The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) by Daniel McHugh Read Free Book Online

his superior rank. A rank that has lain dormant for nigh on seventeen years I might add!
    I maintain that this has all been an elaborate ruse by the Keltaran to get a man close enough to eliminate your majesty, the heart and soul of this great nation. Without you we would be lost and our enemies are quite aware of this. With these Elves in tow and Ader the magician manipulating the whole affair, only Avra knows where this farce is headed. Luckily, my troops man your majesties security detail, and I assure you that you are well taken care of.”
    Ader shook his head and moved forward toward Macin smiling.
    “Hold your ground, Seraph!” demanded Udas and he slid a hand over the hilt of his sword.
    Several of Udas’s troops positioned about the dais closed ranks around it.
    “As I said, Macin, I do question some of the council you take.” stated Ader, ignoring the colonel.
    Udas’s lips curled in hatred. Ader raised a hand on high as he continued.
    “If I intended to remove you from the throne, it could’ve been accomplished long ago.”
    “Ridiculous!” scoffed Udas. “My men were hand picked and trained by myself. They all passed rigorous....”
    “Udas, be silent.” said the king calmly. “It seems the people’s own hero of Rimdar Pass has let me down.”   
    A gasp ran through the crowd. Kael glanced back to the dais and saw a diminutive hand hung over the top of Macin’s chair with a small, thin blade steadily held just an inch from Macin’s neck. The king’s face reddened. His chin went rigid and his neck muscles tightened.
    “No matter. Quite a splendid little show, Ader, but it does not convince me of your true intentions. Actually, it clouds the issue even further. My life matters not.” continued King Macin. “It is the decisions made by this office that are crucial in the days ahead. If I were to be lost, another would stand here and lead. The danger lies in the influences some wish to peddle to me. A false step and I could ruin the nation.”
    Ader nodded and the blade and hand disappeared behind the throne. A small figure darted out from behind the king. The figure wore the uniform of a royal page, but Kael recognized the face of the Fox’s companion. The boy bowed to the king. Macin acknowledged the bow with a nod of his head.
    “What influence do you plan to peddle to me conjurer?” questioned Macin.
    “Do not trust him my lord!” shouted Udas. “Ader toys with you. He puts a knife to your throat then retracts it to feign power over us all. He has duped and subverted your son to his undertakings and holds many of our key military personal in the palm of his hand. This charlatan tempts us to chase the lies fed to him by the prince of the mountain dogs who killed our beloved General Ellow. If we stand united this ring of treachery will be exposed. We know where our battle lies your majesty! To the North!”
    “The North, eh Udas? That is where you feel we need to reinforce?” asked Macin. “Did your unparalleled military mind tell you that or the thousand year history of this war!? Let me see. Am I recollecting correctly, or did you actually go to the front once in your entire military career and return to me the useless hero of Rimdar Pass.
    Ader speaks of words and stories to rally the people, and I’m left with two half-wit supply commanders stumbling through hostile territory with no escort. One manages to get himself killed and the other severely wounded. If you would have done me the service of expiring as well at least I could add some heroic color to what is otherwise an unmitigated, colossal act of stupidity!”
    “Your ... your majesty. I ... I lost an arm, and the nation lost a ... a great warrior when the Keltar took General Ellow from us.” Udas stammered and fawned. “I only try to serve my king and country the best I know how. I am a ...”
    “Yes. Yes. Udas.” said Macin dismissively. “But if we are here to stare the bald facts straight in the face, let me