Read Online Well of the Damned by K.C. May - Free Book Online

watched the king’s
eyes flutter back and forth as though he were dreaming with his
eyelids open. It was a disturbing sight, and Adro was glad he hadn’t
stumbled upon Gavin alone doing that. He’d have thought the man
was having a seizure. Edan and Daia appeared to be unconcerned by his
strange eye movements and tense expression and simply waited.
    At last, Gavin blinked and shook
his head. “I didn’t see anyone out o’the ordinary.
Guess they aren’t in the palace anymore, or even on the
island.”
    “It’s
worrisome that two strangers could have simply walked in without
being noticed,” Daia said. “I’ll ask Jophet to have
a few battlers patrol the palace anyway.”
    Gavin
nodded his agreement. “I’ll look into putting up some
kind o’magical barrier or spell at the bridge to detect them if
they try to come here again.” He gripped Adro’s shoulder.
“Thanks for bringing this to me. Because there’s no
immediate danger, let’s get back to the task at hand and talk
later about a plan to keep those women from entering without an
invitation.”
    The
king and his two friends returned to the table and took their seats.
Adro was sure Gavin’s magic would have revealed the women’s
presence if they were still in the palace, but he couldn’t help
feeling anxious. He made his way down the line of dripping wet
people, checking each of them for weapons, vials of poison, or magic
gems hidden in sleeves or pockets. A battler could never be too
cautious when it came to the lives of his king and queen.
    “I
been waitin’ three days,” one woman said to him. “Am
I goin’ to get my chance today?”
    “That’s
not for me to say,” he replied. “If you don’t, then
come earlier tomorrow.”
    “Been
standin’ in the pourin’ rain, waitin’ for the doors
to open since the roosters crowed,” she said with a disgusted
look. “If they was crowin’. Even the roosters are too
savvy to stand about in this weather, but here we are. Could you take
me to the front o’the line?”
    Adro
held up one hand. He wasn’t about to suffer the wrath of those
who were closer to their turn. “Wait your turn like everyone
else.”
    One
of the guards escorted an older man past the line of waiting citizens
towards Adro. The man wore long silvery robes that, while finely
stitched, were dingy from age. A white beard hung to his breastbone,
and he wore a satchel with a long strap that hung over his shoulder.
Every plodding step taken with the help of a cane prompted a raspy,
wheezing breath. With a handkerchief, he dabbled at the few raindrops
that had found their way to his face and neck.
    “His
Excellence, Latif Risley, the Lordover Keyes, is here to see King
Gavin,” the guard said.
    “Looks
like everyone else don’t include nobles,” the woman in
line grumbled.
    Adro
ignored the comment, though he understood her frustration. He nodded
at the guard, signaling he would take it from here. “My Lord,
please come with me.” He took the aged lordover by the elbow
and led him to King Gavin’s table, where he stopped, waiting
politely for the king to acknowledge him. When the citizen standing
before the table bowed and backed away, Gavin motioned Adro forward.
    “Your
Majesty, may I present His Lordship, Latif Risley, the Lordover
Keyes.” Adro bowed and helped the lordover approach.
    The
lordover’s bloodshot eyes, yellowed with age, drooped sadly as
he shuffled up to the table. He greeted the king with a deep bow and
a flurry of pretty words. With shaking hands, he dug into his satchel
and pulled out a thick book. It landed with a thud on the table in
front of Gavin.
    “It’s
a long journey from Keyes,” Gavin said. “How were the
roads?”
    “Passable,
my liege. We had no trouble getting here. Creeks and rivers are
overflowing, but the rain hasn’t washed out any of the roads or
bridges between here and Keyes. We did stop once to remove a fallen
tree, but it was a nuisance more than a