The Archer's Heart Read Online Free

stood ready to perform the ceremony. Friends and strangers, dressed in their dazzling ceremonial armor, offered Jandu their congratulations.
    Jandu thanked them in a daze.
    He didn’t know how he got into this mess and he had no idea how he would get out of it. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. He got into it because he wanted to show off, as usual.
    But now he was going to get married. The thought made Jandu distinctly uncomfortable. His mother had died shortly after his birth and Jandu had grown up in the sole company of other men. While he found women kind-natured and well-behaved as a rule, they confused him with their strange seriousness and lack of interest in archery.
    “Congratulations, idiot!” Baram cheered lovingly. He crushed Jandu in a brotherly embrace that bordered on painful.
    Yudar merely looked on, worry creasing his brow.
    “I can’t marry her,” Jandu told them in a whisper. He didn’t know how he could explain his reluctance. His unwavering belief in his own superiority? His lack of interest in women in general? His singular dedication to the warrior arts? He simply knew that this marriage was wrong for him.
    “I know,” Yudar said. He frowned. “It goes against the Book of Taivo.”
    Confused by his brother’s agreement, Jandu searched his mind for the lesson on the precepts of Shentari faith, trying to recall what obscure, ancient law his brother referred to this time.
    “If you were to father a son, he would be older than any child either I or Baram fathered. And since neither of us is consecrated as King, your son would have the right of primogeniture to challenge our children for the throne.”
    “What?” Baram looked as confused as Jandu felt.
    “I have been thinking of the problem ever since the moment you pierced the fish eye,” Yudar said, clearing his throat. His face had flushed almost guiltily. “I believe there is precedent to break the Shentari tradition in this case.”
    Jandu looked at Yudar, and suddenly, everything made sense. “You should marry her, Yudar.” Jandu was certain that Nadaru would be delighted to wed his daughter to a future king.
    Although Yudar flushed brighter at Jandu’s suggestion, he shook his head. “I cannot. I did not compete. You did.”
    “I competed for you,” Jandu suggested.
    Baram narrowed his eyes. “No, you competed to show off. Call it like it is.”
    Jandu grinned. “All right. But that’s all the more reason that I shouldn’t marry Suraya. I didn’t do it for her.”
    “It doesn’t matter,” Yudar replied. “You did not declare yourself to be competing in my stead, so legally I can’t claim her. However—”
    “Fellow Triya warriors! I must protest this marriage!” Firdaus pushed his way through the throng of well-wishers. He held himself tall. His friend and, no doubt, co-conspirator Darvad stood beside him as if urging him on.
    “It is against our holy Book of Taivo for Jandu Paran to marry Suraya Paria. A younger prince must not wed before his elder brothers when a Regent holds the throne! It will lead the kingdom into chaos and war. So it is written.”
    A sudden, deathly pall stifled all conversation. Jandu felt a flicker of hope. He wouldn’t have to marry Suraya now. 
    “What is this?” Lord Nadaru rushed to them. Suraya followed behind and stepped close to Jandu’s side. Her face was pale, her eyes almost fearful. Jandu realized that if his claim to her became invalid then she would become Firdaus’ second wife.
    Yudar cleared his throat and stepped between Firdaus and Lord Nadaru. Though small compared to his brothers, Yudar had a royal presence that made him seem larger than he was. He held himself straight-backed with his chin tilted upwards, his dark brown eyes shining with inner wisdom.
    “It is true that the Book of Taivo specifically states that under these conditions royal siblings must be married in order of age,” Yudar said. “However, the laws established under the prophet Tarhandi allow