The Darathi Vorsi Prince (Song of the Swords Book 0) by Etherton Tameri

Author:Etherton, Tameri [Etherton, Tameri]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Publisher: Teacup Dragon Publishing
Published: 2015-08-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

THEY docked with no fanfare, nothing to indicate the ship carried three prominent persons. Once the gangplank was lowered, the captain ordered their horses unloaded first. He was in no mood to be trifled with this morning, nor apparently did he want his strange passengers aboard his ship a moment longer than necessary.

The trio was equally as eager to be on solid ground. They rode through the streets of the Summerlands capital in silence. Rhoane and Faelara discreetly admired the well-trimmed houses and shops they passed, while Myrddin slunk into his saddle, as if dozing. His hood covered much of his eyes, and every so often a sleepy snort issued from the depths of the fabric.

At the palace gates, he roused himself and asked whether the king and queen would accept an audience with an old friend. Rhoane exchanged a glance with Faelara. Her raised brow and narrowed eyes answered his unspoken question. The empress had sent messages to each of their respective stops along the route; therefore, the king and queen would be expecting the group. Yet Myrddin hadn’t mentioned their names, or their mission.

They followed a young groom to the stables and left their horses in his care. Several pages retrieved their meager possessions and indicated the visitors should enter the palace through the main doorway before scampering off in the opposite direction.

Another page escorted them through the colorful hallways decorated with mosaic tiles that depicted scenes from the sea. One in particular captured Rhoane’s attention. It was a scene of Menurra’s harbor with dozens of ships ready to sail into the distance. But there, almost hidden between two dolphins, the artist had skillfully inserted a mermaid into the scene. A broad smile lit up her face. For a moment, he thought he could hear her laughter.

“Rhoane, did you hear me?” Faelara touched his sleeve, and he shook his head.

“I was distracted. I am sorry.”

Her smile was not nearly as joyful as the mermaid’s.“I said, the king and queen will see us now.”

Two massive doors swung inward to reveal a huge hall covered in the decorative tiles. Flowers, stars, the sea, deserts—every aspect of Summerlands life was captured in the room. The great vaulted ceiling was a blanket of midnight, with the sun at one end and twin moons at the other. In the direct center was Dal Tara.

A thrill shot through him at the sight of his mother’s resting place. Although it was only colored glass, the artist had infused the mosaic with a touch of ShantiMari, which gave the portrait ethereal appeal.

At the far end of the room, two chairs sat upon a dais, with the king and queen looking as though they’d stepped from the ceiling. Queen Prateeni wore an elaborate headdress made of gold and gems. Exquisite strands of pearls framed her face. When she inclined her head in greeting, the sound of bells filled the space. Despite the heat, a thick blanket covered her body; its white fur shimmered against the queen’s burnished skin.

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