The Blind King Read Online Free Page A

disgusts me.”
With those words he stormed out of the room, leaving behind his new bride.
    Shala, who had been watching from the back of the
room, rushed to the princess in time to prevent her from collapsing. Aubriana
wept, her face pressed against her maid’s shoulder as the nobles made their way
to the exit. No one spoke a word to the new Na’zoran princess.
    “I fear I’m destined for unhappiness,” she said.
    “Hush,” Shala said. “All will be well. You will
see.”
    Her words did nothing to comfort Aubriana.
Determined not to live a life of misery, Aubriana resolved to conform to her
husband’s desires. If he preferred a wife who would keep to herself and leave
him to his own devices, she would gladly oblige.

Chapter 5
     
    K ing Tyrol stood
at his map table studying the boundaries of his realm. During the last few
years, his figure had grown less muscular and more round, and the majority of
his gray hair had left his head. Peace did not sit well with him. It had aged
him and caused him to grow fat. He yearned for action to fill his days, as it
had in his youth. Conflict with Ra’jhou had given him vigor in those years, and
he lusted to feel so alive once more.
    Prince Ivor strode
into his father’s study, a stern expression on his face. The king looked at his
son with a smirk.
    “How was your
wedding night?” he asked.
    “I did what was
necessary,” Ivor replied.
    “She is beautiful,”
the king admitted. “I would think you would be pleased.”
    “I have no desire
for that woman. She is my enemy.”
    “Be that as it may,
the marriage was necessary,” Tyrol replied. “If we are to give Na’zora a sense
of security, we must play their little game of peace.”
    “I fail to see the
point,” Ivor said. “It would be better to invade without involving a silly
girl.”
    “That, my son, is
where you fail to understand the need for subtlety. Open war would only lead
Nilan to prepare an army of his own. Look at them now. Their defenses are weak,
their army is ill-equipped, and they have no allies to assist them. They truly
believe we are dedicated to keeping the peace.”
    “Congratulations,
Father,” Ivor said with sarcasm.
    “They have no idea
of my true plans,” the king said, anger rising in his voice. “You would do well
to learn a thing or two about your enemy. Why make an invasion harder than
necessary? We want to expand our borders, not sacrifice soldiers. With our
allies on the islands and our enemy complacent, we are assured a swift victory
with minimal cost.”
    Ivor laughed.
“Minimal? Those elves are robbing you blind. You’re too consumed with your
plans to see it.”
    Tyrol slammed his
fist against the table. “Those expenses are necessary! No one in N ō l’Deron could train our mages the way the elves can.
Without their training and potions, we would have no fire mages. That would be
unacceptable!”
    Ivor shook his
head. “Our people have won victory for generations without the need of elves or
magic. You are taking the easy road.”
    “Why shouldn’t I?”
the king asked. “This path leads to certain victory and a place of honor in the
annals of history.”
    “We come to the
truth at last,” Ivor said with a grin. “My father wishes to be remembered as a
great war leader.”
    “Naturally,” the
king admitted. “I will lead my army to victory, and you shall be at my side.”
    “But when can we
strike?” Ivor asked, fire blazing in his eyes. All his life he had trained for
battle, but peace with Ra’jhou had prevented him from riding against them. Yes,
there had been petty skirmishes along the border, but outright war had escaped
him. Now, he would experience the thrill of riding into battle and facing his
enemy on a larger scale. His dream of fighting open war in the fields was about
to be a reality.
    “Patience, my son,”
Ivor said. “We must be certain everything is prepared before we act. The time
will come, and it will be soon.” Under his breath, he