Read Online The Dragon's Banner by Jay Allan - Free Book Online

ceiling
even higher than that in the gallery. On the walls hung tapestries
depicting scenes of war and banners displaying colorful coats of
arms. There was a central aisle, and on either side were small
clusters of men, dressed finely in a variety of styles. At the far
end of the room, seated on a large chair set upon a raised dais,
was a tall man of perhaps 35 summers. His tunic was spun from
golden fabric, and upon his head he wore a crown wrought from
silver and gold. His brown hair was long, pulled to the side and
fastened with a jeweled clasp.
    They walked slowly down the aisle until
bidden to stop by the chamberlain. They found Thudis kneeling
before the king, but Uther and Leodegrance only bowed, for they too
were of princely rank.
    King Euric motioned for all to rise. "Uther
Pendragon, greetings. You speak truth in what you have told Thudis,
for this is indeed my father's talisman. Flavius Aetius was both
enemy and ally to my house, but only to a friend would Theodoric
have given this." He held up the golden amulet, examining it
closely. "Thus I greet the son of my father's friend and ally. You
are welcome here, Lord Pendragon, and I gladly offer you safe
passage across my lands. Leodegrance, prince of Cameliard,
greetings to you as well."
    He paused as if considering his next words
carefully. "But with welcome I shall also offer you tidings you may
find ill, for things are not, I fear, as you hoped to find them."
He paused again for a few seconds, seeking the words he wished to
say. "You seek, I presume, to obtain assistance, or at least
counsel, from the emperor to defeat your enemies and sooth the
wounds of your troubled land. But all lands are now in turmoil, and
the empire for which you search is all but lost. Indeed, where you
now stand is no longer a part of it, for the emperor has recognized
my independent kingship in return for the cession of Gallia
Narbonensis to his direct suzerainty."
    Uther was surprised by what Euric said, but
he remained silent and listened as the king continued.
    "This emperor, Julius Nepos, is little better
than a Dalmatian warlord, and the purple he owes to his wife and
her uncle, Leo I of Constantinople, a year now in his grave. Aid he
has naught to give, and to his counsel I would pay little heed. In
Ravenna you will find him holding court, for Rome itself is long
abandoned by the emperors. Twice sacked in living memory she is but
a shadow of past glories.”
    Euric looked down at his guests, sympathy in
his eyes. They had travelled far, in his estimation, for naught,
and he found no joy in shattering their hopes. "You seek friends,
and indeed you may find some in your journeys. I daresay you have
found one in me, my lords. But allies with strength to aid you in
your struggle, I think shall be elusive prey. In the wake of empire
there is naught but strife and fear, and the lords who would assist
you in greener times have their strength now tasked to preserving
what they have, or seizing what they will from their
neighbors."
    He shifted in his chair, but his gaze
remained fixed on his guests. "Thus is my counsel to you, and also
this - that you stay with us for time in Toulouse as welcome
guests. Our fathers were friends, and while yours yet lives, mine
is long dead on a glorious field of battle. Allow me to honor him
by feasting the son of his ally. Long has been your journey, and
great pains and strife lie ahead, I fear. For now, I offer a brief
respite. Let us eat, drink, and toast our ancestors."
    Uther had remained silent, respectful of his
host, for though he was also of royal blood, this was Euric's house
and kingdom. The great Visigoth king spoke well and was obviously
learned and wise. Here was a monarch of such majesty and power that
the kings of Britannia seemed but petty lordlings in
comparison.
    "King Euric, for your kind words and warm
welcome we thank you. We dared not hope for such hospitality on our
long journey. For your wise counsel we are grateful. We