Free Color Mage (Book 1) by Anne Marie Lutz Page B

cloaked for a journey.
    “Young Kirian!” she said. “Come! They will be calling for us at the castle.”
    “We’re fine,” Rashiri said. “Go.”
    Kirian waited only to grab her cloak, and she was gone.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Callo unbuckled his sword belt and handed it to the guard at the door. The guard gestured to him and he removed his cloak, letting the man see that he had no other weapons slung about his person. The guard opened the door.
    King Martan Alghasi Monteni sat on an ornately carved chair, one of the prizes of the Alkirani, who lived in a land with few trees. His clothing was fit for the throne room in Sugetre, from the light silver crown around his graying head to the valus fur trimming his cloak. A few courtiers lounged around him, equally well-dressed. A clerk sat at a nearby desk, writing instructions. Callo glanced around for Arias, who sometimes graced this crowd between his Watches, but saw no sign of his half brother.
    Callo bowed.
    King Martan paid Callo no heed until he finished the conversation he was having with one of his guardsmen. As soon as that man bowed and went about his affairs, His Majesty turned to Callo.
    “Where have you been?” the King asked.
    Callo felt irritation stir at the King’s brusque question, but forced it down. He thanked Jashan for the calm the god had granted him during the sword forms he had just completed in the ring. It had always been critical that he keep a calm mind, since unpleasant things seemed to happen around him when he did not. Chiss had introduced him to a Jashanite warrior-priest when he was ten; the man had taught him everything he knew about the sword, and initiated him into the discipline of the ritual forms.
    “Your Majesty, I have been in the training ring. Did you require my presence earlier?”
    “I have not heard from the village. The Leyish ship is overdue. Send down to the village to see what is going on. Also, you’d better send a man to Two Merkhan—if the ship has already arrived, I’ll have some heads.”
    “Sire, Elder Hame assured me they would keep constant watch. The ship must round the High Rocks to make port at Two Merkhan, and when it passes them, it will be visible from the village. I believe the Elder is actually sending boys out to the High Rocks to check. But of course I will send to make sure.”
    “Do that. I will be departing immediately for Sugetre. As one of my Guard captains, I require you to make your men ready. Leave a man here to meet the ship and send word to Sugetre when it arrives. Alkiran will have to do the honors when the delegation arrives.”
    “Your Majesty!” Callo said. He paused, his thoughts spinning. He wanted to remain here a little longer; something about the place drew him, and he was reluctant to leave Arias just yet. “I respectfully request to remain and await the Leyish delegation.”
    King Martan’s eyes grew even colder. “Why do you not wish to accompany me, Lord Callo? Have you forgotten where your living derives?”
    “No, your Majesty, and as always I appreciate your generosity.” Callo fought down the twist of anger; he should be used to Sharpeyes’ manipulative techniques by now. When King Martan had taken him on as a child, out of family obligation since his sister Lady Sira Joah refused to have the boy in her house, he had gifted Callo with the title and income from a small manor near the Leyish border. That was what allowed Callo to dress and live like the hereditary noble he was, in spite of his shameful birth.
    King Martan stared at Callo as if trying to figure him out. “You are not ready to depart?”
    “With your permission, I will await the delegation and give them an appropriate welcome.”
    King Martan was silent for a moment. “Granted,” he said. “Bring me news out of this place when you come. I will start you out by telling you that our hasty departure is due to an attack on us by the Ha’lasi. Not a candlemark ago there was a Black Tide, turned just