of your years yet we share the same look. The struggle has burdened me.” smiled Macin.
Manfir stepped toward the platform.
“It’s time for you to share the burden, father.” stated Manfir. “I’m here to do what I can.”
“I’ve held on this long, I will hold...” began Macin’s protest.
“Father.” interrupted Manfir. “This is too important for your pride to interfere. The enemy changes tactics. We face challenges from without and within. The costs become too great.”
“I’ve guided us in war before. I will continue...”
“Father.” said Manfir softly. “Your grandson is dead.”
Macin froze. He looked lost. His eyes locked onto those of Brelg and the drill sergeant slowly nodded his head. Macin became unsteady and dropped into his chair. He stared down at the marble floor.
“How?” whispered the king.
“He encountered two Malveel in the Nagur Wood.” stated Manfir calmly. “He was alone and unprotected.”
“He ...never knew me.” mumbled Macin, his face falling into his hands. “I hoped one day....”
The king’s voice trailed off. Manfir set his jaw and climbed the dais to kneel before his father.
“The enemy attacks us on the front lines and in our own cities. They subvert and corrupt our supply lines. Rumors spread amongst our people to dishearten them. Our most closely held secrets betrayed. You can’t do it all, father. Call on me. I’m ready to share your burden.”
Macin’s head rose and he looked into his son’s eyes.
“We were betrayed?” asked King Macin.
“We’ve thought on it.” returned Manfir. “It’s the only conclusion. Somehow they discovered where Brelg raised Aemmon’s brother. Otherwise, it makes no sense that they came so close.”
Macin sat upright. He looked past Manfir to the group standing by the door. Kael squirmed as the old king’s eyes bore in on him.
“Boy.” called the king softly. “Come here, boy.”
Kael glanced at his father and the old soldier nodded. The boy carefully walked to the front of the hall and climbed the dais. Manfir stood and edged to the side as the king rose. Macin’s hard eyes bore into Kael and the boy could see a tear hovering there.
Macin took hold of Kael’s hand. He pulled the boy close and embraced him.
“We share deep sorrow, my boy.” whispered Macin for only Kael to hear. “We are bound by common love. She wrote to her mother with great joy and pride concerning both of her sons. I pray that one day you can feel comfortable enough to call me grandfather.”
Macin released Kael and turned to the court.
“The day grows strange.” announced King Macin. “Only moments ago I sat on this throne bemoaning the state of my kingdom. Now I find hope and sorrow. My son pledges his allegiance. My children’s children do me honor by their visit, and my hall is filled with representatives from both my allies and my enemies. Tis an interesting day indeed.”
The king paused and Kael watched as Macin fought so many conflicting emotions. Finally, the king’s face went rigid and he turned to the giant.
“Granu, prince of Keltar, I shall hear your story. I assume that its contents will continue what has become a very interesting evening. Do you plan to present me with good news? A cease of hostilities perhaps, while we are ground up by the Ulrog horde?”
Granu arched an eyebrow and approached the throne.
“You will receive no such assurances from me, Macin of Zodra.” rumbled the giant. “The return of your son and the meeting of your grandson may etch a silver lining to the storm clouds that gather over you, but I am here to report how truly dangerous those clouds are.”
Macin frowned.
“I thought as much. No good can come from a son of Hrafnu standing in the halls of Zodra.”
“Some good is possible from our meeting.” continued Granu. “For it is much better to be informed of your dangers than to stand naked before them. You spent centuries holding back the Ulrog flood along the
Manfir stepped toward the platform.
“It’s time for you to share the burden, father.” stated Manfir. “I’m here to do what I can.”
“I’ve held on this long, I will hold...” began Macin’s protest.
“Father.” interrupted Manfir. “This is too important for your pride to interfere. The enemy changes tactics. We face challenges from without and within. The costs become too great.”
“I’ve guided us in war before. I will continue...”
“Father.” said Manfir softly. “Your grandson is dead.”
Macin froze. He looked lost. His eyes locked onto those of Brelg and the drill sergeant slowly nodded his head. Macin became unsteady and dropped into his chair. He stared down at the marble floor.
“How?” whispered the king.
“He encountered two Malveel in the Nagur Wood.” stated Manfir calmly. “He was alone and unprotected.”
“He ...never knew me.” mumbled Macin, his face falling into his hands. “I hoped one day....”
The king’s voice trailed off. Manfir set his jaw and climbed the dais to kneel before his father.
“The enemy attacks us on the front lines and in our own cities. They subvert and corrupt our supply lines. Rumors spread amongst our people to dishearten them. Our most closely held secrets betrayed. You can’t do it all, father. Call on me. I’m ready to share your burden.”
Macin’s head rose and he looked into his son’s eyes.
“We were betrayed?” asked King Macin.
“We’ve thought on it.” returned Manfir. “It’s the only conclusion. Somehow they discovered where Brelg raised Aemmon’s brother. Otherwise, it makes no sense that they came so close.”
Macin sat upright. He looked past Manfir to the group standing by the door. Kael squirmed as the old king’s eyes bore in on him.
“Boy.” called the king softly. “Come here, boy.”
Kael glanced at his father and the old soldier nodded. The boy carefully walked to the front of the hall and climbed the dais. Manfir stood and edged to the side as the king rose. Macin’s hard eyes bore into Kael and the boy could see a tear hovering there.
Macin took hold of Kael’s hand. He pulled the boy close and embraced him.
“We share deep sorrow, my boy.” whispered Macin for only Kael to hear. “We are bound by common love. She wrote to her mother with great joy and pride concerning both of her sons. I pray that one day you can feel comfortable enough to call me grandfather.”
Macin released Kael and turned to the court.
“The day grows strange.” announced King Macin. “Only moments ago I sat on this throne bemoaning the state of my kingdom. Now I find hope and sorrow. My son pledges his allegiance. My children’s children do me honor by their visit, and my hall is filled with representatives from both my allies and my enemies. Tis an interesting day indeed.”
The king paused and Kael watched as Macin fought so many conflicting emotions. Finally, the king’s face went rigid and he turned to the giant.
“Granu, prince of Keltar, I shall hear your story. I assume that its contents will continue what has become a very interesting evening. Do you plan to present me with good news? A cease of hostilities perhaps, while we are ground up by the Ulrog horde?”
Granu arched an eyebrow and approached the throne.
“You will receive no such assurances from me, Macin of Zodra.” rumbled the giant. “The return of your son and the meeting of your grandson may etch a silver lining to the storm clouds that gather over you, but I am here to report how truly dangerous those clouds are.”
Macin frowned.
“I thought as much. No good can come from a son of Hrafnu standing in the halls of Zodra.”
“Some good is possible from our meeting.” continued Granu. “For it is much better to be informed of your dangers than to stand naked before them. You spent centuries holding back the Ulrog flood along the
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