The Rawn Chronicles Book One: The Orrinn and the Blacksword: Unabridged (The Rawn Chronicles Series 1) by P.D. Ceanneir Read Free Book Online

Orrinn?”
    “By incanting Skrol, it only takes a couple of symbols. The inscriptions on the tower do most of the work.”
    The rest of the day they spent with Tilly and Letti exploring the ship’s quarters, bunks and galley.
     

     
    That was yesterday morning, now, on the walls of the east gate, they could see the serried ranks of the Vallkyte host stopping at the open entrance.
    Trumpeters from both the Rogun and Vallkyte royal parties announced the arrival of their subsequent monarchs. A single white horse-drawn carriage flanked by knights trundled into the city. The townsfolk lined the route and cheered, throwing flowers under the wheels of the carriage.
    The children followed from the ramparts as the procession continued up the half mile to the palace gates. They took the stairs down to ground level and ran on ahead to the small square at the palace entrance.
    As he ran, Havoc could not help noticing a tall man on a white charger who seemed out of place. His armour was different from the steel plate that the soldiers wore. Instead, it was a matt white and handsomely tailored to his muscular frame. The shoulder guards caught his eye, for they were of a strikingly rich colour of red that was in stark contrast to the white. A long black cape that covered the charger’s rump finished off his impressive appearance.
    King Vanduke, Queen Molna, King Hagan, Ness Ri and Sir Cort, the Rogun High Steward, waited for the visitors in front of the palace. Havoc could not help noticing that his father was pacing nervously.
    When the Vallkyte party stopped in front of them, the tall white knight dismounted and stomped, long legged, to Vanduke; he took off his helmet and bowed, saying the traditional greeting to the head of the family, and gave the king a warrior’s handshake. Havoc realised this was King Kasan of the Vallkytes; he also noticed that he did not kneel in front of his father during the greeting, but Vanduke chose, at that time, to ignore it. All knew there was no love lost between these two brothers.
    “If Uncle Kasan is on horseback, then who is in the carriage?” asked Verna at his side.
    Havoc was more intent on Kasan. He had long black hair tied back into a prince’s plaits, a neatly trimmed goatee, and thin eyebrows on a severe face. He always seemed to be frowning and his dark green eyes were, at that moment, unscrupulously intent on Havoc’s mother. Totally ignoring anyone else, including King Hagan, he took Molna’s hand and kissed the back.
    “It is always a pleasure to see you, Your Grace.” He had a soft, rich voice.
    “The pleasure is all ours… brother,” She quickly extracted her hand from his grip, conscious of his piercing gaze.
    Havoc’s attention was now on two knights; they were the only two who he could see in dark purple armour, and they were opening the doors of the white carriage. An elegant silver-haired man emerged, followed by two young women. All were dressed in robes the same dark purple as the knights armour.
    “Havants,” said Verna
    Before Havoc could query her, Mia gave a start. “Aunt Cinnibar.”
    She was looking at a fourth person emerge from the carriage. Female, tall and slim with flaxen blonde hair and a benign countenance, Havoc thought she was by far the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She waved away the attentions of the knights who were helping her to dismount, and walked straight backed with a half smile on her face towards Vanduke and Molna. She gave them each a kiss on both cheeks and held both Molna’s hands warmly as they chatted.
    “She must be well over three hundred years old,” said Mia, “but doesn’t look a day over twenty-five.”
    The sister of the late King Valient the Third did in fact look good for her age; due to her mastery of the Rawn Arts, she could hold her age indefinitely.
    “She is now a high-ranking member of the Havant Order,” said Verna.
    “Aren’t they an old Vallkyte priesthood, faith worshipers to the Derma Ken?”