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acting strange and violent recently. In fact, we were discussing it when the murder occurred. I fear we were too late to help Lavitor."
    "And certainly too late to save the king," remarked one of the advisors. "Are we certain that these are the king's last wishes?"
    "We are," nodded the general. "Two officers seized it immediately upon the death of the king, and they have not left my side until I just dismissed them."
    "Then let us proceed swiftly to appoint a regent," suggested another advisor. "Borunda must not spend a day without a rightful ruler."
    "I agree," nodded the general as he pushed the will towards one of the advisors.
    The advisor opened the will and read it aloud. It was a fairly short document and left everything to Prince Garrick as everyone expected it would. Neither was anyone surprised that Lavitor was named the regent for the young prince, but one stipulation did raise a few eyebrows.
    "He wanted Prince Garrick to choose his regent should Lavitor not survive him?" questioned an advisor. "That is most unusual. The lad is only fifteen. What does he know of such things?"
    "Obviously the king had faith in the lad," shrugged another advisor. "Why should we try to second guess our monarch?"
    The general stepped away from the table and spoke to the officers outside. He returned to the table and noticed the questioning glances being sent his way.
    "I have sent for the Crown Prince," explained the general. "As he is mentioned in the will, he has a right to be present for this discussion. Personally, I have heard good reports on both of the princes. They seem to have matured rather quickly under the tutelage of the wisper and her husband."
    None of the advisors argued the point. Everyone had heard good reports on the princes. Naveena had made sure that their successes were well known. Within minutes, the Crown Prince entered the room. He obviously knew that his father had died, but he showed no great emotion.
    "If you had to choose a regent for yourself," asked one of the advisors, "who would it be?"
    "I either have the right to choose my regent, or I do not," the prince stated assertively. "Was that my father's wish?"
    The advisors were taken aback by the prince's boldness, but several of them nodded affirmatively.
    "Then I shall choose my own regent," declared Prince Garrick.
    "This is highly unusual," objected one of the advisors.
    "It is highly unusual that the king was murdered in his own bed," retorted the Crown Prince. "The fact that he was murdered by a man that all of you respected is also unusual. The choice is mine, and I shall demand it. Are there any objections?"
    Many of the advisors looked upon the Crown Prince with awe and respect. None of them had daily contact with the young princes, and most of their knowledge of the progress of the boys came from Lavitor. They were totally unprepared for such assertiveness.
    "Let it be known," declared Prince Garrick, "that my regent will be the Lady Naveena. Please make the arrangements to record her status while I go and mourn my father. I do not wish to be disturbed for the rest of the day."
    The young prince turned and walked out of the chamber while the advisors looked on in bewilderment.

Chapter 5
The Funeral
    For the first time in fifteen years, the leaders of the Land of the Nine Kingdoms assembled in Tarent. The funeral of King Eugeon had precipitated the gathering, and every nation sent a delegation to pay their respects. King Hector of Salacia had ridden early into Anatar in order to travel to Borunda with King Caedmon of Arin. The two men had been friends since they met at a horse camp in Odessia when they were mere princes.
    Each king was accompanied by a dozen guards for their personal protection. For generations there had been no need for large standing armies as the peace among the Land of the Nine Kingdoms was assured, but bandits often roamed the desolate stretches of the main roads. Were it not for the bandits, the escorts would have been much