The Bloodforged by Erin Lindsey Read Free Book Online

glances.
    â€œThat is not
quite
how I put it,” Erik said with a wry look at his first counsel. “I ask that this council serve as advisors toChancellor Highmount throughout my absence. Decisions of importance will be taken by two thirds majority, not by fiat. The chancellor will not be ruling so much as presiding, much in the way First Speaker Kar presides over the Onnani Republicana.”
    â€œDemocracy?” said Lord Gold, looking very much like a man who has just discovered a rat in his soup.
    Erik smiled faintly. “I wouldn’t go that far. I have always relied on the wisdom of this council. Chancellor Highmount will do the same.”
    Alix pursed her lips to forestall an outburst she would regret. It was so very like Erik to portray all this as a minor affair, a trivial, cosmetic thing.
Oh, I’m just abdicating for a while. Don’t fuss about it.
    â€œI will have the details drawn up,” Erik continued, “and delivered to your chambers. Take the evening to read them, carefully. We will reconvene tomorrow, at which point you may address any questions or concerns to Highmount and myself. And now, my lords, all that remains is for me to thank you for your voices in this matter. I trust we are all comfortable with the decisions we have reached here today.”
    Comfortable
was surely a stretch; the council members looked more dazed than anything, as if they couldn’t quite believe what they’d just agreed to.
    Erik rose, indicating the session was over. Chairs scraped across a taut silence. The council members bowed and took their leave. All except Rig and Liam, both of whom hovered over their seats, glaring at their king.
    â€œGodwin,” Alix called, “please seal the doors.”
    The four of them stood staring at each other as the guards shuffled out, the rustle of armour echoing off the walls. They waited until the doors sounded with a muted
boom
. Then they all started talking at once.
    â€œErik, you can’t—”
    â€œIt would have been nice if you’d—”
    â€œHave you lost your—”
    â€œStop.”
Erik raised his hands. When he was certain he commanded silence, he said, “I know you’re angry, but you all know me too well to imagine that I tabled this lightly.”
    â€œYou should have warned us,” Rig said. “The Broken Mountains, Erik? You can call it a
diplomatic mission
all youlike, but you’re not fooling anyone. This is nothing less than a stealth incursion into hostile territory.”
    â€œYes,” Erik said, “it is.”
    â€œOh good, well I’m glad we cleared that up.” Rig took two ringing strides toward the door before whirling back around. “What are you going to do when you run into some glory-hungry tribesmen looking for easy prey? Not to mention the half a hundred other dangers of a mountain pass in springtime?”
    Erik scowled. “Is this Riggard Black lecturing someone on taking calculated risks? You of all people?”
    Rig blew out an oath, ran a hand roughly over his beard. “No. The fact is, I don’t see any way around it, either. I just wish it didn’t have to be you. Or my sister.”
    â€œBut it does, and we both know it.”
    Alix steadied herself against the heavy oak table and drew a deep, calming breath. Erik and her brother were right; there was no alternative, at least none any of them could see. Still . . . “It could hardly be a worse time for you to leave the capital,” she pointed out. “The White Ravens might be broken, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of danger. The nobility is divided.” That was putting it politely. The families that had thrown their lot in with Tom and Roswald Grey had been punished, some of them harshly. Scions in prison, lands confiscated, fines levied . . . Some of them, surely, would be only too happy for a chance at revenge. “What if your enemies