The Marus Manuscripts by Paul McCusker Read Free Book Online Page B

library, and four bedrooms. They established that Kyle would sleep in the room that overlooked the garden. It didn’t matter much to Kyle where he slept. He was more worried about his sister and his family. By now he’d been gone for more than a day. Everyone at home would be alarmed. Maybe even the police were searching for him.
    In the library, Darien sat down at a grand piano and began to play a tune that, to Kyle, sounded classical. A maid interrupted to take instructions from Darien for their dinner. He simply said to fix him his “favorite.” Kyle wandered over to a tall suit of armor with a colorful shield and a long sword clasped to its side. He could see his reflection in the shiny chest plate.
    “We’ll rest tonight,” Darien said as he played. “Tomorrow I’ll take you to see the Old Judge.”
    Just then, someone tapped on the glass of the double doors that led into the garden. It startled Kyle, but Darien acted as if he’d expected the noise. He got up from the piano, parted the curtains, and opened one of the doors. Prince George stepped in. The two men shook hands and clapped each other on the back and said the kinds of things men say when they haven’t seen each other in a long time.
    Then Prince George saw Kyle and smiled. “So this is the boy who saved your life,” he said.
    “He is indeed,” Darien replied. “Kyle, this is our beloved Prince George, the son of the king and my greatest friend.”
    “Hi, Your Honor—er, Highness—er, sire.” Kyle blushed as Prince George laughed.
    “Our servant Damaris is fixing dinner. Are you hungry?” Darien asked George.
    George shook his head. “I can’t stay long. My father is expecting me for some state function tonight. But I wanted to talk to you about something urgent.” He darted an uneasy glance at Kyle as if to ask, “Can he be trusted?”
    Darien nodded. “Say what you must. We are all trusted friends here. Aren’t we, Kyle?”
    Kyle replied, “Yes, sir. I’m in big trouble otherwise.”
    The two men laughed, then sat down on a thick red sofa next to the dormant fireplace. Prince George’s face grew earnest.
    “I’m here to warn you,” he said. “The king is in a dangerous frame of mind. I’m not sure what has seized his disposition, but it’s something dark and threatening.”
    “Are you in any sort of danger?” Darien asked.
    Prince George sighed. “I’m not, but you may be.”
    “Me?” Darien’s face lit up with surprise. “I’ve done nothing against the king. I’ve served him well, I thought.”
    “You’ve served him too well. Your successes make him think he’s a failure. Your popularity makes him feel unappreciated. Your acceptance makes him feel rejected.”
    “But he’s the king,” Darien said.
    Prince George nodded. “He’s the king, yes, but he feels that his position is threatened. He imagines that you may be maneuvering your way to become the next king.”
    “He is my king as long as he lives!” Darien exclaimed. “I would do nothing to take his throne away from him . . . or you.”
    Prince George stood up and paced thoughtfully. “There’s no point in fooling ourselves,” he said after a moment. “I will never be king. You are the chosen one. You will reign one day. The Old Judge said so.”
    Darien implored, “He said I was chosen, but never for what or even for when. Stop this nonsense, George. I’m a loyal subject of the king, your father. I would not lift a finger against him.”
    “I know that, Darien. But my father doesn’t.”
    “He used to. He has treated me like a son. Would I spit on that? Would I shove a dagger in the back of a man who treated me so well?”
    Prince George moved closer to his friend. “My father isn’t himself these days. You know he hasn’t been the same since his last argument with the Old Judge. He’s fearful and suspicious. I don’t know what they said to each other, but it’s changed my father. That’s why I’m here to warn you.”
    The two