12
THE KING OF TREESHALLOW
The guards escorted Michael, Hogwash and Hokum into the throne room, an area richly decorated with carvings and sculptures, none showing even the slightest speck of dust. At the back, pronounced against a curtain of deep red, was the throne; a high-backed chair cast completely from iron, decorated with leaves and vines. However, King Albrand was not sitting in it; he was pacing back and forth along the length of the room. His round face was pale and clammy, and small beads of sweat dripped down his pointed nose.
He glanced up as the guards closed the double doors behind them, and let out a noise somewhere between a sigh and a gasp. 'So it's true,' he said, in a breathy voice. 'You've returned to Treeshallow, Wizard Ramble.'
Michael bowed low to the king, hidi
