“It is your sacred duty and the command of the king. Do not disappoint me, Darian…”
“Yes, my king,” Darian replied, bowing low.
“You may go now. Leave.”
He quickly bowed once again and moved away, turning a corner and suddenly encountering a group of knights and even one of the king’s counselors, Lokir. The small balding man had a squeaky voice and outrageous ambitions.
“Well, what did the king say?” the counselor demanded, suddenly standing in front of Darian, breathing garlic as always. He looked up at Darian from two heads lower.
“That is not for you to know,” Darian replied curtly, pushing Lokir aside to avoid the stench of his breath.
“Arrogant boy! How dare you?” Lokir sputtered.
“Know your place, counselor,” Darian retorted.
The head of the king’s guard and queen’s bodyguard, Braga, appeared as torchlights reflected off his bald head. He never concealed his disgust for Darian, as well as for the other sons of the king.
“I advise you to speak with more respect to the counselor,” said Braga, his deep voice carrying an air of authority.
“I dare to speak with him the way he deserves,” replied Darian, his tone laced with defiance.
“We are the reason this kingdom still exists, boy,” Lokir interjected, his voice high-pitched and unpleasant. “So know your place. You will not become a king. Nome will take the crown, won’t he?” The counselor giggled, revealing his yellowed teeth. “Boy.”
The next moment Dairan drew a dagger, putting the blade right to the counselor’s neck “Go on, call me ‘boy’ again.”
The armed mob behind Braga immediately drew their swords. Head of king’s guard put his hand on the hilt of his sword, not a single muscle on his face flinching. Only torchlight flickered across his troll-like head.
“You have no chance against all of us. If you harm the counselor, you’ll have to deal with me and all the king’s guards, boy.”
Darian met each knight’s gaze with his dark brown eyes, unafraid. Finally, he slowly withdrew the blade from Lokir’s pale neck and returned it to his belt.
“One day the king will die, and no one will be there to keep you in this position… or even keep you alive, Braga.”
The troll-like guard smirked and mockingly bowed his head. “Same to you… my prince.”
With that, Darian strode down the corridor, pushing aside the knights who blocked his path.
“You will regret this!” Lokir shouted, rubbing his red throat.
Darian didn’t look back. He knew that his defiance had put a target on his back, but he also knew that he was the only one who could secure the future of the Serpent-Slayer line.
CHAPTER 1
Darian made his way to the queen’s chamber with the intention of checking on his mother and newborn brother. As he approached the entrance, he found it empty. He adjusted his leather cloak and entered the queen’s chamber without knocking. He slowly opened one of the large double doors and peered inside, taking in the opulent decor.
The walls and floor were adorned with dark gold and silver, and the soft light of the hearth illuminated the room. In the center of it stood a king-sized double bed with intricate wooden patterns above a huge red carpet.
wpDiscuz