Read Online Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest by Chuck Black - Free Book Online Page A

to tournament life? Did he even want to?
    Laos was a sprawling city with ten thousand lanterns already burning in defiance of the fading light of the day. Rowan felt like he might collapse at any moment, but the sight of the city spurred him on. Mariah look concerned but said nothing.
    “Eastgate is my estate,” he told her. “It’s on the eastern edge of the city, facing the mountains.”
    They skirted the city along the southeast. As they neared Rowan’s property, they passed many homes, and Mariah gawked in wonder at the obvious wealth of the area.
    “We’re nearly there,” Rowan assured her. “We can—”
    “Halt!” A mounted guard in an unfamiliar uniform was blocking their way. Rowan had seen others like him on their trek around the city, but he hadn’t thought much of it until now.
    The man approached them with an air of authority. “State the nature of your business.”
    Rowan glanced over at Mariah, who shrugged. “Why?” he asked.
    The guard’s countenance grew stern. “State the nature of your business
now
!”
    Rowan hesitated, perturbed at the guard’s absurd request. “I am Sir Rowan,” he finally said, “and I am traveling to my estate.”
    The guard looked skeptical. “Give me your citizen papers.”
    Rowan just looked at the man. “I haven’t the foggiest idea what you are talking about,” he replied.
    At that the guard drew his sword and held it at ready. “Prefect Corsan has ordered all people of Laos to register as citizens,” he said. “Without your papers you are not allowed to travel anywhere. You are in violation of that edict—and numerous others, I’m sure. You will come with me.”
    Rowan took a deep breath, his frustration vying with his fatigue. Something had obviously changed in his absence.
    “I have been away for a very long time,” he said. “I am tired and just want to go home. My estate, Eastgate, is just over there.” Rowan pointed toward a large, opulent manor behind a gilded gate. “You can follow us if you’d like, and I’ll prove it to you.”
    The guard hesitated, looked toward the estate, and sheathed his sword. “You’d better be telling the truth, or you’ll be spending time in the prison.”
    Rowan suppressed a laugh. He spurred his horse past the guard and traveled on toward his gate. When Rowan dismounted, he had to clutch at the saddle to keep from falling to the ground. Mariah jumped off her horse to help him.
    The guard followed them up to the door of the manor, and Rowan tried to open it, but it was locked. He knocked, and soon the door opened slightly. A servant’s face appeared.
    “I am Sir Rowan. This is my estate. Open the door and let me through.”
    “Wait here.” The servant closed the door and disappeared. Rowan leaned against the brick portico.
    “Are you all right, Rowan?” Mariah asked.
    Rowan took a breath. He needed to lie down soon.
    A moment later the door opened again. “What is the meaning of this?” a voice demanded.
    There stood Balenteen in regal clothing. “Who are you people?” he demanded.
    “Balenteen, it is I, Sir Rowan. Thank goodness you survived.” Rowan stepped forward and tried to enter, but Balenteen stood in the way.
    “Sentinel, remove these people from my property. I don’t know who they are.” Balenteen slammed the door before Rowan could respond.
    He began pounding on the door, but the sentinel grabbed him and began to pull him away.
    “Balenteen, you traitor!” Rowan shouted. “You thief! This is my estate!”
    After a brief struggle, Rowan stumbled and fell to one knee. His face turned downward to the ground as he tried to hold himself up.
    “You will come with me to the consulate,” the sentinel said firmly.
    Mariah put an arm about Rowan to keep him from completely collapsing. She looked up at the sentinel with pleading eyes. “Please, sir, you can see that he is very sick. Let me take care of him.”
    “Without papers or verification I have no choice. You may be an enemy of