Chosen Ones by Alister E. McGrath Read Free Book Online Page B

bent down in a low bow, Julia quietly gritting her teeth.
    “Welcome, my lord and lady,” said the Wolf.
    “Come, tel us something of your land. Tel us of Albion.”
    Peter looked at Julia. Julia looked at Peter. He shrugged almost imperceptibly, and so she began.
    “My lords, the great nation of Albion lies far over the western seas. Our great Emperor wishes to establish peace and mutual prosperity throughout this region. We offer assurances of security. In return, we ask for your guarantee of neutrality and non—” What was her father’s word? “Non-aggression.”
    The Wolf listened patiently as Julia outlined her proposal, his long, pale fingers pressed together at their tips. He nodded as she finished, and touched his fingers to a dark amulet that lay against his robes.
    “My Lady Julia, we are indeed honored that the Emperor of Albion should take notice of such a smal nation as Aedyn. Might I ask what led you to single us out for the special favor of your visit? It seems vastly in excess of our size and importance, if I may be forgiven for saying so.”
    “We did not wish to omit you when we consulted with our neighbors, my lord. It is our hope to build friendship with al nations, great and smal , and to…
    to share our knowledge with each other.” Julia smiled, trying to think fast. By now she had exhausted every item on the list she’d made earlier that morning and had absolutely no idea what to say next.
    “Share knowledge?” The Wolf leaned forward.
    “Yes,” said Julia with a noncommittal smile. She was trying desperately to sound like an emissary—
    trying to sound like someone who was too important to execute—but she was out of ideas. She glanced at Peter, trying to privately indicate desperation.
    “Like this, my lord,” said Peter, reaching into his breast pocket. “See here a smal example of our skil s!”
    Julia couldn’t quite make out what it was that Peter had in his hand. He crossed the hal to an enormous candelabra and held whatever it was to the flame, then threw it down in the lords’ direction.
    The
    room
    exploded,
    the
    detonation
    reverberating throughout the enclosed space. Acrid smoke fil ed the room, and as it cleared Julia could see the three lords cowering before their thrones in positions of abject terror. The Leopard was coughing violently, trying to waft away the choking fumes, and the Jackal had his hands clasped firmly on his ears. The Wolf rose first, and pointed a shaking finger at Peter.
    “What was that devil in your hand?” he hissed.
    Guards were now pouring into the hal , swords drawn against the unknown enemy. The Wolf waved them away with a few quick words, never taking his eyes from Peter. There was a long silence.
    “What have you to say for yourself, boy?” he spluttered. “What black magic is that in your fingertips?”
    Julia noted at this point that Peter was looking rather smug. She disliked this intensely, and wished she could have a moment to consult with Peter before he said something real y stupid. But Peter was looking directly at the hideous mask which hid the face of the Wolf, and spoke slowly and with authority.

    “My lord, that is a very smal example of our power. This room and this castle would be destroyed, along with everyone inside them, were I to demonstrate the true power that Albion commands. It is cal ed gunpowder.”
    There was not a great deal to say after that. The emissaries had shown their superior hand, the lords were quaking in their boots, and Julia was feeling more than a little apprehensive. She made a great show of bows and smiles and good wishes and fairly dragged Peter out of the hal .
    “That went wel , I thought!” he said when they’d returned to their chambers.
    “Wel ! Gunpowder! Weapons beyond their comprehension! Oh, marvelous, marvelous indeed!” Julia paced the room.
    “You said the object was to overthrow them.”
    “I don’t know what we’re supposed to do, but it certainly didn’t involve an