Read Online TWO HEADS TWO SPIKES (The Pearl of Wisdom Saga) by Jason Paul Rice - Free Book Online

of ever saw the king. I have never seen either of my kings nor the Capitol for that matter. I am just a poor sea boy thrust directly into the front lines of a fox king’s fantasy war. The great Ali-Stanley waves his magic scepter and men like me die.”
    Russell was a little distressed, but he’d asked for it.
    Terry went on with his story, “Most men have no idea why the war is even being waged. And the king uses phrases like WE are at war. King Ali-Stanley is still spending away to glory, having feasts and tourneys. He kisses his wife and family every day. He even sends his own son into the action he never saw himself. He sits in the palm of luxury and has the nerve to speak of sacrifice. Hah!” Terry agonized over his wound as he went on, “I was once gone for fourteen years fighting a war that accomplished nothing. I returned to find my loving wife had passed. She has been gone for five years, but I can still see her face right now, like it was just yesterday.”
    Terry Underling closed his eyes and had a quick smile wiped away by a very painful look.
    Russell cut in, “Are you alright my friend?”
    “Aye,” grunted Terry as he kept telling his story, “We ate when rations were available, slept on the rocky ground and I killed more men than I care to count. These men never wronged me. They waved a different flag than me and for that I slayed them like animals. And maybe because I ruined so many people’s dreams, the nightmares still haunt me. They all involve the wives of the men I killed. I don’t know them, but they know me in these dreams, nightmares really. They show up to kill me every damn night. Now that is sacrifice. For the good of the realm, hah. Have I scared you enough, lad?”
    Terry started coughing uncontrollably. Russell was really perturbed when Terry spit a wad of blood on the ground.
    Is he dying right now ?
    “Are you going to be alright?” a concerned Russell asked.
    “Oh, I am fine, lad. This happens all the time. That’s the glory of the privilege to serve in the Donegal army,” smiled Terry, exposing his red teeth.
    The day was making Russell feel ill.
    “I need a drink, kid. I guess I’ll see you around,” said Terry as he scrambled off toward the tavern.
    Russell simply nodded his head. He had undertaken digging for answers today but only more questions sprouted up. He noticed Edburgh Etburn moving quickly down the street so he hustled over to him.
    Russell tapped Edburgh on the shoulder and asked, “How are you, my Lord?”
    “Just fine, Sir Russell,” Edburgh mumbled as he hurried away.
    “Fare thee well, my good Lord,” Russell yelled.
    Now Russell knew something was amiss. He was naïve, but Edburgh had never called him Sir Russell before and only gave him respect in the company of Ali-Pari.
    Maybe he is just as confused as I am? At least he has Caroline with him to travel life’s path. I think I might need a walk in the Frozen Forest to discover some answers. I must tell Ali-Pari I will be leaving for several days. I suppose I will have to perform my duty before I leave .

A LAZY AFTERNOON IN THE CAPITOL
 
EMILIA
    The horse’s hooves thudded along the moist beaten trail, launching mud in every direction. It had rained last night and the Queen’s dress paid the price. Most women, let alone a queen, never rode their horse in a dress. The two raced away from the rank odor that flowed throughout Falconhurst. The sewage system had failed again and the residents of the Capitol suffered the inconvenience. It was a bright spring day with the wind howling. Puffy clouds swept in occasionally, stealing the sun’s rays. The Queen headed toward the wooded area on the outskirts of the eastern side of the Capitol. The petite Queen sat atop her simple white horse in an amber saddle. Her protector rode alongside, controlling a dark brown horse that wore a black saddle.
    They stopped and jumped off their horses. Sir Anderley Ellsworth cinched the horses to a post on the side of