The Iron Crown (The Darkest Court) by M.A. Grant

Author:M.A. Grant [Grant, M.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carina Press
Published: 2020-04-05T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Keiran

Krigsmöte, the ancient fortress that serves as the Sluagh’s place of assembly, sprawls out across a large, raised plateau that stretches up above the surrounding forest. The field where we stand to meet the new arrivals is open, with wooden stakes marking the spots for the practice and tournament rings. Behind us, the main section of the fortress looms. Numerous wings with their own entrances all connect into a central hall. Outbuildings offer space for stables, supplies, and additional quarters, if needed, and there’s even a natural hot spring. We’ve spent days helping Aage and his retainers prepare it for visitors. I doubt the Mainland huscarls will appreciate our work though.

Aage steps forward to greet them civilly. He doesn’t receive anything but the barest, most begrudging, acknowledgment back from all except Resnik, who crows his delight and grips Aage in a tight hug after making his initial bow. Resnik is short, strong, and sentimental. He waxes poetic to Aage about his family—a new grandchild on the way, it seems—and his land and his plans to improve on next year’s harvest and—

Then he spots us. Well, he spots Lugh, who watches the Mainlanders from behind the safety of his glamoured helm.

“By the gods,” Resnik announces, “the Horned King is among us.”

Aage seizes the opportunity to escape and greet the rest of the new arrivals, forcing Lugh to quickly turn his attention to Resnik. “I am.” Some of the nearest huscarls exchange dark looks. Lugh must notice because he continues, “The thegn requested my presence and I would obey his wishes.”

“I had not realized you would respond to the thegn’s beck and call,” Kazlauskas, one of the younger huscarls, says with an oily smile. “Surely you have no time to spare for us when you are so busy with your little adventures. Or were you already on your way to Thegn Aage? After all, if the gods send you visions, you must have known you would join us here.”

“Forgive him, seidhr,” Resnik says, glaring at the younger huscarl until he withers under the scrutiny. “He does not mean to invite the gods’ wrath. His lands are in turmoil and he speaks cruel words out of fear he’ll be displaced.”

Kazlauskas doesn’t dare challenge Resnik, or his assumptions, but I note his deep, furious flush. The nearest huscarls step away from him, as though close proximity may leave them facing Resnik’s vicious insults as well. Once the old man is content Kazlauskas won’t make further disparaging remarks, he asks Lugh, “Now, seidhr, if you please to come with me, I would ask advice of you and my thegn.”

Lugh gives me a look that silently begs for assistance, but I have no intention of freeing him from Resnik’s attentions. I smile at him and watch with amusement as Lugh tries to make small talk while being escorted reverently toward Aage.

It would have been wiser to go with him. The moment he’s gone, one of the older Sluagh who greeted Aage with a sneer approaches me.

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.