The Timura Trilogy - 01 - Wizard of the Winds by Allan Cole

Author:Allan Cole
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9780345401762
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 2009-05-18T01:43:21+00:00

Part Three

Wizard of the Winds

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THE DEMON KING

Do you see anything, Luka?"

"No, Majesty. I see nothing."

King Manacia frowned, his royal brow a deeply plowed field of displeasure.

"Are you certain, Luka? he asked his oldest son and heir. He jabbed a long talon at a point on the horizon. Isn't that something, or someone, moving over there?"

Prince Luka shielded his yellow eyes with a clawpeering out over the Forbidden Desert. Manacia and his court were camped on the edge of the blackened wasteland. The King sat on his traveling throne, placed on thick carpets and shaded by a white canopy, billowing in the desert wind. Behind him was the main campa city of gaudy tents that housed his court.

After looking long and hard the prince sighed and shook his bony heada dozen heavy golden chains of office rattling against his armor.

"I don't believe so, Majesty, he said. Then, soothing, But it's early, yet. Perhaps Your Highness is hungry, or thirsty. Why don't you retire to your tent and I'll send for the stewards. Possibly you'd enjoy a little nap. You look so weary, Sire, that it nearly breaks my heart.

"I'll alert Your Majesty the instant Lord Fari returns."

Manacia exposed his fangsa wide, multi-rowed smile of fatherly pride. You're a good and loyal son, Luka, he said. No king could ask for a better prince. But it wouldn't be seemly. A king must not fear to suffer the same trials and tribulations as his subjects."

Prince Luka laid a claw of sincerity across his mailed heart. You are an inspiration to us all, Majesty, he said. I worship and study at your feet, praying I will have half Your Highness courage and wisdom on that most regretful day when the gods decree that I must succeed you to the throne."

The whole time the Crown Prince spoke he was thinking, I hope you choke on a bone, you horrid old fiend. I hope the sun fries your brains and the hyenas feast on your liver.

Manacia chuckled fondly. To think I nearly wrung your neck at birth, he said. I thought you'd grow to be a conspiring little savage like your mother. Instead, you've matured into the most civilized and considerate subject in my kingdom. It's a pity I couldn't let your mother live to see what a fine son you've turned out to be."

Prince Luka bowed low, humbly thanking his father for his kind words. But he thought, You old fool. You wouldn't look so smug if you knew Mother made me swear on her death bed that I'd avenge her.

Manacia gestured and a slave crawled over on his belly with a cup of cold wine. The king sipped, reminiscing.

"Looking at you, my son, he said, no one would ever guess your mother was a barbarian. You are my strong and serene right claw. And to think when I bedded her the first time she tried to stab me with a knife she'd hidden in her girdle."

He smiled at the memory. Your mother was understandably overwrought, he said, because I'd just killed her father and brothers.

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