The Path Of Peace (The Cremelino Prophecy Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

black
attire.
    Roland came at his King, bringing
up his sword to strike him. About a foot away from Darius, Roland’s sword hit
something solid in the clear air. His eyebrows furrowed as he tried again
harder. Sweat formed on his brow. The air around Darius held firm. With a flick
of his wrist, Darius used his power to grab the sword out of the captain’s hand
and threw the blade to the ground.
    “I can protect myself,” he said
with maybe too much arrogance, but he had to make a point.
    Roland picked the sword up from
the ground and bowed low to the new King. “I am chastened, my Lord. Forgive my
questioning.” The captain’s face reddened.
    Darius softened, realizing an
embarrassed and possibly disgruntled captain could be detrimental and
dangerous. “No forgiveness is required. You are encouraged to question me in my
safety. However, please don’t keep asking once my decision is made.” He smiled
to try and lighten the moment, his gray eyes holding only friendship toward the
man.
    The King turned to the rest of
the crowd. “As of today, I promote Captain Roland Leeds from captain of the
castle guard to captain commander of my own personal guard. He will ride with
me today and will be in charge of the safety of our entire entourage as we
travel through the Realm and to our neighboring kingdoms.”
    Roland blushed again, the
embarrassment looking out of place on the large, fit soldier. “Thank you, my
Lord. You are most kind.”
    “I trust you can be ready to
leave in a few moments?” he asked his new captain commander. “I am anxious to
begin.”
    “Of course. A soldier is always
ready.” Roland began barking commands at the other guards who would be
accompanying the group.
    Christine leaned over and put her
hand on her husband’s arm. “You diffused that in a nice way. Now you will have
him close by to keep a watch on him.”
    “Christine, I trust him. He
earned the promotion. He’s a good soldier. I may not need protection, but you
or others might.”
    “Darius, you can’t trust
everyone. Be careful,” she admonished.
    Christine had previously voiced
her worry to Darius that his new power and his ability to love and understand
people had made him too trusting and vulnerable. In the first few months of his
reign, when someone was brought to him that was in trouble, Darius would
blindly trust their assurances they would change their behavior. Three times
already a former troublemaker had been brought back in for continuing his
law-breaking. It was hard for Darius to understand someone not keeping their
promises. His power was growing and his love of the people grew with it; he
just had to remember there were still evil hearts and intentions in the world.
    Two horses were led to where the
King and Queen stood. Lightning, Christine’s personal Cremelino horse, was pure
white with a long mane. The other horse, although not a Cremelino was just as
large but stood black and shiny, waiting for the King to mount. Cremelino
horses were a special breed, but neither Christine nor Darius had realized the
extent of the horses’ magical powers. It was common knowledge that a Cremelino
bonded with only one person at a time. No one else was allowed to ride them
unless allowed by the Cremelino. If tried, immense pain would jar the insides
of the culprit. But the ability to communicate mentally with them took them
both by surprise.
    Darius looked at Christine and
her Cremelino and smiled. He thought back to the time three months earlier when
after being gone for almost a year, he had returned to Anikari. He had seen
Christine and Lightning on the road outside of the city trying to stop a
skirmish between the farmers and city guards. He had used his growing powers to
heal Lightning that day.
    Remember the prophecy, Lightning
spoke to their minds. It is not yet complete:
    Forgotten lines of ancient magic
    and the power of the throne.
    One will make them both his own
    if his heart sees the true
power.
    He will bring