City of Shards by Steve Rodgers

Author:Steve Rodgers [Rodgers, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780998361604
Publisher: Steve Rodgers
Published: 2018-03-29T22:00:00+00:00

EMDERIAN ENTERED THE fur-lined study where Duke Selton sat, scribbling on parchment. The other lords had retired to their suites in preparation for the long journey home, but Duke Selton had many things to finish before returning to Aimes. He looked up at Emderian’s entrance, a feeling of disquiet rising within him.

Emderian stopped and hung his head, his white-gloved hands clasped before him. It was a typically humble gesture Selton had always found odd coming from this man. The High Wizard’s small face and narrow shoulders were the picture of meekness, as if to mask the volcanic force lying within.

“Congratulations, Lord Selton.”

Selton’s eyes grew hard. “No congratulations are in order, High Wizard. The king’s tragedy is a tragedy for us all.”

“I meant no offense, Duke,” Emderian said, his eyes downcast. “But surely your path from imminent death to the new king’s puppeteer must provide some relief.”

Selton stared coldly, refusing to play this man’s game. “I’d have been exonerated at trial. I seek only to clear my name and return to Glenschire so I can be free of these political shenanigans.” He stood up. “Is there anything else?”

Now Emderian shot his head up, black eyes boring into Selton. “Let’s be done with these games, Duke Selton. Perhaps you forget who I am. Magic has been my life’s study, and I have some idea what Hekrian did. What I don’t know is how, given that our palace is dead to power.”

Selton mulled this, trying to read this small, strange man. Was he as loyal to the crown as he’d always appeared, or did he want something for himself? Selton decided to play it safe.

“I really don’t know what you mean. If Hekrian played any role in this crime, it is unknown to me. Am I to be accused yet again?”

“You misunderstand me,” Emderian said, smiling. “I care nothing about your motives. Ruling the empire is a very large task, and I come to offer my help.”

Selton narrowed his eyes, nodding slightly. At last he had the true measure of this man. “Why should you have any more say with the new king than you did with the old? Your job is leader of the Council of Twelve: you go where the king commands you, and you fight who he tells you. You are a servant to the crown, nothing more.”

Emderian’s face broke into a terrible smile, his eyes becoming wells of blackness that sucked the breath from Selton’s lungs. Selton saw horror in those eyes, for suddenly, he could imagine them dancing with laughter at the vilest rituals of his god. As he was drawn into the void of Emderian’s soul, Selton became certain that the gentle High Wizard known to all was but a creature of fiction.

“My good duke,” Emderian whispered, his voice a twisting knife. “The castles of the provincial lords do not enjoy the same magical immunity as our Imperial Compound. Are you willing to remain in this palace the rest of your days, trapped like our good king?”

Selton struggled to control the shivering that had taken him.

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