Shield & Sorrow by J.E. Ridge EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Author: J.E. Ridge
- Language: English
- Genre: Sword & Sorcery Fantasy
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
Silas needed more than a crown or title to rule a kingdom. He just didn’t
know what he needed. The libraries of Bellacosta tragically lacked any
guidebooks on good kingship and his advisers were no help, more than
happy to leave him ignorant.
He had six advisers, all appointed decades before his time by his
grandfather or mother. Every morning they met in the Council Chambers
around a large, rectangular wooden table that could seat twenty people, but
remained more than half empty. On the left: General Varro, a large man
from both appetite and muscle. Niall, the Head of Staff, bloated and
unkempt. He kept the palace running smoothly, but never gave his
appearance the same attention.
On the right: Jacoby, the Treasurer, a mousy,
soft-spoken man obsessed with numbers and unconcerned with other
kingdom business. Cal, the Head of the Merchant’s Guild, a shrewd
businessman who treated his appearance like another asset, everything
straight and pristine. Mirinda, the People’s Representative. In her late
forties, she was the youngest adviser and the only woman. She sat with her
back straight but eyes downcast, rarely drawing attention to herself.
And at the end of the table, in a position of great importance, sat Alistair,
Silas’ Head Adviser, also in charge of Foreign Affairs. He was the oldest in
the group, but his white hair was the only sign of his advancing years.
Sitting on the end unbalanced the table, so when he spoke, everyone looked
toward him and away from Silas.
Fifteen minutes into the day’s meeting, Silas regretted attending. The
number of times someone had interrupted him was staggering, though not
unusual. Niall alone had talked over Silas three times already as they
discussed a new hire for the stables. Silas threaded his fingers through his
short hair and gripped his head, wishing to finish this disastrous hour and
escape. Out of the nearest window he caught glimpses of clear, cloudless
blue sky. He imagined the coastal waters were the perfect temperature from
the summer sun. None of them want me here. I could slip out, go to the
beach, and no one would even notice. If they did, they’d probably sigh with
relief, happy to finally have me out of of the way.
A gentle knock came from the Council Chambers’ door, a warning and a
request. Everyone quieted and six pairs of eyes turned to Silas. Only the
king could invite someone into the Council Chambers—the one task they
allowed him to perform unchallenged. He considered making them wait, a
childish urge to display his authority, but it wouldn’t be fair to the person
outside.
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