The Black Sword Trilogy: The Poacher Read Online Free PDF Page B

seem to remember trying to teach you that if you pick a fight, sometimes you lose.”
     
                  King Philas looked with disgust at the two bodies on the floor.  They were two young men whose lives had barely even begun slaughtered like animals.  He looked with equal reversion upon the soldiers now kneeling before him and hiding their faces.  They all knew, he thought that what had transpired was wrong; and yet, not only had they done nothing to stop it, some had probably eagerly participated.
    “And what was their crime?” He asked turning back to Captain Krall.
    “Poaching, Your Majesty.” He answered flatly.
    “Poaching?” The King asked.  The anger seemed to grow in his voice.  “Poaching what?”
    “Deer.”
    “How many deer?”
    The King’s voice sounded almost like horses hooves over gravel.  Captain Krall looked the King directly in the eyes.
    “My company and I caught them with one stag.”
     
                  The King took a few furious breaths to try and calm himself, then turned and looked at the bodies on the floor.
    “The lives of two young boys for one stag?” He said gritting his teeth.  He then stepped to within inches of Captain Krall.
    “I’d say that debt has been paid.” He hissed.
     
                  The King then turned and stepped in front of Kenner who was still being held down by the Prince’s guards.
    “Stand up.” The King ordered.
    Kenner stood.  He was still hurting inside and the sight of his cousins dying was still burning in his eyes.  Now, here was before the King, he thought.  The blunt sword was still in his hand.  He thought for a second of striking the King with it.  The right blow might break his neck, killing him, he thought.  It would be so easy.  But he did not.  It was not fear of death that stopped him.  If he struck down the King, his own death would be even faster.  However, the King was defenseless; helpless.  As angry as he was, he couldn’t bring himself to murder.
     
                  “What’s your name?” The King asked him.
    Kenner swallowed his fury and forced himself to answer calmly.
    “My name is Kenner,” He answered.  “And I must apologize if I’m a little underdressed.”
     
                  King Philas studied the young man in front of him.  He understood the wrath in the young man’s eyes.  But there was something else in this young man he saw; something familiar.
    “Do I know you?” He asked curiously.
    “I doubt it.” Kenner answered.  He could, he thought tell the King of his father who had once served him; but something inside of him told him it was not the time.
    The King then stepped over to two soldiers who were still on their knees.
    “You and you,” he said to them.  “Stand.”
    The two stood quickly.
    “Take off your black armor.  You are no longer my son’s guards for watching this abomination.”
    The two soldiers slowly and sadly did as their King commanded.
     
                  Once more, Kenner thought of killing the King.  Now his back was turned and it would have even been easier.  However, now he was even more helpless.  When the soldiers had taken off their armor, the King commanded them to give Kenner their clothes.  Kenner dressed himself and then recovered his boots.
    “All of you who watched this and did nothing to stop it,” The King shouted into the room, “are no longer worthy of wearing the Great Tower on your chest.  Take off your armor now!  All except you, Captain.  I have need of you.”
     
                  By the King’s command, Kenner was again led through the narrow corridors leading to the throne room.  His anger was beginning to give way to sorrow for his two cousins; but he fought hard against this.  He wanted to stay angry.  He wanted to hold on to his rage.  It is better; he thought to scream in fury than to weep like a child his father once taught him.  When