The King in Reserve by Michael Pryor Read Free Book Online

Gormond bristled. 'Do not doubt the valour of my band. Small in numbers, but great in spirit are we.' He brightened and turned.
    The journal writer nodded. 'Noted, Your Majesty. "Small in numbers but great in courage are we.'"
    'Spirit.'
    'Sorry?'
    'Spirit, not courage. "Great in spirit are we." Do try to keep up, Sachi.'
    Beneath his helmet, Adalon could not help but smile. The young king had perhaps listened to a few too many stories, but his keenness was encouraging. 'Your Majesty, great events are in motion. I am one of the enemies of Queen Tayesha and General Wargrach. My small band defeated their plans to invade Callibeen. We have a refuge which is safe and our numbers are growing. Won't you join us?'
    King Gormond shook his head. 'I have a kingdom to regain. I cannot allow Thraag to swallow my country like this. I must gather my strength and fight back.'
    Simangee leaned forward in her saddle. 'More is at stake than the fate of Knobblond alone, Your Majesty. The fate of all Krangor is in the balance. Queen Tayesha plans to conquer all seven kingdoms, bringing them under her sole rule.'
    King Gormond goggled, his eyes catching the light of the lantern. 'What madness is this?'
    'Madness indeed,' Adalon said. 'She believes that she can achieve immortality as the sole ruler of the land.'
    King Gormond had trouble speaking for a moment, so great was his shock. 'It would break the great compact and upset the eternal balance. The land would rebel.'
    'It has begun already. Haven't you noticed the tremors?'
    'Ah. I had wondered what was amiss.'
    'But that's not all,' Simangee put in. 'The A'ak are taking this opportunity to come back.'
    King Gormond hissed. His tail beat against the boulder. 'The A'ak? It is not possible. They disappeared eons ago.'
    'Exiled, they were, and they are rabid to come back.' Adalon seized the King by his shoulders. 'Join us. Fight this two-pronged menace. Add your strength to ours.'
    King Gormond rubbed his forehead with a weary hand. 'Our strength?' He gestured at his tiny retinue. 'A chef, a tailor and a scribe. That is all I managed to save from the collapse of our country. I would be of no use to you.'
    'What about your magic? As rightful King of Knobblond, you must have made the compact with the land. Each monarch can wield great powers.'
    'Ah, powers, yes.' Gormond scuffed his foot in the dust. 'We were getting around to that.'
    'You haven't undergone the Ritual of Bonding, have you?' Simangee said.
    'Mother said I wasn't ready, so soon after Father passed on. I had to study the Way, and I kept getting distracted . . . Then she passed on, and things got so busy . . .'
    Adalon felt a cold stone in his stomach. He'd been hoping to use the young king's power in their struggle. It would have been useful to have someone on their side with magic like Queen Tayesha's. Nevertheless, if Gormond couldn't be a weapon, he could thwart Tayesha's plans by simply staying alive. 'We need you. Your people need you. Join us and your strength will grow. Knobblond will be yours again.'
    'Join a rebel band? True hearts resisting the tide of darkness? Great deeds?' He looked up, shyly. 'I could truly be a part of this?'
    'You can.'
    King Gormond grasped Adalon's hand and shook it. 'The Spectre will ride again!'

Eleven
    Gormond regaled Adalon and his friends with his many recent adventures while his tailor fetched their riding beasts. The King's steed was a highly strung black stallion. Despite Adalon's misgivings, Gormond proved to be a fine rider and was quick to control his headstrong mount.
    His three helpers had more dour steeds, thick of limb and strong of chest. They were clumsily mounting by lantern-light when Kikkalak and her patrol dropped through the trees and landed in front of them.
    'What strange creatures are these, Adalon?' Gormond cried as he reined in his rearing mount. 'Are they monsters sent by the A'ak to plague us?'
    Adalon saw Kikkalak start to bridle. 'Do not say that, Your Majesty. They are