The Golden Empire by Mike Shelton

Author:Mike Shelton [Shelton, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-07T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

ATOP ORELIA, ROLAND circled the city of Raleez, now the combined capital of both North and South Solshi. Down below people stopped what they were doing and pointed up into the gray sky. The golden dragon flying down toward them was a joyous reminder of how Roland had liberated them from a tyrant queen.

Cheers floated up to Roland as he took the dragon down toward the castle courtyard.

I really like this place, Roland said to himself and to his dragon.

And from the looks of it, they like you, wizard. The dragon’s voice was almost a purr.

Roland smiled and waved at his constituents as he landed softly on the ground. A group of royal guards greeted him, with King Andre De Luz coming up front. The young man, a few years younger than Roland had to wait until his sixteenth birthday to become king by right in his kingdom. In the meantime, he had named Roland as regent; a role that Roland hoped was good enough to unify the lands.

“Regent Roland!” Andre bobbed his head toward Roland. When he brought it back up, his eyes sparkled with delight. “So good to see you again. Our troops are traveling north to Turg and Cyrene in Guildmaster Ferdinand’s ships. He has been very accommodating.”

“I’m sure he has,” Roland chuckled. “I’m paying him enough.”

Roland put his arm around Andre as they walked together back inside the castle. “Are the people well, Andre?”

Andre smiled. “Oh, yes. The textile guilds are now selling to Alaris and other neighboring kingdoms. With fewer taxes, the fishermen are more energetic and determined and are actually bringing in more than before. The people are happy.”

They entered the castle, and Roland glanced around him in awe once again. The ancient building was a wonder to behold. Tall columns led down the long hallway; tapestries and paintings dotted the walls between. Dull light streamed through high windows. While pushing down the people, the previous queen had amassed a good portion of wealth.

After a brief lunch with the king and a few of his advisors, Roland was ushered down a long hallway of the castle. His black boots echoed off the tiled floor while Andre led him down a long corridor and around a corner. Roland could hear sounds of people behind the thick walls and wondered what was going on. Andre brought Roland up a half a dozen steps to a landing in which a large double door stood in the center. A newly carved dragon was inlaid with gold around the doorframe. Roland raised his eyebrows in question to Andre.

“The people have a surprise for you, Sire,” Andre said, with almost a giggle in his high voice.

“A surprise?” Roland was intrigued. It had been some time since anyone surprised him.

Andre motioned for two guards next to the door to open them, then he motioned for Roland to follow. Roland took a few steps inside, then put a hand against a marble column as déjà vu raced through his mind. It was almost identical to the vision he had had when he had first found the scepter.

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