Star of the Morning Read Online Free Page B

dramatically. “In short, my liege, it is a task that only you can possibly be considered equal to.”
    Adhémar opened his mouth to protest, then shut it suddenly. Miach supposed he was grappling with the unexpected flattery and weighing the potential glory of it being true against the trouble of actually leaving Tor Neroche to traipse over the Nine Kingdoms, looking for someone to wield a sword that wasn’t his.
    Miach saw Rigaud stir, no doubt to say something about keeping the throne warm for his brother while he was away. He shot Rigaud a look of warning. Rigaud made a rather rude gesture in return, but grinned as he did it. Miach pursed his lips and turned his attention back to Adhémar. His brother finally cursed.
    A very good sign.
    â€œI’ll need to be back by mid-winter, at the latest,” Adhémar announced.
    â€œWhy?” Miach asked carefully.
    â€œI’m getting married.”
    â€œFinally,” Cathar said, sounding rather relieved. “To whom?”
    â€œDon’t know yet,” Adhémar said, finishing off Cathar’s ale and handing his brother’s cup back to him. “I’m still thinking on it.”
    Miach was set to suggest that perhaps Adhémar choose someone with a decent amount of magic to make up for his lack, but he forbore. For now, it was enough to have time to sort out what was truly going on in the palace without his brother underfoot, bellowing like a stuck pig about his sufferings.
    Adhémar scowled. “I’ve little liking for this idea.” He looked at Miach narrowly. “I suspect this is a ruse so you can keep your toes warmed by the fire while I’m off looking for a fool ready to volunteer to take his life in his hands to protect us from the north.”
    Miach didn’t offer any opinion on that.
    Adhémar swore for quite some time in a very inventive fashion. Finally, he swept them all with a look. “Well, it appears I am off to find a wielder for the Sword of Angesand.”
    â€œHave a lovely journey,” Rigaud said, edging closer to the throne.
    Adhémar glared at him. “Turah will sit the Throne while I am gone—”
    â€œWhat?” Rigaud shouted, leaping in front of his brother. “Adhémar, what of me! I know Nemed is worthless—”
    Miach was unsurprised by either the volume of the complaints or Adhémar’s choice. After all, it was well within Adhémar’s right to choose any of his brothers to succeed him.
    Adhémar held up his hand. “He is my choice and my choice is final. You will, of course, aid him as you would me.”
    Miach didn’t need to look into the future to know what would happen in the king’s absence. Mansourah would shadow Cathar, Nemed would stand unobtrusively behind Turah and steady him should he falter, and Rigaud would rage continuously about the injustice of it all. Adhémar looked at Miach.
    â€œAnd you will do as you see fit, I suppose.”
    â€œAs he bloody pleases, you mean,” Rigaud grumbled.
    â€œAs I usually do,” Miach said with a grave smile. “I have quite enough to do to keep me busy.”
    â€œYou watch your back, Adhémar,” Cathar rumbled. He wrapped his hands around his cup of ale. “I’ve no mind to crown Turah any time soon.”
    â€œHeaven preserve us,” Rigaud gasped. “My liege, perhaps I should come and defend you.”
    â€œWith what?” Cathar said, scowling. “One of your brightly colored tunics? Aye, blind the bloody buggers with your garb and hope they don’t stick you in spite of it.”
    Rigaud, for all his preening, wasn’t above defending his own honor and he launched himself at his elder brother with a curse. Adhémar moved his legs out of the fray and helped himself to Rigaud’s ale. The king’s respite was short. Soon he was pulled into the skirmish. Miach sighed. Things never changed, or so it seemed.
    Or