Trials of the Hierophant: Vol. II of epic fantasy The Sundered Kingdoms Trilogy by Ethan Risso Page B
Authors: Ethan Risso
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the crowd, and Senator Culwch Valifor came forward with a bow.
“Ah, yes, Senator. You have been most helpful to the crown.”
“All in the interest of the kingdom, Your Majesty.”
“For your valiant efforts, we gift you the province previously held by the House of the Scythe, a seat formally held by Kendric Pahne.” Madoc then addressed the crowd. “While the disgrace of Senators Vaughn Garanth and Kendric Pahne has cast a pall over the kingdom with my father’s death, we are proud to have Senators Garanth and Valifor take their place.”
“We are humbled by Your Majesty’s munificence.” Valifor bowed once more.
Tristram then announced Senator Einion Malik and his daughter, the Lady Eira Malik.
“House Malik pledges fealty to the throne of Annwyd,” said the senator. “As we served your father before you, we will serve Your Majesty with the best of our ability.” His daughter did not speak, but bowed her head politely.
“You are an honorable man.” Madoc’s tone softened. “We thank you for your pledge. The crown would ask that you continue your patronage to Annwyd as senator and head of the House of the Anvil.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty. I thank you.”
“I trust that you and your daughter shall join me for the tournament in my private box with Senators Boraste and Valifor.”
“It would give me great pleasure, Your Majesty. Thank you for your generosity.” Einion Malik bowed again and took his daughter by the hand.
After the formalities of the morning were finished, the nobles filtered out of the great hall to the tournament field. Before leaving the castle, Madoc shed his elaborate cape and armor, and wore only his robes. As he traveled through the streets of Rotham to the tournament grounds in his litter with Tristram, commoners bowed and threw flowers at the feet of the servants carrying them.
“Your Majesty has made quite a good impression on the populace,” Tristram commented as he looked around at the smiling crowd. “You have given them great hope for change.”
“And I intend to fulfill every promise to them,” he said, waving slightly to the crowd as he passed.
“You will also be interested to note that there has been an offer of marriage.”
“So soon?” Madoc looked at him. “Who is the girl?”
“Einion Malik’s daughter, Eira, whom you saw briefly, is eligible for marriage. The daughter of a senator will carry a large dowry and excellent political ramifications. Malik seeks to secure his role and loyalty in your eyes by offering his daughter.”
“She is so plain,” Madoc bemoaned.
“She comes from an excellent house, and the tribute of her dowry will help the coffers considerably.”
“We will speak of these matters later.”
Tristram gave him a stern look. “Please consider it, Your Majesty.”
Though it offered entertainment to the crowd, the tourney did not bring much pleasure to Madoc. He had been to several throughout his years as prince. It was so repetitive. Two men on horses, aiming to knock the other off. The only moments when it became interesting were those when one man skewered another with a lance. Though the sharpened point was covered with a clay guard, there was still considerable risk involved. Bloodshed was somewhat commonplace, although death did not occur often.
As the hours of the day waned, and the tourney drew to a close, the main event of the day finally came. Away from the dust-ridden tournament fields and back in Castle Rotham, Madoc paced in his chambers.
“My lord?” Tristram said as he entered. “What is wrong?”
“I worry…” Madoc looked to him, face wrinkled. “I worry that the crowd will turn.”
“You worry needlessly.”
“Vaughn Garanth has been a member of Annwyd’s Senate for many years,” Madoc said. “He is popular with the people and has many followers. While Pahne is a relatively new face, he still has people who are devoted to him in the province.”
“All of which would be something
“Ah, yes, Senator. You have been most helpful to the crown.”
“All in the interest of the kingdom, Your Majesty.”
“For your valiant efforts, we gift you the province previously held by the House of the Scythe, a seat formally held by Kendric Pahne.” Madoc then addressed the crowd. “While the disgrace of Senators Vaughn Garanth and Kendric Pahne has cast a pall over the kingdom with my father’s death, we are proud to have Senators Garanth and Valifor take their place.”
“We are humbled by Your Majesty’s munificence.” Valifor bowed once more.
Tristram then announced Senator Einion Malik and his daughter, the Lady Eira Malik.
“House Malik pledges fealty to the throne of Annwyd,” said the senator. “As we served your father before you, we will serve Your Majesty with the best of our ability.” His daughter did not speak, but bowed her head politely.
“You are an honorable man.” Madoc’s tone softened. “We thank you for your pledge. The crown would ask that you continue your patronage to Annwyd as senator and head of the House of the Anvil.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty. I thank you.”
“I trust that you and your daughter shall join me for the tournament in my private box with Senators Boraste and Valifor.”
“It would give me great pleasure, Your Majesty. Thank you for your generosity.” Einion Malik bowed again and took his daughter by the hand.
After the formalities of the morning were finished, the nobles filtered out of the great hall to the tournament field. Before leaving the castle, Madoc shed his elaborate cape and armor, and wore only his robes. As he traveled through the streets of Rotham to the tournament grounds in his litter with Tristram, commoners bowed and threw flowers at the feet of the servants carrying them.
“Your Majesty has made quite a good impression on the populace,” Tristram commented as he looked around at the smiling crowd. “You have given them great hope for change.”
“And I intend to fulfill every promise to them,” he said, waving slightly to the crowd as he passed.
“You will also be interested to note that there has been an offer of marriage.”
“So soon?” Madoc looked at him. “Who is the girl?”
“Einion Malik’s daughter, Eira, whom you saw briefly, is eligible for marriage. The daughter of a senator will carry a large dowry and excellent political ramifications. Malik seeks to secure his role and loyalty in your eyes by offering his daughter.”
“She is so plain,” Madoc bemoaned.
“She comes from an excellent house, and the tribute of her dowry will help the coffers considerably.”
“We will speak of these matters later.”
Tristram gave him a stern look. “Please consider it, Your Majesty.”
Though it offered entertainment to the crowd, the tourney did not bring much pleasure to Madoc. He had been to several throughout his years as prince. It was so repetitive. Two men on horses, aiming to knock the other off. The only moments when it became interesting were those when one man skewered another with a lance. Though the sharpened point was covered with a clay guard, there was still considerable risk involved. Bloodshed was somewhat commonplace, although death did not occur often.
As the hours of the day waned, and the tourney drew to a close, the main event of the day finally came. Away from the dust-ridden tournament fields and back in Castle Rotham, Madoc paced in his chambers.
“My lord?” Tristram said as he entered. “What is wrong?”
“I worry…” Madoc looked to him, face wrinkled. “I worry that the crowd will turn.”
“You worry needlessly.”
“Vaughn Garanth has been a member of Annwyd’s Senate for many years,” Madoc said. “He is popular with the people and has many followers. While Pahne is a relatively new face, he still has people who are devoted to him in the province.”
“All of which would be something
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