Stormseer (Storms in Amethir Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

Marsede, but there are others who would ally with us to prevent a treaty."
    "Through purely legal channels, of course," Birona agreed. He leaned forward in his chair, his bulk making it look like a mountain moving. "But who else would have the courage to move a bit...outside the bounds of the law?"
    Arisanat bit back the smile that wanted to creep across his face. "Who can say? For now, let us agree that we will vote against any treaty Marsede proposes."
    Birona held out a meaty hand for Arisanat to clasp. "So it is agreed."
     
    ***
     
    Razem half-feared he would hear shouting as he approached Emran Kho's office. It had been four days since his father had swept his feet out from under him with the news of the prisoner exchange, and he still hadn't fully accepted it himself. He dreaded seeing how Arisanat was taking the news.
    Arisanat had not been in the council because he had been called away to Burojan Manor, some sixty leagues northeast of Tamnen City, to deal with a crisis at his main quarry. Razem hadn't asked for details, but even three years ago, when Razem and Arisanat had been on speaking terms, his cousin had been worried about the lifespan of the quarry. The marble supply couldn't go on forever, and that quarry had been the mainstay of Burojan income for nearly two centuries.
    There were raised voices in Kho's office, as he had expected, but Razem had not expected to see Destar Thorne doing the shouting. Razem eased himself up to the doorway, hoping to avoid Thorne's notice, but Kho saw him and cut Thorne off.
    "While I appreciate your concerns, Prince Razem is here to consult with me and Lord Burojan. If you have nothing to add to the discussion about the prisoner exchange, I must ask you to go."
    Thorne swung around to glare at Razem. "And you! You should have known better."
    Razem raised his hands in a show of innocence. "I don't know what you're angry about, and I don't want to know. It isn't my fault."
    Thorne's eyes narrowed. "You should have told your father this was a matter for warriors and ambassadors, not princes. Look what happened to your sister."
    Razem's stomach tightened. "I had nothing to do with this, Thorne. My father acted without my knowledge, and he didn't see fit to ask me if I would go. He ordered me. And I, being a dutiful son, obeyed." Damn Thorne. Arisanat wasn't even here yet and already they were arguing.
    "Being a dutiful son, your goal ought to be not getting yourself killed," Thorne snapped.
    Razem made his voice cool. He liked Thorne, and he knew Thorne and Azmei had been close. But this was going too far. "As your purview is the sea, I fail to understand why you are even here."
    Thorne's eyes narrowed even further, but he didn't reply. Instead, Kho spoke from his seat at the desk.
    "I asked Destar to be here, your highness. I welcome input from those who have different outlooks than I, and Thorne is a brilliant strategist. I am certain he will have wise counsel on this matter." He slanted a glance over at the sea captain. "Once he gets past his temper."
    Thorne sputtered but subsided, glowering at both of them. Without speaking, he stomped over to a chair that had been crammed into the office.
    Razem leaned against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. "Who else is coming?"
    "Captain Ysdra, my second here in the capital," Kho said. "I want him to know our plans, and, as I said, I value input from others, if it is well-considered."
    Arisanat appeared just moments after Kho had finished speaking. He tapped on the doorframe, then bowed properly to Razem before acknowledging Kho. Smiling a welcome, Kho gestured him to a seat.
    Arisanat was a tall man with broad shoulders. From a distance, he and Razem had been taken for brothers. They both had the brown skin and black hair of the ruling family, though up close an observer would see that Razem's eyes were truly golden, while Arisanat's were light brown flecked with gold. The purple godsmark on his left temple was the only thing