Read Online The Black Sword Trilogy: The Four Nations by Jeffery VanMeter - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Jeffery VanMeter
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war.
The political structure of Sheyron was much different than the other nations. Sheyron had no King, Queen or royal family. Instead, Sheyron had an “Admiral” that was elected by a special council of military and merchant ship captains. This Admiral ruled through this council, which met regularly in order to discuss matters of state and/or important social matters.
The Admirals had learned early on that the secret to maintaining peace and security for their nation lie in the dependence the other three nations had in their trade with and through the tiny nation. They had also learned that maintaining peace at home lie in keeping their people healthy and happy. No nation is without political intrigue or scandal. However, for five hundred years, the Admirals of Sheyron had not only maintained peace and prosperity. They achieved a standard of living for themselves and their people of which the rest of the known world was sorely jealous.
Chapter Eleven
In his deep sleep, Kenner had a dream that was so clear and realistic, it seemed truly real. He could see sharp, contrasting colors, like violets, reds, greens and yellows. He could hear voices coming from all around him and the people they belonged to. And in addition to familiar scents, there were strong and sweet aromas he’d never before known. He was being led down a path through a dense forest filled with trees he’d never before known. They weren’t as tall as the trees he knew from his forest in the hills, but they were so lush and full there was nearly no space not covered by leaves and vines. The canopy of the forest was so dense, barely any light filtered through. Strange animals and brightly colored birds peered at him from above and around him and unlike his mostly quiet woods, this forest was alive with almost deafening noise.
It was hot and he felt as if surrounded by steam. On both sides of the path were strange people covered in hair and wearing battle armor. Despite their formidable weapons, he did not feel afraid or even intimidated. Somehow he knew they meant him no harm and that he would be safe.
At the end of the path was a huge stone building rising above the forest and having a smooth domed roof. It rivaled in size the palac es of Kallesh. Suddenly he was at the top of the stone steps leading to the large doors. They swung wide and he heard what sounded like hundreds of voices chanting in rhythm. The inside was cavernous with rows of seats built into the walls and circling a massive tiled floor.
There were pictures made out of the tiles, but he couldn’t make out what they were, for dominating the floor in the center was a giant, black, hollowed-out tree stump with thick smoke billowing out of its jagged top. The smoke had a familiar, but much stronger aroma; tobacco. The stump was sitting perfectly on its roots and he could see one root stretching out across the floor and tapering off to a series of vines that crawled up a stone pedestal at the far end of the hall. He could see someone seated in what looked like a throne at the top of the ornate pedestal, but before he could make out the figure in the throne, he was awoken by someone shaking him.
“Kenner,” a familiar voice spoke to him. “Wake up. We’re almost there.”
Kenner opened his eyes, but the blinding light felt like daggers penetrating his eyes. His head felt heavy and as if there were a small blacksmith hammering metal in his skull.
“Headache?” Terri’s voice asked him.
He rubbed his eyes gently and tried to push himself up to a seated position, but the hard ground seemed to move underneath him.
“What the hell happened?” He groaned.
“I’m sorry about that.” Terri’s voice said again. “I had to give you a mild sleeping
The political structure of Sheyron was much different than the other nations. Sheyron had no King, Queen or royal family. Instead, Sheyron had an “Admiral” that was elected by a special council of military and merchant ship captains. This Admiral ruled through this council, which met regularly in order to discuss matters of state and/or important social matters.
The Admirals had learned early on that the secret to maintaining peace and security for their nation lie in the dependence the other three nations had in their trade with and through the tiny nation. They had also learned that maintaining peace at home lie in keeping their people healthy and happy. No nation is without political intrigue or scandal. However, for five hundred years, the Admirals of Sheyron had not only maintained peace and prosperity. They achieved a standard of living for themselves and their people of which the rest of the known world was sorely jealous.
Chapter Eleven
In his deep sleep, Kenner had a dream that was so clear and realistic, it seemed truly real. He could see sharp, contrasting colors, like violets, reds, greens and yellows. He could hear voices coming from all around him and the people they belonged to. And in addition to familiar scents, there were strong and sweet aromas he’d never before known. He was being led down a path through a dense forest filled with trees he’d never before known. They weren’t as tall as the trees he knew from his forest in the hills, but they were so lush and full there was nearly no space not covered by leaves and vines. The canopy of the forest was so dense, barely any light filtered through. Strange animals and brightly colored birds peered at him from above and around him and unlike his mostly quiet woods, this forest was alive with almost deafening noise.
It was hot and he felt as if surrounded by steam. On both sides of the path were strange people covered in hair and wearing battle armor. Despite their formidable weapons, he did not feel afraid or even intimidated. Somehow he knew they meant him no harm and that he would be safe.
At the end of the path was a huge stone building rising above the forest and having a smooth domed roof. It rivaled in size the palac es of Kallesh. Suddenly he was at the top of the stone steps leading to the large doors. They swung wide and he heard what sounded like hundreds of voices chanting in rhythm. The inside was cavernous with rows of seats built into the walls and circling a massive tiled floor.
There were pictures made out of the tiles, but he couldn’t make out what they were, for dominating the floor in the center was a giant, black, hollowed-out tree stump with thick smoke billowing out of its jagged top. The smoke had a familiar, but much stronger aroma; tobacco. The stump was sitting perfectly on its roots and he could see one root stretching out across the floor and tapering off to a series of vines that crawled up a stone pedestal at the far end of the hall. He could see someone seated in what looked like a throne at the top of the ornate pedestal, but before he could make out the figure in the throne, he was awoken by someone shaking him.
“Kenner,” a familiar voice spoke to him. “Wake up. We’re almost there.”
Kenner opened his eyes, but the blinding light felt like daggers penetrating his eyes. His head felt heavy and as if there were a small blacksmith hammering metal in his skull.
“Headache?” Terri’s voice asked him.
He rubbed his eyes gently and tried to push himself up to a seated position, but the hard ground seemed to move underneath him.
“What the hell happened?” He groaned.
“I’m sorry about that.” Terri’s voice said again. “I had to give you a mild sleeping
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