Flight of the Five Swans
Prologue

A lightdrizzle fell as the small but long-awaited delegation entered the spaciouspalace yard, horses’ hooves echoing dully on the wet cobblestones. Despite the weather, all of the castle’sinhabitants stood on the steps, waiting to welcome the newcomers.

All inhabitants save one.

From his vantage point on theramparts of the highest tower, a lone figure watched the milling forms. He was himself motionless but for the fingersof his left hand, madly twisting and spinning a white feather so fast that itblurred. He watched as the delegationfar below him came to a stop at the foot of the castle steps. His eyes narrowed as the lead rider threwback her hood, shaking out her mane of tawny curls. The young woman dismounted and then curtseyeddeeply to her waiting hosts, untangling the skirts of her riding habit fromaround her legs with a gesture that was almost impatient.

The feather stilled.

A small smile curled the corners ofhis mouth, and an almost hungry expression contorted his face. His eyes followed the Kyorian royalambassador as she was ushered inside out of the elements. Only after she had disappeared from sight didhe step back from the edge of the castle wall. He took no notice of the rain, nor of the distant rumble of thunder. His eyes were fixed on the feather in hishand. He twisted his fingers again, butslower this time, making the white plume dance once more.

“And so it begins.”