The Offer

Wars are won in the hearts of men

Winter was no time for war.

Mother would say no time was.

I held my guts in with my hands and tried to ignore the I told you so echoing through my memories. They spoke in her voice, but I’d been so sure my magic would protect me. Make the nobles notice me. Win me a place in at court.

It hadn’t.

Leave glory to the lords, she’d begged.

I hadn’t.

Now, the vermil…