Sanctuary Read Online Free PDF Page B

place.’ Charald rounded on Sorne. ‘When is enough enough, for an ambitious man?’
    This, coming from the man who had invaded the five mainland kingdoms of the Secluded Sea to make himself high king. Sorne did not know what to say.
    ‘You’re lucky you have no ambition,’ Charald told him. ‘It makes food taste like ash. Nothing is ever good enough.’ He sighed and dropped into a chair. ‘Growing old is a pain. Everything aches. My back and my stomach...’
    ‘Wine, sire?’
    When Charald nodded, Sorne put his back to the king to pour a cup of wine and slip in a soothing powder from Khitan. He’d been doing this for years, whenever the king’s rages became too bad. Now he did it for the pain. Not that Charald knew. He despised anyone who sought pain relief.
    The king accepted the wine and tossed it back in one gulp. He rubbed his face and rubbed the small of his back. After a moment he looked up. ‘Where’s Nitzane? Where’s Jaraile? Have you heard back from the Wyrds yet? I want my son back. When they return him, I’ll ride through town with him. I’ll call the barons in and have them swear allegiance. I know! I’ll have a big feast this mid-winter. Is it winter’s cusp yet?’
    ‘Soon,’ Sorne said, wondering if he should explain all over again.
    The king grimaced and shifted his weight on the seat. ‘Once, I could spend all day in the saddle, drink half the night away and fuck three women in a row. Now...’ Charald looked around the dining room. ‘Where’s my table?’
    ‘Would you like to lie down, sire?’
    Charald shook his head, then reconsidered. ‘Yes. Just for a short while. Then I’ll be up to riding around the plaza with Eskarnor and Nitzane this afternoon. Have to let the people know I’m still fit and sharp as ever. Send for Jaraile. She can read to me. I used to think it was a waste, teaching the barons’ daughters to read, but she has a sweet voice. Always soothes me to sleep.’
    Sorne took the king’s arm, guiding him to his chamber, where the king’s faithful manservant settled him into the chair by the fire and ordered food.
    As he did this, Sorne noticed several papers on the sideboard. Wasn’t that... Yes. It was the decree he’d drafted on the king’s orders, giving four trusted men and the queen authority to rule Chalcedonia and guide Prince Cedon until he became a man. Jaraile had been trying to get the king to sign it, but when he felt well, he refused to discuss it and when he was unwell, he was irrational.
    Sorne picked up the agreement and slid it inside his vest, just as the manservant returned and walked him to the door.
    ‘The king was in pain, so I gave him a soothing powder,’ Sorne said softly. For a while there, after he told the manservant not to dose him with the arsenic medicine, it had seemed as if the king would rally. But today... ‘He was talking strategy one moment, then forgetful the next. We need to keep everyone away from him, Bidern.’
    ‘I fear the news is out,’ the manservant said. ‘There were already rumours, and too many servants saw him have that seizure.’
    Sorne nodded, convinced that what he was about to do was justified.
    He went to the king’s study, selected a pen and ink and prepared to forge the king’s signature. He’d been watching the king sign decrees since he was seventeen. While growing up in the retreat, he’d trained as a scribe and to illuminate manuscripts.
    Now he practised several times until he had the right look for the signature of King Charald the Seventh. He made the lettering slightly shaky, as the tremor in the king’s hands had changed his signature.
    Then he cleaned the pen nib, burned the practice signatures and left the decree on the desk, amidst the papers.
    He went to the nursery where he found Nitzane breakfasting with the prince.
    ‘Cedon reminds me of my boy,’ Nitzane said. ‘They’ll both be four in the spring. I should bring Martzane back to court so they can grow up as