Obsidian Ridge - Jess Lebow [34]
"Get out," spat Korox, "or you will have much more than floating citadels and slumping sales to worry about.",
With that, the king turned, walked up the dais, and sat down on his throne.
"Good day, Lady Herrin." He nodded at Quinn. "Let them up."
Quinn pulled back and ordered the other men to step away from the downed bodyguards. The Magistrates gave the merchant and her entourage a wide berth, but they kept their swords drawn.
Lady Herrin, her lip curled up in disgust, continued to glare at the king. "You will not get away with speaking to me like that, Korox. This is not over. You will be sorry."
"Confiscate their weapons and escort them to the gate," ordered the king. "Inform the guards that they are not allowed back into the palace without a personal summons from me or Senator Divian." The king paused. "And be quick about it. We have real business to attend to."
Jingling as she spun, the old merchant and her bodyguards were physically removed from the audience chamber by a host of Magistrates.
Quinn placed his sword back in its scabbard and approached the throne.
"Are you all right, my lord?"
King Korox put his head in his hands and let out a large sigh. "No, Quinn," he said. "I do not think I am."
"Well, for what it's worth, the men have had a bet going for some time."
The king looked up. "A bet? What does that have to do with anything?"
Quinn smiled. "They've been wagering how long it would take you to have that old bag hauled out of here."
The king chuckled. "Who won?"
"No one," replied the bodyguard, his smile growing wider. "We all thought you'd have done it ages ago."
Just then the doors to the throne room burst open again, and Captain Kaden came marching in.
The king stood, unable to contain himself. "Captain, what news of the princess?"
Kaden approached the throne, dropped to one knee, and bowed his head. "I'm sorry, my king, I have not been able to locate her."
The king slumped back down. His wife had died only a few tendays after he had taken the throne. He would never get used to his life without her. The only comfort he had been able to find was that he still had his daughter. Mariko was all he had left, and now she too had been taken from him.
It wasn't fair. He was the king. There were so many things he could control. But the disease that had taken his wife was not one of them. And now the princess was missing, and he didn't know where to look or even for sure who to blame. What good was being the Warrior King if he didn't have an enemy to fight?
"I am truly sorry, my lord," continued Kaden. "The effort is in full force. I have my best men out looking for her right now. And I pledge to you that I will continue my personal search tirelessly until we find her. Do not lose hope. I will bring Princess Mariko home safely."
The king nodded. "Yes, Captain, I'm sure you will."
"But, my lord, I have not come here to discuss your daughter. I have other news."
The king was puzzled. "And what would that be?"
"The Obsidian Ridge, my lord. It's on the move."
The king leaped from the dais and dashed for the steps that led up to his private chambers. The balcony that had provided him with the perfect view of the Llorbauth valley now had become the best vantage point to track the black citadel that menaced the city.
"Quinn, Kaden, with me!" the king shouted as he charged up the stairs.
The men followed their king, and all three arrived at the top, winded from the climb.
Dashing to the open doors, the king stepped out onto the veranda to see the Obsidian Ridge slowly drifting to the east. It had moved several acres since last he had set eyes upon it. The shadow it cast over the valley had moved directly over the docks.
"In the name of Torm, what is it going to do now?" King Korox rubbed his forehead as he wondered aloud at what new horror his kingdom was on the brink of experiencing.
The floating castle drifted out over Shalane Lake, then came to a complete stop. Everyone in the king's chamber held their breath as they watched, waiting to see what was going to happen next.