Read Schism: The Battle for Darracia (Book 1) for Free Online

news for me,” he added indulgently.
    Staf bristled, and Pacuto ’s face was an impassive mask.
    V ’sair wandered over to find out what was going on, but the group blatantly ignored his presence.
    “ The Quyroos in the eastern quadrant have dammed the River Stevin. Our supplies are at the halfway point. They demand a seat in the Darracian Moon Council.”
    “ Childish pranks that were put down by General Swart before dusk,” the king answered curtly, his gray face impassive. General Swart bowed deeply, a sneer on his granite face.
    Staf was outraged. “I saw the fires!”
    “ A diversion. The supplies were released, the youngsters sent on their way,” General Swart responded smugly. He hated Staf Nuen, thought him a bully. Even though Swart argued with the king, he was loyal unto death and never would let Staf know he disagreed with any of Drakko’s policies. He had wanted to destroy the Quyroo village. It was his suggestion that they torch the settlement to teach them a lesson, but this new era of peace and understanding was interfering. Swart stared hard at the crown prince and fervently prayed for the good health of the king, Great Sradda willing. What would happen if the boy reigned? He shuddered with distaste. World order was in jeopardy; the entire planet was upside down. Bottom Dwellers were building on the sides of the great volcano, tempting the Elements. Quyroos considered themselves equal to the population of the clouds. They wanted to control the export of the randam crystals. In his 150 years, Swart never thought he’d see such nonsense. Yet the king refused to act as his father had before him. The Planta woman had made him soft, he thought with disgust. But Swart was the king’s liege and knew his duty. Staf Nuen’s roar interrupted his thoughts.
    “ Sent on their way!” Staf exploded. “This is how you treat rebellion? Will you invite them to dinner as well?”
    General Vekin, Drakko ’s most powerful commander, stiffened at Staf’s insulting tone, and his broad face darkened with anger. He was about to answer when the king broke the tension with a chuckle.
    “ How did you know?” Drakko laughed. “The most high lord, Jonis, leader of the Quyroos, is on his way for our evening meal. He brings his female—a lovely girl, I’ve heard.” There was a challenge in Drakko’s softly spoken words. “The times are changing, brother. A new dawn has come.”
    “ The evening has just started,” Staf said. “Dawn is still distant.”
    “ The Quyroos merely want a spot on the council. It is hardly the end of the world. We need the randam crystals. They have them. It’s simple politics.”
    “ We don’t need their permission to take the crystals. We never did.”
    Drakko considered this for a moment, thinking how best to answer his brother. “Well, yes, this is true, but what has it gotten us? The Elements tell us to work together.”
    “ Darracians . The Elements were given to the Darracians.” Pacuto couldn’t help himself and burst into the conversation. Everyone stared at him, appalled at his rudeness.
    Zayden rested his hand on the pommel of his sword, his face contemptuous, his stance threatening.
    General Swart glared at the young man, his eyes two shards of glass. “In my day,” he began in a withering voice, “we threw hotheads off the balconies.”
    The king stayed his old general with a hand, but Staf Nuen was livid. Embarrassed and furious, he wanted to teach the old Darracian a lesson but instead took out his anger on Pacuto.
    Staf turned angrily on his son. “Quiet, young fool! Go stand by your mother,” he growled.
    “ I was only stating the obvious!” Pacuto replied defensively.
    “ Go stand with the women. Now!” Staf commanded him, his voice a menacing hiss.
    Pacuto hesitated, his face suffused with a dark grayness. Drakko held up a finger and urged him to come closer. The king narrowed his gaze at his nephew. The boy was big, almost twice the size of V’sair. He