A World Without Heroes - Brandon Mull [31]
Jason gaped at the ridiculous scene.
“Go on,” urged the gatewarden quietly.
Jason approached the dais. “Greetings, mighty king,” he said politely, opting to play along with the charade. It required some effort to restrain his sarcasm.
“Welcome to my realm,” the king intoned, spreading an arm outward, sightlessly indicating the damaged walls and dilapidated furnishings. It was embarrassingly clear that the Blind King believed he ruled a grand domain. Jason felt tempted to turn and walk out. There seemed no chance that this pathetic pretender could help him. But it would be rude. And he had no other place to go.
“What brings you before His Majesty?” asked the minstrel, now speaking in a softer, higher-pitched tone.
“I come seeking wisdom,” Jason replied, trying to sound formal.
“He comes to the right place,” the minstrel declared in a different voice, having changed positions. The others cried out, “Hear, hear,” repeating the words in various voices. What an act! Jason threw in a “Hear, hear” of his own.
The king raised his hands for silence. “What wisdom do you seek, young traveler?”
“I’m not entirely sure.”
The attendants murmured theatrically.
“What guided you to my kingdom?”
“I was referred here by a loremaster. He lives in a repository—”
“Say no more. I understand.” Jason noticed the king’s grip momentarily tighten on the arms of the throne.
The attendants mumbled vaguely about the perceptiveness of the king. The woman crept some distance away, coughed loudly, and returned.
“I would converse with Lord Jason at once in the privacy of my chambers,” the king proclaimed.
The attendants looked shocked. Apparently this was an infrequent invitation.
“As you command, Your Majesty,” the minstrel finally responded in a deep voice.
The woman aided the king to his feet and helped him down the dais steps. “Let young Jason serve as my guide,” the king said. The woman stepped away, and the gatewarden hurriedly directed Jason forward. The king placed a hand on his shoulder. Jason followed the gatewarden out one side of the hall.
The gatewarden eyed Jason, making grandiose gestures. Jason took the cue. “You have a spectacular castle,” he said.
“Most gracious of you,” the king replied in his raspy voice. “We will proceed alone from this point.” The gatekeeper bowed and returned to the hall. When they advanced to a curving staircase, the king grasped the banister. “I require no further aid.” Jason followed the king up the stone steps, into the more stable of the two towers. The old guy mounted the long flight at an impressive pace. Despite his long gray hair and beard he seemed in healthy condition.
Eventually they spiraled up to the highest room in the tower. The stairs stopped at a heavy door bound in iron. “Here we are,” the king said, unlocking the door and leading Jason through the portal.
The room was nicely appointed, with clean furnishings and a canopied bed. The king moved about the room almost as if he could see. With one hand extended probingly, the king found a cushioned chair. “Please be seated.”
Jason took a seat across from the king, who sat straight and tall. For the first time Jason noticed the broadness of his shoulders. His bearing somehow seemed more regal than when he had been slumped upon the throne.
“Bridonus sent you,” the king stated.
“He did, Your Majesty.”
“Then you have seen inside the book bound in living skin?”
The question surprised Jason. “I have.”
The king exhaled. “At long last.”
“How do you know about the book?”
“I too have seen within its pages, though few in my kingdom know this fact. You have part of the Word?”
Jason stared at the ragged king. “The first syllable.”
“A great burden now rests on your shoulders,” the king murmured. “You must think me a fool.”
“Excuse me?”
“I have no army. I know I live inside a derelict castle with a handful of well-meaning courtiers. Some of them do not realize I know this, or they pretend not to realize. It gives them great satisfaction to believe they have convinced me that I rule a mighty domain. I do rule here, but