Read Online The Rabbit and the Raven: Book Two in the Solas Beir Trilogy by Melissa Eskue Ousley - Free Book Online
Authors: Melissa Eskue Ousley
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might be done to protect the portal once they had dealt with the Blood Shadows.
Cael steered the conversation back to the topic that was most pressing in his mind. “It seems unlikely that Tierney will attempt a breach of the castle via the mansion’s portal—he is not a fool who would enter the fortress by smashing a hive of bees. Instead, he will use the silver hand mirror to cross over and then gather his troops, who have been scattered across the kingdom since the time of his arrest. I predict that once his forces are united, he will launch his attack. This means that we must organize our own forces and strengthen them with support from the oracles at the outer edges of the realm.”
“Yes,” Eulalia agreed, “but that will not be easy.” Then she turned to address the newcomers. “Although David is Solas Beir and the rightful heir to his father’s throne, he has been raised as a human, and this has undermined his authority. Some consider him an outsider with much to learn.”
At this statement, David winced, but his mother gave him a reassuring smile.
“Those of the Light who reside in the region nearest to our home have welcomed him,” Eulalia continued. “He has already made strides in winning their hearts by presenting himself with humility, promising to serve his people. Many of them attended the coronation.” Cael noted the way she gazed at David, her pride for her son shining brightly in her eyes. “After so many years of waiting for his return, they would not have missed the crowning of the Solas Beir. But for those who did not witness his return, some convincing of his valid claim as heir will be necessary. Faith might be a virtue, but there will always be those in the kingdom who won’t believe until they see with their own eyes.”
Abby’s parents and little brother, Blanca, and Marisol sat with furrowed brows, trying to process the new information as they listened intently to the queen.
“And how far does the kingdom reach?” inquired Marisol.
Eulalia squeezed Cael’s hand, looking to him to explain the geography of Cai Terenmare.
He nodded at her and turned to the others. “The ivory castle in which you are seated is called Caislucis. It is perched on a cliff overlooking the Western Sea and surrounded by ancient forests. Caislucis is also the dwelling of the Solas Beir’s council and other key leaders and advisors. It is a hub for politics and the symbolic center of the kingdom, even though it is not the geographic center of the vast continent of Cai Terenmare. This castle also houses a great library and serves as the kingdom’s university. Along the edges of the forest are the Great Plains, where the lives of those in the Light mirror the world of your preindustrial human ancestors. The plains are dotted with small farming and ranching communities.”
“It is within these humble villages,” interjected Eulalia, “that David’s work will start. There, he will begin proving his worth and winning the loyalty of his irresolute subjects by using his power to help those in need.”
“Then, there is the matter of the oracles, whose realms lay on the outer boundaries of the kingdom,” Cael remarked.
“Yes,” confirmed the queen. “During the reigns of past Solas Beirs, the four oracles have either been loyal to the Solas Beir or impartial in matters of those in the Light. The oracles are like forces of nature, and there is a mutual respect and elemental balance between their power and that of the Solas Beir. However, as the power of the Kruorumbrae has increased, this balance has eroded, and relationships with the oracles have become precarious. There is no guarantee that they will show loyalty to a new Solas Beir, much less one who has not lived in their world.”
“I believe David would do well in meeting with the Northern Oracle first,” Cael advised.
“I know this is a lot of information to absorb,” David said, scanning the faces of Abby’s parents and Jon’s
Cael steered the conversation back to the topic that was most pressing in his mind. “It seems unlikely that Tierney will attempt a breach of the castle via the mansion’s portal—he is not a fool who would enter the fortress by smashing a hive of bees. Instead, he will use the silver hand mirror to cross over and then gather his troops, who have been scattered across the kingdom since the time of his arrest. I predict that once his forces are united, he will launch his attack. This means that we must organize our own forces and strengthen them with support from the oracles at the outer edges of the realm.”
“Yes,” Eulalia agreed, “but that will not be easy.” Then she turned to address the newcomers. “Although David is Solas Beir and the rightful heir to his father’s throne, he has been raised as a human, and this has undermined his authority. Some consider him an outsider with much to learn.”
At this statement, David winced, but his mother gave him a reassuring smile.
“Those of the Light who reside in the region nearest to our home have welcomed him,” Eulalia continued. “He has already made strides in winning their hearts by presenting himself with humility, promising to serve his people. Many of them attended the coronation.” Cael noted the way she gazed at David, her pride for her son shining brightly in her eyes. “After so many years of waiting for his return, they would not have missed the crowning of the Solas Beir. But for those who did not witness his return, some convincing of his valid claim as heir will be necessary. Faith might be a virtue, but there will always be those in the kingdom who won’t believe until they see with their own eyes.”
Abby’s parents and little brother, Blanca, and Marisol sat with furrowed brows, trying to process the new information as they listened intently to the queen.
“And how far does the kingdom reach?” inquired Marisol.
Eulalia squeezed Cael’s hand, looking to him to explain the geography of Cai Terenmare.
He nodded at her and turned to the others. “The ivory castle in which you are seated is called Caislucis. It is perched on a cliff overlooking the Western Sea and surrounded by ancient forests. Caislucis is also the dwelling of the Solas Beir’s council and other key leaders and advisors. It is a hub for politics and the symbolic center of the kingdom, even though it is not the geographic center of the vast continent of Cai Terenmare. This castle also houses a great library and serves as the kingdom’s university. Along the edges of the forest are the Great Plains, where the lives of those in the Light mirror the world of your preindustrial human ancestors. The plains are dotted with small farming and ranching communities.”
“It is within these humble villages,” interjected Eulalia, “that David’s work will start. There, he will begin proving his worth and winning the loyalty of his irresolute subjects by using his power to help those in need.”
“Then, there is the matter of the oracles, whose realms lay on the outer boundaries of the kingdom,” Cael remarked.
“Yes,” confirmed the queen. “During the reigns of past Solas Beirs, the four oracles have either been loyal to the Solas Beir or impartial in matters of those in the Light. The oracles are like forces of nature, and there is a mutual respect and elemental balance between their power and that of the Solas Beir. However, as the power of the Kruorumbrae has increased, this balance has eroded, and relationships with the oracles have become precarious. There is no guarantee that they will show loyalty to a new Solas Beir, much less one who has not lived in their world.”
“I believe David would do well in meeting with the Northern Oracle first,” Cael advised.
“I know this is a lot of information to absorb,” David said, scanning the faces of Abby’s parents and Jon’s
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