An Oath Of The Kings (Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

My sword is yours to command, my King.”
    “My King?” Rogan leapt to his feet. “For the last time, I demand to know what is going on here. Where is King Erik?”
    Klay stood up. “We will discuss that now, but I wanted you and all in this room to know that you are now under my protection.” He turned to face the crowd. “You now address the King of Deepstone! King Rogan!”
    The people in the room gasped almost as loudly in his ears as his own sounded. “King Erik is dead?”
    Klay turned back to him. “Yes, murdered, my King.”
    Rogan looked up and noticed Janin slip into the Great Hall. He breathed a sigh of relief. In this world that had suddenly gone mad, her presence comforted him. “But, who would want to kill the King?” he asked.
    “Yes, indeed.” The comment came from Gundar Fither, the Merchant’s Guildmaster and King Erik’s closest advisor. He stepped forward into the aisle wearing a blue silk dressing gown. “Let us discuss who would benefit the most from the King’s death,” he said with a pointed glare toward Rogan.
    “Be careful with your words, Lord Fither,” Klay growled.
    The noble waved a hand in the air. “An observation, General Arsten. Surely, we all wish to find out by any means possible who murdered our King.”
    Rogan ignored Fither and turned his attention to Klay. “How was he killed, General?”
    “Drowned in his bath.”
    “Do we have the murderer in custody?”
    “No. In fact, the Iron Fists had no inkling that a murder was even taking place until one of them heard a muffled shout, tried the door and found it locked. As they were trying to break it down, the assassin walked right out of the bathing chamber and disappeared.”
    “Who would be so bold? I want that Dwarf apprehended! Tonight!”
    “Not a Dwarf, my King, a man.” Nervous murmurs broke out. “And, not just a man, but a Mage.”
    A Mage? There were only thirteen sorcerers living on the island of Massa. Beck Atlan and the twelve Dagarmon of his new Order. But, none of them could so much as lift a finger to harm others. There was no possible way around their Mage oath.
    The nobles began to voice the questions in his head.
    “Doesn’t Iserlohn have Mages? Dagger something or other they call themselves.”
    “Do you think the First Mage knows that one of his sorcerers has struck out against Deepstone?”
    “How can we defend ourselves against magic?”
    Rogan held up his hands before the discussion could spiral out of control. “We will not be defenseless for long,” he told them adamantly. “No one will ever convince me that Beck Atlan was aware of this attack, but it never really sat well with me that Iserlohn alone had an Order of Mages while Deepstone sat vulnerable.” He paused to ensure he had their attention. “As a result, I convinced King Erik to send Dwarves to train in sorcery.” His admission was met with firm nods of approval. No Dwarf ever wanted to be viewed as weak or inferior in any way. Especially, in the eyes of men. Rogan waited until the mumblings quieted before continuing. “Even Beck Atlan does not know yet that we will soon have six Dwarven Mages to call our own.”
    “Hail King Rogan!”
    It was Gundar Fither himself who started the cry and soon all of the nobles joined in.
    In a subtle move, Janin joined him on the platform and he gave her a grateful nod. She was far more versed in the political formalities of Deepstone than he was. She lifted her arms high. “My fellow citizens! Step forward and deliver your oaths! We will mourn King Erik on the morrow, but today, my friends…today, we have a new King! Bring in the crown!”
    Gentle hands pushed Rogan back onto the throne as a court servant rushed forward and placed the golden circlet upon his head.
    Just a short time ago, Rogan had been wondering what to do with his days.
    And now, he was the King of Dwarves.
     

Chapter 4
    Sarphia
     
     
    “Please, Izzy, just one kiss,” the Elven boy wheedled.
    Izzy Falewir