Exile's Return (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

impression on Hilderic’s mood.
    With a grim frown, Hilderic murmured, ‘And how is he?’
    ‘Still lucid, although his attention drifts from time to time. I told him you’d visit this evening, after these … festivities. He still knows nothing of the matter we discussed. I don’t know when he’ll be well enough.’
    ‘Then pray, brother. Not only for his sake, but for ours. We need him more now than at any other time.’
    Godfrey nodded but was prevented from saying anything else by the appearance of Selar at the huge double doors at the end of the hall. Along with the rest of the court, Godfrey bowed deeply as Selar progressed towards the throne. Beside him was his gentle Queen, Rosalind. She wore a gown of sea green laced with gold thread. As he straightened up, Godfrey’s heart went out to her. She was too young to be so ill-used. Rosalind held her head high and, as always, moved at Selar’s side with grace and dignity.
    The man beside her walked with a different kind of dignity – one born of power. The King had chosen his clothes carefully: a sky-blue cape lined with white fur over a long tunic of crimson and gold tied in with a low belt of jewelled blue kidskin. He wore a sumptuous gold circlet on his fair head, decorated by small rubies. A heavy brow shadowed his bearded face but the eyes deep in their sockets had not softened over the years. At forty-two, Selar’s tall, solid figure towered over his Queen and was still powerful enough to command respect where none knew of his reputation for ruthlessness.
    Godfrey kept his eyes dutifully on the King as he took his throne, then glanced around the hall once more. There was a full Guilde presence in the traditional place by Selar’s right hand. Vaughn looked like he would rather be somewhere else, continually brushing a strand of thinning grey hair back from his eyes. Eachern, Kandar and other councillors flanked the throne. As one they turned to face the door where Ogiers of Quels was making his entrance.
    Was it possible that it was Tirone and not Selar who was responsible for those raids? If Tirone meant Lusara ill then surely the best way to disengage suspicion would be to send one of his most trusted and respected advisors. That man would also be able to report back to Tirone on the strengths and weaknesses of Lusara, of Selar. This envoy could be the bringer of war on both sides of the border.
    If so, it was unlikely Ogiers knew anything about it. Hisreputation spoke only of his honour, his courage and his skills at peacemaking. He had been solely responsible for reopening the northern trade routes between Mayenne and the war-loving nation of Sadlan. The effort had taken him five years – and none too few grey hairs.
    Ogiers had brought his gifts and now had them laid out before the dais. He stood to one side as a chest of rare Alusian crystals was displayed. In response, Selar had risen from his throne and was even now reaching down to touch them.
    Suddenly there was a flash of movement from the other side of the hall and a roar of rage. Godfrey turned in time to see a yellow-clad figure lunge towards Selar, the glint of steel in his hand. There were cries of horror as people backed away, but Godfrey found his feet taking him forward. The man raised his hand to strike at the King, who, shocked at this outburst, had no time to move. Abruptly another man lunged forward, placing himself between the King and the knife. There was a scream of pain and the attacker fell slowly to the floor.
    For a second nobody moved. Then Godfrey fell to his knees beside the fallen man. Blood oozed out of a gaping wound in his chest but his eyes were full of nothing but sorrow. With his last gasping breath, the attacker grabbed hold of the trium which hung on a chain around Godfrey’s neck. Then he fell back, dead.
    ‘Who the devil is he?’ Selar was demanding. ‘Vaughn? He’s wearing Guilde colours! What’s the meaning of this?’
    The Proctor pushed his way