The High King: Book Two of the 'Riothamus' trilogy Read Online Free Page A

Guardsmen to all the major cities and towns of this
province alerting their Legion garrisons to prepare for
mobilisation, and to alert all to the news of the renewal of the
Andurian line. After the crowning we will rendezvous with the
southern Legions at Leigh.”
    “How soon the
crowning, Captain Taran?” asked Aran.
    “Not more than
a fortnight away, Prince Arantur” he replied. “It will take that
long for our messengers to get word to the southern cities and
return with any who are required.”
    Aran sighed,
feeling more than a little relieved. He had felt certain they had
meant to crown him that very day.
    “How will the
mages be alerted?” Aran asked.
    Drayden stood,
“My Lord I will fly to Glaive to let them know. The High Circle was
already in expectation of this event. It will not take long for the
mages to sail to Haulgard Port where they too will rendezvous at
Leigh.”
    Aran stared at
the High Earthmage, “What need have we of mages in the upcoming
battle?”
    Drayden gazed
back his golden eyes unwavering, “Great need my Lord. Glaive is
already in accord that our aid is necessary in the fighting of this
war. You will soon see how the mages of Glaive can assist in the
defence of our land.”
    Aran’s eyes
swung around to meet the grey ones of Maran. The Archmage nodded in
agreement.
    Aran turned
back to Drayden, “Then I will give you leave to return to Glaive,
Mage Drayden.”
    “Where do my
duties lie now, Archmage?” Aran asked finally of Maran when the
High Earthmage had left the room to prepare for his journey
south.
    Maran stared
back at the young man, wondering what in Andur’s name Alissa had
said to effect this transformation.
    “For a while
there will be little difference Prince Arantur,” he replied after a
moment or two. “You will be immediately reassigned quarters within
the royal rooms here in the central Keep. Also you will of course
continue training with the Guard until you feel that your skills
are equal to the task ahead.” He stared into Aran’s grey eyes which
were a mirror of his own, “I will personally instruct you in
harnessing your magepower; for I see that in weaponscraft you are
now advanced enough that you will benefit from my training.”
    “What of
Trevan?” Aran asked, thinking of his absent tutor.
    Maran stared
out at the hall, “Trevan will soon be arriving from the northern
villages and towns. His new duty will lie as personal Healermage to
the King—just as Drayden will take on new duties as personal
Earthmage and one from the ranks of the Weathermages selected as
your personal Weathermage. This was a custom that was practiced
during the times of the Archaic High Kings,” Maran explained. “It
was never thought to reinstate this practice during the Andurian
line—however since the unforeseen attack upon Alexi and his family
I believe that it would be of great benefit to have resident mages
at the Keep.”
    “What of the
Council, Lords?” came a quiet voice and an elderly black robed
Councillor stood up.
    “We have been
silent and acquiescent during all these proceedings,” the
Councillor stated, “What then is the future of the Council at
Haulgard?”
    Maran turned
slowly round, and steadily met the eyes of the Councillor, “Do not
be alarmed for the Council will remain. The King may have returned
but he will not have time to attend to all the minor and routine
duties of the province. The Council will continue to fulfill the
role of government. The only change being is that they are now
answerable to those that sit here enthroned at Andur’s Keep. All
weighty and major decisions will be settled by the King. He is the
final power in this land.”
    Aran stood up,
and with a gesture indicated to the Archmage that he would settle
this. “My Lord Councillors,” he stated, “Do not think that you have
a king in name only. Be certain that the renewed Andurian line has
power and will exercise it when the occasion demands. The Council
will serve its