The Hidden Tower by James E Wisher

Author:James E Wisher [Wisher, James E]
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 31

The throne room held only Wolfric, his father, and ten royal guardsmen. The Straken ambassador had requested an early morning audience and Father decreed it important for them to show a united front. The benches in front of the throne that usually held petitioners and advisors sat empty. Wolfric hadn’t the least idea what the ambassador wanted to discuss, but clearly Father intended to keep the matter quiet.

When he commanded Wolfric to attend him this morning Father made it clear that all Wolfric had to do was stand beside the throne and keep quiet. The whole thing was a pointless exercise, like many he engaged in as crown prince. He’d given up keeping track of how many times Father asked his advice only to ignore it. The two men had totally different ideas about Garenland’s place in the world and it made it difficult for them to find common ground.

Wolfric adjusted his sword and glanced down at his father. At fifty years old the king had lost much of the strength of his youth. His thin, haggard face wore the simple gold crown like it weighed as much as a mountain. Despite the warmth of the day Father pulled his purple cloak tighter about him.

Father looked up and caught Wolfric staring. Wolfric looked quickly back toward the door. While he may have lost much of his physical strength, Father’s will remained strong. Some days he gave off an aura of unflagging determination. Today, however, he looked like a tired old man.

The throne room doors opened and the herald announced, “The Straken ambassador!”

A mountain of a man stomped into the room like he owned the place, not a hint of deference on his bearded face. The ambassador made no effort to dress in clothes appropriate for a court appearance. In fact, the leather and fur jacket and trousers he wore looked cut out for a hunting trip not a diplomatic mission. Not that the ambassador had ever been overly diplomatic in his dealings with Garenland.

The ambassador made a halfhearted bow. “Your Majesty, I bring word from my king, Uther. You are summoned to a Kings’ Council in Lordes to answer for a breach of the compact.”

Wolfric stared in disbelief. Father held the compact sacred. He would never do or order anything done that anyone might consider a violation. There had to be some misunderstanding.

Straken’s ambassador reached into his fur jacket and withdrew a rolled and sealed scroll. Father snapped his fingers and one of the guards hurried down to fetch it. The moment it hit his hand Father broke the seal and started reading.

Wolfric followed along over his shoulder. The Kingdom of Straken accused Garenland soldiers of crossing the border in violation of the Portal Compact. It went on to describe a squad of soldiers entering a border village. No mention was made of injuries or deaths. It ended by summoning the king to a council in one month’s time.

Father looked up from the scroll. “You have proof of these accusations?”

“Over a dozen witnesses.

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