to Aurelia. Two months
should be enough for me to reach them and return with an envoy to
discuss an alliance in more detail.”
“Two months,” mused Kale, “Are they in
Wolfsbane as some believe?”
Byrn hesitated. His gut told him not to
answer that question, but there had to be mutual trust between them
if there was to be any hope of success. “They are.”
Stroking his chin, King Kale murmured with a
wry grin, “Janus was right, but I doubted… or perhaps I did not
want to believe…” He banished his train of thought with an abrupt
shake of his head, “It does not matter now.”
The night was growing dimmer, reminding Byrn
that his time was growing short. He would be missed soon. “Before I
go, I’d like to ask for one more boon to make my journey to
Wolfsbane a little bit safer,” he lied. The truth was that Byrn had
not felt truly threatened by another individual since he left
Aurelia and any stray bandits he might come across on his way to
Wolfsbane would be little more than an annoyance. Even if he were
attacked by other magicians he had grown beyond such concerns, but
he had already made up his mind and would not be leaving the
capital without him. “I would like to take Sane with me as a
representative of the kingdom.”
“Out of the question,” Kale teemed with
anger, barely held at bay, at the idea, “To his credit, Sane
cleared your name as a usurper shortly after his capture, but he
did plot against my son, your brother, and has been punished
accordingly. It pains me, but I cannot overlook that. If you truly
wish aid, I could send a Kenzai or two with you. I know you are
familiar with Kellen-”
Byrn cut him off, “I’d rather take my
chances. Until next we meet.” He headed for the window and was
about to make his exit when he felt the soft hand of the queen on
his shoulder. He turned and she leaned in to hug him.
“It would be unseemly to admit it, but your
father loves Sane like a brother. He is scheduled to return to the
palace within the week,” she whispered in his ear, “If he were to
somehow escape and join the Collective, then when an alliance is
formed your father would be able to pardon his crimes in good
conscience as part of the agreement.” Byrn looked on her with new
appreciation. She truly held a sharp mind that could rival even the
most talented strategist. How much of the king’s notoriously shrewd
cunning was the product of conversations held with his wife in
private?
“Thank you,” he told her sincerely and held
her tightly for a few moments more before creating a magical
staircase to lead him back down.
“Wait.” This time it was Kale that stopped
him. He held something in his hand and taking Byrn’s hand placed a
ring in it. The ring was gold with a crow etched on it. “If you are
going to do this, then you must do it as a servant of the crown.
This signet ring will signify to all that see it that you act at my
behest and have my favor.”
“Thank you, your highness,” Byrn said and
stepped out onto his rock staircase.
So these are my birth parents as they
truly are without court politics or posturing for the masses ,
thought Byrn. They were practically strangers, but he felt
connected to them and wondered if he could regain with them what he
lost with the deaths of Tannys and Marian Lightfoot. Then he
immediately felt guilty for thinking that anyone, even a king and
queen, could replace his parents.
“Good luck, son.” He heard the queen’s
parting words on the wind.
Chapter 6
Whispers were circulating throughout the
palace. King Kale had suddenly fallen severely ill in the last week
and spent most of his time in seclusion leaving Prince Janus to
rule in his stead. The castle’s residents were tense as speculation
ran rampant about the fate of the king and by extension Aurelia.
Some attributed the king’s sudden turn to his old age and the
stress of dealing with the rebellion. Others believed he was under
the effects of a spell
should be enough for me to reach them and return with an envoy to
discuss an alliance in more detail.”
“Two months,” mused Kale, “Are they in
Wolfsbane as some believe?”
Byrn hesitated. His gut told him not to
answer that question, but there had to be mutual trust between them
if there was to be any hope of success. “They are.”
Stroking his chin, King Kale murmured with a
wry grin, “Janus was right, but I doubted… or perhaps I did not
want to believe…” He banished his train of thought with an abrupt
shake of his head, “It does not matter now.”
The night was growing dimmer, reminding Byrn
that his time was growing short. He would be missed soon. “Before I
go, I’d like to ask for one more boon to make my journey to
Wolfsbane a little bit safer,” he lied. The truth was that Byrn had
not felt truly threatened by another individual since he left
Aurelia and any stray bandits he might come across on his way to
Wolfsbane would be little more than an annoyance. Even if he were
attacked by other magicians he had grown beyond such concerns, but
he had already made up his mind and would not be leaving the
capital without him. “I would like to take Sane with me as a
representative of the kingdom.”
“Out of the question,” Kale teemed with
anger, barely held at bay, at the idea, “To his credit, Sane
cleared your name as a usurper shortly after his capture, but he
did plot against my son, your brother, and has been punished
accordingly. It pains me, but I cannot overlook that. If you truly
wish aid, I could send a Kenzai or two with you. I know you are
familiar with Kellen-”
Byrn cut him off, “I’d rather take my
chances. Until next we meet.” He headed for the window and was
about to make his exit when he felt the soft hand of the queen on
his shoulder. He turned and she leaned in to hug him.
“It would be unseemly to admit it, but your
father loves Sane like a brother. He is scheduled to return to the
palace within the week,” she whispered in his ear, “If he were to
somehow escape and join the Collective, then when an alliance is
formed your father would be able to pardon his crimes in good
conscience as part of the agreement.” Byrn looked on her with new
appreciation. She truly held a sharp mind that could rival even the
most talented strategist. How much of the king’s notoriously shrewd
cunning was the product of conversations held with his wife in
private?
“Thank you,” he told her sincerely and held
her tightly for a few moments more before creating a magical
staircase to lead him back down.
“Wait.” This time it was Kale that stopped
him. He held something in his hand and taking Byrn’s hand placed a
ring in it. The ring was gold with a crow etched on it. “If you are
going to do this, then you must do it as a servant of the crown.
This signet ring will signify to all that see it that you act at my
behest and have my favor.”
“Thank you, your highness,” Byrn said and
stepped out onto his rock staircase.
So these are my birth parents as they
truly are without court politics or posturing for the masses ,
thought Byrn. They were practically strangers, but he felt
connected to them and wondered if he could regain with them what he
lost with the deaths of Tannys and Marian Lightfoot. Then he
immediately felt guilty for thinking that anyone, even a king and
queen, could replace his parents.
“Good luck, son.” He heard the queen’s
parting words on the wind.
Chapter 6
Whispers were circulating throughout the
palace. King Kale had suddenly fallen severely ill in the last week
and spent most of his time in seclusion leaving Prince Janus to
rule in his stead. The castle’s residents were tense as speculation
ran rampant about the fate of the king and by extension Aurelia.
Some attributed the king’s sudden turn to his old age and the
stress of dealing with the rebellion. Others believed he was under
the effects of a spell
Similar Books
