The Stone of Knowing Complete Set by Allan N. Packer

Author:Allan N. Packer [Packer, Allan N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781925898651
Publisher: Luminant Publications

* * *

Steffan sat in his tent, eager with anticipation. He had just received word that the last rocks from the barrier had been cleared from the pass. Dusk was upon them now, and his soldiers were resting. Tomorrow he would re-enter his kingdom, and with an army at his back.

The king had just sent off a note to his young queen, informing her of the good news and warning her that before long he rode to war and to an uncertain future.

Some would undoubtedly think him foolish for investing time and emotional energy communicating with someone barely older than a child. But it was important to him, and he didn’t care if others thought it strange.

It brought to mind something his father had told him soon after the death of Steffan’s mother. He had just turned eighteen. While he greatly missed his mother, the world lay before him bright with hope and promise. His father, though, had borne the burdens of kingship for too many years, and he never recovered from the loss of his wisest counselor and most loyal supporter. He didn’t openly show his grief, but it was barely four years before they buried him beside his wife, reuniting him in death with the one who had been his truest friend in life.

One day he had told Steffan that it was her companionship he missed the most. Recalling it, Steffan began to understand why his relationship with his young wife had already assumed such importance to him. He had no siblings, and he had essentially been alone since his parents died. Now he, too, had a companion.

There was nothing sexual in his response to Essanda—he had assigned that part of himself to a long hibernation. But he cared about her, and he was certain that she, too, had come to care about him. There was someone apart from himself in the world to whom his thoughts and feelings and concerns really mattered. He understood for the first time the significance of his father’s words. A king, no less than any other man, needed to walk through life with a companion.

His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a messenger. “Our watchmen have seen riders approaching the pass, Sire. From Arvenon. Four of them.”

“Friend or foe, bring them to me as soon as they arrive,” the king instructed. “I need to know what’s been going on in my kingdom.”

The man bowed and left.

It was dark before the messenger returned. Four men entered the tent behind him, and the king’s mouth opened wide with astonishment when he saw them.

“Will! Rufe! I thought you were shut up in Arnost. Has the city fallen, then?” he asked in dismay.

“No, Your Majesty,” Will assured him. “Not as far as we know, anyway. The city was secure in the hands of the duke when we left it several weeks ago. They were well provisioned and well defended. I am confident they have been able to keep the Rogandans out.”

His immediate concerns allayed, the king paused long enough to call for refreshments.

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.