The Burning Crown (Stone Blade Book 4) Read Free Page A

his thoughts too small and his shoulders too soft to bear the Crown of Stars! He was young but youth vanishes with age. He lacked experience but that can be gained. Do you yet not see? House Edders is weak ! Among the lot of them they have not the spew to spit on a pirate ship, much less best one in battle! They haven't the will to rule nor the strength to command!
    "All who swear fealty to the Crown deserve a King who will lead! A King who will command. A King with the mettle to stretch forth his arm and take what is his by right! A King with the will and the willingness to rule; not a King who will snivel over the color of his cloak, or offer wine with his own hand!
    "Cousin. The only way our Houses and worlds will survive and thrive is with great and durable will and resolve. The will and resolve of Hermann Rene du'Varl! Great and Noble Houses? Peh! The blood of our forefathers has weakened to the point of water, Edgar. Lucius' House still holds some of its former strength but even the Great and Noble House of Gladius is nothing to what it once was!"
    du'Varl turned his attention to Gladius.
    "Our worlds must have strength, man! Think, Lucius. Think back to the Moot that just named this man King. How many Lairds and Ladies nattered and moaned about the rabble outside our borders? How many of them snivel and whine for more Elder Guardsmen when they themselves are too weak and timid to defend their own worlds? Eh?"
    More people rushed into the room. The Guards took the surviving members of du'Varl's group into custody but very carefully did not touch any Nobles or Notables. The lead serjeant did gently pull Elias' cloak over his face, then the rest of the Edders there.
    "You are mad, Josef," said Gladius.
    du'Varl turned his attention again to Fyrelm.
    "Mad, am I? What say you, cousin? Is it madness to betray the blood we share? Is it madness to moan and deplore what we should conquer and defeat? Is it madness to turn away the power to lead the Crown into greater glory when it is thrust into your hands? I think not!"
    "du'Varl..." Gladius half-drew his own blade.
    "Stay your hand, Lucius! Do not shame and stain your House by spilling Royal blood."
    du'Varl smiled with obscene smugness at Gladius' expression.
    "Oh yes, Laird Gladius. With the most unfortunate death of King Elias and with no Edders heir to petition the Moot, the Crown passes to the blood of du'Varl. Indeed, old friend, of this I am quite certain. With the Crown in abeyance and contention within the Moot, the Crown passes to the blood of du'Varl. Why else should I work so diligently to place that Edders on the throne?"
    "You... what?!" Fyrelm finally managed enough voice for that.
    "Oh yes, cousin. My father started the matter after the Strik Palfrae war. Had the Crown forces been stronger and our Houses less divided we would have won handily and with less than a quarter of the casualties we took. He was as patient as he was capable yet he saw nothing past uniting our Houses once again.
    "Why should the blood of du'Varl oppose the blood of du'Varl, cousin? Why should the Great and Noble Houses of du'Varl and Brightcrown stand apart? We share his blood, why should not we share his purpose as well? This we will accomplish and more besides! Think on it, boy. We share his vision and his strength. The Crown is ours by right!"
    More than a few Nobles voiced outrage at that. Lady Hallings buried her head in Laird Toms-Watt's shoulder and he looked pasty and sick. Laird Sjoerd had a white-knuckled grip on his dagger. By the look of the Elder Guardsmen closest they shared his feelings.
    "Well, Lucius?" du'Varl dismissed Sjoerd with a glance.
    "I cannot contradict that," said Gladius finally, wishing to say anything else, "But I cannot confirm it now. I must review specific details of Precedence before I can do either."
    du'Varl waved his hand in dismissal. "Do so, Lucius. I have done so quite thoroughly and you will find I am right. By right and by Oath, the Crown passes