Read Online The Guardians: Book One of the Restoration Series by Christopher Williams - Free Book Online

the courtyard, as well as a gigantic four poster bed. There was a door on the opposite side of the room, which Flare assumed was the bath room. Beside the door, there was a desk and a chair.
    “Sir, I had anticipated your desire for a bath, so the water is already hot. Do you need some more appropriate clothes?”
    Flare sat on the edge of the bed, “Yes. All I brought with me were traveling clothes.”
    “Well, I probably will have trouble finding anything in your size, but I’ll try.” He paused, “Do you require anything else?”
    Flare answered with a wave of his hand, “Just some peace and quiet.” Narion half-bowed leaving the room.
    He walked into the huge bath room, and immediately began undressing. The bath room had a tile floor, and a huge circular, sunken tub. Sliding into the tub, he groaned in pleasure. He took his time in the warm water of the bath. After finishing his bath, he closed the drapes and climbed into the bed and fell fast asleep.
    When Narion woke him, he could tell that it had gotten darker outside.
    “Sir, you have a meeting with King Darion soon.” Narion said, laying out clothes on the chair. “I couldn’t find any leggings, but I did manage to find a nice pair of trousers. I also found this nice shirt, which should fit you.”
    Flare sat up, yawning, “What time is it?” He asked, rubbing his eyes.
    “It’s almost sundown, sir. Master Henotairin is waiting for you in the dining room. He assumed that you would want dinner before meeting King Darion.”
    Almost as if on cue, Flare’s stomach growled.
     
     
    Narion led Flare to the dining room, where a modest dinner was set out. Henotairin was already there. They discussed elven matters while Flare ate, since he had not been to Solistine in several years. Flare answered the questions between bites, and actually found himself liking Henotairin. He began to feel a little guilty, knowing that he was lying and using the man.
    After dinner, Flare returned to the bedroom and gathered his clothes and equipment. He could have sent Narion, but for some reason he didn't much care for the elf, and so he had decided to go himself. It only took several minutes to get everything, and return to the foyer, where he waited for Henotairin.
    “I apologize for making you wait, but I had to perform duties.” Henotairin said, entering the foyer a little breathless. He clapped his hands together and smiled at Flare. “Well, are you ready to meet the king?”
    Flare rose to his feet and returned the smile weakly, “Yeah, I'm starting to get a little nervous. What kind of man is he? Do you think that he will be receptive to the idea of me joining the guardians?” He was being honest about getting nervous, his stomach was doing flip-flops and his words were coming out in a rush.
    “I do not know, Flare.” Henotairin said, motioning for two elves to take the saddle bags and equipment. He waited for just a moment, as if trying to remember what he had been saying. “Oh yes, the king. King Darion has always been friendly toward the elves, but his advisors do not trust us. Did you know that when King Darion was a prince, he was an ambassador to the elven court? I first met him in King Feilolas’ castle, in Solistine.
    King Darion had been at the castle? Flare heart skipped a beat. If King Darion had been to Solistine, perhaps he would be more receptive to Flare’s predicament.
    They left the palace and began walking toward the center of the city. It was already dark, so it was difficult to make out much detail. After they walked a few minutes, Flare could see a wall rising up out of the gloom. At first he thought that the wall was a small one, but it just kept getting bigger. There were no more palaces along the road, but instead there was a wide open area. The wall appeared to be made out of great stone blocks, and easily reached thirty feet high. There was a huge gate that stretched across the entrance to the castle, which he assumed was kept open