The High King: A Tale of Alus Read Online Free PDF

finally be pushed too far. They are the ones that we are preparing and arming ourselves for here."
    "You are training to fight starving, desperate people?"
"Of course not!" the man replied slightly alarmed by Simon's perception of things. "We would surely join with them."
"But you just said that you weren't doing this to start a rebellion..."
"Yes, I did, but should an uprising start then we will join the cause that is most just. At this moment, I would definitely say that I would support those being starved to death by Merrick."
"You're insane," Simon replied as he crossed his arms defiantly.
"Why? Just because I can see the tyrant that Merrick has become? If the poor are the first to be destroyed by these taxes, how much longer will it take before we of moderate wealth are reduced to poverty as well do you think? I have a nice inn and stables. I own some farm land. I do make a nice living, Master Aramathea, but even I am beginning to feel the effects of King Merrick's demands. He is doing it excessively and unnecessarily. His army doesn't require the amounts that he is taking. Why does he even need an army of such size, the kingdoms surrounding Marshalla have been living in peace with us for over a century now. The pirates aren't that large a threat either. If you can justify his reasons, Master Aramathea, then perhaps I will change my opinions and send these people away."
The two men stood staring at each other for several moments, neither knowing what more to say. Neither seemed willing to push the conversation further. Finally, Stephen ended the tension between them as he smiled and said, "Well, you're here now. Why don't you come join me in a sparring session, while we think of ways of persuading each other? I hear from your brother that you have trained as well, perhaps you can teach me something that your brother has not."
Simon nodded thinking on Stephen's words and followed the man to an open area of grass in front of the barn.
    King Merrick had brought Kar'esh and his winged warriors to one of the highest towers of Grimnal Castle. There were many rooms in this tower, but the most important was the top floor where Merrick had his most cherished of sanctuaries. It was a series of rooms occupying the entire floor filled with artwork and tapestries all dedicated to scenes of war. The room had once been his father’s study. Now they stood within and faced southwards from the balcony across the rolling hills of Marshalla. The cliffs that dropped into the North Sea and helped defend the impressive castle lay on the eastern side of tower and could be seen if one craned their necks in that direction from the balcony. Besides the art and tapestries, the series of rooms were also filled with a library of books greater than any other on North Continent. The vizier was also certain that Merrick had barely bothered to even scratch the surface of the wondrous tomes despite his father’s attempt at education. They were merely remnants of more humane and studious rulers, like Merrick's deceased father, Monrer.
    Kar'esh and his minions were like minded apparently as they roamed throughout the various rooms only interested in the weaponry found there. They too cared little for the books of this world's past. Krulir sidled up to his lord sitting in a stuffed, leather chair watching the winged creatures in amusement. "My lord?" the vizier spoke softly.
    "Yes, vizier?" the lord asked without removing his gaze from the monsters that he had brought to this world. He watched them like a child with a new set of toys from over crossed fingers which were bracing his bearded chin.
    "Is it truly wise to have brought these demons into the castle? We don't really know their
temperaments. They could turn against us at any moment and their powers seem great."
    The eyes of the lord turned for a moment on the vizier. He was frowning slightly, "You doubt me? You talk of wisdom and yet you unwisely question me? You may be vizier, and often your