Chapters (51)
- Dedication
- Contents
- PREVIOUSLY …
- PART I
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- PART II
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- PART III
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- PART IV
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- About the Author
- ALSO BY DAVID WRAGG
- About the Publisher
Drenched and broken, Chel laughed bitter tears in the rain.
FORTY
‘It’s good that you brought this in. We wouldn’t want it falling into the wrong hands.’
Tarfel looked odd with the thin crown around his head, but also somehow at home. Chel followed him, a step behind, dazed from both events and the leaf-thick concoction prescribed by the King’s physicians. A gaggle of courtiers followed them at a respectful distance as they walked down the hall to the newly declared royal armoury.
One of the gleaming sentinels opened the door for them, and Tarfel carried the crossbow inside. The King’s armour dominated the room on its stand, lit by tasteful lanterns, but the chamber glittered with trinkets. Chel thought he saw a suit of lamellar armour in the corner, but one item in particular caught his eye.
‘Is this …’ He reached out to touch it with his unstrapped hand.
‘The glaive, yes. A coronation gift from our old friend Ruumi, now pronounced Blood-Queen of Liranetan. They must have dredged that bloody lake for it. She sent it along with a message which was, I have to say, utterly inappropriate. I tell you, Vedren, it was filthy.’
‘A proposal?’
‘Oh, you could definitely call it that.’ They walked back to the hallway. ‘Which reminds me, I need some help going through possible marriage prospects, need to pin down an alliance early. Especially as people are starting to ask awkward questions about what I’m going to do about the Horvaun war bands pillaging the south-west. I can only have so many inquisitive people removed.’ Tarfel read the change in his expression. ‘I jest, of course, Vedren. But the situation is delicate, you understand.’
‘Of course, Tarf.’
The king’s look was keen. ‘I need a new general, Vedren, as you’re well aware, and I understand if the position holds no appeal, but how about becoming a special envoy? The south is a quagmire of flaming razor-eels, and I could use someone with a delicate touch who isn’t tarnished by prior associations. You’ll need to re-swear, of course, but it will come with a title. Not a dukedom, worry not, but something with a consequential stipend at least.’
‘A most gracious offer, Tarf. May I think about it?’
‘Of course, of course. Actually, Vedren, on that note, it might be best if you were to call me “your majesty”, while we’re in public. Look of the thing, you understand. Respect for the throne and all that.’
‘I understand. Your majesty.’
‘I knew you would. While you ponder, perhaps you’d care to step this way? There’s someone to see you.’
‘Of course, your majesty.’