Read The Sorcerer's Ring: Book 05 - A Vow of Glory for Free Online

wanted us to be attacked, didn’t you?
Something in you wanted King’s Court destroyed,” he said, suddenly realizing.
    Gareth
smiled back.
    “Not
all places,” Gareth said slowly, “are meant to last forever.”

CHAPTER FIVE

 
 
    Gwendolyn
marched with the huge entourage of soldiers, advisors, attendants, councilors, Silver,
Legion, and half of King’s Court, as they all made their way—one huge, walking
city—away from King's Court. Gwen was overwhelmed with emotion. On the one
hand, she was thrilled to finally be free from her brother Gareth, to be far from
his reach, surrounded by trusted warriors who could protect her, with no fear
of his treachery, of being married off to anyone. Finally, she would not have
to watch her back every waking moment from fear of one of his assassins.
    Gwen
also felt inspired and humbled to be chosen to rule, to lead this huge
contingent of people. The huge entourage followed her as if she were some sort
of prophet, all marching on the endless road to Silesia. They saw her as their ruler—she
could see it in their every glance—looked to her with expectation. She felt
guilty, wanting one of her brothers to have the honor—anyone but her. Yet she saw
how much hope it gave the people to have a fair and just leader, and that made
her happy. If she could fulfill that role for them, especially in these dark
times, she would.
    Gwen
thought of Thor, of their teary goodbye at the Canyon, and it broke her heart;
she saw him disappearing, walking across the Canyon bridge, into the mist, on
his way for a journey that would almost surely lead to his death. It was a
valiant and noble quest—one she could not deny him—one she knew that had to be
taken, for the sake of the kingdom, for the sake of the Ring. Yet she also kept
asking herself why it had to be him .
She wished it could be anyone else. Now, more than ever, she wanted him by her
side. In this time of turmoil, of huge transition, as she was left all alone to
rule, to carry his child, she wanted him here. More than anything, she worried
for him. She could not imagine life without him; the thought of it made her
want to cry.
    But Gwen
breathed deep and stayed strong, knowing that all eyes were on her as they
marched, an endless caravan on this dusty road, heading ever farther North,
towards the distant Silesia.
    Gwen was
also still in shock, torn apart for her homeland. She could hardly fathom that
the ancient Shield was down, that the Canyon had been breached. Rumors had been
circulating from distant spies that Andronicus had already landed on McCloud’s
shores. She could not be certain what to believe. She had a hard time fathoming
that it could have happened so quickly—after all, Andronicus would still have
to send his entire fleet across the ocean. Unless somehow McCloud had been
behind the theft of the sword, and had orchestrated the downing of the Shield. But
how? How had he managed to steal it? Where was he taking it?
    Gwen could
feel how dejected everyone was around her, and she could hardly blame them. There
was an air of despondency among this crowd, and for good reason; without the
shield, they were all defenseless. It was only a matter of time—if not today,
then tomorrow or the day after—that Andronicus would invade. And when he did,
there was no way they could hold back his men. Soon this place, everything she
had grown to love and cherish, would be conquered and everyone she loved would
be killed.
    As
they marched, it was as if they were marching to their deaths. Andronicus was
not here yet, but it was as if they had all already been captured in their
hearts. She recalled something her father once said: conquer an army’s heart, and
the battle is already won.
    Gwen
knew it was up to her to inspire them all, to make them feel a sense of safety,
of security—somehow, even, of optimism. She was determined to do so. She could
not let her personal fears or a sense of pessimism overcome her at a time like
this.