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

then screwed up her face when she noticed who was behind them. “Oh no, Soujonn,” she said.
    A portly boy of about eighteen stormed past them in his plate steel armour. Kasan’s illegitimate son scowled at Havoc and Magnus, and then gave Mia and Eleana the same lustful look his father gave to Molna. Their cousin was in training to be a Rawn Knight in the king’s guard, and he had filled out since the last time Havoc had seen him; the children always remembered his bullying ways in his youth and despised him for it.
    “I hate the way he looks at me; he gives me the creeps,” said Mia with a shiver as the Vallkyte teenager got out of earshot.
    “Don’t worry, Mia, we will look after you,” said Magnus, with such great sincerity that Mia beamed brightly at him.
     

     
    The broom cupboard was smaller than Havoc remembered and it was a tight squeeze for them both. Although, with the grill open, he could see most of the meeting room, and the acoustics were perfect.
    The council of war, however, had already started.
    “…He has such a hold over the Nithi that it is nigh impossible to change their loyalty to him. Mad-daimen is not a man for negotiation. He is single minded and intent on his purpose; this is why I urge Your Highnesses to pull your forces together.” This was from a tall Ri with long, white, curly hair that was brown at the temples, on an otherwise young, friendly face. Havoc recognised him as Saltyn Ri, his at one time, instructor who had left the Ri Order under mysterious circumstances and had joined with Kasan as his personal consul.
    “All very well, Consul, but the facts of the situation must come too light; we have been at peace with the southern tribes for two thousand years; why this animosity now?” asked Vanduke.
    Behind him stood Lord Rett, the Red Duke, the king’s champion and Magnus’s uncle impassively watched the other champions in the room, who were the only ones allowed weapons, all being armed with their swords and fully armoured.
    “You have sent your own consul, have you not?” asked Kasan, who seemed to be bored already, as if he had better places to be.
    All eyes turned to Ness Ri, who sat on Vanduke’s right at the head of the long oak table that dominated the room.
    “My consul mission was on another matter in the south, but what my learned colleague said about Mad-daimen is correct. I have met him in the past, and he is not a man to turn from his convictions. It will take a far better man than I too change his mind. If he has an armed force the size of the one stated, he would use it. I predict dark times ahead.”
    The mood was sombre when their master finished talking. The tall, slim champion behind King Hagan shifted slightly and stoked his greying beard. He was by far the most handsomely clad in the room.
    “Well, that settles it, then,” said Hagan. “My emissary missions also came back empty handed. So let us all do what we came here to do and quell this uprising. I propose a united alliance and put a stop to this rebellion before it is too late.”
    “You, popinjay, can propose nothing. It’s not your lands that are being raided every month,” said Kasan sombrely.
    “I’m here to help, you dullard!” replied Hagan angrily. “You cannot speak to me as if I was a child again.”
    “Insolent peacock, you have not learnt any respect in front of me. Remember your place, Cromme Secondur, or I will have Udren remember it for you.” Kasan indicated his champion by his side, who reached for his sword.
    Hagan’s champion stepped in front of his king, but wisely did not touch his sword hilt. Havoc could not make out his face from behind his helmet, but he scowled back at Kasan’s larger bodyguard.
    Hagan and Kasan were on their feet now, throwing insults. Vanduke joined in siding with Hagan; Ness Ri’s quiet voice was also added into the mix, trying to quell the argument. Havoc and Magnus glanced at one another in alarm. They had never seen grownups fighting