Chào các bạn! Vì nhiều lý do từ nay Truyen2U chính thức đổi tên là Truyen247.Pro. Mong các bạn tiếp tục ủng hộ truy cập tên miền mới này nhé! Mãi yêu... ♥

Chapter 10 (Part 1 of 3)

"Ah! Good, everyone I wanted to see is here." As the doors yawned open, Prince Relastin strode with all due confidence into the audience hall of his palace. A place he had not graced with his presence since heading off to do battle against Prince Kolad.

Sahkar Bul with his face wrapped as his warrior's tradition dictated, only his eyes showing, stood before the throne upon which the prince would sit, throwing himself into it with the casual flair a confident victor. While Kaden in his purple urk, the Rohs Fang slung across his back, and Princess Lyla in a previously unworn set of her royal silks, stood on either side.

A servant presented the prince with a plate of fruit, which he waved off.

Ison's sovereign considered his Karo Shar with thoughtful attention. "You almost look like a man now." The remark referred to the dramatically improved physique Kaden had begun displaying thanks to Touran's potions and his training. "Although still a bit scrawny."

"He has progressed well, my prince," Sahkar Bul impressed upon his sovereign. "His skills are impressive. Even to me."

"Is that so?" Prince Relastin continued looking over Kaden who stood, chest puffed out to look the part he was playing "You've trained him as I've requested?"

Sahkar Bul bowed, even as he lied knowing it was the princess who had done so. "Yes, my prince."

"Can he stand up to me now?" The prince rubbed his chin.

"Only if you choose to go easy on him, my prince. No man alive can match you in one on one combat."

The prince chuckled at the lightly veiled compliment. "I shall wish to test him personally. To see if you are telling me the truth. You understand, if you have failed me, there will be consequences?"

Kaden jumped in and took the opportunity to speak. "If you wish to test the claim, we can do so now." The bluster was unlike him not that long ago. But with his new body, firm and muscular, his attitude had stiffened as well.

The vigor of the prince rubbing his chin intensified, noticing the same. "That is an unusual response from you, Karo Shar. For you to be so bold? I didn't think you'd ever have it in you."

"I am eager to show you what I've learned, my prince. My only wish is to defend Sakhar Bul's honor in this matter."

"Do not be so eager. Pride would be a terrible detriment to you. Yet, if I know you, Karo Shar, you no doubt have a trick or two up your sleeve."

"I am certain anything that I would be able to do would be insufficient to embarrass the great Warrior Prince of Ison."

The comment from his former slave caused the prince to raise an eyebrow. "Flattery? You are indeed full of surprises today, Karo Shar. You have learned many things, it seems. You will show me in the morning. But for now?" The prince clapped his hands twice with thunderous effect. "We feast!"

A row of servants, both men and women, boy and girls, processed into the hall like an army. Those that were more muscular hauled in heavy tables with bulky wooden frames. They were made from the few trees harvested from the oases that scattered the desert sands. The rest of the slaves carried in platters of prepared food—most of it hot and steaming after being cooked thoroughly. The smallest of the children brought in silverware and place settings. Once the tables landed on the stone floor with thuds, they were elegantly dressed for the coming event.

"I heard the campaign went well," Sahkar Bul said. "The most surprising news was, I admit, that Prince Kolad refused to withdraw once you'd clearly beaten him and his forces. Thus, requiring that you kill him."

"It was a sad reality," Prince Relastin said of the matter while adding a shake of his head. "My brother was, unfortunately, always very stubborn. I cannot say why he chose such a foolish course of action. Had he conceded the battle, I would have gladly allowed him to retreat with his tail between his legs. Like a pathetic dog. Do not let it be said I am not merciful."

The prince rose and walked to inspect the work of his slaves as they set enough places for two hundred guests.

Kaden looked to Princess Lyla who looked back at him and only slightly shook her head. The signal was clear as to what she was telling him. Her brother was lying about the events of the battle.

"Karo Shar," Prince Relastin said, scrutinizing work of his slaves. "Tell me, how would you have handled the situation of my brother had you been in charge of the battle? Would you have let him go?" He picked a silver knife from where it sat and checked its edge at the end of a nearby table.

Kaden didn't have to think about the answer. This was a test. He knew the one he was expected to give. "If your brother failed to abide by the Decrees, and when beaten neglected to withdraw from the field of battle, I would have taken his head."

"Do you mean that?" the prince pressed.

"By the Decrees, such must be the way it is. Without the Decrees, we are no better than the Black Rohs."

The prince returned the knife precisely to where he found it. Even if adjusting its position slightly after setting it down. "It is the role of the Karo Shar to support his Prince in all things. And you have done so."

Kaden bowed. "I am your Karo Shar, and your humble servant."

"I only asked you that question because there will be people tonight, who will arrive soon to celebrate my victory. They will ask you that very same question. And you will answer them the same way. As many times as necessary to drive the point home."

"Why would they question you, my prince?"

"They are always those who will question the story that is told," Prince Relastin said. "They seek to ask and ask and ask over and over and over to attempt to find any flaw in the record. They do this to sew dissent. And dissent is enemy of Ison and all of Imeron. Do not doubt that there are those who seek to depose me as prince of these lands. If for no other reason than to make their path or the path of others to the High Throne more expeditious."

Sahkar Bul drew his weapon with a ringing endorsement of his loyalty. "They would not have to go through just your Karo Shar, but through me as well, your Highness."

"Yes. Of that I have no doubt. Go fetch your finest men," the prince ordered to the Captain. "I want a heavy presence of Ison's best soldiers tonight ringing the walls of this room. A tribute to our might and reminder to all of what would face them if they prove to be disloyal."

"Of course, my prince." Sahkar Bul sheathed his weapon and with eager steps marched off to commit the task assigned to him.

At the same time, Prince Relastin returned to his throne. "Watch Sahkar Bul closely, Karo Shar."

"I have been," Kaden said. "And I have learned much."

"That is not what I mean. He will betray me. Not today. Most likely not tomorrow. But soon. When he makes his move, you will be ready."

Kaden was stunned by those words. "I—I understand your concern. I always believed him to be loyal though."

"To an extent he is. But I also know that he serves another master. Although I do admit that what master that is I do not know as of yet."

Kaden fought back the urge to look at Princesss Lyla, as though wanting guidance from her. But if he did so, Kaden was sure the prince would notice and read into it. "I will be ready, my prince."

"You doubt my instinct on this?"

"I am not in a position to doubt you," Kaden said. "You know so much more about the game of politics. I am but a former alchemist's son and slave."

"Can you take him?"

Kaden hedged. "Yes. But I would have assumed you'd want the honor of defeating him at the appropriate time, my prince."

"A show of loyalty and strength from my Karo Shar would speak louder than the action of my own sword on the matter. There are many who doubt you. And it would do a lot for your reputation as well." The prince rose from his seat again, as though he couldn't bring himself to stay still for too long.

Kaden recognized one of the first signs of a man who had taken more than only a few doses of Rage in his lifetime.

"The guests will be here in an hour," the prince informed his Karo Shar, his sister, and the slaves. "We will feast at that time."

And with that pronouncement, Prince Relastin made his way from the hall, leaving Kaden and Lyla alone with the servants still finishing their preparations.

"You will have to do it," the princess said once she'd finished clenching and unclenching her fists.

"How do you say that so easily?" Kaden asked unworried that the servants would hear anything over the commotion they were making of clattering plates, silverware, mugs and glasses. "He is your ally. And also your lover."

"We fucked," Princess Lyla corrected. "That's all. And we haven't since I pledged that I would marry you. Do not doubt my commitment to you, Kaden."

"Sahkar Bul would not do anything without your blessing. You could simply order him to not attempt anything."

"That would not stop my brother. He lied about Prince Kolad. Do you think he wouldn't lie about someone lesser like Sahkar Bul? A meaningless drone to him? Sahkar Bul has no information that others do not with regards to my brother's feats. He will find a reason to eliminate him, whether I order him to act or not. Besides, I am not the one Sahkar Bul answers to. There is someone higher than me on the food chain."

"And that person is?"

"The less you know, Kaden, the better."

"Prince Relastin has warned me to watch you," he told her bluntly. "He's said that I need to protect him from you."

"Yes," Lyla nodded. "I know. He suspects I am a threat as well, but he does not know how or why. It's hard to keep secrets in these walls. But I have done a good job. I have other allies besides Sahkar Bul. Although losing him would be a mighty blow." Lyla took her step of her own towards the exit. "Tonight will be the perfect opportunity to announce my intention to wed you. That should distract my brother and his thoughts of treason."

"But it might bring suspicion upon me."

Lyla stopped and turned towards Kaden. "Then act dumb. I think you can pull it off."

Slack-jawed, Kaden didn't get the chance to respond as the princess snatched up her silks and left him alone with the servants following the insult.

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro