Finnikin of the Rock Read Free

years, there have been many claims to the Lumateran throne across the land. Each one has proved to be false. You are aware that as a consequence, the ruler of each kingdom of Skuldenore has decreed it treason to make such claims."
    "Yet I hear that no Lumateran acknowledges the reign of the
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    king trapped behind those walls," the High Priestess said. "Is he not referred to as the impostor king?"
    "Despite our belief that the one ruling inside Lumatere played a role in the deaths of our beloveds, as far as the leaders of Skuldenore are concerned, he was legitimately crowned the king."
    A hasty decision made by those controlled by fear, who dared to meddle in the affairs of another kingdom, Finnikin thought bitterly.
    "If you are to believe anything, believe this," she said firmly. "The rightful heir to the throne of Lumatere and survivor of that wretched night has spoken to the novice Evanjalin."
    "Does the novice have a message from him?" Sir Topher asked.
    "Just a name," the High Priestess said, "of a childhood companion of your prince. A trusted friend."
    Suddenly every pulse in Finnikin's body pounded. He felt the eyes of both the High Priestess and Sir Topher on him. Then the High Priestess came closer, taking his face between her callused hands.
    "Is that what you were to him, Finnikin of the Rock?" she said softly. "For I do believe your king is calling. It has been ten years too long and Balthazar has chosen you, through this girl, to take your people home."
    "Who is she to be worthy of the association with our heir?" Finnikin asked stiffly, moving away. "Does she claim to have made his acquaintance?"
    "She is a simpleton. She has taken the vow of silence, broken only to tell me of the sleep and that you, Finnikin, would one day come to collect her. I believe she is somehow promised to your heir."
    "What makes you believe such a thing, blessed Kiria?" Sir Topher asked.
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    "At night she whispers his name in her sleep with intimacy and reverence. As if their bond is ordained by the gods."
    This time Finnikin failed to hold back the sound of his disbelief.
    The High Priestess smiled sadly. "You have lost faith in the gods."
    He held her gaze and knew she could read the confirmation in his eyes.
    "Do you believe in magic?" she persisted.
    "My kingdom has been impenetrable for the past ten years with no logical explanation, so I have no choice but to say I do believe," he admitted ruefully.
    "It was indeed a very dark magic used by the matriarch of the Forest Dwellers. Made up mostly of hatred and grief for what Lumaterans had allowed to happen to her people in the days following the deaths of the king and his family. But somehow some kind of good survived, and the novice Evanjalin is the key. You would know by now the meaning of the archaic words spoken by Seranonna that day."
    Finnikin had not heard the name Seranonna since his childhood. He did not want her to be known as anything other than the witch who had cursed Lumatere.
    "We were in the square that day," Sir Topher said, "and have spent these past ten summers deciphering the curse, but there are words we are still unsure of. Seranonna used more than one of the ancient languages."
    "And those words you do understand?" the High Priestess asked. She stared at Finnikin, waiting for him to speak.
    " 'Dark will lead the light, and our resurdus will rise.' It's the ancient word for king, is it not? Resurdus?"
    The High Priestess nodded. "The curse was to condemn
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    Lumaterans for allowing the slaughter of her people, but it was also to protect the one she claimed to have seen fleeing from the forest that night. The resurdus. The heir. The dark and light will lead you to him."
    "But where are we supposed to take this... child? Evanjalin?" Finnikin asked.
    The High Priestess gave a small humorless laugh. "Do you consider yourself a child, Finnikin?"
    "Of course not."
    "The novice Evanjalin is nearly your age and left her childhood behind far too early."
    "Where are we