Chapter 13 The Gathering Storm

• Captain Marcus's quarters reflected the man himself—spartan, organized, and equipped for violence at a moment's notice. Unlike the scholars and nobility I'd been recruiting, he represented the practical military aspects of our resistance. When Matthias and I arrived at his door, he was already armed and waiting.
• "Your Highness," he said with the kind of crisp salute that spoke of genuine respect rather than mere protocol. "Matthias sent word that we needed to discuss matters of security."
• "We do. But Captain, what we're about to tell you goes far beyond normal security concerns."