Page 100 of Destiny of a King

“And yet you do not bow.”

Merek’s expression remained unchanged. “Would it make you more of a king if I did?”

Seger drew a sharp breath.

Dravic raised one hand before the Hunter could speak. “Nay.”

Merek seemed surprised by the answer.

Dravic studied him. “But it tells me much about how you view your king.”

“We have seen little reason to view any king favorably.”

There it was. Not rebellion. Something more troublesome… resentment.

Dravic glanced at the villagers watching them. Some quickly looked away while others did not.

He had seen that same look in defeated men who obeyed because they had no choice. Such obedience lasted only until someone offered them another choice.

Tharne could offer one.

The thought struck hard. If the warlord reached people like these before Dravic gave them reason to stand with Scotara, Tharne could know victory. Some in Driochmor might even simply open the door and invite him in.

Dravic looked back at Merek. “I am not the king who gave you reason to distrust the crown.”

“Nay,” Merek said. “But you wear the same crown.”

Dravic could not argue with that, nor would he.

“What will it take for you to judge the man wearing it rather than those who wore it before him?”

For the first time, Merek’s certainty faltered, only slightly.

But Dravic saw it.

The villagers nearest them appeared equally surprised.

Merek’s eyes narrowed as he studied him. “You truly wish an answer?”

“I would not have asked otherwise.”

“Then stay long enough in Driochmor to hear from those here.”

Dravic gave a single nod. “I intend to.”

Merek’s gaze shifted briefly to Adira before returning to the king. “You and the woman will have a cottage. Your men will be given shelter where we can find it. The rest will have to make do in the meeting hall.”

“That will suffice,” Dravic said, approving it.

Merek turned away, then stopped. “No weapons are drawn within Thorskaill unless we draw ours first.”

Seger bristled. “You dictate terms to your king?”

Merek looked at Dravic rather than the Hunter.

Dravic understood exactly what the man was doing… testing him.

“Agreed.”