Master of Chains - Jess Lebow [87]
Through the door came six highly polished soldiers. Each of them wore a helm and heavy plate mail, painted white, with the red entwined twin-wyvern crest of King Korox on their chests.
Typically, as Liam had learned not only as a guard but also as an invited guest, visitors to the baron's private sitting room were not allowed to carry weapons. The King's Magistrates were an exception to this rule. They were the strong right arm of Llorbauth, the policing force for the entire kingdom of Erlkazar. The Magistrates could be judge, jury, and executioner. They were the enforcers of the kingdom's laws, and they answered to the king alone.
From what Liam understood, there were almost as many Magistrates as there were soldiers in the King's army. The fact that Korox had sent only six to talk to Purdun meant either that he didn't expect any trouble, or that these were extremely dangerous men.
"Welcome to Zerith Hold," said Lord Purdun. "To what do I owe the pleasure of having six of the King's Magistrates in my personal chambers?"
A man on the end stepped forward and doffed his helm. He was a rugged-looking man with a jet black goatee and long black hair pulled back in a ponytail.
"Lord Purdun, I am Magistrate Olivio." He put his helm under his arm and bowed. "We are here under order of the king to take you back to Llorbauth."
Baron Purdun stood up straight. "And may I ask why the king would need to send the Magistrates to collect me?"
"The king has heard that the good people of Ahlarkham are up in arms. He has sent us to collect you so that he may avoid another Elestam," explained the Magistrate.
"Another Elestam? The king is worried that the people hate me so much that they will revolt and eventually secede from the country?"
Olivio nodded. "Yes. That is what the king would like to avoid."
"That's preposterous," said Purdun. "The king should know that the situation in Ahlarkham is nothing like it was in Elestam."
"I beg the baron's pardon," argued the Magistrate, "but the king understands that the vampires have returned."
This gave Purdun pause. "Yes," he said after a moment, "we have seen vampires recently, but-" He placed his hand on Liam's shoulder-"my men have them and the local rabble under control."
Magistrate Olivio bowed again. "While I'm sure your men are quite capable of taking care of any threat that plagues your barony," he looked Liam up and down, "that does not change the fact that the king wants us to bring you to him." The Magistrate took a step forward. "So you can come with us peacefully, or we can use other means."
Purdun shook his head. "This must be part of her plan."
"Excuse me?" said the Magistrate.
"Nothing." Lord Purdun shook him off. "With all due respect, Magistrate, you don't understand. If you remove me from the barony, then there will be no one here to lead the fight against the vampires. If the king is truly worried about the reappearance of the undead causing a major peasant uprising and a secession of the barony from Erlkazar, then surely he wants me here to direct the effort to fight them off."
"Your logic is impeccable, my lord," said Olivio, a twinge of impatience entering his voice, "but I'm afraid I have my orders."
Purdun walked back and forth across the floor, shaking his head. The tension in the room grew as the man pondered the situation.
Stay calm, Liam, he said to himself. Wait for the baron's orders. The conflict was nearly unbearable.
Finally Purdun stopped his pacing, and he turned on Magistrate Olivio. "You go back to Llorbauth and tell my brother-in-law that instead of sending his Magistrates, he should be sending his army to help me defend my barony against an outside threat."
Magistrate Olivio visibly bristled. "I'm afraid I can't do that." Placing his helm back on his head, he said, "This is your last chance to come peacefully. If you refuse, we will have no choice but to use force."
All six Magistrates drew their swords at the same time, filling the room with the high-pitched ring of steel sliding against steel.
In a flash, the