The Sorcerer's Ring: Book 05 - A Vow of Glory Read Online Free PDF Page A

oak doors with his palm, making everyone in the crowded room jump at his
presence. They all quickly stood at attention.
    While
normally this would give Gareth some satisfaction, on this day, he was beyond
caring. He was plagued by the ghost of his father, and infused with rage that
his sister had left. His emotions swirled within him, and he had to take it out
on the world.
    Gareth
stumbled through the vast chamber in his opium-infused haze, walking down the
center of the aisle towards his throne, dozens of councilmen standing aside as
he went. His court had grown, and today the energy was frantic, as more and
more people seemed to filter in with the news of the departure of half of King's
Court, and of the shield’s being down. It was as if whomever remained of King’s
Court was pouring into Gareth’s court for answers.
    And of
course, Gareth had none.
    As Gareth
strutted up the ivory steps to his father's throne, he saw, standing patiently
behind it, Lord Kultin, the mercenary leader of his private fighting force, the
one man left in the court who he could trust. Alongside him stood dozens of his
fighters, standing there silently, hands on their swords, ready to fight to the
death for Gareth. It was the one thing left that gave Gareth comfort.
    Gareth
sat in his throne, and surveyed the room. There were so many faces, a few he
recognized and many he didn't. He trusted none of them. Every day he purged
more from his court; he had already sent so many to the dungeons, and even more
to the executioner. Not a day passed when he didn't kill at least a handful of
men. He thought it good policy: it kept the men on their toes, and prevented a
coup from forming.
    The
room sat silent, staring at him in a daze. They all looked terrified to speak.
Which was exactly what he wanted. Nothing thrilled him more than infusing fear
in his subjects.
    Finally,
Aberthol stepped forward, his cane echoing off the stone, and cleared his
throat.
    "My
liege," he began, his voice ancient, "we stand at a moment of great
disarray in King's Court. I do not know what news has yet reached you: the Shield
is down; Gwendolyn has left King's Court and has taken Kolk, Brom, Kendrick, Atme,
the Silver, the Legion, and half of your army—along with half of King’s Court. Those
that remain here look to you for guidance, and to know what our next move will
be. The people want answers, my liege.”
    “What's
more," said another Council member whom Gareth dimly recognized,
"word has spread that the Canyon has already been breached. Rumor has it
that Andronicus has invaded the McCloud side of the Ring with his million man army.”
    An
outraged gasp spread throughout the room; dozens of brave warriors whispered to
each other, flooded with fear, and a state of panic spread like wildfire.
    "It
can't be true!" exclaimed one of the soldiers.
    "It
is!" insisted the councilmember.
    "Then
all hope is lost!" yelled out another soldier. "If the McClouds are overrun,
the Empire will come for King’s Court next. There's no way we can keep them back.”
    "We
must discuss terms of surrender, my liege," Aberthol said to Gareth.
    "Surrender!?"
another man yelled. "We shall never surrender!”
    "If
we don't,” yelled another soldier, “we will be crushed. How can we stand up to one
million men?”
    The
room broke out into an outraged murmur, the soldiers and counselors arguing
with each other, all in complete disarray.
    The
Council leader slammed his iron rod into the stone floor and screamed:
    "ORDER!”
    Gradually,
the room quieted, all the men turned and looked at him.
    "These
are all decisions for a king, not for us,” one of the council men said. “Gareth
is lawful King, and it is not for us to discuss terms of surrender—or whether to
surrender at all."
    They
all turned to Gareth.
    "My
liege," Aberthol said, exhaustion in his voice, "how do you propose
we deal with the Empire’s army?”
    The
room grew deathly silent.
    Gareth
sat there, staring down at the men, and