The Making of a Mage King: White Star Read Online Free PDF Page A

the garrison house, their guide led them toward the small infirmary. A stream of wounded was heading in the same direction, either being carried on a stretcher or making it on their own. Shortly before they went through the same door the wounded were going through, their guide led them through a side door and into a small bedroom.
    The tall frame of Captain General Basse was laid out on the narrow bed and a significantly older man was sitting beside him. He was dressed in light armor, but its poor fit said that it was more for his protection than it was for him to fight in.
    The older man turned to look at the arrivals as their guide quietly rested a hand on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear. He rose and came to stand directly in front of Sean. Sean removed his helmet and the old man studied him closely before speaking in a quiet voice, “I knew your father and I knew something of his father as well. They were both honorable men. Are you an honorable man too?”
    Sean dipped his head in greeting. “ Ruihano Basse, I never knew my father or my grandfather, but in a way, you could say that I have met them.”
    The old man’s eyebrows climbed at Sean’s address, but he didn’t let it interfere with his train of thought. “So, you have been accepted. I’m glad to hear it. The crown sits well on your brow, unlike your uncle who, I understand, couldn’t bring himself to touch it. I watched you dance the Dance. I was impressed; few men finish the Dance, and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anyone use two swords, though I’ve heard that your father did.”
    “You were at that gathering? I don’t believe I saw you there.”
    He smiled. “We met, but you were somewhat less than coherent at the time. I was honored to turn my pavilion over to you and your men,” he smiled wider, “and your knife brides.”
    “That was your tent? That was very generous of you, thank you.”
    “It was nothing.” Then he returned to the current subject. “My son tells me you intend to turn back the hands of time. Is that true?”
    “I don’t know about ‘turning back the hands of time’, but I do want to undo my uncle’s evil work.”
    A cough sounded from the bed, and the younger Basse raised a hand. Both Sean and the elder Basse moved to his side and the old man took the hand as he coughed again. Sean rested a hand on his chest and found the imbedded arrowhead deep inside; it had broken from the shaft, either upon entry, or when they had tried to remove it. Sean made it go away and healed the bleeding that was slowly killing him. He had been bleeding to death for hours, so he wasn’t going to jump up out of bed immediately, but he was no longer going to die.
    He gasped and coughed in response to Sean’s actions, but then he inhaled and smiled weakly. “That’s better,” he whispered. “The arrowhead was designed to break away, and it did. I had my men make them for use against demons; I didn’t expect they would be used against me.”
    “Do you think you have weeded out all those who were still loyal to my uncle?” asked Sean.
    “That is difficult to tell, but we sure took a sizable chunk out of them today. What do you want from us now?”
    “You are in charge now, commander. You know the borders of your district and you know the laws my grandfather enforced. I suggest you start enforcing those edicts immediately.”
    “What are you going to do?” asked the old man.
    “This is only my first stop; I have nineteen more districts to visit. Can you handle this?”
    The old man grasped the hand that still rested on his son’s chest. “My name is Orne Basse and in the name of your grandfather, you have my allegiance.”
    “By order of your uncle, we have demons and destriers stabled here. What would you have us do with them?” asked the commander.
    “They are victims in this and likely your own citizens, but I don’t have time to deal with all of them and they are very dangerous. If you think they can be