Warden (Blade Asunder Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

for a short while. That includes nobles and politicians.”
    With the end of his speech, he bowed to the frowning faces and made his leave. He would have to face them again the next day, but for the rest of today, he would avoid them like a plague.
    The Queen had called upon one of her faithful nobles, the young Lord Parsival of Ival Hold. He had been one of the first to come to her aid and had even attempted to assassinate Harald. For his troubles he had been incarcerated in the castle’s dungeons and no doubt treated with cruelty.
    Since his release, once the throne was taken back by the rightful owner, she had come to trust his judgment. Artas also liked Lord Parsival and was glad for his council. Together they would run the Kingdom in the Queen’s absence.
    “Bravo, Artas,” Parsival greeted him as he arrived back from his meeting with the nobles and politicians. “I heard your speech, very authoritative. That should placate them for a day or two.”
    Artas smiled as he received the liquor that Parsival had poured for him in a beautifully cut glass goblet. It burned his throat and made his toes tingle, but it hit the spot.
    “I think we’re going to be needing a few of those over the next few months,” Artas declared.
    “Fear not, Artas, for we are not alone,” Parsival assured him. “There are few nobles that the Queen truly trusts, but there are enough of us to carry this deception through for a short while. No harm will come to her Kingdom and she shall rule all the better for having her grandmother by her side. Relax, the first day is over and all has gone as planned.”
    Artas sat in a large cushioned chair and remembered his lost friend, Zander, who had been killed by a dragon on their quest to try and rid the land of Harald the usurper. Zander had been Duchess D’Anjue’s Chief Advisor, and he wished he were here now, to advise Artas.
    Whilst he knew he had trusted nobles on his side, ultimately all decisions were to be on his head. Myriam must truly trust him to have ordained him Regent, and this thought cheered him. Though they had played together as children, and adventured together as adults, they were yet to spend time together socially.
    He looked forward to Myriam’s return once her grandmother was safe. It would be a time for peace and relaxation. That time would come soon. He just needed the patience that he had asked of the nobles.
    Lady Leonie walked into the room. She was also one of his loyal advisors. It was a pleasure to watch her enter the room so gracefully, for she was a beautiful and cultured lady.
    “How are you both bearing up?” she asked, knowing Parsival would be fine, but also that Artas was still grieving his parents death. He rarely showed his grief, but Leonie knew him well and could still see the pain of loss in his eyes.
    Leonie too had attempted to assassinate the false Regent, along with Parsival, and like him she had spent a while in the dungeons. It was about that failed attempt that she was here now as she had recently learned of who the betrayer had been on the eve of the assassination attempt.
    “I cannot see how the news I have to tell you should affect our temporary running of the Kingdom, but I do believe that Parsival deserves to know who betrayed us.”
    This had Parsival’s attention and he stood up. He had often wondered who could have known, other than the loyal nobles involved, and none of them would have sided with the usurper.
    “It was the monk, the one that you said was last seen with the Duchess. I found out from one of the guards who was posted with Duke Harald. He was there during one of his conversations with the strange little man,” Leonie finished.
    “You mean, Ghaffar?”
    Leonie simply nodded.

9
    Queen Myriam had only met Qutaybah once, and that had been fleeting. After she had regained her throne, she had never really had the chance to thank him, for she knew he had played a part as he was allied with her grandmother.
    He took her hand