Dream of Legends Read Free Page A

him.
    “You have my promise on that,” Edmund replied softly, the look in his eyes unwavering.
    “Then I can rest myself easier tonight,” Aethelstan said, as he took notice that his eyes were growing heavy. “I do not think I am much longer for this night. My body is telling me to rest. No, rather it is commanding me to rest.”
    Edmund slowly yawned. “We have both done enough traveling for the moment, and I believe that my own body shares the view of yours.”
    “Until the morning then, my friend,” Aethelstan replied, slowly rising to his feet.
    While it was not the same as ending an evening surrounded by his sons, daughter, and wife, it was still a blessing to end it in the company of a true friend.
    The thought was not lost on Aethelstan as he prayed within the quiet of his tent before seeking the sanctuary of sleep. With deep sincerity in his heart, he offered thanksgiving to the All-Father for the wondrous gift of friendships in life.
    *
    The Unifier
    *
    The Unifier walked with a fluid stride through the center of the dense assembly. Anyone within His path quickly parted aside to create a wide channel for His unimpeded passage. Avanoran guards from the citadel’s garrison were formed into two columns that followed close behind Him, as He made his way towards the far end of the Great Hall’s main chamber.
    The Great Hall, located on the second terrace of the huge mountain citadel within Avalos, was currently filled to capacity. Numerous emissaries hailing from many of the known kingdoms and realms across Ave, those that were ardently loyal to the Unifier, stood in rapt attendance.
    It was one of several such audiences that would be taking place in the near future. The emissaries had all been directly summoned, and no excuse would have been deemed acceptable for their absence.
    Had the representatives not heeded the summons, they would have found it to be a dire mistake. Their rulers knew well that a substantial price would have been paid for their absence, which would have been taken as outward defiance to the will of the Unifier.
    Clad in his long tunic of immaculate white silk, the Unifier proceeded gracefully towards the raised dais of stone at the eastern end, set within a shallow recess forming an apse. A singular throne sat upon the higher stone surface, crafted of a dark, ornately carved wood. The Unifier methodically ascended the wide steps, coming to a halt just in front of the throne. He turned slowly to face the assemblage.
    The violet gloaming at the cusp of evening cast little direct light through the tall, narrow windows set high in the side walls of the expansive hall. At the explicit command of the Unifier, all of the candles in the several round, layered chandeliers running down the center of the grand hall had been lit. Flames also burned within the great recessed fireplaces set intermittently down the sides of the chamber.
    The effect of all the firelight within the hall was nothing short of spectacular, casting an ethereal hue about the capacious area. The deep blue ceiling looked simply magical, containing a myriad of little, silvery stars, which gleamed resplendently in the light from the flames. The intricate tapestries lining the walls with their glorious, colorful scenes of hunts and battles were brought out vividly.
    Yet despite the mildness of the concluding day, and the presence of all of the flames, a deep chill reigned supreme within the hall. It left all of the attendees in a state of discomfort, one that was not just physical in nature. For the Unifier, the icy, permeating feeling suited His purpose.
    It was not a time for celebration, or any other indulgence. The matter at hand was of the utmost importance. Comfort was the least of His considerations. The delegations could not be dismissed from the hall with any misinterpretations of the grave nature of the message that He had come to deliver to them.
    They were there to heed His call with all their will, to bring the new age