The Archmage's Tower (The Syrane Chronicles Book 2) by Peter Diggins

Author:Peter Diggins [Diggins, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-12T16:00:00+00:00

16. Archmage.

The throne room fell silent, all eyes on the tall man who strode forward. The man wore smart but unremarkable clothes. Corvus’ former apprentice, Jade, accompanied him. King Robert heard swords being unsheathed throughout the throne room.

The King himself did not move. He remained on the All-Father’s Throne, his grip tight on the smooth wooden arms. He sat uncomfortably straight to elevate himself. The man’s footsteps were the only sound. He walked with confidence, like the victor after a battle.

Ordinarily, Alban the Castellan would present a noble or important visitor directly to the monarch; it was a formality, but one Robert enjoyed. It gave him an opportunity to evaluate those he met. Plus, it enabled the castellan to ensure King Robert would not embarrass himself if he forgot a name of a minor lord or noble.

But no-one should approach the monarch if they have never met before. Nobles, high-ranking guests, and like today, commoners, must be introduced first. And they made introductions at the pleasure of the king.

The king’s guards moved to place themselves between the monarch and the newcomer. Robert felt a moment of alarm. They would not move as they did if the commander did not sense something wrong. As he reached the king’s guards, the Hawkwind stopped. He stood at ease before King Robert and flicked a speck of dust from the collar of his shirt.

King Robert’s gaze drifted across the nobles and commoners present. Citizens, lords, and ladies milled about in confusion and no small amount of fear. Some looked on in curiosity, yet when he regarded Lord Manfred Von Borin, he paused. Never had the monarch seen another human’s face contort with rage and hatred, as he did now.

The guards in front of Robert all drew swords and readied shields at the unexpected effrontery shown to their monarch.

Hawkwind surveyed the room. He could see easily over the heads of most of the people present. His eyes narrowed and burned with volcanic fires when his gaze met Von Borin’s. The lord had moved to stand to the side of the row of the king’s guards nearer Robert. The king had had enough.

“What is the meaning of this?” he asked. His tone was firm. He let no anger creep into his voice. “By what right do you declare yourself Archmage of Torun?”

“The tower chooses its own master, Your Majesty. It seemed quite pleased at my return.” The self-styled archmage spoke quietly, but his voice carried to all in the throne room.

“Your return to the tower, or to Torun?” Robert asked.

“Both, I think,” Hawkwind replied. “Although I am a little different from my last visits here.”

Robert cast an inquisitive glance at Dane Kendrick, who still stood beside the throne. A look of concern passed across his face as Kendrick’s eyes widened. The man shook his head. He clearly did not know what the intruder talked about.

“Well, if you’re here for the open court, unfortunately, the time has passed. We are about to retire for the evening. Perhaps you could chat with the chancellor about making an appointment for another time,” Robert said.

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