THE SHATTERED SPIRE by Cross Ted

Author:Cross, Ted
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Breakwater Harbor Books
Published: 2022-10-20T00:00:00+00:00

27

IMRIC

Imric entered the makeshift throne room and stared around curiously. Two large, ornately-carved wooden chairs stood on one end of the chamber, a large balcony behind them. His brother, the new King Balmar Kaldarion, looked pitiful and bored, slumped in the leftmost chair with a petulant look on his face. His uncle, Regent Erol Kaldarion, sat straight and proud in the other chair. He nodded to Imric and smiled.

Situated about the room, but leaving an empty path to the thrones, were a scattering of noblemen, all armed and armored, each bearing a different coat of arms. Imric recognized only a few of them. Of more interest to him was the opposite end of the room. Sunlight shone brightly through another large balcony. The wizard Xax stood on the balcony and looked out at whatever panorama it showed, ignoring the proceedings in the room. Imric badly wished to walk to the balcony and see what Xax was seeing. He had not been this high up in the castle, and he was sure the view would be far more interesting than this ceremony he had been required to attend.

A flash of movement in his peripheral vision returned his attention to the thrones, where his uncle had stood to address the assembly.

“This is a momentous day for the Known Lands,” he began. “Our kingdom has suffered much in these past weeks. We have lost our beloved king, my brother; had two of our greatest cities destroyed by a monstrous dragon; and now the traitor Darus marches at the head of an army to begin a civil war. Yet today is great, for we have a new king.” He paused to sweep an arm toward Balmar. “All of you have answered the call to arms. Already we have more than double the number of men that Darus has, and more troops continue to arrive. We shall smash the traitor, let there be no doubt. Once peace has been restored, we can make plans for how to deal with the dragon. Losing the magic of the Spire of Peace has made many of our people fearful for our future. We will show them that our future is not to be feared, but rather to be welcomed. Come forward, lords. Kneel to your new king and swear your fealty!”

The gathered lords began to move as directed, and Imric moved with them until he saw Uncle Erol wave him off. For the first time, Balmar perked up and he even grinned as the assembled lords swore their oaths to him. When the ceremony finished and the lords returned to their places, Uncle Erol beckoned Imric forward.

Imric had not been told why he was being summoned, so he felt unsure of himself, and awkward at having to march forward alone before the eyes of everyone in the room. He didn’t know what was expected of him, so he slowed and halted at the spot where the lords had knelt down to his brother.

“Kneel, young Prince Imric,” Erol said.

Imric knelt to one knee and gazed down at the burgundy carpet.

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