Read Online An Oath Of The Kings (Book 4) by Valerie Zambito - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Valerie Zambito
Ads: Link
spread out before the open gates. The scarred Captain Bo Franck, out in front, slammed fist to chest. Beck returned his salute and rode out into the marketplace.
Thousands of mourners crowded the aisles. Displaying none of the reserve of the residents of Nysa, here people openly wailed or shouted devotions. Several women threw flowers and their bodies in the path of the horses and the Scarlet Sabers had to move to the front to clear the way.
Over the sounds of animals that squawked, barked and bayed, musicians played a haunting ballad of mourning that grated in the early morning air.
Beck swallowed back his aversion and pushed forward past the congestion. Mercifully, it grew quieter as they made their way east of the city to the sepulcher site. Groups of people ambitious enough to go on foot walked or ran beside the column of horses, determined to witness the funeral of the King.
When the large unlit pyre finally came into view, Beck edged his mount close to Kiernan and studied her face with worried eyes. She scrubbed away the tears that stained her cheek and gave him a reassuring smile.
He brought the gelding to a halt, dismounted and helped Kiernan from her horse. At a discreet signal from him, six Sabers worked together to remove the bier holding Maximus’s shrouded body. Together, they climbed the steps built into the sepulcher and set their burden reverently on top.
A dark-robed cleric came forward and offered the litany of the blessed. Beck barely heard the words. At the conclusion of the prayer, a Saber handed Kiernan a lit torch and she approached the pyre. Her features were stoic as she lowered the flame to the structure. Designed to engulf quickly, it took seconds only to hear the first sounds of crackling wood. Kiernan backed away and Beck put an arm around her waist and pulled her close. As the thick smoke drifted upward to the skies, Beck imagined it was Maximus’s spirit taking flight.
One by one, the nobles dismounted and knelt before Kiernan one last time to pay their respects before leaving.
But, Beck saw it for what it was. A final show of amity before the fighting begins.
****
“From everything I’ve been told, Your Grace, your father was alone in his room and Sevant had been standing guard outside as usual when he was attacked. After hearing the screams, a servant rushed to the King’s rooms and came upon the Saber lying in the doorway with his throat cut. Your…your father suffered a similar fate. I’m sorry.”
Kiernan didn’t turn from the window as she listened to Gage Gregaros’s account. “I find it hard to believe that someone managed to get past a Scarlet Saber and then my father. One man killed two blademasters?”
“Sevant was taken by surprise,” Gage stated.
“How do you know this?” Beck asked.
Kiernan turned then as her husband asked the question on her lips.
“His body was lying facedown with a dirty boot imprint on his back. He was killed from behind and then the assassin walked right over him to get to the King.”
Kiernan began to pace as she mulled over the information. A blazing fire in one of the War Room’s two fireplaces provided light for the first twilight since Earthshine. She had stopped to rub her hands before the flames when subtle motion in one of the shadowed corners caught her attention. She peered into the darkness and feline yellow eyes perched atop a bookcase stared back.
Natasha.
Kiernan didn’t have the energy to chase the animal from the room so she let it be.
But, it made her wonder. Was it only the cat keeping silent watch in this room or were the Dagarmon here also? She would have to speak to Beck about invisible, skulking wizards.
“Who did it, Gage?” Beck questioned. “You must have a theory.”
The aging lord shrugged his shoulders. “House Knapp is firmly behind you, and I believe House Hamilton to be as well. Johan might be a blowhard regarding the use of magic, but you can count him an ally. House Stowe does
Thousands of mourners crowded the aisles. Displaying none of the reserve of the residents of Nysa, here people openly wailed or shouted devotions. Several women threw flowers and their bodies in the path of the horses and the Scarlet Sabers had to move to the front to clear the way.
Over the sounds of animals that squawked, barked and bayed, musicians played a haunting ballad of mourning that grated in the early morning air.
Beck swallowed back his aversion and pushed forward past the congestion. Mercifully, it grew quieter as they made their way east of the city to the sepulcher site. Groups of people ambitious enough to go on foot walked or ran beside the column of horses, determined to witness the funeral of the King.
When the large unlit pyre finally came into view, Beck edged his mount close to Kiernan and studied her face with worried eyes. She scrubbed away the tears that stained her cheek and gave him a reassuring smile.
He brought the gelding to a halt, dismounted and helped Kiernan from her horse. At a discreet signal from him, six Sabers worked together to remove the bier holding Maximus’s shrouded body. Together, they climbed the steps built into the sepulcher and set their burden reverently on top.
A dark-robed cleric came forward and offered the litany of the blessed. Beck barely heard the words. At the conclusion of the prayer, a Saber handed Kiernan a lit torch and she approached the pyre. Her features were stoic as she lowered the flame to the structure. Designed to engulf quickly, it took seconds only to hear the first sounds of crackling wood. Kiernan backed away and Beck put an arm around her waist and pulled her close. As the thick smoke drifted upward to the skies, Beck imagined it was Maximus’s spirit taking flight.
One by one, the nobles dismounted and knelt before Kiernan one last time to pay their respects before leaving.
But, Beck saw it for what it was. A final show of amity before the fighting begins.
****
“From everything I’ve been told, Your Grace, your father was alone in his room and Sevant had been standing guard outside as usual when he was attacked. After hearing the screams, a servant rushed to the King’s rooms and came upon the Saber lying in the doorway with his throat cut. Your…your father suffered a similar fate. I’m sorry.”
Kiernan didn’t turn from the window as she listened to Gage Gregaros’s account. “I find it hard to believe that someone managed to get past a Scarlet Saber and then my father. One man killed two blademasters?”
“Sevant was taken by surprise,” Gage stated.
“How do you know this?” Beck asked.
Kiernan turned then as her husband asked the question on her lips.
“His body was lying facedown with a dirty boot imprint on his back. He was killed from behind and then the assassin walked right over him to get to the King.”
Kiernan began to pace as she mulled over the information. A blazing fire in one of the War Room’s two fireplaces provided light for the first twilight since Earthshine. She had stopped to rub her hands before the flames when subtle motion in one of the shadowed corners caught her attention. She peered into the darkness and feline yellow eyes perched atop a bookcase stared back.
Natasha.
Kiernan didn’t have the energy to chase the animal from the room so she let it be.
But, it made her wonder. Was it only the cat keeping silent watch in this room or were the Dagarmon here also? She would have to speak to Beck about invisible, skulking wizards.
“Who did it, Gage?” Beck questioned. “You must have a theory.”
The aging lord shrugged his shoulders. “House Knapp is firmly behind you, and I believe House Hamilton to be as well. Johan might be a blowhard regarding the use of magic, but you can count him an ally. House Stowe does
Similar Books
