Tales of the Crown by Melissa McShane

Author:Melissa McShane [McShane, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Night Harbor Publishing

Jeffrey tried to avoid his councilors during the next few days and was so successful he wondered if they might be avoiding him too. He’d winnowed out the proposals that were either impractical or clearly skewed in one of his lords’ favor, which left him with three. Of the three, there was one he thought was a clear winner, and after two days of consideration he almost decided to make the announcement without waiting for the full council’s presence. But no, he’d called them all to Aurilien; the least he could do was tell them in person. They needed to know he respected them, even though it was clear many of them didn’t respect him very much. He turned his attention to other things.

On the third day he came to his office rather later than usual, having slept poorly and dreamed of things he couldn’t now remember except that they’d been unsettling and exhausting. Arthur was talking to a young man Jeffrey didn’t know, who was perched on the edge of Arthur’s desk. “I’m just saying the language doesn’t have to be a barrier,” the young man said, leaning in close to Arthur. “Some things you don’t need talking for, right?”

Arthur grinned and winked at his friend, then noticed the King standing nearby and straightened. “Excuse me, your Majesty,” he said, and the other young man stood quickly and bowed. He didn’t seem embarrassed to be caught in such an informal pose.

“I assume you’re talking about the Kirkellan?” Jeffrey said.

“Yes, your Majesty,” Arthur said. He exchanged glances with his friend and a sly smile touched his lips for just a second. “We—that is, many of the staff have been out to watch them exercise their horses. It’s…captivating.”

Jeffrey grinned, for a moment just another young man who could appreciate the fairer sex—or, in Arthur’s case, his own sex. “It sounds like you’re finding ways to communicate,” he said.

“Oh, yes, your Majesty,” the stranger said with a twinkle, then seemed to remember to whom he was speaking. “That is—we’re all interested in building bridges between our cultures.”

“I understand perfectly,” Jeffrey said, repressing a smile. “Perhaps I should take the time to visit the training yard myself.”

“You won’t regret it, your Majesty,” Arthur said, then he too recollected himself and handed Jeffrey a sheet of paper. “Your schedule, sir.”

“Thank you.” Jeffrey glanced over it. There wasn’t anything this morning that wouldn’t keep. “Clear my schedule until dinner,” he said, handing it back. “I think I have a…diplomatic appointment instead. Bridge building, as you say.”

He took a little time to change into some less formal attire, dispensing with the services of his valet for once, and went down the long, stony corridor that emerged into the training yard. To his surprise, the yard was empty. The parade ground, on the other hand, was crowded with horses and people, and the lowest tiers surrounding the grassy oval were packed with spectators, who suddenly cheered and applauded some activity Jeffrey couldn’t see through the crowd massed on this side of the oval.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.