The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

"Dueling in my own castle! You are foolish, both of you. In this place, you set aside your differences! In this place you do not plot against each other! Shall I lock you up?"
    "No, father," said Prince Hal, still trying to regain his breath.
    Prince Edward shook his head. The King looked at his sons dressed in their finery for the feast with jagged rips in the material and traces of blood running down their limbs.
    "Ruling a kingdom is a responsibility that neither of you exhibit the capacity for handling. I am molding Eslenda into a strong kingdom, one that will be an example to the world. Hal, you will continue my legacy when you are king. You must! What is a man but what his children make him? I am getting older and do not have as many years left as I would like. I want to believe Eslenda is in capable hands when I am gone. But you two continue to make it difficult for me. The whole world knows my sons are idiots. If either of you inherits my throne, Eslenda will fall within weeks!"
    "I am more capable than you believe," said Edward through gritted teeth. "Even Hal has skills. You wound us, Father."
    The King raised his arm as if to strike Edward, then lowered it and spat at Edward's boots.
    "I don't think I wound you enough, Edward. You are blind to your faults. Thankfully, I am not. Plucker, make sure they reach their quarters with no more violence. Assign guards and keep them there until the feast and have your men escort them to the hall."
    "Yes, sire," said Sir Plucker. The King stormed from the room.
    "Lead on, Sir John," said Hal. "We shall go meekly." He cleaned his knife on his shirt and sheathed it. Plucker stared at Edward until he too had sheathed his knife. Two guards stood outside the room and fell in behind the Princes.
    Plucker walked slowly through the corridors constantly peering back at the Princes as if he felt they would erupt in battle at any moment.
    "Why do you crave the throne so much?" asked Hal. "Is it merely because you can't have it?"
    "I will have it," said Edward. "You cannot tell me you don't want it? The power doesn't call you?"
    "What if I let you have it. Would you allow me to live my life in my castle?"
    "You want me to do that, don't you? Leave you alone with your plots and the assassin's knife will find me one night. Thus you get the crown and I get the grave. You give me the crown and a lifetime of jumping at shadows waiting for your blade. I think not. I will sleep sound with you dead."
    "Edward, I think this preoccupation with the crown is an unhealthy one."
    "Is that a threat?"
    "Please, your Highnesses," said Plucker, turning back to them. "Do not start again. I would be obligated to thump you and drag you to your rooms."
    "Thank you, Sir John," said Hal. "Your verbal imagery is received."
    "Do you mock me, Prince Hal?" asked Plucker.
    "No, no. I mock my brother and myself. We are the fools here."
    "Speaking of fools?" From a darkened doorway jumped a short, ugly man, named Quink, the King's fool. He dressed in a snug red shirt with yellow trousers with a tight black cap tied under his chin. He wore a ceremonial dagger and carried a short staff cut to his size. His eyes were so pale blue they appeared white.
    "How are the knights of the realm?"
    "Go away, Quink," said Plucker. "I must escort the Princes' to their rooms."
    "So I see, large fellow. Have they been plucking at each other again, Plucker? Are their blades as sharp as their wits?"
    "Go away," said Edward sourly.
    "Come to my room and talk to me," said Hal. "I'd like to catch up on the news here in Riverdowns."
    "Do you have wine?" asked Quink. He hopped as he spoke.
    "Of course. And Elizabeth will be glad to see you."
    "Lead on, Sir Mucker!" cried Quink.
    "Plucker, little man. It's Plucker. You still can't get it right after all these years?"
    "My apologies, Ducker."
    Plucker muttered under his breath and stopped at Edward's door. The Prince bowed to him and shot one last scowl at Hal before the door closed. Plucked