The Eyes of God Read Online Free Page B

said Karis. “I did agree, because I wanted to speak with you, King Akeela, and to hear your offer.” His eyes went to Lukien. “But I warn you, Bronze Knight—I tolerate you only for the comfort of your king.”
    Akeela said calmly, “And I should warn you, King Karis, that Lukien was as close to King Balak as a son. Speaking against my father will invite his ire. And mine.”
    Karis grunted suspiciously. “You are brothers, then?”
    “Of a kind,” replied Akeela.
    “All right, then,” agreed Karis. “We are here to talk peace, after all.”
    Before Akeela could respond, a clamor sounded in the doorway. Lukien turned to see Trager, Breck, and four others of their brigade toting the iron box. Earl Linuk was before them, smiling at his king.
    “My lord, forgive me, but King Akeela has brought this for you.”
    Karis looked perplexed, and also strangely pleased. He stepped down from his dais just as the sweating men dropped the chest to the floor with a thud.
    “What is it?” Karis asked.
    “Gifts,” said Akeela brightly. “From Liiria to you, King Karis. I think you’ll like what we’ve brought you. In fact, I have something very special to give you.”
    Lukien bristled, realizing what Akeela meant. But Karis seemed intrigued. Instantly he had lost his dispassion toward Akeela, and now seemed to share the young man’s exuberance. Raxor and Arnod gathered near him as he peered at the box. To Lukien, they looked like a bunch of children waiting for Akeela to open a toy chest. Then, as if he’d suddenly come to his senses, Raxor put out a hand.
    “Wait, my lord,” he told Karis. His eyelids narrowed on Akeela. “Tell us first what is in there.”
    “Raxor . . .”
    “Brother, it could be dangerous,” advised the war minister. “I’m sorry to say this in front of our guests, but they are Liirians, after all.”
    The king flushed. “Forgive my brother, King Akeela. He means no offense, I assure you.”
    Akeela produced a shiny silver key from beneath his cape. “I promise you, my lord, there is no danger in the box. Only good things. May I proceed?”
    “Of course,” said Karis, ignoring his brother’s concern. He stepped closer to the box in a show of goodwill. Raxor stood beside him, but Arnod kept back a pace. Curiosity got the better of Earl Linuk, who came to stand next to his king, and as Akeela clicked open the padlock and tilted open the iron lid, the faces of the Reecians took on an amber glow, bathed in the reflected glow of the contents. Nearly everything in the box was gold; coins and candelabras and carving knives, rings and plates and picture frames, all shimmering in the chest. It was more than a fortune, more than a king’s ransom, and it made Karis’ jaw drop. The Reecian king hovered over the box, dumbfounded. Akeela swelled proudly.
    “For the people of Reec,” he said. “From the people of Liiria. There’s something in here from nearly every citizen of Koth, my lord. These are not only valuables from my own coffers, but from farmers and blacksmiths, even from my own soldiers, here.” He gestured to Lukien, who himself had tossed a gold-hilted dagger into the chest.
    Karis could barely speak. “They did this for you?” he asked.
    “They did this for peace,” said Akeela. “Not for me.”
    “My king is modest,” said Lukien. “They would not have done this for any other ruler, not even his father.”
    King Karis shook his head in disbelief. “In Liiria they call you Akeela the Good,” he said. “I know this. And now I know why.”
    “It is the people of Liiria that are good, my lord. I asked them to contribute and they did so willingly.” Akeela brightened. “But that’s not all. Look closer at the chest, my lord.”
    Puzzled, Karis did as asked, staring into the box and its lustrous contents. “Yes?”
    “That bunch of cloth. Pick it up.”
    Laying atop the golden heap was a piece of blue linen, wrapped securely around a hidden item. Karis reached out and