The Lions Prey by Karly Lane

Author:Karly Lane
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brumby Publishing
Published: 2020-03-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

THEDIOS

The secret meeting conducted by the small council had been called following the sudden announcement of the King’s upcoming nuptials. Thedios knew it was time to take a stand.

‘What he’s planning to do is absurd!’ Thedios said. ‘Are we just going to stand by and allow him to sacrifice Forewick in his madness?’

‘The people love him, Thedios,’ the council elder, said calmly. ‘They want all these amazing things he promises them.’

‘Then he should have attacked Pairyon while he had the opportunity after the Battle of Fire.’

‘The King has his reasons,’ another statesman added.

‘Oh? And of course you’ve all been briefed about these reasons? He’s explained everything to you?’

The slight murmur that circulated the table verified that Van had not informed any of them of any of his plans. ‘So what of his refusal to allow us any information about his guns? Do you not feel that as his advisory council, you should be informed of his plans? Have you seen these magical weapons of late? His guards protect the armoury day and night. Why won’t he allow his council access to them? Do you honestly trust a man who clearly doesn’t trust his own council?’

‘He has his reasons, Thedios,’ the elderly councillor repeated stubbornly.

Thedios was glad to see that he had at least struck a nerve. Many of the council member now looked concerned.

‘I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I do not trust this man! How can we blindly follow someone who refuses to inform us of how he came about these weapons, not to mention where has he been all these years?’

‘The people believe he’s a sorcerer,’ another man put in meekly. ‘It wouldn’t be wise to antagonise a sorcerer.’

‘A sorcerer?’ Thedios laughed. ‘These are the lies that the commoners have begun spreading? Are you wise, educated men of the council going to believe the ramblings and superstitious whispered by a bunch of peasants?’

There was a lot of coughing and clearing of throats as the council members spoke in hushed tones around the table. ‘There is old magic in our land, we should not dismiss this rumour so lightly,’ the head councillor cautioned.

‘He is no sorcerer. I have seen him bleed, sweat and yes, even pee. He is just a man. Nothing more.’

‘He is our king and yours, Thedios,’ the elder said sternly. ‘And you’d do well to remember the fact.’

‘He is no king of mine.’

A ripple of alarm went around the table at his bold declaration. No one ever dared to speak in such a manner about a King.

‘Treason is a very serious crime and one your uncle would have sent you to the gallows for if he’d been here to hear it,’ the elder rebuked after a moment of unease.

‘My uncle, is no longer here. An intruder has taken his place and he is leading us down a path there will be no turning back from.’

‘We will see. For now, the council agrees with the young king. He has proven himself to be a worthy leader so far.

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