Tyrant of Traitors (William of Alamore Series Book 5) by C. J. R. Isely

Author:C. J. R. Isely [Isely, C. J. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Yet the hope that they would not face the war until they met with the King was broken in the dark before dawn. Hooves clattered at the edges of Will’s dreams, but it wasn’t until the muffled sound of raised voices crashed through his exhaustion that he woke. Sitting upright, he blinked in the dark. What was happening?

Somewhere in the next room, he heard a door crash thrown wide and jumped. Several other squires yelped in surprise, scrambling upright in their own beds.

“Thornten, what the blazes is happening?” Gabe squeaked.

“An attack?” Mark sounded more excited than afraid.

“Best hope it isn’t,” Will hissed, his eyes trained on the door.

Roars echoed now on the far side of the door, familiar voices struggling over one another. Rowan sprang to his feet, already reaching in the near black for his dagger on the side table. Will reached for his own dagger but, in the next bed, he saw Colin hold out a hand to stay them. He paused, fingers hovering above the dagger, waiting.

“That’s Earl Kenta’s voice, isn’t it?” Colin whispered, the whites of his eyes glinting in the dark as he turned to Will and Rowan.

“What?” Rowan asked, bewildered, his voice groggy with sleep.

Will froze, listening.

“I will not stand to have my charges or myself be threatened or blackmailed. What I need is a council with the King and answers! I won’t allow—”

Will frowned. Colin was right. The deep voice was familiar and, in his mind, he could almost paint the image of the black-haired Earl of Finnwick, the white flecked through his hair and beard. But the calm notes of his voice were gone, replaced with rage.

Rowan slid through the dark, a thin shadow creeping toward the door. “Let’s go.”

“Rowan!” Will whispered, shaking his head.

Rowan paused, glancing back at him and Colin. “You both know as well as I do that only one person could have caused this.”

“Sounds about like that Earl will murder anyone who walks in,” Jerram muttered.

Will glanced at Colin. In the near dark, it was hard to read his expression but, after a moment, he nodded. “We’re coming.”

None of the other squires moved to follow, only watched in silent fascination as Colin rose and led the way forward. Will followed on silent strides, his heart in his throat. Kenta’s shouts felt angry enough to pull the castle down stone by stone.

Will paused at Rowan’s side and waited, watching Colin grip the door handle. He seemed to brace himself, pulling his shoulders back before swinging the door wide and stepping into the hall. Will and Rowan followed.

Light pooled over the floor, the hearth glowing from the prior night and orange flames dancing in the torches along the wall. A cluster of people had congealed in the doorway of the dinner hall, several soldiers gripping their undrawn weapons with stricken expressions. Will couldn’t blame them.

Standing at the center of the knot, his face filled with fury, Earl Kenta of Finnwick looked menacing. Gone was the calm demeanor, the gentle gaze.

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