Shards of Time Read Online Free PDF

Moon and Baron Alec of Mirror Moon. Accord them all respect due their rank.”
    The crowd of commoners bowed to them, along with the lesser nobles among the courtiers. Those who held rank higher than baron merely nodded. Micum grinned, making them an exaggerated bow.
    And with that Alec found himself, for the first time in his life, a landowner with a legitimate title, his previous one having been fabricated by Seregil when he first brought Alec to Rhíminee.
    “The queen wishes to speak with the three of you when the audience time is over,” the under chamberlain informed them when it was over and Elani had turned to the next duty.
    Several hours later they were led to a private drawing room, where Elani and Prince Korathan joined them.
    “Thank you for accepting my commission,” Elani said as they all bowed and kissed her hand.
    “It would be unthinkable not to, Majesty,” said Alec.
    “I have the utmost faith in all of you,” Elani replied with a smile. “And I hope you’ll forgive me, Baron Seregil, for elevating you against your wishes. Uncle Korathan said you wouldn’t like it, but it is more than deserved.”
    Seregil gave her a gracious nod. “I am honored, Majesty, and will do my best to uphold the honor of Mirror Moon.”
    “I’m told it’s a very pleasant place, with considerable lands.”
    “And a fine herd of island-bred horses,” added Korathan. “They’re said to be a match for the horses of Aurënen.”
    “Then they’re very fine indeed,” said Micum, a horse breeder himself.
    “Now, to business.” Elani drew a folded letter from her sleeve and gave it to Seregil. “This is the report I receivedfrom the governor’s secretary, Lady Zella. If you’d be so good as to read it out for the others?”
    Seregil unfolded the fine vellum and smoothed it on his knee. “ ‘To her most Royal Majesty, Queen Elani, on the twenty-seventh day of Klesin. Honored Majesty, it is with great sorrow that I must report the death last night of the archduke, Governor Toneus. He and his companion, Duchess Seria, were killed while in residence at the palace in the old capital, which the archduke had been rebuilding in advance of your visit here.
    “ ‘I am most distressed to report that the archduke died under mysterious and horrifying circumstances. When the door to his chamber was broken down, a scene of unspeakable carnage was discovered within. Both occupants had been torn to pieces in a most vicious and brutal fashion. I must beg your forgiveness for not going into more detail than that, as I can hardly comprehend it, even having seen it with my own eyes. At the same time, it was reported that another guardsman saw a ghost nearby. Whether this is true or has any bearing on the deaths I do not know, but I beg you to send someone who can make a thorough investigation of the facts.
    “ ‘While Governor Toneus had established friendly relations with much of the population here, in the absence of a Queen’s representative, I fear for the stability and security of the island and your loyal subjects. I beg of you, Majesty, to send assistance as soon as possible to maintain your sovereignty on Kouros. Your most humble servant, Lady Zella.’ ”
    He looked up. “She paints a dark picture.”
    “And she certainly sounds desperate,” Micum noted.
    “Yes, she does,” said Elani. “I’m sending Aunt Klia back as acting governor with a force to keep order, and Lord Thero as her wizard. I require your special talents to assist them in discovering the reasons and real means of the deaths, and any implications they have for our control of Kouros.”
    “We welcome the challenge, Majesty,” Alec replied.
    “I am most grateful for Your Majesty’s confidence,” Micum added.
    “You were indispensable in that business last year, mylord. And Lord Thero told me that you and Seregil have been the most accomplished of the Watchers for many years, and that Alec is your equal in skill.”
    “You honor us,