Crown of Destiny by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page B

living in Terah."
    "I had not considered being cashiered from my position," Amren said slowly. "You know how important one's position is in Hetar. An ex-ambassador has not the status of an ambassador, but Clarinda would indeed be unhappy here in Terah. And we should not have the enjoyment of our grandchildren."
    "The Dominus does not want to hear anything I have to say," Lara told her grandson, "but I shall put the thought into his head to create a new position for you. You shall be Terah's Trade Commissioner. There will certainly be opportunity for you to extract some goodly bribes in such a position, Amren."
    His face grew red, and she saw him preparing to vehemently protest her words.
    Lara smiled a wicked smile. "Do not bother to deny it, grandson," she told him. "Have I not said that I learn what I choose to learn? Know what I wish to know? I am more than well versed in Hetar's foibles and vices for I was born there, and lived my early years in The City. Did you know that your great-grandfather Swiftsword gained the regalia he needed to compete in the tournament that earned him his place in the Crusader Knights by selling me into slavery?
    "Gaius Prospero, who later ruled as Hetar's emperor, bought me. He planned a private auction with the owners of the Pleasure Houses for he expected to earn a great profit from me. But alas, I was considered too beautiful, and the Guilds feared I would cause more trouble than I was worth. So instead I was sent with a caravan of Taubyl Traders to be sold outside The City. It was from there I began to follow my destiny, and learned who and what I am, Amren. Oh yes, I know Hetar well. Very well."
    "I did not know any of this," Amren said slowly. He was surprised by her revelations. "You did tell me of Swiftsword before I first went to Hetar. And his memory is still honored. He died in some battle, didn't he?"
    "Aye, it was a great battle," Lara said. "I fought in it myself."
    Amren's mouth fell open in shock. "But you are a woman," he gasped.
    Lara smiled a brief smile. Andraste! To my hand! She called to her sword in the silent language. The sword leapt from its place over her tall stone hearth, and into her grasp. It was a beautiful weapon. Its broad blade a smooth polished steel. The gold hilt of the broadsword had a woman's head at its tip. The head possessed ruby eyes.
    "I am Andraste, and I sing of victory," the sword said. "Greetings, grandson of the Great Magnus Hauk."
    "It speaks!" Amren said. "What trickery is this?"
    "Surely you knew my sword spoke, grandson," Lara said, amused.
    "It was but a child's tale," he said slowly.
    "Most children's tales such as this one come from fact, my lord," Lara told him. "Certainly you believe I am magic. Can you deny the evidence of your own eyes?"
    Amren shook his head. "Nay, I cannot. Is it all truth, Grandmother?"
    "I do not know all you have heard, but probably it is," Lara said. "But let me tell you about the Battle of The City before I reveal to you what I want. The Twilight Lord Kol, who ruled the Dark Lands in those days, brought together a great army made up mostly of Wolfyn, but other dark entities, as well. They sought to conquer Hetar and had already ravaged the Midlands. Now they stood before The City. Their battering rams could not even dent the great gates nor could their fire machines pierce the protection that the Shadow Princes had put about The City. Hetar's soldiers stood upon The City's walls and laughed the Wolfyn to scorn. And then, when we were ready, we opened the gates ourselves. As our army had marched forth to face the enemy's, a platform moved to fill the gate. It was from there that the Emperor Gaius Prospero and Hetar's dignitaries watched the ensuing battle. I personally killed the Wolfyn high commander of Kol's armies, Hrolleif. And when the other Wolfyn saw it they howled their grief, but then the battle resumed. The ground before The City was awash with blood. And when our mutual enemies had all been slain the