Free The Exodus Sagas: Book II - Of Dragons And Crowns by Jason R Jones Page B

watched the old bearded wizard and the lord of his knights carefully as they headed not for the dining hall, but for the entrance to the castle. “Gentlemen, will you not dine with us?”
    “Keep walking Kalzarius, I will handle this matter.” Savanno whispered as he slowed his pace. “Get them ready, I will meet you on the road to the mountain with Cristoff.”
    “No Savanno, I am too old and stubborn for these cat and mouse chases. Go to Rosana, see what you can do there beyond romance. I will speak with the king now, and ruin his lunch.” Kalzarius turned, smiling, and walked back toward the throne.
    Sir Savanno was shocked, stunned for words, he had thought no one knew of he and the queen. His father who had died many years ago was close with Kalzarius, and the Lord honored the friendship they had and would trust the old wizard with anything. If word ever freed of his love affair, his execution would be known throughout many kingdoms. He could not help it, his heart had been hers since he laid eyes upon her. She had been deeply saddened by the arranged marriage, and was a woman that longed for a mature and brave man. What she ended up with was nothing of the sort, and both of them had seen Harlaheim decline since Richmond took the throne.
    “Your highness, forgive me. I would love to dine with thee, as I have many questions about the lack of naval support that the merchant ship received on the night of the Altestani attack in the bay. It seems that they were put in peril without a Harlian vessel in sight willing to help. I would much like to know about the naval officers and their priorities. Simply for the safety of the kingdom, for perhaps you are unaware of their deficiency.” h is words like magical daggers as he walked to the dining hall, leaving a stunned expression on the young king. Kalzarius knew that his words would inflame the king, but he hoped to also keep the focus on him for some time.
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    The lord of the holy order of knights snuck around the corner, and up the stairs outside the castle hall. The guards were not minding his destination, and he crept in the shadows up winding stairs and servant balconies. Through two closets, around an unused room, then he lifted a tapestry depicting the feathered cross of Alden over Harlaheim. Savanno pushed the central stone in, and turned it, opening the door to the queen’s closet. He shut it behind him, quietly, and peered around the gowns, shoes, boots, and royal wardrobe and into the vanity. She was waiting there for him, her eyes full of tears that were ready to drop.
    Rosana rushed to him, throwing her arms around him, kissing his neck and face wildly. “I am sorry, my sweet lord, so sorry.”
    “There is nothing to be sorry for my queen, you did what you felt was best. Is the door locked?” Sava nno began taking his tabard off and removing his swordbelt.
    The queen was undoing her strings in the back of her gown, “Where are they now? What is Richmond doing?” h er eyes and cheeks were wet as she looked at her lover then to the sky releasing soft rains. She was hoping they had all the time in the world on this rainy day.
    Savanno unstrapped his chainmail and plates , piece by piece, and placed his armband with the feathered cross of Alden on the bed. “They are in the dining hall, Kalzarius has it all taken care of. We have not much time Rosana.”
    She kissed his rugged stern features, soaking them all in as her gown dropped to the floor as her knight loosed her ebony hair from the braids and pins that held it up. “I have missed you this we ek my love, my knight errant.” h er kisses, matched by his, let out her words in staggered phrases and heavy breathing. The room had gotten warmer in mere moments. The two could barely talk as the passion of each others’ embrace took an intimate priority over the need for words or even air, neither could control it even if they had wanted to.
    Savanno’s tunic and pants fell after