A Stolen Crown by Jordan Baker Read Free Book Online Page B

had been one of his father’s friends, someone he himself had met and respected as a fighter. His father, who some might say had been an even better swordsman than Jax himself, though Jax would beg to differ, had considered Tarnath to be his equal with a blade, a respect accorded to few, if anyone. If this Aaron had trained with the old armsmaster it would certainly explain why he had given Jax a difficult time. Unfortunately for Brian, who seemed quote pleased to hear of his friend, Jax had heard more about this young Aaron, mostly from eavesdropping on the guards, who were some of the worst gossips he had ever encountered. As it turned out, the young man in question had made quite a name for himself.
    “Well my boy, I don’t know what sort your friend Aaron really is, but they're saying he conspired with the Kandarans and murdered the princess, Ariana," Jax told him. "Apparently, Cerric intends to go to war with Kandara over it."
    Brian had been about to serve the man some hot food but now he felt more like giving him a taste of cold steel. He turned toward Jax with a smoldering look on his face and his fists clenched. His axes were standing by the wall, but he had not removed his dagger from its sheath on his belt. Brian reached for it, but discovered it was gone, and somehow Jax was no longer at the table. Brian felt a pressure at his throat.
    “Easy there, my boy," Jax said. "I’m not saying that your friend did what they say he did, I’m just telling you what they’re saying.”
    More than a dozen swords pulled from their sheaths as the rest of the room saw the stranger Jax suddenly standing behind Brian with a dagger at his throat. Kaleb, who had listened to the entire exchange held up his hands to his men, motioning them to stand down. He watched as Brian’s face slowly calmed and the young man regained his composure. Jax slowly removed the sharp blade from his throat and smoothly spun around Brian, effortlessly tucking his dagger back into its sheath on his belt and Brian was surprised at how quickly the man moved.
    By the time Brian looked up from the dagger at his belt, Jax was sitting back at the table, stretching his feet out with his own dagger balanced on the tip of his finger. Kaleb shook his head and chuckled at the scene, despite the shocking news he had just heard. He stood to address his men who still had hands to their swords.
    “This man, Jax Larian, is our friend and he has just demonstrated to Brian how quickly we might be disarmed should we be inattentive or let our emotions get the better of us." Kaleb shot a look at Brian. "He will stay with us for a time and we are fortunate to have him among us. I ask that you welcome him and listen to what he has to say. Jax has come from Maramyr and brings news that will likely affect us all."
    On cue, Jax stood and took a dramatic bow for Kaleb’s men as more of them filtered into the main room from other adjoining rooms. As he introduced himself, Kaleb motioned for Brian to sit near him that they might talk.
    “I am sorry, Lord Kaleb,” Brian said. “But Aaron was my friend and I can’t imagine him doing such a thing. I got a little angry, but your friend Jax is right. He's just telling the story as he heard it. I still don't believe it though.”
    “I think you are right to be suspicious, Brian," Kaleb told him "Too many things have been happening in Cerric’s favor of late for him not to be involved in this somehow. I wonder that people have not come right out and begun saying as much, but perhaps they are too afraid. We have had reports for some time that those who have disagreed with Cerric have either gone missing or turned up dead.” Kaleb turned to his friend. "Let's hear the news from the crown city."
    They listened as Jax told them what he had learned at Maramyr before he had escaped the city. Things did not sound good, either for those in the city, or for the people who lived in the country. He told them about the Xallans and that