The Warlock Senator (Book 2) Read Free Page A

Duvall or Mr. Stilwell dead, then your fate will be sealed for certain.”
    “How do you know Sir Duvall and Mr. Stilwell?” Braun asked skeptically.
    “Be silent,” Bracken hissed. “You have no authority to question me.”
    Lord Lokton fumbled for something to say. He thought of explaining Ben’s testimony against Sir Duval and Mr. Stilwell, but he knew that without proof he would not be able to convince Senator Bracken of his own innocence. He had to stall. “Sir Duvall rode with me into battle,” Trenton said. “He is alive as far as I know, though I have not seen him as of yet. But he has not been named among our dead.”
    “Interesting,” Senator Bracken said as he stroked his pointy chin. “Then take me to Mr. Stilwell. I know that you have him in your dungeon as we speak. Two of your guards wrote and told me as much. If you are innocent and have no part in this madness, let him tell me.”
    Trenton sighed heavily. “I cannot,” he said.
    “Why?” Senator Bracken raised an eyebrow.
    “Mr. Stilwell escaped from his cell shortly before the battle began.”
    “Things are not looking very promising for you,” Senator Bracken said. He glanced to the two gigantic men with him and nodded. “Take him, by any means necessary.”
    The two men moved forward and Trenton removed his sword belt. “I’ll be fine, Braun,” he said as the guards bound his wrists behind his back.
    Senator Bracken smiled wide and then he produced a sealed parchment from the folds of his robes and tossed it on the ground before Braun. “I heard that Master Lepkin was here recently. This is an official summons for him to appear for the tribunal that will determine Lord Lokton’s fate. Can you get the message to Lepkin?”
    Braun nodded. “I know where to find him, but it may take some time to reach him.”
    “Well don’t delay, I am sure you know what happens if Lepkin fails to answer an official summons from the senate.”
    Braun bent down and scooped up the parchment. “By your command, honorable senator” he said.
    Bracken sneered at Braun’s remark. “Sarcasm is a weapon of choice among cowards and ankle-biters,” Bracken chided. “The tribunal date has been set, and we will convene with or without the Keeper of Secrets.”
     
    *****
     
    Al groaned and rolled to his side. Again something grabbed his foot and shook it violently. Slowly he opened his eyes. A large man stood over him.
    “Wake up, good dwarf, I need your help,” the man said.
    Suddenly Al remembered why he had been sleeping. “Where is Erik?” Al asked.
    “Erik is back at Valtuu Temple,” the man replied.
    “Who are you?” Al asked. The dwarf pushed himself up to sit on the edge of the bed.
    “My name is Braun, I am the sergeant-at-arms for House Lokton. Erik told m e that you saved his life and charged me with watching over you while you rested.”
    “What of the battle?” Al looked around. “Am I to assume that we won? Where is Lord Lokton?”
    “That is why I woke you,” Braun replied. “Lord Lokton has been arrested by Senator Bracken on charges of treason, and murder.”
    “We should summon Master Le pkin at once,” Al said, but he stopped short when Braun raised a hand. Al could tell by Braun’s expression that there was more to the story. “Go on,” Al said.
    “ I have here an official summons from the senate. They are requesting Lepkin’s presence at the Tribunal. So, understanding the consequences should Lepkin fail to answer the summons, we sent messenger birds to Lepkin. We were answered by the Prelate of Valtuu Temple. There was a great battle there as well. A wizard led an army of Blacktongues riding upon a night shade. The Prelate said the attackers were defeated, but both Lepkin and Erik were injured and are currently unconscious.”
    “Are the healers with them then?” Al asked.
    Braun nodded.
    “Well, it seems I picked a very poor time to sleep,” Al groused. “I miss all the action and even Lepkin can’t