“Dead…” Hothgaard repeated mostly to himself.
“He is, and now you must decide where your future loyalties will lie,” an older man to his right said. The man was wearing the colors of Noble and after a moment Hothgaard recognized him.
“High Tar Kostek?”
The man nodded but said nothing more, leaving Hothgaard to ponder his words.
‘And where do my loyalties lie,’ the Captain wondered, ‘with Prince Nigel? He was the logical choice…but was it the wise choice. Prince Nigel was the eldest but he only cared for his music…but perhaps that was not such a bad thing. These broken lands could use a little music, a little dancing. Queen Audra would surely challenge such a decision and prop her own Aiden up as successor. It could get messy indeed. The Knights were the authority behind the High Family and they were beaten, therefore the High Family was beaten. He would have to think on who would succeed High King Caiman Mastoc.’
“Captain Hothgaard, this is General Lonogan Bock,” Gwaynn said and Hothgaard bowed low.
“I’m honored,” the Captain said meaning it, if this was the man who had come up with the strategy used against them.
“As am I,” Lonogan answered with a nod and a slight smile. “If you are alive and in the company of my King, can I assume that the war is now over?”
Hothgaard considered the point for the briefest moment then with realization said. “I guess it is,” and gave his own slight smile.
‘The war is over…the High King is dead,’ he thought then as the rest of the group mounted up Captain Hothgaard wondered just what was in store for the lands of the Inland Sea.
ǂ
Three weeks later the Temple Knights were still adjusting to the idea of defeat and Gwaynn Massi was making the slow transformation from warlord to domestic leader, ruling over a now peaceful nation. The transformation was not always smooth or painless, but with each passing day, life without war and bloodshed was starting to feel almost normal. And all the while, Samantha was growing larger as her time drew near.
“You look tired,” Gwaynn said moving to help her from the chair but she just waved him away, determined to push herself up. She eventually did so but Gwaynn noticed that her belly left the chair well before the rest of her.
“I am tired,” Samantha snapped then smiled. “I can’t sleep,” she added in a much softer tone. “I can’t lie on my belly anymore…or my back…or my side…I just can’t sleep.”
“It will be over soon,” Gwaynn encouraged her.
“Surgeon Knote says two or three more weeks,” she snapped again as Gwaynn watched her waddle over to the pitcher of water. He sat up in bed, naked to the waist and looked over at his soon to be queen. They were to be united in three days…Tar Kostek doing the honors. She was big…his son was going to be big.
“At least you’ll be a queen soon,” he commented trying to cheer her, and she did turn and smile. Once again he saw the girl he loved in her eyes and face.
“The largest queen in all the land,” she said playfully.
“The largest queen, bearing the largest prince.”
“Princess!” Samantha insisted.
Before Gwaynn could answer there was a knock at the door. Gwaynn glanced at Samantha briefly. It was early…too early for a social visit.
“Come,” Gwaynn finally said, then stood and pulled on his pants.
Lonogan Bock opened the door and stuck his head in. “Good Morn,” he said then spotted Samantha, “M’lady,” he added.
“Prince Phillip is ranting again. He went to see King Weldon early this morning and now he’s upset.”
Gwaynn sighed. Prince Phillip Toranado was becoming obsessed with the Palmerrio King and insisted on several occasions that the man be placed under his authority. Phillip wanted the Palmerrio King taken back to Eno to stand trial…and most likely hung.
“Where’s Phillip?” Gwaynn asked strapping on the belt which held his kali. He still wore his weapons wherever he went and most likely always would.
“In the main hall, waiting for you,” Bock replied. “It took some convincing from Tabernas to persuade me to come and wake you.”
Samantha snorted, but Gwaynn said nothing. He had great respect for the Toranado Weapons Master; the man would have made a fine Tar. If Phillip would just listen to Tabernas more often…
Once dressed Gwaynn came over and hugged Samantha from behind. “Go back to bed,” he whispered and gave her a quick squeeze then ran his right hand over her extended belly. “I’ll have someone wake you if anything exciting happens.”
Samantha snorted again. “If I’m sleeping and someone wakes me, it had better be for my wedding…nothing else interests me at the moment.”
“Agreed,” he replied with a smile. She climbed back into bed before he was out the door, but again sleep would not come easily.
“Phillip!” Gwaynn said with a smile, surprised that Tar Kostek, the Solitary N’dori and the High Zarina Monde were also present along with the Toranado Prince and his venerable Weapons Master Alba Tabernas. Gwaynn wondered why the others were in attendance but had little time to inquire.
Phillip turned as Gwaynn and Bock entered. “I’ll not be dissuaded again Gwaynn,” Phillip began and strode forward. “The Toranado will be leaving after the wedding…and I want Weldon.”
Gwaynn stood his ground as the Toranado Prince marched right up, stopping before him. “I know how you feel,” Gwaynn answered with genuine sympathy, though he knew there was little chance he would give in to his friend’s demands.
“He attacked my country and sacked my home city.”
Gwaynn nodded, stepped to one side, and then moved farther into the room, angling toward Kostek in the hope that his old mentor would come to his aid. “He attacked my country as well, but putting a King on trial is dangerous business.”
“But he slaughtered my countrymen and nearly drove the wits from my mother. I want my revenge as you’ve had your revenge against Arsinol.”
Gwaynn’s eyes flashed momentarily betraying a spark of anger, but he took a deep breath before rounding on Phillip. “Arsinol was killed in battle not brought before a circus trial…and he had my mother and sister killed before my eyes,” he added through clenched teeth and Prince Phillip flinched, realizing he’d gone too far. His anger left him immediately.
“My apologies,” he said. “But I cannot stomach the man just going free after what he’s done. He needs to be punished.”
“He will be,” Gwaynn promised.
“How?” Phillip asked with genuine curiosity. “How will he be punished? Who will punish him?”
Gwaynn had no answer for that and the two young men just stood looking at one another for several long minutes contemplating the question, but thankfully Phillip seemed to have made his point. He patted Gwaynn on the shoulder as he left the room in the hopes that the gesture would soften any hard feelings. Tabernas followed his prince out giving Gwaynn a nod and a sympathetic smile.
Gwaynn frowned, mulling over the Toranado Prince’s questions. There were no answers. Life seemed so much clearer when all the questions were questions of war.
“That was well done,” Kostek said approaching Gwaynn. He too patted Gwaynn gently on the shoulder. “Pardons General…but could you give us a moment?” Kostek asked Lonogan, who raised his eyebrows in surprise, but quickly agreed and followed Prince Phillip from the room.
Gwaynn wondered briefly at the dismissal. “I can’t just give King Weldon to the Toranado. His death at their hands would create even more animosity between the two countries.”