Read The Fall of Dorkhun for Free Online Page B

shaking hands with Bordorn. He hadn’t yet looked at Master Sondious’s nephew.
    “And this is Krondious,” Roskin continued, gesturing at the white beard.
    “You,” Kraganere said, stepping back, his face tightening. “What’s the meaning of this?”
    “He is…” Roskin began, but the king cut him off.
    “I know who he is. The Butcher of the Deep! Guards!”
    Several well-armed Kiredurks rushed into the room, axes drawn. Krondious turned to face them, reaching for his own weapon, but Roskin jumped between the guards and the nephew. Bordorn stood frozen, and Master Sondious’s assistant pulled his chair as far back as it would go.
    “Call them off!” Roskin screamed.
    “Get out of the way!” Kraganere yelled back.
    Krondious got his axe from its loop and drew back, but Roskin grabbed his arm just under the elbow and held him.
    “Krondious, stand down!” Roskin shouted, struggling to keep his grip on the nephew’s powerful arm.
    Krondious suddenly relaxed, focusing on Roskin’s face. In a lower tone, Roskin repeated the order, and Krondious lowered his axe. In all his years, Master Sondious had never seen anyone control his nephew that way.
    “He’s with me,” Roskin said to the king. “Call them off.”
    “I can’t do that, son.”
    “He saved my life.”
    “He’s a villain and an exile. Guards, shackle him.”
    “No!” Roskin screamed.
    The guards circled them, and two readied sets of shackles, one for his arms and the other for his legs. Krondious stood still as stone, not resisting.
    “Don’t hurt him,” Roskin barked.
    The guards attached the shackles, and the king moved over and grabbed Roskin. He pulled his son from the throng and pushed him against the wall.
    “Don’t fight them, Krondious,” Roskin called. “I’ll get you out of this.”
    Krondious nodded his understanding and let the guards put his arms behind his back and connect the bindings. Once he was bound, the king ordered them to take him to a holding room down the hall. One guard pushed Krondious in the back to force him forward, and the nephew stumbled from the tightness of the chain between his ankles. The guard drew back to strike him, but Roskin broke the king’s grasp and rushed the guard.
    “If you touch him, I’ll tear you apart,” Roskin threatened, his voice reverberating off the walls.
    The guard jumped back, his eyes wide.
    “Don’t hurt him,” the king said. “Just get him to the room. Roskin, sit down!”
    The heir turned to his father and glared at him, not the look of spoiled nobility who hasn’t gotten his way as before. This look was different. It was mature, wise, and pained. Roskin stood still for several moments, and the king stared back, his expression torn between the love for his son and his duty as king.
    “He knew the penalty for returning,” the king spoke at last.
    “I brought him here. I needed soldiers in Rugraknere, so I offered a full pardon to any who would fight beside me.”
    “He’s the Butcher of the Deep, Roskin. He killed six dwarves in a drunken rage, injured several more. I only spared his life out of respect for Master Sondious.”
    “He swore his life to mine,” Roskin said, stepping closer and clenching his jaw. “He’s not that person anymore.”
    “For what it’s worth, your highness,” Bordorn finally spoke. “He did save our lives, and he did swear an oath to Pepper Beard.”
    The king sighed and asked Master Sondious what he thought.
    “I’ve never defended my nephew’s actions. He shamed our family’s name.”
    “He’s different, now,” Roskin pleaded. “He defended me when none of the other exiles wanted to. He respected you for your fairness. He risked his life to help me.”
    “I will consider all that,” the king said, slumping in his chair. “You must be exhausted. Go get fresh clothes and a good meal. We’ll discuss this later.”
    “Yes, sir,” Roskin hissed, turning for the door.
    Once Roskin and Bordorn were gone, Master