Read Online Fall of Kings by David; Stella Gemmell - Free Book Online

roads, the shouting as soldiers changed shifts and seamen made their way
down to the beach for dawn sailings. He imagined bleary-eyed bakers kneading
dough and tired whores making for their beds. Atop the Great Tower of Ilion the
four night torches still flickered.
    Priam’s eye was drawn constantly to the dark shape of the tower. He used to
climb its steep steps every morning to watch the sun rise and look over the
city, but he had neglected the practice in recent days.
    “How long since I last went to the tower, Polydorus?”
    “In the high summer, lord.”
    “So long? Time flies swifter than the orioles. I will go tomorrow. The people
should see their king keeping watch over them.”
    “Yes, lord,” Polydorus said. “Shall I bring your wine?”
    Priam licked his lips. The thought of wine was tempting. Indeed, he ached for
the taste. “No,” he said at last, the effort of will bringing with it a surge of
anger. “No wine today, Polydorus.” There was a time when he had enjoyed his wine
as a man should, as an enhancer to the joys of dancing, singing, and sex. Now he
thought of it constantly, organizing his day around bouts of heavy drinking. Not
today, though. Today he would need his wits about him. No wine will pass my lips
until tomorrow, he promised himself.
    “Are my visitors here yet?”
    “I’ll see, lord.” The young soldier slipped away.
    Alone now, Priam thought of Andromache, visions of her bringing a tightness
to his chest and a warmth in his belly. Andromache! It was too long since he had
seen her. His gaze was caught again by the great tower. He could not see it
without thinking of her. He first had met her on its heights, when she had
refused to kneel to him, as had his own Hekabe so many years before. Andromache!
He allowed himself to remember her as he had seen her that day, in a yellow
gown, her flame hair tied back roughly, her eyes bold, gazing at him in a way no
young woman should look at a king. He had tried to frighten her, but even as
they had stood on the parapet together and she had realized he could send her
smashing to the stones below with a single push, he had seen in her eyes that
she was ready to reach out and take him with her on the Dark Road to Hades.
    And later, when she finally had surrendered to him, as he had known she
would, he had glanced out into the darkness and seen the torches on the great
tower ablaze. He had known then that his entire life had been destined for that
one act. All the battles he had fought, all the sons he had sired—mostly a waste
of energy and seed. Even the years with his beloved Hekabe had faded into gray
futility. His night with Andromache had fulfilled the prophecy. The Shield of
Thunder had brought forth the Eagle Child, and Troy would last a thousand years.
He was a king complete, yet his loins still ached for her. Not a day went by
that he did not regret the promise he had made her. She had agreed to share his
bed—but only until she fell pregnant. She had demanded his word that he would
honor that agreement. And he had given it. Fool!
    Even so, he had been convinced that she would return to him. Trapped in a
loveless marriage with an impotent husband—of course she would.
    Yet she had not, and it still mystified him.
    “Hektor and Andromache await you in the Amber Room, lord,” Polydorus said,
emerging from the doorway. “I have sent a soldier to find Helikaon.”
    “He is Prince Aeneas, ” Priam snapped. “A noble name, long held in high
esteem by my family.”
    “Yes, my lord king. I am sorry. I forgot for an instant.”
    Priam strolled from his chambers and walked along the wide corridor,
Polydorus following him. The room where his guests waited was on the south side
of the palace, away from the cold winter winds. Even so there was a chill in the
air.
    Waiting for him were Andromache, Hektor, and the young Dardanian king.
Leaving Polydorus outside to guard the door, Priam stepped inside to greet