Return of the Dragon (The Dragon's Champion Book 6) by Sam Ferguson Page B

he
explained. “Feuds run long and deep. Lady Lokton may have forgiven you, but
others will blame you. Many perished in that battle at Lokton manor. If you
find your son, take him far away. Go east, across the mountains or go west
across the sea. Begin anew some place where no one else knows either of you, so
as not to overshadow your family.”
    Lady Cedreau nodded. “That is most generous,” she said.
    King Mathias turned to Mickelson. “Ascertain the value
of House Cedreau’s holdings. Set the sum of gold aside from the treasury and
take possession of the deed and title.” Senator Mickelson nodded. King Mathias
turned back to Lady Cedreau. “When you are ready, return here, or send your
servant. I will give you the value of your holdings so you may have means
wherewith you can rebuild your lives.”
    Lady Cedreau rushed in and fell upon the frail king’s
shoulders. “Thank you,” she whispered. “It is more than I deserve.”
    King Mathias pushed her away gently and looked into
her eyes. “May the Ancients, and the Old Gods, guide your search. Go.”
    Lady Cedreau turned to leave.
    “Lady Lokton, stay a moment,” King Mathias said. He
walked close to her and took her hand. She rose to her feet and then Mathias
brought her by the hand to Senator Mickelson. “Transfer the deed and title to
House Lokton. Lady Lokton will now assume all of House Cedreau’s holdings.”
    “My king, I cannot accept this,” Lady Lokton said.
    “You have no house,” King Mathias replied. “It is a
fitting recompense for the destruction brought to you. My only regret is that I
cannot restore your husband to you.”
    Lady Lokton fell silent and looked to the floor.
    “See her out,” Mathias told Mickelson. The senator set
his list on the throne and walked Lady Lokton out of the audience hall.
    King Mathias retrieved the list and then turned to
ease himself down into the throne. He glanced at the list and then he looked up
to the nobles remaining in the hall. His features turned hard and cold. He knew
these men. He knew none of them had any excuse for withholding support. He
beckoned the first man forward.
    “ Come Lord Roeper,” King Mathias
said. “Why have you not volunteered your help?”
    Lord Roeper, a portly man with a red beard and bald
head bowed from the waist up and then straightened himself. He spoke in a nasal
voice. “Our holdings have not produced a great crop this year, sire. I am
afraid we need all of our men in the fields to tend what we have.”
    King Mathias scoffed and pointed a bony finger at
Roeper’s bulbous belly. “You could stand to forego a meal or two to ensure the
women folk in your holding have enough food to fill their own plates with.”
    Roeper’s eyes went wide. “Sire, without the men in the
fields, the women would have to tend the crops. Who would tend to the looms
that produce our textiles?”
    King Mathias shrugged. “Who cares?” he asked
pointedly. “I am faced with war and all you can think of is how you will fill
your belly and your purse.”
    Lord Roeper’s mouth opened and closed as if he was
trying to speak, but nothing came out. He threw his hands up in disgust and
turned his back on King Mathias.
    “Escort Lord Roeper to the adjoining hall,” King
Mathias instructed one of the guards. “List all able-bodied men in his service
and then I will decide where to send them along with everyone else.”
    The guard moved without a word and grabbed Lord Roeper
by the arm, twirling him around and moving him out of the audience hall.
    “Lord Brenigan, I see that you are also unwilling to
share your strength with the kingdom. What is your excuse?”
    A short man with a gray circle of hair ringing his
liver-spotted head stepped forward. He held a green felt hat in his hands and
dressed modestly in a forest green tunic over a simple pair of black trousers.
“My king, it is not that I am unwilling. As you know, I have lands that
encompass the region north of Kuldiga Academy. We