Chapter 4: Iron in the blood.

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

A month later

King's Castle, Excolo City

And so I am king.

This morning the first flakes of snow fell, and the priest struck the great gong in the temple of the Air Above and pronounced that winter is come. Though we know it'll get much colder than this. Much colder. I can barely remember the last winter, and the thought of feet of snow makes me feel strangely sick. It will be like the whole world is in mourning for years. Last winter was quite mild, lasting only two years out of the Great Year, but I know there have been winters that lasted as long as five. At least here in the south it will never be as cold as the miserable north...

Speaking of the north, the castle is full of northmen still, because my Lord Wolfsbane has become my regent. It has caused something of a stir, not least amongst the Dians, but I trust Valour more than most men - and I trust his wife, my aunt, more than nearly anyone. I suppose the only person I trust more is Lyric, but it's not as if my father's mistress could be my regent. The Dians have tried to force her out, but I've put my foot down. I'll not have one of my few friends sent away.

Tonight there's a feast to celebrate Lord Wolfsbane's official investure as my regent. For now I'm trying to read over some papers from the Council and make sense of them. They all say there's no need, since I'm still by law a child, but I'll have to understand them one day so I may as well make a start now.