Chapter 86: Adam Return
The grand council room was filled with a shocked silence. Everyone stared at King Noor. He had drawn his sword. He was standing in front of his son, ready to fight the Emperor himself.
The other kings and rulers couldn’t believe what they were seeing. It was like watching a small boat try to stop a giant wave. Didn’t King Noor understand?
The Emperor, Sir David, the most powerful man on the continent, was right there in front of him. To fight him was like asking to be destroyed.
Emperor Sir David looked at King Noor. His face showed no emotion, no anger, no surprise. It was like a calm mask. He took a slow, deep breath.
The only sound in the room was the quiet whisper of that breath. Then, he spoke. His voice was still quiet, but it was heavy, like the sound of a great bell tolling. "King Noor of Estoria," he said, "if that is truly what you wish, then so be it. You have made your choice."
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking these words, it was like a signal. The tension in the room broke. Many of the golden-armored Imperial soldiers who were standing guard around the room drew their swords.
The sharp sound of steel sliding from sheaths filled the air. They moved quickly, ready to follow any order from their Emperor.
Captain Thomas, the Imperial warrior who had brought King Noor and Eric to the council, was also there. He had been standing behind some of the other kings.
When he saw King Noor draw his sword, and heard the Emperor’s words, his fists clenched so tightly they looked like they were made of stone.
A cold, mean thought went through his mind: King Noor, you foolish old man. You have just invited your own death. You could have accepted the judgment, and maybe, just maybe, your life would have been spared.
But now, you will die here, and your kingdom will suffer even more.