Forest Kingdom Trilogy 2 - Blood and Honor

anything. The shocked silence just seemed to echo on and on. Jordan looked frantically at Gawaine and Heather for some clue as to how he should be reacting, but they looked just as blank as everyone else. Jordan rummaged quickly through his memory, but couldn't recall anyone saying anything about a Rite of Transference. He looked across at Prince Dominic. The man's face was if anything even paler than before, but his icy calm hadn't wavered in the least. As Jordan watched, the Lady Elizabeth whispered urgently in Dominic's ear. He nodded absently and then turned and left the Hall, followed by Elizabeth and several of the courtiers. Jordan looked quickly over at Prince Lewis, but he was also heading for the door, followed by Ironheart and the Monk. Jordan slapped Sir Gawaine lightly on the arm.
    'If they're going, I'd better go too,' he muttered urgently. 'We've got to discuss this, and fast.'
    Gawaine nodded, and he and the Lady Heather walked beside Jordan as he stalked silently out of the Court. Jordan hoped like hell that Count Roderik and Argent and DeGrange would be waiting for him in his quarters when he got there. He'd only been in this job a few hours, and already the scenario he'd been given was falling apart. What the hell was the Rite of bloody Transference? Jordan ground his teeth together. This was all he needed. More bloody complications. He'd better get some advice, and quickly.
    Or come the next morning there could be a new King on the throne that none of the factions had counted on.

Chapter 4
    Unexpected Visitors
    That devious bastard! He'll plunge us all into civil war before he's through!' Count Roderik stalked back and forth in Jordan's suite, waving his hands around as he fumed. Jordan leaned back against the mantelpiece and let him get on with it. Roderik hadn't stopped whingeing since he arrived, and Jordan was getting more than a little tired of it. After all, Roderik probably wouldn't have been half as angry if he hadn't had to babysit Viktor while all the excitement was going on at Court.
    Jordan looked surreptitiously at the others, to see how they were taking it. Sir Gawaine was standing at parade rest by the closed main door, his face showing a polite interest that wasn't mirrored in his eyes.
    Robert Argent was sitting slumped in a chair, gnawing at a thumbnail and scowling at nothing in particular.
    The Lady Heather was sitting on the arm of the chair Prince Viktor was sitting in. They both looked more thoughtful than worried. Viktor looked up irritably as Roderik drew near him.
    'Oh, do be quiet, Roderik, I'm trying to think. We're all upset, but we haven't the time to indulge in hysterics.'
    Roderik stopped dead in his tracks and glared at Viktor. 'Your highness, may I point out that you are quite possibly only hours away from losing your throne and your position? To say nothing of your life? As things stand, anyone can just walk up to the Stone with the crown and the seal, and be made King on the spot!'
    'Anyone with Blood,' said Viktor. 'That does limit the field rather. I agree things are somewhat desperate, but no more so now than they were a few hours ago. If my brothers and I and all our people haven't been able to find the crown and seal in all this time, I don't see how anyone else can hope to. No, our only real fear is that someone already has them hidden, and has been waiting for this chance. Poor fool. Whoever it is, he won't get within ten feet of the Great Hall. DeGrange and his men are already guarding all the approach corridors, ostensibly to keep the peace but actually under my direct orders to kill any pretender who appears. A nice touch, I thought, using DeGrange. It gives the Regent the illusion of security, while ensuring my interests remain covered.'
    Gawaine stirred unhappily. 'I'm afraid it's not that simple, your highness. Your brothers' men have also established themselves near the Great Hall, no doubt with similar orders. There have been a few skirmishes already.'
    'Really?' said Heather. 'Who's winning?'
    'No one's winning!' snapped Roderik. 'We're all losing! While we waste time fighting among ourselves, the Regent is sitting there laughing at us.'
    'Don't shout at me, Roderik,' said Viktor softly. 'I have a headache.'
    Roderik looked at Viktor and seemed to remember where he was and who he was shouting at. He bowed stiffly. 'My apologies, Sire.'
    'That's better,' said Viktor. 'Don't let it happen again, there's a good chap. Now then, I think we'd all