Skeinhold’s keep towered over the castle’s walls and the surrounding settlements. Cadoc raised a hand to his forehead, squinting. The sky was overcast, and the afternoon sun hung low on the horizon as evening approached, casting an unpleasant glare through the cloud.

Home, at last, he thought wistfully as he strained his eyes to make out the details of the keep he knew so well. He could just make out his brother’s standard hanging limp from a flagpole jutting out from timber hoarding atop the keep.