City of Blaze (The Fireblade Array) by H.O. Charles Read Free Book Online

into a sort of democracy? How could that work? On the other hand, if the army were loyal to Morghiad... that wouldn’t matter, he would be safe. If he had them...
    The hall broke into noisy chatter for a few moments. Silar detected a new tone to their voices, but he could not quite identify it.
    Morghiad remained motionless on the platform. “Will you follow me?”
    There was a moment of silence before several of the officers shouted, “Aye!” Then more joined, and more until the sound grew and crescendoed into an enormous roar. He had done it. That’s it, Silar thought to himself, everything’s about to change .
    Half-a-day later, Silar found himself trudging along the perimeter of the castle gardens. The paths consisted of a light grey gravel that crunched noisily beneath his boots but did little else of interest. He clasped his hands tightly at his back and thought while wispy ferns brushed at his walking legs. This was nothing like the lush, green gardens of his home, full of wildlife and sunlight. He missed them terribly. He could return to them if he really wished, and had almost done so three years ago. But something had held him here, his friendship perhaps - something to do with Morghiad.
    Silar had a feeling he had seen a glimpse of it today, though it did not make much sense to him. It was too much of a cliché to believe that Morghiad would become some sort of legendary king. Acher had already been a successful king by many measures, and historians of the future may have even called him great one day. He had added more land to Calidell’s borders in the last three centuries than any previous king had done in an entire reign. He had performed the impossible in razing the white walls of Gialdin. He had overseen the exile of dangerous wielders and saved the lives of hundreds, possibly thousands of men. What could Morghiad do to top that?
    Perhaps he would open up this blasted castle to some sunlight and paint it a colour other than grey! Silar kicked at the gravel path in frustration. He realised he had come to stop before a small rose bush, clinging to the last of its white blooms.
    The kahr really ought to have told his lieutenants what he was planning to say in that... controversial speech. Silar hated being left out of such matters, hated it utterly. But then, Morghiad had stopped to listen to his advice. Silar did have a role to play in this; he just did not know what it could be. Had his captain been cooking up plans involving him? Plans he might disagree with if he knew their nature? Silar would have to interrogate his friend, there was no avoiding that . A good spymaster has to do some of the dirty work too. You must never rely solely on your network . Another gem from his mother’s teachings.
    Silar picked the best-looking bloom from the bush and seated himself upon one of the granite benches. He turned it in his hands, examining the array of white petals. Morghiad’s decree would have to be followed, especially by Silar. His relationship with Lady Allain would have to be terminated. The loss of the lady did not sadden him particularly, but a future without the regular company of a woman in his bed felt bleak.
    Should he finish it tonight or enjoy one last, delightful evening with her? Trouble was, if every man in the army dropped their squeeze this evening, there would be no one fighting in two week’s time. Morghiad had advised each lieutenant to ask their men to stagger their leave-taking so as to avoid this problem, but the men had been so excited at his promise that it seemed probable many would demonstrate their devotion to Cadra as soon as they could. Silar could not help but find himself similarly swept along by the current of enthusiasm.
    The rose felt soft in his hands, like the skin of a woman. One more night with her; that would be it. Then he would be married to his sword like a proper warrior. Silar smiled at his last thought and stood to leave the gardens. They seemed to smell much