Ember Falls (The Green Ember Series Book 2) by S. D. Smith

Author:S. D. Smith [Smith, S. D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
ISBN: 9780996436823
Publisher: Story Warren Books
Published: 2016-09-11T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

REVELS ENDED

The crowd surged forward, cheering loud and long, awash in relief and exultant in joy. The room exploded with happy shouts.

“The Silver Prince!” they cried. “Long live the Legend of Terralain, the Savior of Halfwind! Hail the Silver Prince!”

They clamored around the stage, shouting his name, praising him more vigorously than on the day he saved them from the attack. Picket shook his hand and joined in the celebration. Heather crossed to hug him. She wept, feeling a swelling pride and surging hope in her heart.

She turned to Picket and hugged him long and hard. She hugged Emma too, and the three friends danced on stage as the vibrant celebratory music resumed. Loud as it was, it could hardly be heard over the raucous cheers that filled the room. Discordant songs broke out in honor of the Silver Prince and Prince Jupiter Smalls.

It was a wildly happy scene, and Heather let herself enjoy it. She danced, leapt, sang along, and hugged a hundred strangers. It was clear that she and Picket weren’t the only ones who had been anxious about what Bleston’s presence meant for the prince.

She saw Helmer standing at the back of the hall, a scowl on his face. But even his disobeying orders and leaving the hospital couldn’t upset her on this night. She shook her head as he limped off, and she ran to hug another neck.

She watched Picket and Emma, hand in hand, dancing a jig beside the musicians. How far he had come since the days when Emma had called him “Shuffler” and he’d spent weeks moping around Cloud Mountain. Fresh tears came, and she ran to them, joining in their exuberant dance.

* * *

Picket hadn’t been so happy in ages. He sang along with the raucous songs and danced like a fool for the joy swelling inside him. Captain Frye came by and clapped his back. He turned and hugged the old soldier, and they made an unspoken peace.

The appearance of the captain sent a stab of regret through Picket as he remembered his imprudent advice to Smalls. But surely, with the support of Bleston, the prince’s cause had never been more favorable. Smalls would be king, and, supported by Bleston, he had a real chance to win.

“I wish the prince were here!” Emma shouted, trying to be heard above the noise.

“Me too,” he agreed. “With any luck he’ll be in Kingston by now. And if news reaches the conference that Bleston has pledged his support, no lord of any citadel will stand in his way.”

“It’s amazing,” Heather said. “I can’t remember ever being this happy!”

“If only Morbin will not act too quickly,” Captain Frye said, “and we can gather all the citadels under the prince’s banner. We may have time to prepare an answer that evil old bird will remember.”

They sang. They danced. They ate and drank. The night stretched on and the revels faded, leading at last to deep, peaceful sleep and a slow start in the morning.

* * *

Picket arrived early at the Fowlers’ course and found Perkinson already there.

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