.”
Wolfe pursed his lips and nodded.
Verice looked at the wiry old man, “But you could.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Wolfe stiffened.
“You could end this,” Verice said in a low, urgent voice, not afraid to plead.
Wolfe gave him a quiet steady look. “You think so?”
“I know so,” Verice said. “With your powers, you could portal in, kill the Usurper, and portal out.”
“Perhaps.” Wolfe looked after Kalynn. “After all, I did it once before, did I not? Why shouldn’t I do it again? Blaze a bright trail of destruction from your door to his as the Chaosreaver once more stalks the land.”
Shame flooded through Verice and he suddenly felt like the apprentice he’d been so many centuries ago. “Master, I—”
“Except that the last time I took such an action, the repercussions were far worse than the evil I thought to end. Innocents paid the price for my arrogance.” Wolfe looked at him and the laughter in his bright blue eyes was gone. “Still pay the price, from what little I know.”
“Forgive me, Master.” Verice lowered his head.
“Answer me this, Apprentice,” Wolfe’s voice was a lash. “If the Usurper is struck down, who will fill the power void? Who will claim the Throne of Palins?”
“I don’t know. One of the High Barons, perhaps.”
“You?”
“No, Master.” Verice shook his head.
“And if I don’t like what actions the new sovereign takes?” Wolfe asked, still standing stiff, radiating anger. “Where does it end, Verice?”
“I do not know, Master,” Verice said, his anger cooling.
“I’ve no time to enter ethical debates with you,” Wolfe growled. “Kalynn hasseen. We are needed elsewhere.”
Verice closed his eyes.
“You are under duress,” Wolfe took in a deep breath. “Or you would never have asked this of me.”
“True enough,” Verice said, glancing to where Warna had disappeared into the building.
Wolfe followed his glance and snorted. “But that’s not all that has your head and heart in chaos.”
Verice stiffened.
