Read Online Dawn of the Dreamsmith (The Raven's Tale Book 1) by Alan Ratcliffe - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Alan Ratcliffe
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vaguely with his goblet, slopping purple wine across the table. “Blast,” he muttered.
The Archon smiled at his host’s evident intoxication. “What I saw was impressive. It definitely warrants further investigation.”
“Oh, I am so pleased to hear you say that, my lord,” the elder simpered. “If the boy is recovered, perhaps we could try again tomorrow.” His face darkened. “Of course, I wouldn’t put it past him to have been the cause. If I find out-”
“Please,” the Archon said placatingly. “It is not necessary. What happened, happened. As for resuming the demonstration tomorrow, I suspect this will not be possible.”
The elder frowned in confusion, but decided not to press the point. “That aside, my lord, how have you found your return to our little corner of the Empire?”
The Archon smiled. “Enlightening. In many ways, the academy has hardly changed since my days as a novice within these walls. In others,” he waved towards the pennants that hung around the walls of the hall, displaying a green star set on a field of purple, “it has progressed impressively.”
Elder Tobias practically glowed with pride. “Well, we try to adhere to the tenets of the Order in all things.”
“Indeed.” The Archon patted the elder’s shoulder. “It is important that we lead by example. Where we march, the world will follow.”
The elder nodded sagely. “And Emperor Maximilien, he fares well?”
“It gives me great pleasure to report that His Imperial Excellency is both hale and hearty, with the vim and vigour of a man a third his age. No doubt he will live to see us all in the ground.”
“It must please him to see such a magnificent construction as the Spire rising up within the walls of the imperial city,” the elder observed.
“Indeed, His Excellency has taken a personal interest in its progress, and he is not alone. The streets of Ehrenburg rejoice to see this monument of the Empire’s pre-eminence nearing completion. It is a sight unmatched anywhere in the world.”
A sudden thought occurred to the elder. “Perhaps you would make a toast, my lord? I know my Brothers would be inspired by hearing you speak.”
The Archon grinned and clapped his hands together loudly, startling several of the revellers sitting nearby. “A capital idea!” he exclaimed.
He rose to his feet. One by one the Brothers and novices fell quiet, the clamour fading by degrees a low hum and finally silence.
The Archon surveyed the hall, smiling. “My Brothers,” he called out, in a voice accustomed to public speaking. “I am honoured that a humble visitor like myself has been welcomed in such a fashion. Our Order has set out to illuminate the path for the rest of the world to follow, and truly your hospitality is an example to us all.” This was greeted with several cheers.
“Many of you are new to our Order and have been brought up according to the Tenets of Enlightenment. This is as it should be. Many more of you wore the robes of the Divine Brotherhood before our eyes were opened to the role we must play in the advancement of mankind. I myself was one such. Some of you may even hold doubt in your hearts.” Many heads were shaken, and one or two loud ‘no’s’ and ‘for shame’s’ rang out across the hall.
The Archon raised a hand to restore calm. “A period of adjustment is to be expected. It is not so long ago that we walked a different path, before I divined our true purpose... if you will forgive the expression.” He grinned broadly as a smattering of nervous laughter went up from those assembled. “But the time for indecision is over. We must be bold, and take our first united step on the path to the new dawn. We are the vanguard of a new age for humanity! We are the guardians of the light, shining a beacon into the darkest corners and chasing away the shadows of ignorance. Our truth will shape the new world. We are the future!”
The cheers and applause that greeted this speech was
The Archon smiled at his host’s evident intoxication. “What I saw was impressive. It definitely warrants further investigation.”
“Oh, I am so pleased to hear you say that, my lord,” the elder simpered. “If the boy is recovered, perhaps we could try again tomorrow.” His face darkened. “Of course, I wouldn’t put it past him to have been the cause. If I find out-”
“Please,” the Archon said placatingly. “It is not necessary. What happened, happened. As for resuming the demonstration tomorrow, I suspect this will not be possible.”
The elder frowned in confusion, but decided not to press the point. “That aside, my lord, how have you found your return to our little corner of the Empire?”
The Archon smiled. “Enlightening. In many ways, the academy has hardly changed since my days as a novice within these walls. In others,” he waved towards the pennants that hung around the walls of the hall, displaying a green star set on a field of purple, “it has progressed impressively.”
Elder Tobias practically glowed with pride. “Well, we try to adhere to the tenets of the Order in all things.”
“Indeed.” The Archon patted the elder’s shoulder. “It is important that we lead by example. Where we march, the world will follow.”
The elder nodded sagely. “And Emperor Maximilien, he fares well?”
“It gives me great pleasure to report that His Imperial Excellency is both hale and hearty, with the vim and vigour of a man a third his age. No doubt he will live to see us all in the ground.”
“It must please him to see such a magnificent construction as the Spire rising up within the walls of the imperial city,” the elder observed.
“Indeed, His Excellency has taken a personal interest in its progress, and he is not alone. The streets of Ehrenburg rejoice to see this monument of the Empire’s pre-eminence nearing completion. It is a sight unmatched anywhere in the world.”
A sudden thought occurred to the elder. “Perhaps you would make a toast, my lord? I know my Brothers would be inspired by hearing you speak.”
The Archon grinned and clapped his hands together loudly, startling several of the revellers sitting nearby. “A capital idea!” he exclaimed.
He rose to his feet. One by one the Brothers and novices fell quiet, the clamour fading by degrees a low hum and finally silence.
The Archon surveyed the hall, smiling. “My Brothers,” he called out, in a voice accustomed to public speaking. “I am honoured that a humble visitor like myself has been welcomed in such a fashion. Our Order has set out to illuminate the path for the rest of the world to follow, and truly your hospitality is an example to us all.” This was greeted with several cheers.
“Many of you are new to our Order and have been brought up according to the Tenets of Enlightenment. This is as it should be. Many more of you wore the robes of the Divine Brotherhood before our eyes were opened to the role we must play in the advancement of mankind. I myself was one such. Some of you may even hold doubt in your hearts.” Many heads were shaken, and one or two loud ‘no’s’ and ‘for shame’s’ rang out across the hall.
The Archon raised a hand to restore calm. “A period of adjustment is to be expected. It is not so long ago that we walked a different path, before I divined our true purpose... if you will forgive the expression.” He grinned broadly as a smattering of nervous laughter went up from those assembled. “But the time for indecision is over. We must be bold, and take our first united step on the path to the new dawn. We are the vanguard of a new age for humanity! We are the guardians of the light, shining a beacon into the darkest corners and chasing away the shadows of ignorance. Our truth will shape the new world. We are the future!”
The cheers and applause that greeted this speech was
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