Chapter 8
As the army and their prisoner approached the capital city, Haz began to worry. Max was still his father’s first born; whether by a true connection between the aging king and his first wife or sorcery made little difference. Under the weight of long custom, the throne was fairly his. Yet he had conspired and clearly intended to do away with Haz as a competitor, which the younger prince had never intended to be.
I don’t want to be king, Haz thought. Yet it seems I must now seek that very goal or be forced into exile so as not to have to watch my back until doomsday!
The leading ranks halted in the parade ground in front of the palace. Before the knights could dismount, the elderly bailiff appeared, descending the long stairs to the lower level. Haz saw the broad ribbon of bl
