A Crown Imperiled Read Free

pleased to be received in such a fashion, he showed no sign of it but simply nodded once and continued, ‘The Regent’s Meet has elected to recognize your independence.’
    Instantly the mood of the gathered chieftains turned ugly once more. ‘You recognize us?’ shouted more than one chieftain.
    ‘Quiet!’ shouted Narab. ‘He brings news!’
    ‘The humans war among themselves,’ Kumal went on when the noise had died down. ‘Their Empire of Kesh has marched against their Kingdom of the Isles, and much of the land to the south lies covered in smoke and blood.’
    This brought a mixed reaction, for as much as the moredhel hated humans, dwarves, and the eledhel, war in the south meant trouble for the southern clans. The leader of one such clan shouted, ‘What of the west?’
    ‘Kesh has taken Crydee,’ returned Kumai, ‘and is driving over the northern pass in the Grey Towers to Ylith.’
    ‘What of the Green Heart?’ shouted another voice.
    ‘Kesh ignores all but the human towns and cities. The dwarves stand ready at the borders of Stone Mountain and the Grey Towers, but will act only if their lands are threatened. The Green Heart and the mountains to the south of E’bar are untroubled.’
    One of the southern chieftains cried, ‘Now is the time to return to the Green Heart!’
    ‘As to that,’ said Kumal, ‘the Regent’s Meet has decided that we shall welcome any of our kin who venture south of the river boundary . . . as long as they recognize our rule over all lands south of Elvandar. You must pledge fealty to the Clans of the Seven Stars.’
    Instantly, furious shouts rang out. ‘That is our land!’
    ‘We bow to no one!’
    ‘Our ancestors died there!’
    Arkan turned to Morgeth. ‘It’s time to leave.’
    Morgeth nodded and the two of them quickly made for the sidestreet and gate beyond. As they entered the dark lane, the sound of approaching warriors made Arkan motion for Morgeth to stop. He pointed to the door of an abandoned building and they ducked inside, crouching down beneath broken windows.
    A moment later, they heard the sound of a large band of armed warriors passing by. The two warriors from the northern mountains kept silent until the sound of boot heels on cobbles was replaced by war-cries and the noise of steel ringing against steel. Arkan touched his companion and signalled, and they ran from the abandoned building towards the distant gate.
    ‘Narab seeks to be king, then?’ asked Morgeth once they were clear of danger.
    ‘Since killing Delekhan.’
    ‘A hundred years of hunger is a long time.’
    Arkan nodded, then pointed to the distant gate.
    Morgeth frowned. ‘What do we do if it’s guarded?’
    ‘Talk first, then fight.’
    They reached the gateway and found a company of guards waiting: a dozen warriors stationed in front of fifty or more horses. Even before the warrior in charge could challenge them, Arkan waved and shouted, ‘Hurry!’
    ‘What is it?’ asked the leader.
    ‘Take your detail up the road, and go north at the first cross street. Cut off those trying to escape behind the palace! Hurry!’
    ‘The horses—’
    ‘We will take care of the horses, now go!’
    The twelve warriors hurried off and Morgeth shook his head. ‘Clan Bighorn always were a little thick.’
    Arkan said, ‘Our horses are on the other side of the city.’ Looking at the large selection of mounts they had to choose from, he added, ‘Seems a fair trade.’
    Picking a handsome gelding, Morgeth said, ‘You can’t possibly think of taking them all?’
    Getting into the saddle on a bay mare, Arkan said, ‘I was thinking of it, but we have more pressing business. We should hurry back to camp before word of this fighting reaches them.’
    ‘Should we break camp?’ asked Morgeth.
    ‘That would draw too much suspicion. Narab has been planning this for a while, I think. He’s made arrangements: Bighorn is not one of his usual allies, which means he has added new ones. No, have