Broken World Book Four - The Staff of Law by T C Southwell Page A

much of your brother,” the King retorted. “I’m
glad he’s dead.”
    “ So am I. I didn’t know him long, and all he wanted to do was
kill me. He took sibling rivalry a little too far.”
    Ronos inclined
his head. “I apologise, Prince Kieran.”
    Kieran bent
over the sleeping girl again, placing a hand on her brow. “Was it
the baby?”
    “ No,” Chanter replied. “Not directly. It has weakened her,
allowing her exhaustion to become a serious illness. It might have
killed her, so I would have been forced to intervene soon, but
strangely, I was invited in.”
    “ Is it time?”
    “ Not yet. She’ll recover now. It’ll be easier later on. Now
would be very dangerous.”
    The Prince
tucked the bedclothes around Talsy’s shoulders, obviously relieved
at her return to health. An awkward silence fell for a moment, then
Ronos dispelled it by saying, “Well, we must celebrate the
Princess’ recovery, and our new guest. I’ll order a feast tonight.
We would be honoured if you joined us, Chanter.”
    The Mujar
smiled and inclined his head, and the King sent Orland to give the
orders, evidently not wishing to let Chanter out of his sight. He
had yet to take his eyes off him. Orland returned within a few
moments, having found a bevy of curious servants just outside.
    Ronos gestured
to the door. “Perhaps, in the meantime, you’d care for some
refreshment? Talsy should sleep, I suppose.”
    The King stood
aside so Chanter could precede him, and they followed Orland into
the grey stone corridor, where servants shuffled aside, staring at
Chanter with expressions of awe and wonder. Evidently the news of
his presence had spread through the keep like wildfire.
     
     
    Merina fell
into step with Kieran, glancing up at him shyly. “I’m sorry for the
misunderstanding, Prince Kieran.”
    He shrugged.
“Under the circumstances, it was understandable, Princess.
Frustrating, though.”
    “ I’m amazed that two men who look so alike can be so
different.”
    “ I think it had a lot to do with our upbringing. Perhaps if we
hadn’t been separated, we would have been more alike.”
    She gazed at
Chanter’s back. “You have an incredible friend.”
    “ He is kind of strange, isn’t he?” Kieran chuckled.
    “ That’s not what I meant!”
    “ I know. I’ve just become used to him now, that’s all. When I
first met him, I found him rather awe inspiring too.”
    “ It’s hard to believe that stupid people actually threw such
beautiful and magical men into those horrid Pits.”
    Kieran smiled.
“That’s Trueman nature, I suppose. We’ve become so convinced that
we’re the best creatures ever created that when we’re confronted
with someone better, we’re consumed by envy.”
    They entered
Ronos’ warm, wood-panelled study and sat on the overstuffed
leather-covered chairs that thronged it. A servant brought a jug of
wine and cups, gaped at Chanter and almost dropped the tray. The
Mujar settled upon a sofa and gazed at the fire that crackled in
the grate. He accepted a cup of wine from Orland and sipped it with
apparent enjoyment. Ronos’ eager to please attitude warmed with
satisfaction.
    “ So, may I ask what brings you here?”
    “ You did,” Kieran said.
    “ I meant before I found you.”
    Kieran glanced
at Chanter, who did not seem inclined to answer. The Prince
launched into the story of their quest, which his hosts listened to
with great interest. Chanter rose to examine some of the books,
riffled through them and replaced them on the shelves. The Mujar
appeared unembarrassed at being the object of such fascinated
scrutiny, though each time he glanced at one of his audience they
looked away with obvious shame, as though caught peeping through
someone’s bedroom window. Even so, their eyes were drawn back to
him as if by a magnet. When Kieran finished the tale, Ronos looked
thoughtful.
    “ A strange but worthy quest, Kieran. So, once this staff is
restored, the world will return to normal