The Azimar Archives Book One- The Book of Death

Dars

Dars, First Knight of the King's Guard, took the lead position of the party as they walked down first one hallway, then another, longer one. His heavy boots clicked against the stone, and his sword bounced lightly against his hip with each step. The four other knights with him brought up the rear guard, their footsteps echoing his. Between them, three more men walked, unarmed and unhurried.

"Is this all still really necessary?" a quiet voice asked behind him.

"It is a tradition. And we must follow tradition."

The heavy double doors at the end of the hall loomed closer with each step, until the whole group had come to a halt before it. Dars turned, surveying the group and the empty hall behind them.

All was as it should be.

"After you, First Knight," the eldest of the men among them said.

Dars held the door to the small council room open as three of the most powerful men in Etritia stepped into the brightly lit chamber.

King Areanath entered first, as was his right, and stood at the head of the table, waiting as the others joined in their customary places around him. His long, wiry hair was a tad unkempt, as it usually was, and his long beard had been half braided and tied off with a spare length of leather, much in the way a dwarf might have fastened his own beard off. But he stood tall and solidly, both hands wrapped over the top of his council seat.

Dars watched as Areanath's brother followed in behind him, casting dark glares around the room at the knights of the King's Guard posted at each corner of the room, stopping to stand behind the chair across from Areanath. Mothlenor folded his arms together, the wide sleeves of his heavy robes draping down to his waist.

And lastly, Hasani, the young left hand to the King, his dark hair neatly trimmed and plain, slim fitted clothing giving him the appearance of a respected and wealthy Etritian merchant, rather than one of the most influential denizens of all of Azimar. As Hasani passed him, he gave Dars a small smile and a nod, which Dars happily returned.

"Ajax has told me that congratulations are in order. You're making him an uncle," Dars said to the young man before he could walk out of earshot. Hasani turned, a faint red rising to his cheeks. "And what does that make me, exactly?"

Hasani's faint smile grew deeper, and he took Dars into a hug. "You can be a grandfather, if you'd like. Or a great uncle. Whatever you want to be called." He released Dars, giving his shoulders a squeeze. "At any rate, you're family, Dars."

"You're fucking right I am," he said, returning the gentle squeeze to Hasani's shoulders. "I wish you'd told me sooner, Hasani."

Hasani sighed, his nose scrunching into a grimace. "I wanted to, I really did. But Silvana asked to wait. To make sure the baby would stay well with her."

Dars had suspected as much, and Ajax had confirmed it when he'd brought the news, so Dars could only nod, grateful the news about his chosen daughter's pregnancy had been good.

"Hasani," a cool voice called from the council table. "We should get started."

Hasani and Dars both looked to the center of the room to see Mothlenor glaring at them. "I'd rather it not take all day. I have other things to attend to."

"Of course, Mothlenor." Hasani gave Dars another nod and a smile, then stood to wait behind the seat to Areanath's left. The seat to Areanath's right remained unclaimed, as it had for more years than Dars could recall.

"I believe we're ready to begin, Dars." Areanath's voice was remarkably similar to his brother's, though warmer and not quite so deep. He motioned towards Dars. "If you would, please."