Free the Darkness (King's Dark Tidings Book 1) by Kel Kade Read Free Book Online Page B

women. He did not even know if the fortress had a name. Rezkin
was just…Rezkin. Anyone reading these documents would have no idea how to treat
him. The lack of title was legally binding, and without one, he could be a
smith or the king, as far as anyone knew.
    After contemplating the conundrum for a few moments, Rezkin
decided he understood. The masters must have somehow arranged for him to have
these weapons, and because he would not always be filling the same role or
living in the same location, they simply left it blank. The fact that he owned
these weapons at all was a source of confusion for him, though. There should
have been additional information after his name. It should have listed some
accomplishment of his or reason for the king bestowing this honor upon him. The
document should have explained his role or rights as a Sword Bearer, as
the bearers of these weapons were known.
    Anyone carrying a Sheyalin by right had to have earned some
amount of trust or recognition by the king, and therefore, should have a
specified amount of authority. For example, he might be authorized to act as a
magistrate or carry information sealed by the crown. Rezkin’s did not specify
any authority. With this type of document, however, that did not automatically
imply he had no authority. It could equally mean that he had every authority. Even the king could not argue successfully for one interpretation or
the other.
    Rezkin would have to keep this information to himself unless
it became absolutely necessary to provide the documents, per Rule 123
– Do not seek praise or acknowledgement and Rule 57 – Remain
in the shadows when possible . This latter Rule was meant both
literally and figuratively, depending on the situation. Rezkin could not afford
to attract undue attention to himself, lest it interfere with his purpose.
    After strapping the swords to his waist he selected several
daggers, a set of throwing knives, a stiletto, a boot knife, a small cross bow
and quarrels, and a recurve bow and quiver of arrows. The bow he would use
mostly for hunting or shooting from horseback if he must. Next, he went to the
healer’s stores where all of the remedies and poisons were kept. Rezkin could
make his own, but this would save him a lot of time and effort, Plus, he was not
sure when he might have the time or supplies to make more. He packed away as
much as he could along with bandages, suturing materials, and other healing
necessities.
    Before heading to the kitchens for food supplies, Rezkin
stopped in the masters’ office. He disabled the traps on the safe and picked
the lock. He collected all of the gold, silver and copper, which was much more
than was safe to carry at one time, but he would find a place to hide much of
it when he had a chance. A number of bank notes and account books were also in
the safe, and he stowed those in his pack as well.
    After collecting his food, the young warrior made his way to
the stables where he saddled his horse and strapped down his pack. He also
packed a bag of oats for the horse, although there would be plenty of grazing
opportunities. His route should more or less follow the river if Farson was
headed toward the town, which was the only place the man could go. The fortress
was at the very edge of the settled part of the kingdom, and he did not imagine
for an instant that Farson would suddenly decide to become a hermit living in
the wilds. No, Farson would head toward civilization in hopes of losing Rezkin
among the masses.
    Rezkin opened the other stalls so that the horses could
wander at will. Eventually they would get hungry enough to leave the gates in
search of food or water. Taking the reins he lead the battle charger out of the
stables toward the gate. The horse balked at the tangy, sour stench of blood,
but being a trained battle charger, he pushed forward anyway. Glancing around,
Rezkin realized he could not just leave things the way they were. There were
seven Swordmasters dead in the