Chapter 76

Fabian continued to deteriorate in health and it became obvious to everyone that could see him that he would not last more than a week, at most. Then arose the question of who was going to succeed him. Fabian did not have any child that would be an heir to the throne, neither did Robert. Speculations began, and some said that members of another ruling house would ascend the throne of Linerdo, others said a civil war could break out if something like that happened. But many said that it would only be wise to make Ajax, who had rescued the kingdom from its most trying times, the next king. Ajax himself did not hear such rumors and he certainly was not concerned with claiming the throne, even though he was the most powerful man in the kingdom as of then. His sole priority was the security of the kingdom and he attended to the matters that concerned it with such fastidious dedication that many started to say he was a better general than Nicholas.

Eric, his second-in-command, howev