The Usurper Read Online Free Page A

sea and out around the shore of Mero Bay.
    Piro had never seen Port Mero, but she recognised it from her mother's stories. The roofs of the graceful, golden stone buildings were capped with snow now, but in the height of summer they glowed in the sun's fierce light.
    Wharves stretched greedy fingers out into the bay, and crowded four-storey warehouses clustered along the shore.
    Soon their ship entered the Grand Canal, which was wide enough for two seagoing vessels to pass each other comfortably. Tree-lined streets and buildings three or four storeys high lined the canal. It was a wonderful sight.
    As the residents woke and began their day's work, people hung washing off balconies, chimneys smoked and the smell of cooking reached Piro.
    'I heard that some of Merofynia's valley farms have been reclaimed from the Landlocked Sea,' Piro said, repeating her mother's tales. 'That in places the canals are walled. That you could step out your front door and see a boat sail by above your head.' She looked to Dunstany for verification.
    He smiled. 'One day, if I get the chance, I'll show you.'
    Piro thought that was an odd thing to say to a slave. Even odder considering that, later today, she would become Overlord Palatyne's property, and then Isolt's.
    Piro held on to the ship's rail as the vessel left the Grand Canal and the Landlocked Sea opened in front of them. The sun had not yet reached it and a fine mist hung over the surface. But the nearest wharves were busy with life. Men waited as the ship's rowers backed their oars, slowing their progress. Ropes sailed across the cold water, drawing them in closer to the wharf.
    She glanced thoughtfully at Dunstany. She wanted to ask him about the amber pendant. It still rankled to see her essence trapped there, hanging around his neck. He seemed fond of her. If she asked, would he release her?
    Dunstany stiffened imperceptibly. Only Piro, who knew him so well, could sense his wariness. She turned, and sure enough Overlord Palatyne approached them.
    Palatyne gestured to the clear, oyster-shell sky. 'Looks like it'll be a fine day to report my success to the king!'
    The overlord was dressed in full battle gear, wearing the prized manticore chitin breastplate that had belonged to her father, King Rolen. A Merofynian crested helmet increased his already considerable height and a sword hung fron his waist. Since successfully invading Rolencia, Palatyne had adopted Merofynian royal azure, this time in his cloak. On his chest five of the royal emblems of her family glittered. Her own, Byren's and her mother's silver pendants, her bother Lence's electrum pendant and the king's gold pendant, embossed with the royal foenix. The last time she had seen her father use his seal, he'd stamped the image into an official decree and she'd wished he would hurry up so they could get on with the dancing. Seeing the emblems on Palatyne's chest made her so angry she had to look away.
    Dressed in full armour the overlord appeared very grand and noble, but Piro knew that what was inside did not match the fine exterior. He was not quite as tall as her father, but still a fine figure of a man. His nose had been broken long ago and its flattened bridge gave him a belligerent aspect that suited his temperament. Palatyne... now that had to be an adopted name. It harkened back to myths that predated Merofynia's history. She knew he was a barbarian warlord from Amfina Spar. Much more likely his birth name had been something like Strong-arm or Snake-sight.
    She turned away to hide a bitter smile.
    'Mark this day, Dunstany,' Palatyne said. He never used the noble scholar's title. 'This is the dawn of a new era for Merofynia, for the Twin Isles.'
    Her mentor said nothing.
    'What? No fawning congratulations, Power-worker?' Palatyne prodded.
    'You will only get the truth from me, overlord,' Dunstany answered. 'Look to others for ass-licking, I don't offer false coin.'
    As Palatyne stiffened, Piro's heart did a double beat of