Free The Path Of Destiny by Mike Shelton Page A

died, and I promised I would take care of his
family. He was a good man, Richard. So you understand now why you must stay
here with me, and why you must say nothing to anyone, including your family. No
one must find this out until the right time, until I am ready to die.”
    Richard looked confused. Everything was coming too fast! His
head spun and his body went numb. “Why is it so important for me to stay so
close to you? As you said yourself, his family was included in the banishment.
I cannot be king.”
    “But your child can,” King Edward said.
    A spark of understanding flashed in Richard’s eyes and
astonishment swept his face. “So . . . my son . . . Darius, he could be . . .”
Richard tried to breathe, tried to believe the wild tale.
    “He will be the next king,” finished Edward. “He was
not yet born when the banishment was made. The crown will be restored again to
the direct line and no faction can vie for authority over it. But he must not
know yet. There is still training he must go through. He must become strong.
One of the strongest kings we have had, to keep this people in safety. He must
be trained in the ways of the military, of the nobles, and trade. He must
become a leader and understand the politics of this Realm like no one else. He
would be in too much danger if he found out now. There are many who would like
to see no rightful heirs to the throne. If Darius found out now, his life could
be in danger. If he died, there would be civil war for sure. Do you understand,
Richard? Do you understand now?”
    Richard couldn’t find any words to speak, but only nodded
his head as the King continued. “You must learn all you can now so that when I
pass the crown to him at the right time, you can be by his side. You will be
your son's councilor, if I can leave that instruction for him. A unique ruling
team that has never happened. It will give you and him the extra strength that
will be required.” The King’s eyes gleamed in excitement.
    Richard was stunned beyond belief and sat still for a few
moments, then with a pale face excused himself to go to his own office. Before
exiting the room, he whispered barely loud enough for the King to overhear, “He
will now have another excuse to hate me.”
    He wondered if his family would ever forgive him for the
terrible secret he must keep. They hated him for what he wasn't . . . or maybe
was. Now he had to be even more deceitful. Yet he grasped the situation now and
recognized he had no choice in the matter. He wouldn’t risk the life of his son
or civil war. Despite what others may think, he loved his family and the Realm.
    Richard walked out on the western balcony, outside of his
office. The landing overlooked the city. One day his son would be the king of
this city. Not just this city, but as far as the eye could see. From the
Superstition Mountains to the Blue Sea. He would rule from the forgotten lands
to the border of the Gildanian Empire. He put his hands on his face and cried.
He cried for the pain he had caused and still would need to cause his son. He
cried for his father, whom he now understood, and he cried for what his son
would have to go through to keep peace in the land.
     
     
     

Chapter Five
    THE CREMELINOS
     
    “ F ather, come quick,” called
Jakob, Haman’s only son.
    “What is it, Jakob?” Haman walked
around the side of the large barn to find out what distressed his boy. His long
legs carried his wiry frame up next to the fence where Jakob stood.
    Jakob pointed out across the grassy field towards a group of
Cremelinos that seemed to be running, all together, around in a large circle.
The large pure-white horses continued to speed up until the sight to behold
became a dizzying blur.
    Haman Widing, his wife, and his son, were the current master
caretakers of the herd of Cremelinos on White Island—an honor passed down from
father to son for more generations than any could remember. Although White
Island sat off the eastern