The Legend of Asahiel: Book 02 - The Obsidian Key Read Online Free PDF

mockery. It did not suit his blunt nature. But Torin believed the general would bleed wine before addressing him with genuine respect. He therefore scowled away the royal appellation as he formulated his retort.
    “I assume you’ve already dispatched a patrol, or you would not be wasting your time with me.”
    “As surely as I breathe,” the general affirmed. “But a single patrol will not suffice. You’ve got us chasing around putting out fires, while the rogues lighting them remain free to set more. To put an end to these attacks, we must strike at the source…”
    Torin knew where this was headed, and so let his attention slip to the throbbing welt across his back. Despite the wounds of his physical training, he much preferred these to the mental toil of dealing with such issues of state. Although never prone to headaches, he found he had them often these days. Listening to Rogun rail on, he could feel another coming on now.
    “Grant me the authorization to marshal the legions for a full sweep of the countryside. Let me stop these rogues and restore order to our lands once and for all.”
    As was often the case, Torin was not entirely at odds with the general’s way of thinking. However, given his inexperience, he did not wish to make any unilateral decisions. That was why he had established a ruling council—the Circle of Elders, named for that which had once governed his home village of Diln. Despite differences of opinion, it was the members of this council—young and old, male and female—who would come together to shape the lives of all.
    And on this matter, at least, the Circle had already taken a stance, deciding that a sweeping military force such as Rogun suggested would face a road of perception too narrow and dangerous to tread. The people of Alson craved protection, but did not want to feel threatened or restricted. They’d had enough of that in recent months. And while this made Rogun’s job of defending them that much more difficult, who was Torin to go against the will of the council?
    “General, can we not save this matter for debate within the Circle?”
    Rogun spat. “Damn the Circle. You’re the king. All it takes is an order.”
    Torin decided he could take the man looming over him in that cramped corridor no longer. “General, walk with me.”
    He did not wait for a response, but turned and began making his way toward the royal quarters. Glaring heatedly over his shoulder, Rogun fell into step behind him.
    “Believe it or not, General, I am on your side in this.”
    “Then grant me my request.”
    “As Third Elder, you have the right—”
    “That title means nothing to me.”
    Torin glanced back at the other’s disgust. “Well, it should. Because the Elders speak for the people, and so they are the ones you must convince. I’m sure that with this new report—”
    “Perhaps I should convince your precious Elders of our need for a new monarch. A man who does not require the crutch of a council in order to lead us against that which threatens.”
    Torin had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing aloud. What would Rogun claim he’d been doing before this? As best as Torin could tell, the general had been campaigning actively for his crown almost from the beginning.
    Truth be known, he was often inclined to simply hand it over to the man. Nothing would please him more than to take Marisha and run back to the Kalgren Forest to live a quiet life of peace and contentment, far from the bustle of the city and the exigencies of the throne. Perhaps they would resurrect Diln, as some of his former villagers were contemplating. But even if they were to do so, they would remain under the thumb of whoever was chosen to rule in his stead. Until he found a person to whom he would willingly entrust the lives and well-being of his dearest loved ones, he would cling to the mantle himself.
    “Should the Circle wish to entertain that notion, you’ll hear scant argument from me,” he agreed,