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

that marred his looks, though Razem had always thought if Arisanat would let his hair grow out from its severe cut, that would hide it.
    "Prince Razem," Arisanat said now. "Lord-General Kho. Lord-Captain Thorne." He sat in his chair with economical movements, not quite looking at Razem. "I apologize for my tardiness. I was waylaid by Lady Talt in the hall, and you know how she likes to talk."
    Kho's smile was easy. "Well do we all know it, I think," he said. "But you are not late. We await Ysdra still."
    Arisanat nodded and fell silent. Razem probably shouldn't speak. They had been stiffly polite with each other since the night Razem had poured out his grief in front of his cousin. They were certainly not as close as they had been, which was never as close as each of them had been to Venra. But Razem still cared for his cousin, and after a moment he couldn't resist.
    "I hope your business at Burojan Manor fared well."
    Arisanat's gaze wandered over to him. He seemed astonished that Razem would speak to him. "It went tolerably well, your highness. I thank you."
    "And your sisters are all well?"
    A pause. "They are as well as may be. Rija continues her work on your sculpture of Princess Azmei."
    Razem nodded. "I am glad to hear it. And how fares the quarry?"
    It was perhaps a small mercy that Captain Ysdra arrived at that moment. He bowed to the prince and lords, saluted to Kho, and took a seat.
    "Very good," Kho said. "Does everyone know why we are here?"
    "Aye," Thorne growled as Razem nodded.
    "Yes, sir," said Ysdra.
    Arisanat's jaw tightened. "I am not aware." His voice, which had already been cool, was icy now. He glanced over at Razem. "Perhaps your highness will enlighten me."
    Winds take him. No one had told Arisanat? Razem swallowed. What would be the best way to break the news? If only he'd had time to plan this out—but then, Father hadn't given him time to plan what he would say, because his father knew him too well. If Razem had known he was expected to break the news to Arisanat, Razem would simply have skipped the meeting.
    "Spit it out." For the first time in months, Arisanat didn't speak formally to him.
    "It isn't easy news," Razem cautioned. He cleared his throat. "My father has arranged to trade a prisoner with Strid. He hopes it will further the peace talks."
    Arisanat lifted his chin, nostrils flaring, and his face drained of color, but that was the only indication of his temper. He didn't blow up or lash out. If anything, he drew into himself, tightening. He met Razem's gaze for a long moment that was so cold it burned. Razem was aware of Ysdra and Thorne and Kho waiting for his reaction, but no one spoke.
    "Does his majesty explain why he offers me this insult?" Arisanat asked finally. His voice froze the whole room.
    Razem knew he had to thaw the situation somehow, but he had no idea what to say. He floundered for words and grasped the first ones that came to mind. "Not insult, Aris. His majesty honors the sacrifice Venra made for our kingdom. He deems it too high a sacrifice to allow anyone else to make." It was a bald-faced lie; many more people had died after Venra, and if they weren't of the highest echelon of families, they were still someone's family. But if it appeased Arisanat—
    "Your highness will forgive me if I do not take it thus." Arisanat was drawn so tightly into himself that he seemed almost a statue. "No good can be had by appeasing the Strid dogs. They are honorless. Every concession Marsede makes shows his weakness in the face of their barbarity."
    Razem agreed with Arisanat more than he did Marsede, but he couldn't admit that, not even in as private a setting as this, after his outburst in the council chamber. Nor could he bring himself to defend his father's actions. He met Arisanat's gaze unhappily.
    "And you summoned me here to tell me this? Why?" Arisanat gestured at the others. "So you would have witnesses to see me speak treachery? Is Lord-General Kho here to arrest