Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,199

who could move were the king, Sam, and herself.

Keldwin looked at his guards before turning his head toward Shalee. He unsheathed his sword and took a step toward her.

In turn, Sam retrieved Kael from his hip, pointed the blade at the king and yelled, “Val arna, nuar!” The blade burst into flames. “Not so fast! I don’t think you want to go there!”

Shalee watched the leader of Brandor take a few steps back to avoid the intense heat of the god-sword. As he did, the king lowered his weapon.

Seeing everything was under control, Shalee began to saunter through the frozen figures that were scattered about the room. She touched the guards on their shoulders as she passed. “My King,” she sighed, “You’re being hasty. It seems you’ve let your crown boggle that head of yours.” She turned to glare at the monarch. “You’re not listening. If you’ll pay attention … right now … I’m calling you, My King.”

Shalee passed her right hand across the blades of Keldwin’s frozen soldiers as she continued to speak. “Your men keep their weapons sharp. You must be proud of your army. I would ask that you open your mind and realize your ways aren’t our ways. We’re not from your world. We won’t be bullied, nor will we spend our moments on senseless traditions.”

The sorceress continued up the stairs leading to the throne and walked behind Keldwin. She rubbed her hand across the nape of his neck and could feel him tremble. “Where we’re from, we treat folks the way we want to be treated. You should give us the respect we deserve, My King, and we’ll get along just fine.”

Shalee floated back down the stairs and removed the weapons from the guards’ hands. “We have no intention of bowing again until you speak with us as equals. You’ll treat us with respect ... as friends. Once you’ve done this, you’ll have our loyalty, and we’ll adopt your customs. We’ll conform to your silly illusion of respect. People don’t respect you because they bow to you, Keldwin. I would imagine your people bow because they fear your crown.”

The sorceress placed the swords at the king’s feet and then backed up as she continued to grandstand. “I watched as you hid behind your throne. This is a sign of weakness, and I don’t respect a weak man. I would only respect a king who has the nerve to get something accomplished. I respect a man like Sam. You need a man like Sam helping you, Keldwin. I won’t stand here and allow you to make a mockery of him. You haven’t earned the right to command us to do anything ... yet. If you want us to bow, I suggest you stop this foolishness before I become angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”

Shalee moved back up the stairs and removed the king’s sword from his hand. She turned it around and tapped the blade against his chest. “You don’t wish to see me angry, do you, Keldwin?”

The king shook his head.

The sorceress continued. “We have been brought here by the gods, and we have no intention of leaving until we find a way to save the worlds. I think we should work together.”

Sam could not wipe the smile off his face as he commanded his sword to go cold and sheathed Kael. He loved this side of Shalee.

The sorceress stood on her toes and placed her chin on the king’s shoulder. “I want you to find a spot for Sam in your army … and it better be an important position. Consider this a non-negotiable request. I’m sure you understand what ‘non-negotiable’ means. My position won’t change on this matter.”

The sorceress walked out from behind Keldwin and lowered the king’s sword to the floor with the others. Before descending the steps to rejoin Sam, she brushed her hand across Keldwin’s face. “Do we have an understanding, Keldwin? If we don’t, speak now. I can always use much stronger magic than you’ve witnessed.”

Keldwin felt disheartened as he lowered onto his throne. He took the moments necessary to think. After a short while, he responded. “Is anyone hungry … or is it just me?”

Sam laughed and then ascended the steps to grab Keldwin’s hand. Pulling the king to his feet, he put his arm around the monarch’s shoulders. “Now, that’s the best thing I’ve heard all Peak. Do you have pancakes?”

Sam and the king were about to leave the room when Shalee commented. “My King,