Read In Darkness Lost for Free Online

immediately. He’ll know it is urgent if I am sending you and not a lower ranking official.”
    Captain Choric saluted, and then ran off the way he came.
    “We need to get to the palace right away. Crypt, transport me there with your Bulabrev Orb.”
    “I don’t own one, my lady.”
    I glanced at him in surprise. Bulabrev Orbs were used by most mages to transport without using up too much of their energy. They channeled the energy expended so that it went further. It avoided tiring the user as much as a spell for transportation would. “I thought all the mages were given them.”
    “We are required to earn them, and I have not earned mine yet,” Crypt answered, gazing deferentially at the ground.
    “Well, we’ll have to get you one, earned or not. I’m making you Court Mage,” I answered.
    “Me? Court Mage?”
    “Yes. I said that, did I not?” I crossed my arms with a huff.
    He nodded submissively, diffusing my irritation.
    “Can you get me back to the palace without one?”
    “I can, but it will take me longer.”
    “A few minutes are better than the half an hour it would take to get back from here on the snow filled roads.” I shrugged, thinking nothing of it.
    Turning to the guards, I said, “Bring my carriage back to the palace.”
    They saluted sharply.
    Turning back to Crypt, I said, “Begin now.”
    He gave me a slight nod of acknowledgement, closing his eyes in concentration.
    He began murmuring something in the Ancient tongue. I had no idea what he was saying, but it didn’t matter.
    I felt a strange, buzzing sensation. Looking down at my lower body, I saw that I was buzzing and rippling. Crypt was too.
    Then I was gone.
     I floated in an abyss of blackness.
     I was so cold. Was I frozen?
     What had Crypt done?
    This was one of the most frightening experiences I’d ever had.
    I?
    Who was I?
    I couldn’t even find myself. How could I if I didn’t know who I was?
    Then there was a warm buzzing, and I was in the palace. I sighed in relief. I hadn’t died.
    Turning to Crypt, I said, “Remind me never to allow you to do that again.”
    He raised an eyebrow at me, before responding with a respectful, “Yes, Highness.”
    For the first time, I noticed my surroundings. I stood in the vaulted council chamber. The winter light filtered wanly through the vibrant window mosaics. The high-backed chair for Argent’s monarch was empty, but the rest of the council members were sitting. They sat forward on their velvety blue chairs, staring at me, astonished.
    I smiled sweetly.
    I hadn’t thought to tell Crypt where to put me. Why did he put me here?
    Then it occurred to me that he had realized I would need to be where all the council members would be. They did all their work here in this chamber, so here was the best place to take me.
    Clearing my throat, I walked over to the high-backed chair at the head of the table. I settled regally onto its plush, royal blue velvet cushions, my arms drifting into the gilded armrests.
    “I am sorry to intrude like this, ladies and gentlemen. However, an urgent matter has come to my attention.”
    They gaped at me.
    Head Councilor West recovered first.
    “My Queen.” She stood, giving me a deep bow.
    I waved my hand for her to stand up.
    “Now is not the time to be concerning ourselves with formalities, Councilor West. War has begun.”
    The Council gasped. Then a stifling quiet blanketed the chamber.
    I broke it with a slight cough.
    “If you are all done gawking?” I raised my chin. “We should get down to business.”
    Head Councilor West nodded. “Of course, Your Majesty.”
    “Now, it has come to my attention that all of our major defense outposts have been attacked and besieged by Cyril. There has been no provocation on our part. We have no choice but to retaliate, but we must decide how to do so. ”
    Head Councilor West waited politely for me to finish, and then stood, signaling that she wished to speak.
    “Yes, Councilor West?”
    With my