Read The Monster War: A Tale of the Kings' Blades Online
Authors: Dave Duncan
The Monster War: A Tale of the Kings' Blades (45 page)
About to pin the badge on Stalwart’s chest, Ambrose paused, as if having second thoughts. “You do realize,” he muttered, almost inaudible under the tumult, “that this probably makes you the premier commoner in the land? I’ll have to ask the heralds, but I do believe you’ll even out-rank the Speaker of the House.”
“Your Majesty is being very generous,” Stalwart said hoarsely.
The piggy little eyes twinkled. “Well, I couldn’t be generous if I were dead. There!” And, as Stalwart was about to rise—“One other thing.”
“Sire?”
“We promise to stop making jokes about the King’s Daggers.”
SERVIAN, HAVING BEEN OFFICIALLY EXPELLED, was last seen begging a carter to give him a ride into Torwell, where he could hope to find work in the lead mines.
The assassin’s horse recovered from its trance, and when Ambrose left Ironhall a couple of days later, Stalwart rode it down to Blackwater. Lumpkin was there, having found his own way home safely—although he never let anyone ride him on Starkmoor again. Stalwart rode Yikes from Blackwater to Holmgarth, where she was reunited with Sheriff Sherwin.
Wart persuaded Sherwin to show Emerald his magic whistle, but Emerald said she couldn’t find any magic on it, which was very strange, because it would still alarm dogs and horses, and yet it made no noise at all.
The hard part of that whole journey back to Grandon was being a royal favorite, expected to remain in close attendance on the King. Stalwart would have much preferred to ride beside Emerald, but most of the Royal Guard had that very same idea. Sir Fury was there first, though, glaring murder at any other man who came close. Since Sister Emerald did not seem to mind, he was allowed to get away with this…for the time being, anyway….