XIX

The king stood up from his throne and addressed the crowd. “I thank you all for coming to the eve of the Age of Readventure festival. As you all know, many, many others are arriving tonight and tomorrow morning for what is to be the beginning of the festival.”

There are many things you will see in the coming days of which I have no doubts you will be awed and inspired—inspired as I am, to take up this new calling against the Age of Darkness.”

With these words, I bid you farewell for tonight. Good evening to one and all. And goodnight.”

There was a round of applause.

“Here! Here! A knight called.

“Goodnight, Your Majesty,” a noble woman from the front of the crowd said wish a bow.

“To the glorious new Age of Readventure!” another man called as he raised his drink into the air.

“Will you remain awake?” Branlin asked as he turned to the princess.

She smiled. “For a short time longer.”

“Very well,” he said.

Striding out of the chamber, the king met Jasier in the back rooms where there were some mirrors and cushioned benches for resting. It was where the king could be powdered or helped into another set of clothes. He also used this room as a private chamber when he needed a moment of quiet amidst functions and court gatherings.

“Your Majesty,” Jasier said. “I’ve taken the liberty of bringing more of your King’s Guard to escort you to the your Bastion.”

“That is fine,” he said, forgetting of his encounter with Lady Brennovo. “Are my chambers adequately protected?”

“Yes, Majesty,” Jasier said, helping Branlin into his coat for the walk outside. The King’s Bastion was in another wing of the castle, almost separated from the main castle except for a series of bridges. “I’ve even summoned the court battle mage to your foyer where he will be spending the night.”

“That’s fine.” Branlin said as the bell of the hour was tolled. “Gods, he said in surprise. It is late.” He yawned, putting a hand in front of his mouth.

“And you will have a good night’s sleep, I am certain. All is prepared for the morrow, Majesty. You have no need to awake early.”

“Nevertheless I will, Jasier. I am the king. It is my duty to see this done properly.”

“Of course.”

“Now let us go.”

“As you wish,” Jasier said. “Let me ready the guards.”

King Branlin nodded.

They had broken one of the windows on the roof and crawled into the private chambers of some various noble patron of the castle.

The guards were promptly called, which resulted in a scene and the raising of many voices as Dantera ordered the nobles to step aside and to call off their guards.

“Now!” she snapped.

“I will do nothing of the sort!” the lady of the house said. She was still wearing her night robes.

“Yes!” her husband shouted. “You will pay for this intrusion in the night!”

It was a miracle of the gods that these two were not attending the eve of the festival. But it was late and perhaps they had gone to bed.

No matter, Dantera thought as she brandished her sword. “I am Lady Brennovo, knight adventurer of Aevalin and you will stand aside, or I will cut you down.”

The three guards looked at one another.

“You have my backing,” my lady, Yoreno said.

Of course, the guards stepped down immediately.

“I will be lodging a complaint!” the lady squealed.

“Do so!” Dantera snarled back as she strode out of their chambers and into the main corridors.

“We must hurry!” Mai said. “The king could be in danger.”

“Indeed!” Dantera said.

“Wait!” Yoreno said.

By now Sir Cedryk and some of his men, having slid most of the way down on their rumps like the rest of them, had caught up.

“We need to sound a general alarm,” Yoreno added.

“What?” Mai asked. “Why?”

“So the king and his men know they are about to be attacked!”

“That is right,” Dantera said. “I have already warned him of the danger earlier. If there is a general alarm, then he and his men will be more alert. Praise the gods for that fools arrogance.”

“Sir Cedryk,” Yoreno said, addressing the captain of the castle guard.

“Yes,” he said, gesturing to the two men who had made it this far with him. “We will sound the alarm. You go on ahead.”

Yoreno nodded.

“Then let us go now!” Dantera commanded and ran through the corridors with everyone else treading her footsteps.