The Silvering of Loran Read Online Free Page A

the sovereign’s outburst with a single glance between them.
    The flare-up also startled Loran. It was the first time she had ever seen her father in such a state. She looked over to her brother to measure his reaction, but the slight tilt of his head, and movement of his lips, indicated he was speaking to someone— someone , she could not see. More importantly to her, she now realized her father, her mother, and others in the castle knew of real magic and had concealed it. Now, there is a chance that magic may be banished from the provinces—just when its discovery had opened a new world to her.
    “Excuse my temperament,” Gilvius uttered. “It seems to have become unrecognizable of late.”
    Topen placed his hand on the sovereign’s forearm.
    “We can speak of this later. I have no desire to tarnish this joyous time for you and Leanna.”
    “Yes, you are quite right,” stated Gilvius, with renewed enthusiasm. “Kelamar, would you see that Topen is given suitable lodging.”
    “Of course,” boomed Kelamar. “We have much to catch up on.”
    From her position, seated high above the room, Loran watched Topen and Kelamar take their leave, and she wasn’t aware of when her brother relinquished his chair, but he was gone.
    Topen and Kelamar cleared the doors and entered the main hall.
    “How long has he been like that?” Topen asked.
    “This is the first I have seen.”
    “His sons were never confirmed at their birth, maybe he fears their ability will be absent, as it is with him,” Topen speculated.
    “Of one thing I am sure, you would think Gilvius was himself turning sixteen for all the excitement he has borne for this day,” said Kelamar. “I’m sure it’s something else.”
    * * *
    A s dusk arrived, the local quarry stones used to construct all of the exteriors of the castle—the outer wall, turrets, and towers—were aglow with the flickering of torches and oil lamps.
    Two late arrivals from the Kilesen province, the most advanced of the eight, had just cleared the front gate and entered the courtyard. An older man, with graying hair and a short beard to match, and his slightly younger, charismatic wife walked smartly across the bricks. The wife, who was outwardly excited—almost to the point of being giddy—was clinging to her husband’s arm while relating some history.
    “I’ve heard so much about this castle. I can’t believe we’re finally here! Did you know it has been said that guests to the inner castle are treated to architectural influences that are extremely unique. I’ve also heard that there are stones and statues here that are not seen anywhere else in the provinces, I mean anywhere !” she exclaimed, while she took in the grandness of the courtyard. “And rooms built out of timber coexist with others built from common bricks and stones—or marble and granite. I just can’t wait to see it.”
    “I’ve always heard the castle is haunted,” said her husband, as he scampered to match his wife’s brisk pace.
    “Oh, I don’t think so. I’m sure that rumor came from the name the townspeople gave the castle after it was built: the Castle of Illusion . Named not just for the unique materials used here, but also because objects—statues, stones, and the like—were said to curiously appear overnight in the rooms. The tales from too much wine, I’m sure.”
    “That sounds haunted to me,” her wary husband asserted, as he examined the open space they traversed with caution.
    * * *
    F resh flowers filled the receiving room, and a golden runner terminated at the chairs of Gilvius and his sons—Gervest and Rolam. Long thin tables stretched between the columns and were the repositories of small leather pouches—bound with a simple cord of red yarn. On their surface was an austere golden capital A , trimmed in black. It was the mark of the Avileen crest.
    The regular castle guards took the activity in stride. However, they heeded anyone near the sovereign or the twins. The