Read Online Kinshield's Redemption (Book 4) by K.C. May - Free Book Online Page B

tongue.
    “I would challenge him,” said Galiveth in a seething tone.
    “As would I,” Taria said.
    “And I,” Brawna and Norna said together.
    Kaoque startled, seeming to notice for the first time that the four guards were all women. How could he not? Edan wondered. True, they wore tunics and mail that obscured their breasts, and some men kept their faces neatly shaven and wore their hair long, as most of the women battlers did, but their faces, hardened by discipline though they were, still looked feminine to Edan’s eye. Perhaps Kaoque’s unfamiliarity with the women of Thendylath explained it.
    “I meant no disrespect,” Kaoque said. “Forgive my manners, Lord Dawnpiper. I did not mean to come as a guest to your home and challenge your warriors into battle. I am at fault for creating a misunderstanding.”
    “Misunderstandings between two such different cultures are bound to happen,” Edan said. “Your apology is accepted. Isn’t that right, First Royals?”
    “Yes, Lord Dawnpiper,” they all said in obedient, apathetic tones.
    “Speaking of misunderstandings, Emissary Kaoque, how do your people remember the war with Thendylath starting?”
    A wary expression crossed Kaoque’s face. “We remember it exactly as it happened. The story has been passed from generation to generation.”
    “Forgive me,” Edan said. “Our history has been lost these many centuries. I’ve read conflicting stories about how the war started. I was hoping your perspective would shed light on the matter.”
    “I am not here to insult your people or your leaders, only to deliver the message from my Lord Ruler to your king.”
    “I assure you, I won’t be offended. I only wish to understand what happened. The accounts we have are unreliable.”
    Kaoque seemed to consider this for a moment. “Very well,” he said. He stood and began to pace. “Our Seventh Lord Ruler, Suchyf, invited King Beresfard to attend the Feast of Zuhlys Fahn, a most prestigious honor. When it came time for the Ritual of Purity, the king—”
    “I’m sorry to interrupt, but what is the Ritual of Purity?” Edan asked. This story was vastly different than the account he’d pieced together from the history texts.
    “A young woman gives herself to Zuhlys Fahn. She is cleansed and presented to the god. If He accepts her, He takes her as his wife. She receives a mark, sewn into her skin with a special ink, and the ritual of separation begins. Zuhlys Fahn reaches through the fabric of time and space, and we are given a glimpse of his holy power as he consumes her spirit.”
    Edan raised his eyebrows. “So she’s slain as part of the ritual?”
    “Yes, of course. First, her essence is extracted and cleansed, for Zuhlys Fahn only accepts the purest of mates. That is why the virgin is used.”
    A virgin , Edan thought with a mental roll of his eyes. Of course. “I see. Please continue.”
    “King Beresfard disrupted the ceremony by abducting the offering and slaying our Lord Orator in front of everyone!” Kaoque seemed to relive the outrage as he spoke, his body tense and a vein bulging in his neck. “To protect our Lord Ruler, our warriors surrounded the king. With hundreds as witness, it was clear that he was guilty of this horrible crime and would be put to death. The king’s battlers drew their weapons and the first blood of war was spilled.”
    Considering Samuar Beresfard was only sixteen at the time of his death, Edan understood an idealistic king making a mistake like that, but to slay the Cyprindian high priest in front of so many witnesses was not only rash, it was unconscionable. If that was truly what happened, Edan could see why Nathem Engtury had declared Samuar mad. “Yes, Samuar Beresfard was a young king, probably too immature and unwise to rule, but he’d inherited the throne by rights. How did King Beresfard manage to return home? He was surrounded by Cyprindian warriors.”
    “Yes!” Kaoque said, turning and pointing at