King of Foxes Read Online Free PDF

wide-bottomed trousers, and his feet were encased in polished but serviceable boots. He wore the same black hat Tal had seen him wearing two years before, a large velvet thing that hung over his right ear almost to his shoulder, with a gold badge on the left.
    It was the Duke of Olasko.
    Kaspar of Olasko studied the young squire while still engaging the young prince in conversation, a skill Tal observed, for while Prince Constantine was being kept oc-

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    KING OF FOXES
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    cupied by his distant cousin, Olasko was assessing Tal closely. Tal considered it possible that Kaspar was one of those men who could focus on two things at the same time. Even among the magicians Tal knew, that was a rare gift.
    Out of the corner of his eye, as he bowed before the King, Tal reacquainted himself with Kaspar. He was a burly man with a broad chest and powerful shoulders, and muscles revealed by the tight leggings suggested he might also be a man with some speed. He glanced at Tal in such a way that the younger man suspected that the Duke recognized he was being appraised. His face was round, but his chin jutted a bit, robbing him of any comic cast to his features. He sported a thin-cut black beard, with his upper lip shaved, which gave his chin an even more aggressive appearance. His hair was still mostly black, though a sprinkling of grey hinted he was a man in his early forties. His eyes were those of a predator, black and searching. And his mouth was full, sensuous without being decadent, and set in a near smirk Tal had seen several times before.
    Tal straightened from his bow, and the King said,
    “Squire Hawkins, it is good to have you in our court again.”
    “I am pleased as well to return to Roldem, Majesty.”
    The Queen beamed as she said, “And I see you return to us in the garb we presented you upon your victory.”
    Tal gave Gertrude his most endearing smile. “Majesty, I have worn this gift only once before, on the night of my triumph, and have vowed that it will never again be worn, save in the presence of your august selves.”
    The King nodded in pleasure and said, “You are most considerate. Again, welcome.”
    Tal knew he was excused, so he moved over to the _______________
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    gathering on the left side of the King to watch those behind him being presented. He stole a couple of quick glances at Kaspar, but the Duke seemed focused on his quiet conversation with the Prince.
    Eventually the last presentation was made and the Master of Ceremonies moved to stand before the throne.
    “With Your Majesty’s permission?” he said bowing.
    The King waved his hand, and the Master of Ceremonies turned and declared, “My lords, ladies, and gentlemen, please retire to the banquet hall and await Their Majesties!”
    Tal watched as the royal family departed, with the Duke of Olasko following close after. He knew they’d retire to a nearby apartment in the palace and wait until all the guests were seated before moving to the head table.
    Tal waited patiently in line, but it moved quickly as more than two dozen pages and squires had been detailed to the Master of Ceremonies who consulted the master seating plan. Once instructions had been whispered into the page’s ear, a guest had only to pause for a moment before being escorted to his or her place in the hall.
    Tal was pleasantly surprised to discover he was being seated at the King’s table. He quickly counted chairs and realized that there would be no more than two or three people between him and the Duke of Olasko. He suspected his position at the banquet was more a result of Kaspar wishing him to be near to hand than because of his prestige as reigning Champion of the Masters’ Court.
    When the royal family arrived, everyone rose and bowed slightly, then remained standing until the King was seated and the Master of Ceremonies struck the floor with his iron-shod staff of office. At which point everyone sat, and servants began pouring wine