Dark Throne, The by Raven Willow-Wood Page B

Throne, when they had he, Calder, son of Bruce and
half-brother to Charek.
    Charek certainly hadn't continued the line in a very honorable fashion. Producing a freak
of a son -a throwback, with wings of all things.- and then causing
the slaughter of millions of his people.
    His blood might not be wholly royal, but he was more
deserving of the Dark Throne
than his atavistic nephew.
    "A more deserving heir? Are you insane? The King ignited a dozen wars in a
vain attempt to procure another, viable heir. Where in inferno do
you think you're going to find one? I'm all you've got and the
council should start treating me with respect.”
    "Until Fade returns, you are all the council
has ,” Merrick quickly
tempered.
    "Fade will never return .” As soon as the words escaped his mouth, Calder regretted
them. He could actually see Merrick's ears prick up and Calder knew
he was about to be on the receiving end of a line of questions he
didn't want to answer.
    "How do you know that ?
We've questioned thousands of men. Hundreds of thousands of men.
Not a one of them knows where Fade disappeared to and the hoonans
haven't leapt upon the bait and declared that they have him in
their keep. We would have received a huge ransom demand, were that
the case. So, how can you state with such fire and certainty that
Fade won't return?"
    "I was the Court shaman, Merrick . There are many things that I'm privy to, things I
can not divulge and never shall.”
    "If it concerns the true heir to the throne, Calder, then you are required by law to
share this information.”
    "He isn't the true heir, Merrick. My brother's fight for a viable heir does
need to be discussed.”
    "Just because he has wings on his back, does not mean he is
not suitable for the throne .”
    Merrick's argument caused Calder to jump up and bash his
fists against the table . All
five of the councilors jolted backwards in surprise. The council
table was triangular in shape. He, Merrick and the vice councilor,
Beren, sat at the three points and the remaining three men sat in
between them. The room was bland, no decoration save the chair
Calder sat upon, a smaller version of the Dark Throne, which
glistened with jet and sparkled with diamonds.
    When he'd first taken his seat upon the chair, his blood
had literally fizzled through his veins .
    This was his proper place .
    His rightful place .
    And no upstart councilor was going to take this from him.
    "Of course, it means that . Fade was a throwback. He had no place on this throne and
we all know that.”
    "We know no such thing . There is nothing in royal law that states a King cannot
bear wings upon his back. King Charek was incorrect in his
supposition that Fade was not deserving of his future place upon
the throne. As you are not the rightful heir and are aware of
Fade's location, then I have no choice but to act.”
    "What do you mean, Merrick ? Act? How?"
    "Firstly, you will be placed in the King's rooms, but you
are under house arrest . You
will act as King in only a superficial manner until Fade returns.
The council will deal with any legalities and any important issues
until the rightful heir is found.”
    Calder's chest began to burn . Fury ravaged him, but it was no use. The council had to
declare him King before the kingdom's highest born subjects-
without that declaration, he was nothing more than a pretender to
the throne.
    His back teeth ground down so fiercely that pain arrowed
along the length of his jaw .
"You have no right to do this,” he retorted, even though he knew
his words were false.
    Merrick merely smiled, a smug smile which made Calder want
to punch him . "You are aware
that without the Council's acceptance, no new King can be declared.
Enjoy your house arrest. . . . Either that or enable us to locate
the true heir to the throne.”
    "I can't do that .”
    "Of course, you can .
Don't be foolish. At least tell us where you saw him, in a
vision?"
    Calder glared at him .
"It goes against my sacred bond to the