during sunsets, and creating a sparkling focal point at dawn.
The lower levels of the king’s tower housed the main government store houses, living quarters for the garrison, a throne room in which the king could hold court, and a few feasting halls as well. All of these seemed insignificant with the uppermost levels in Bracken’s estimation. The twelfth floor housed the king’s bedchamber, but it also held the king’s library, orrery, and, most importantly, there was a special pedestal atop the tower which had allowed the king to summon the dragons in ancient times. The top of the tower was built specifically for this purpose, Bracken knew. In days of old the dragons would take turns perching atop the tower and providing counsel to the king, directing the affairs of men and, when necessary, launching offensives from above to maintain order.
Bracken had only seen the top of the tower twice. Once upon the king’s ninetieth birthday, and again when the king called a select council to discuss how the kingdom was to continue without a king after their lord’ s imminent death. The king had advised the senator’s present to create a list of potential heirs from among the various nobles of the land, but he had not chosen any of them. Instead he reminded the council that in the event he died without an heir, the kingdom would be ruled jointly by the senate and the Keeper of Secrets.
The warlock snarled as he recalled those words. The time for Lepkin’s death could not come soon enough!
Bracken eyed the top of the king’s tower. The king hardly ever came down from the top level now. On the rare occasion he did, he had to be carried by several of the king’s guard, his bodyguards and special police, in order to descend the great staircase to the lower levels. He usually only went to such efforts for the summer and winter solstice festivals so the people of Drakai Glazei could see their figure head still breathed and walked among mortals. Bracken didn’t mind. The old king had ceased interfering with matters of state a couple of years ago. Sometimes his advisors and ministers did so on his behalf, but he was never directly involved anymore.
It made a senator’s life extremely easy, and had given Bracken several opportunities to solidify his own power.
It had also given rise to a smattering of smaller factions throughout the kingdom, but Bracken did not concern himself with them unless they could offer him something in return. He found that most nobles were like senators, too selfish and greedy to meaningfully serve any master other than their own base desires. The warlock had found a few nobles he could trust, and the rest he ignored, knowing that their efforts would amount to little more than the sting of a single ant when compared with his power, let alone the might of his master.
Bracken smiled and turned back to beckon for Captain Thorgrave.
“I am at your service,” the captain said dutifully as he trotted his horse up alongside the window.
“I do not wish to be disturbed by fanfare and parades today, Captain Thorgrave,” Bracken said.
“Very well,” the captain replied. “What would you have me do?”
“Make it known that I wish only to deposit our guest into the garrison dungeon. Have him watched by a triple guard, and keep him in irons. Then I wish to simply go home, eat, and sleep. I have a l ong couple of days ahead of me.”
“By your command, sir,” Captain Thorgrave said. “I shall dispatch my lieutenants ahead of us to make the necessary preparations.”
Bracken sneered at the captain. “I don’t care to be bothered with the details, just get it done.” Senator Bracken pulled his head back inside the carriage and tried to steal a short nap before they made it to the city gates.
*****
Braun hung close to the oak branches supporting his weight high up in the great tree. He had managed to get ahead of Senator Bracken’s convoy enough to set up a small camp just inside the
The lower levels of the king’s tower housed the main government store houses, living quarters for the garrison, a throne room in which the king could hold court, and a few feasting halls as well. All of these seemed insignificant with the uppermost levels in Bracken’s estimation. The twelfth floor housed the king’s bedchamber, but it also held the king’s library, orrery, and, most importantly, there was a special pedestal atop the tower which had allowed the king to summon the dragons in ancient times. The top of the tower was built specifically for this purpose, Bracken knew. In days of old the dragons would take turns perching atop the tower and providing counsel to the king, directing the affairs of men and, when necessary, launching offensives from above to maintain order.
Bracken had only seen the top of the tower twice. Once upon the king’s ninetieth birthday, and again when the king called a select council to discuss how the kingdom was to continue without a king after their lord’ s imminent death. The king had advised the senator’s present to create a list of potential heirs from among the various nobles of the land, but he had not chosen any of them. Instead he reminded the council that in the event he died without an heir, the kingdom would be ruled jointly by the senate and the Keeper of Secrets.
The warlock snarled as he recalled those words. The time for Lepkin’s death could not come soon enough!
Bracken eyed the top of the king’s tower. The king hardly ever came down from the top level now. On the rare occasion he did, he had to be carried by several of the king’s guard, his bodyguards and special police, in order to descend the great staircase to the lower levels. He usually only went to such efforts for the summer and winter solstice festivals so the people of Drakai Glazei could see their figure head still breathed and walked among mortals. Bracken didn’t mind. The old king had ceased interfering with matters of state a couple of years ago. Sometimes his advisors and ministers did so on his behalf, but he was never directly involved anymore.
It made a senator’s life extremely easy, and had given Bracken several opportunities to solidify his own power.
It had also given rise to a smattering of smaller factions throughout the kingdom, but Bracken did not concern himself with them unless they could offer him something in return. He found that most nobles were like senators, too selfish and greedy to meaningfully serve any master other than their own base desires. The warlock had found a few nobles he could trust, and the rest he ignored, knowing that their efforts would amount to little more than the sting of a single ant when compared with his power, let alone the might of his master.
Bracken smiled and turned back to beckon for Captain Thorgrave.
“I am at your service,” the captain said dutifully as he trotted his horse up alongside the window.
“I do not wish to be disturbed by fanfare and parades today, Captain Thorgrave,” Bracken said.
“Very well,” the captain replied. “What would you have me do?”
“Make it known that I wish only to deposit our guest into the garrison dungeon. Have him watched by a triple guard, and keep him in irons. Then I wish to simply go home, eat, and sleep. I have a l ong couple of days ahead of me.”
“By your command, sir,” Captain Thorgrave said. “I shall dispatch my lieutenants ahead of us to make the necessary preparations.”
Bracken sneered at the captain. “I don’t care to be bothered with the details, just get it done.” Senator Bracken pulled his head back inside the carriage and tried to steal a short nap before they made it to the city gates.
*****
Braun hung close to the oak branches supporting his weight high up in the great tree. He had managed to get ahead of Senator Bracken’s convoy enough to set up a small camp just inside the
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