The Sorcerer's Scourge (5 page)

“I can behave when I want to. I am just lucky Jarvin is not a big a fool as I expected.”

“I told you that, but you did not want to listen.”

“Well I can hardly be blamed for that,” Azerick insisted.

Miranda turned and looked at him. “Why, because you think all noblemen are arrogant swine?”

Azerick shrugged. “It is not as though you are the best judge of character.”

“What do you mean by that?” his wife demanded.

“Well, you foolishly married me didn’t you?” Azerick answered with a wry smile.

“You are lucky I am also terrible at listening to people, because they all said the same thing.”

“Everyone?”

“Near enough.”

Azerick and Miranda spent the next two hours mingling. The nobility accepted Azerick more now that he was one of them and had the ear of not only the Duchess but possibly the King as well. Word had also gotten around that Azerick had a great deal of wealth, and the one thing rich men liked to do was to look for investors so they could make more money. With a great deal of elbowing from Miranda, Azerick was able to fake a polite smile and decline all of their offers.

King Jarvin stood upon a raised dais and called for everyone’s attention. The crowd pressed in and quieted down, eager to hear what their King had to say.

“Lord Azerick Giles, would you please attend me on the dais?” Jarvin called out and made eye contact with the sorcerer.

Azerick was unsure of what was happening, but he was certain he was not going to like it. The sea of people parted as he approached with Miranda by his side. Miranda stopped at the foot of the dais while Azerick took three steps up to stand a single step below the King.

“Most of you know what the magus has done here in North Haven, not just in its defense, but for the common good of all its citizens,” Jarvin addressed the crowd. “What most of you may not know is the extremes he went to, and the great harm he placed himself in to protect those close to him, and possibly by sheer coincidence, saved the kingdom from civil unrest and possibly my very life. He has shown himself to be a man of contrary but noble character. He has shown that he is a man of morals with a powerful sense of duty. The only thing he has not shown is himself to his own awards ceremony!”

Jarvin let the laughter die down before continuing. “Since I could not properly reward him for his services in Brelland, I have decided to do it here. Lord Azerick Giles, for your bravery and duty to the Crown and the kingdom, I bestow to you this statuette and the title of Defender of the Crown. From this day forth, you shall be known as a friend to the crown.”

A functionary brought forth a polished wood box with ornate engravings covering the lid and sides. Jarvin took the box from the bearer, opened the lid, and presented its contents to Azerick.

Azerick looked at the small statue inside as if it was a dead bird. The statuette was of a knight with his sword raised and shield held to ward off a blow. On the shield was Jarvin’s coat of arms with a crown hovering over it. With a gesture from the King, Azerick picked the figure up out of the box. It must have been solid gold, because even though it was only six inches tall, it weighed several pounds.

Azerick could only nod in recognition, thinking what an incredible waste of wealth the thing represented. He gently put it back in the box and the bearer stepped away. Jarvin cleared his throat and prepared to address the crowd once more.

“Now, Lord Giles, there is the small matter of your oath of allegiance you must take,” Jarvin informed the sorcerer with an abashed grin.

“I must?” Azerick asked without a trace of humor.

Behind him, Miranda cringed. Depending on his mood, if someone told Azerick he must breathe he would hold his breath until he passed out. Miranda stepped next to Azerick, took his hand, and looked pleadingly in his eyes. Azerick returned her look and gave Jarvin a small nod.

“Very well then,” Jarvin continued. “Please repeat after me. I, Lord Azerick Giles…”

Azerick repeated the oath as Jarvin seemed to drone on. With his ability to ramble with endless redundancy, Azerick thought the King could make a good priest. His attention returned as it appeared they were nearing the end.

“And do solemnly swear to support and defend the Crown of Valaria,” Jarvin finished.

“And do solemnly swear to support and defend the
kingdom
of Valaria,” Azerick returned.

Jarvin opened his mouth as if to correct the new lord then closed it. “That is the best I am going to get isn’t it?”

Azerick slowly inclined his head to the King and felt Miranda squeeze his hand even harder.

Jarvin paused as the assembled crowd held their collective breaths. “Then I shall take what I can get,” he declared with a smile.

Everyone, especially Miranda, let out the breath they had all been holding. No one had ever altered the oath before an assembled crowd. Most took it and simply discarded it if it did not fit their true intent, as Ulric and several others had done. There were a few rare historical accounts of a nobleman refusing outright. Those people were promptly stripped of title and lands, and on some occasions imprisoned or executed.

Although Duchess Mellina had bestowed a lordship upon Azerick for his defense of North Haven, that title was predominantly ceremonial outside the region she controlled. Now Azerick was officially a lord of the realm with all of the rights and responsibilities it carried.

The King then motioned for Azerick to kneel, which he did after an uncomfortable moment’s hesitation. Then Jarvin held out the back of his hand for Azerick to kiss his signet ring to seal his oath. Miranda was sure this was the end of Azerick’s tolerance and tried to brace herself for the chaos that was sure to ensue.

Azerick looked at Jarvin’s hand as if he were holding a snake. This was too much. It was bad enough the man forced him into an oath that made him feel as though he were chewing glass when he spoke the words, but to expect him to kneel and place his lips upon his bauble was beyond unbearable. It was an attempt to disgrace Azerick’s dignity.

How dare this insufferable man think he has the right or the power to lord over you?
Klaraxis seethed in rage.
He is a weak man on a weak throne! Destroy him where he stands and you shall be King!

Shut up, demon
, Azerick ordered Klaraxis.
You play with my emotions at risk of your suffering.

Azerick felt Miranda’s presence once again as she kneeled beside him and beseeched him with her eyes. He gave his beautiful bride a smile and knew then that nothing was more important than she was. No sacrifice was too great to give for her love—even his own pride. He lightly gripped the King’s hand with his own, and with a touch as light as a feather, brushed his lips across the ring.

The tension that had been building amongst the assembled guests evaporated like a puddle under the desert sun. Some even laughed as they spoke of the near disaster they had almost just witnessed. Azerick stood, helped Miranda to her feet, and hugged her tightly.

Jarvin laid a hand on Azerick’s shoulder and led him off the dais and slightly apart from the crowd. Fearful Azerick might say something unspeakable, Miranda kept a tight grip on his other arm. She could feel the tenseness in her husband’s body that spoke of an ill mood the unexpected ceremony had put him in.

Jarvin turned to the sorcerer and replaced his friendly smile with a look of utter seriousness. “Azerick, I hope you appreciate the leniency I have regarded you in taking your oath.”

“And I hope you appreciate the fact I made one at all.”

“Azerick, please!” Miranda begged.

Jarvin held up a hand. “No, Lady Miranda. Azerick and I must come to terms and fully recognize where we stand. Lord Giles, I have bestowed a lordship and title upon you. Along with those come certain conditions that all of my lords have had to agree to.”

“How has that been working out for you lately?” Azerick practically snapped back.

Jarvin’s face colored and he fought to maintain a civil tone. “Failure to make or meet those requirements can have dire consequences. I would have been fully within my right to take every copper and every inch of land you own had I not accepted your improvised oath.”

Every hair on Miranda’s body seemed to stand on end when Azerick replied. “Why don’t you go pay Ulric’s grave a visit and ask him what happens when someone tries to take what is mine.”

“I have given you an enormous amount of vocal freedom for what you have done for me, the kingdom, and its people. But when you make threats, you have exceeded that latitude!”

“I am not threatening you, Your Majesty. I merely point out examples that I hope serve as a warning to foolish men. As of yet, I do not count you among them. Let us both pray I never do.”

The King stood with his jaw clenching and unclenching for several long moments. Then the flush slowly drained from his face and his flesh returned to a more natural hue. He let out the breath he had been holding for at least the past minute.

“Why is it that one of the men I probably trust most in my kingdom dislikes me so much? It is a strange and most vexing time.”

“Your Majesty, Jarvin, I do not dislike you. I do not think you fully understand what I have gone through and the sacrifices I have made largely because of men of a certain station. It has created certain—demons—you might say. Some of those demons have come home to roost and it makes me act much more harshly than some might deserve,” Azerick explained in way of an apology.

Jarvin extended his hand to Azerick. “I had best find my wife. It is a long journey back to Brelland. Especially seeing as I must go by way of Southport and give that city some much needed face time. I let Ulric out of my sight for too long. I shall not make the same mistake with his cousin.”

Azerick clasped the King’s hand. “I too have had about as much celebrating as I can stand for one day.”

Azerick sent a page to have Peck bring the carriage around then led Miranda through the palace halls and outside.

“Azerick, why are we taking the coach?” Miranda asked as they stepped out into the light of the summer sun.

“It is a rather long walk. Especially in your wedding finery,” Azerick replied as he helped Miranda and the many folds of her wedding gown into the carriage.

“Do you mean to go back to the school?”

“Of course,” Azerick replied as if it were an obvious and forgone conclusion. “Where else would I live?”

“I thought we would live here in the castle. It is where I must perform all of my duties.”

“And the school is where I must perform mine. I am sure you can look pretty there just as well as you do here.”

“Is that what you think I do all day; stand around and look pretty? I will have you know I attend court with mother, advise her, and deal with a number of things that must be addressed for the duchy to run properly!” Miranda declared scandalously.

“I am sure your mother is quite capable of running the duchy and making decisions without you. Just as I am certain that it will not be terribly inconvenient to schedule matters of importance in a manner in which to accommodate you. The school is my home. Besides, I can walk the grounds there without the overwhelming desire to strangle nearly half the people I pass.”

Miranda knew he was right but impishly crossed her arms and faked a pout. “What if I do not want to live in your drafty tower?”

“You are certainly within your right to stay at the castle, but you might find it every bit as drafty without your clothes,” Azerick replied.

Miranda looked at Azerick in shock. “What do you mean without my clothes? Where are my clothes?”

Azerick smiled mischievously. “I had them all crated and moved into the tower this morning.”