Chronicle of Ages Read Online Free Page B

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    Maelgwn clamped a hand over Rhun’s mouth to silence the lad and prevent an incident.
    â€˜See why I tell thee not to put him up to these things?’ Tory scolded her husband ever so slightly, and Maelgwn nodded to concede that he was in the wrong.
    â€˜Let the boy speak,’ Vortipor insisted, until Tory stood to end the subject.
    â€˜The boy ,’ she stressed, glaring her son down, ‘be going to bed, before he starts a war.’ She motioned with her eyes for Rhun to take his leave, and he did so without further argument.
    â€˜Well now.’ Brockwell slapped his hands togetherresolutely. ‘I think I will go find our dear Sir Eldred.’
    â€˜I shall join thee.’ Vortipor moved to accompany his ally.
    â€˜Oh no.’ Tory blocked the departure of the two stocky warriors. ‘I shall go.’
    â€˜Aw, Tory, thou dost spoil all our fun,’ Calin whined.
    â€˜I wast under the impression ye both had better things to do this evening?’ Vortipor and Calin couldn’t argue with that.
    â€˜I wast under the impression that so did we?’ Maelgwn contested her ruling instead.
    â€˜I shan’t be long,’ she advised them all, turning and fleeing before any could protest.
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    Tory found Conan cringing in disgust at the cavorting masses that were gathered around the Beltaine fires of the outer bailey.
    People were dancing and chanting praises to Beli, the Lord of the harvest. Offerings were tossed to the flames in his honour as prime cattle were driven between the fires for purification and fertility.
    â€˜Sir Eldred, I presume.’ Tory greeted him warmly, and was surprised when he backed up a few paces, wary of her.
    This woman Conan had heard much about. If even half of what his father had told him of the Dragon’s queen was true, it was dangerous to be anywhere near her. For it was said that Tory Alexander was the instrument of a Goddess who channelled supernatural power through her. She was also the trainer of a handful of key warriors in Briton who had become known as the twelve Masters of the Goddess, or the Dragon’s circle.Their combined feats over the past ten years and their prowess in battle had become so legendary that even in Ravenna he’d heard the reports.
    â€˜I did not mean to startle thee.’ Tory took a step toward Conan, and he again stepped away.
    â€˜Thee did not.’ Conan informed, and bowed as an afterthought. ‘Majesty.’
    As much as Tory didn’t like to judge a book by its cover, she didn’t like this man. He had the look of an elitist snob about him. His fair hair, skin and pale blue eyes would have made him rather attractive had he not been sporting such a sour expression. Tory suspected that his face might crack if he smiled.
    â€˜Can I assist thee in some way?’ Conan inquired, maintaining his distance.
    â€˜Perhaps.’ Tory considered how best to phrase her question. ‘The alliance was informed today that Aurelius Caninus will soon be handing over the rulership of Gwent to his son, Conan. And as an advisor to Aurelius, I thought that perhaps thee might be able to tell us something of our new ally’s character?’
    A slight smirk crossed Conan’s face, believing as he did that the great messenger of a supposed Goddess was fooled. So much for otherworldly powers , he thought, looking back to the goings on around the fires. ‘Aurelius Conan will not look kindly upon thy pagan ways, Majesty, that much I can tell thee.’
    â€˜Really?’ Tory folded her arms, immediately irked by the tone of his response. ‘And why might that be? Hast he no respect for the beliefs of others?’ Tory sensed the anger building within him, and suddenly regretted thatshe’d chosen to wear a dress this evening.
    â€˜What could such an orgy have to do with the pursuit of spiritual perfection and oneness with the Almighty?’ As soon as the statement left