Free Search for Audric by Richard S. Tuttle

just the two of them. I must say that it does not speak well of your trust in Borunda."
    "Quite the contrary," replied King Caedmon as the four foreigners followed the general into the palace. "If I was truly fearful of law-abiding Borundans, I would not be in Tarent today. I do believe in small, sensible precautions though, as I am sure you do."
    "What happened here, General Ortega?" asked King Hector. "We have heard the rumors from afar, but I would prefer the real story from a man that I trust."
    "It is a sad affair," sighed the general. "The king's advisor lost his mind. Without any provocation that anyone could find, he plunged a knife into King Eugeon's heart. It is that simple. One insane moment, and a good king is gone forever."
    "That is a sad tale indeed," agreed King Caedmon. "I knew Lavitor fairly well. I would never have suspected such behavior from him. Was there any warning that he was troubled?"
    "None," the general shook his head. "Oh, his wife did bring the matter to my attention, but the murder occurred while she was telling me of his problems. Had the warning come a day earlier, it all might have been avoided."
    "I didn't know that Lavitor got married," remarked King Hector. "I didn't think he had a heart for anything other than protocol. He was a master at it."
    "He was married for over ten years," the general responded. "It was a good marriage by all accounts. His wife was the wisper who took care of the two princes. They appeared to be very happy."
    "You speak of her in past tense," noted King Caedmon. "Did she not take her husband's action well?"
    "What?" frowned the general. "Oh, heavens, no. She is not the type to take her own life. No, I speak of her life as a wisper in the past tense. She is actually the regent for Prince Garrick now."
    "Regent?" mused King Hector. "That is a lofty position for a wisper. Do you think she will do well?"
    "There was little choice in the matter," shrugged the general. "Lavitor was the named regent in King Eugeon's will, and that certainly could not be honored, but the king had inserted a rather unorthodox codicil. It allowed the young prince to name his own regent. The council had little choice but to accept the king's wishes. As for the wisper performing well, most think it hardly matters. The Crown Prince is quite mature for his age. He shows the promise of a great king."
    "That is rosy news for a sad occasion," smiled King Caedmon.
    The general halted outside the throne room.
    "I will allow you to pay your respects before I show you to your quarters," offered General Ortega.
    "Thank you," nodded King Caedmon as his fingers moved rapidly alongside his thigh in the sign language of the horse people.
    Prince Antion and Prince Derri had been waiting for such instructions. As the door opened to admit the two kings, the two princes slid into the throne room before the general could protest. Taking up positions just inside the door, the princes stood silently as their fathers approached the throne. Sitting on the throne was the Crown Prince. At his left stood the regent, Naveena, and on his right stood Prince Zinan.
    The meeting in the throne room was brief. The two kings offered their condolences for the death of King Eugeon, and their best wishes to the Crown Prince and his new regent. At the rear of the room, Prince Antion felt eyes fall upon him. He saw both the regent and Prince Zinan staring at him. A cold shiver ran down his spine. The feeling only lasted a moment, but Antion was relieved when the brief meeting was over and the party exited the throne room.
    General Ortega had left during the time they were inside the throne room, but another officer was waiting for them. He showed the four men to their quarters and gave them directions to the library where the other dignitaries had gathered. When the officer had left, the four men entered the Arin suite, and the princes removed their helms.
    "Who were the people behind the throne?" asked Antion.
    "The woman was the