Last Knight (The Champion Chronicles Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

their birth-given prestige.  But the knights who had fought and seen two kings die had a perspective that kept the needs of the kingdom higher than their own.  It didn’t make for perfect relationships between all the soldiers, but it kept most of them in line.
    Marik marched under the portcullis and began to head towards the stables when the two city guardsmen moved to block his path.
    A momentary fit of anger overcame him and he snapped at the two guardsmen, “Stand aside!”
    Neither moved and their hands fell to touch their short swords.  “What is your business in the castle?”
    Marik glanced up at the castle walls.  Four bowman stood guard, bows strung and arrows in hand, but not nocked.  He was sure that they knew he was, but he also knew that it didn’t matter.  He was a soldier just as they were and they were only doing their duty.
    “I have business with the queen,” Marik said coldly.  “But first I am going to return my horse to the stables.  I have been on a long ride and I am tired.  Stand aside or be run over.”
    Marik walked directly towards the stables shaking his head.  The two guardsmen let him pass without further confrontation, but Marik was still thoroughly annoyed.  He knew that the new order of his life was going to be difficult to adjust to.  He was too used to being able to do what he needed to do without constantly being challenged.  Maybe the privilege bestowed upon the knights was unfair, but they had many duties and responsibilities that needed to be dealt with without having to run everything by someone else.
    There were two young stable boys that helped Marik take care of his horse.  After the horse was fed and watered, Marik hustled out of the stables and to the castle.  Rather than returning to the courtyard to be challenged again, Marik took the long way through the lower levels of the castle.
    Two guardsmen stood at attention in front of the doorway leading to the royal apartments.  They were dressed as all the other city guard, but they held long halberds instead of the short swords.
    “I am here to see Queen Elissa,” Marik said.
    The older of the two guardsmen gave a slight nod to Marik and said, “The queen is not seeing anyone right now.”
    “She will see me.  Tell her it is Marik Brownbow.”
    The elder guardsman shook his head.  “Sorry.  No one.”
    “I have been riding for five straight days.  I am tired.  And I am tired of everyone telling me I can’t do what I am supposed to do!” His words slowly raised in tone until he was on the verge of shouting.  “I have a message for the queen, and I will see her now!”
    Marik took a step forward and the guardsmen lowered their halberds in a threatening matter.  The door opened behind the guardsmen and Arpwin, the personal assistant to three kings and now a queen poked his head through the opening.
    “What is this ruckus?” he asked.  He looked at Marik and continued.  “Marik!  It is good that you have returned.  You may enter.”
    Without a hint of apology, the guardsmen raised their halberds and stepped away from the door to allow Marik to pass.
    Arpwin stood in the center of the front room, a pleasant smile on his face.  Marik took note of the new décor.  Gone were the tapestries that depicted epic battles from Karmon’s history.  In its place were long curtains, colorful, but plain.  The furniture of the room was arranged for entertaining a number of guests, but were all centered around a wide couch that could have seated three large men.  A deep purple blanket was draped over the back of it with an embroidery of the Thorndale family crest.  It was where he expected Queen Elissa to be sitting.  But she was not anywhere to be seen.
    “How was Thell?” Arpwin asked.
    Marik almost replied immediately, as if he were supposed to be answering to the Queen’s personal assistant.  “Where is Queen Elissa?” Marik asked instead.
    Arpwin waved his hand towards a closed set of