The Sword and The Mountain (Kathardra book 1)
Off Balance

The only sound in Golathar’s throne room was his boots pacing from one side of the hall to the other, over and over.

“My king, the council is concerned about you.” Solveiga’s voice broke the rhythm of his steps.

He did not respond. It was happening again, the vision at the edges of his eyes was dimming and blurring.

“My king, they have suggested that you might benefit from a sleeping spell?”

That got his attention.

“So she can kill me in my sleep?” his words shot at her like an arrow.

“No my king! I of course would guard you vigilantly.”

“You alone?” he snapped, “What happens when she overpowers you?”

The witch was offended but it would do her well to remember that she wasn’t infallible. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“My king, you haven’t slept in days, “If you ju-”

“No!” he screamed at her. “She taunts my dreams, I will not be subjected to that demon’s abuse!”

He grabbed the side of his throne and leaned over it, willing his heart to slow down. “She’s going to come back for me,” he said out loud, almost unwillingly. He straightened and started pacing once more. “I should have killed her when I had the chance.” He snorted in derision. “I thought she would be dead. Her magic was blocked, there was no dragon, and she had no weapon. She should HAVE DIED.” Solveiga jumped as his voice rose manically.

For a long while the only sounds in the hall were Golathar’s boots on stone, and his heaving breaths.

“My king,” Solveiga said quietly. “Shall we double the guard?”

He stood still.

“They are all traitors,” he snarled at her. “They let her go.”

“Your highness, they aren’t-”

“Send them away. I don’t want them near me.”

He started pacing again. “Only Fellon may remain.”

Solveiga fled the hall to carry out his orders.

Alone again. He was better and worse. He wanted, needed to be alone. So he could die alone. Better to die alone than let someone witness that humiliation.

But now any noise he heard could be the girl.

“Lessa,” he whispered the girl’s name to himself. The name of his death. She would come. She would try to kill him.

“Let her come then.”

It would be better than this waiting. Let this confrontation be over with. It was the waiting that was pushing him to the brink of insanity.

Finally, something soothed Golathar. He found the tension in his chest loosened. Somewhat.

Solveiga returned, an old book in her hand. "My king I have something that might interest you."

Golathar raised an eyebrow.

"As you know I have been working tirelessly on a solution to your predicament."

"Get on with it, witch," Golathar growled at her.

She visibly bristled at the insult before she spoke again. "This is an old grimoire, from Valden, from the time when dragons were prominent. I have found a spell that protects one from dragon fire."

His eyes narrowed, "How is in the blazes is supposed to help me?"

She blanched slightly, "I thought it might provide some comfort."

"Comfort? Comfort is not what I need at this moment."

"I... There is another spell as well... But the cost is high."

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