Page 103 of The Last Valkyrie

We had to know where the Dokkalfar were and what they were doing. I needed to stay abreast of what was happening in the Isle outside these walls.

As the four scouts left the office longhouse of the spymaster, I waltzed in and propped up against the frame of the door. “Well?”

Kelvar’s head whipped up, gray eyes narrowing. “Do you get off on startling me, Lindeen?”

I smiled. “I’ll take it as a compliment that I’m startling the Whisperer, the stealthiest man at the academy.”

“Yeah, well, I’m getting old. My knees are making more noise than my boots these days.”

My smile turned crooked at his self-deprecation. Though there was a bit of gray in his long, straight black hair, he wasn’t looking worse for wear. Maybe a few more dark circles under his eyes, but I knew he’d been up against it in Fort Woden every day, verbally sparring with other Hersirs for hours at a time.

“It’s the Hersirs running you ragged, sir, not me,” I pointed out.

“Too true.” He stood with a grunt, circled his desk, and joined me as we walked out into the hallway. He held a folder under his arm.

“What’s that?” I gestured at the folder.

“Final tally sheet. Should be decided tonight.”

I gulped audibly.The vote for new Gothi.

Gods, why did it make me so nervous wondering who might take over Sigmund Calladan’s vacant position? There was literally nothing I could do about it. If there was one thing above my pay grade at the academy, it was this.

“What news beyond the walls?” I asked, desperately needing a subject change.

“Yellow Wraithwas spotted far north, docked near the other side of Telvos.”

“Beyond the mountains?”

“That’s what I said, isn’t it?” The surly spymaster grunted with a tired look in my direction.

“Damn.” I worried my lip. “Too close to the jotnar for us to do anything about it, huh?”

“Do anything?” He barked a laugh. “Just what would wedo? These were scouting missions, and always meant to be.”

I shrugged as we walked toward the northwest cafeteria, where I would meet my mates and split off from Kelvar as he headed to Fort Woden. “I dunno, try to steal back theYellow? It’s not theirs.”

He said something under his breath, clearly frustrated at the whole situation. “Moot point. Too dangerous, like you said.”

“Anything else we should know?”

He stopped walking, facing me fully. His gaunt features softened for a flash. “If you’re wondering if there’s news about your mother, Ravinica, no, there isn’t. I’m sorry.” He gently put his palm on my shoulder, squeezing lightly. “Help train the cadets and do things within you purview. You’re important to this academy, but all this worrying will get you nowhere. Focus on the battle ahead.”

“I can’t stop worrying, Kelvar. She’s my mother.”

A tiny, sad smile split across his face for a heartbeat. “I know, lass. We’ll do everything we can to get her back once we figure out Korvan’s whereabouts. Lindi is important to this academy too, in case you didn’t know.”

I was starting to get that impression once Gothi Sigmund talked to her about their past relationship. As I nodded glumly and turned to walk away, his voice stopped me.

“I’ve heard rumblings of unrest sifting through the academy,” he called out. “Can you do anything to mitigate it?”

I nodded firmly. “Already have a plan, Whisperer.”

“Good.”

We parted ways.

At the doors of the cafeteria, Randi and Dagny waited for me, impatiently tapping their feet.

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