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IN LOVE AND WAR
Chapter One: Declaration
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King Jonathan IV of Tortall shifted in his stiff chair. The seat had to be uncomfortable; if not he'd have fallen asleep long ago.

The king was listening to royal dispatches near the end of a long royal day. His queen, Lady Thayet, squeezed his hand beneath the table. She seemed to be telling him that it was almost over.

As the last dispatch was sealed into an envelope, Jon breathed a sigh of relief. The day was done. He dismissed the Council members, sending them to their wives and children. Jon put an arm around his own wife's shoulders as he and Sir Gareth of Naxen left the room, talking vaguely about a wolf hunt set for the next week.

But then a messenger ran into the room. He bowed, asking forgiveness for his interruption. He handed a large envelope bearing the seal of the Yamani Emperor to the king, who passed it on to Sir Gary of Naxen.

"Your turn, Gary," Jonathan said, sitting back. Sir Gary opened the letter. As he read, his hands began to shake.

"What is it, Gary?" Thayet asked.

"The Emperor of Yaman blames us for the destruction of his naval fleet last month. He says that the Crown of Tortall was behind the massacre."

"That's not true," Jon pointed out. Sir Gary nodded,

"We know that, but the Emperor doesn't believe that is so. Apparently the offending ships bore our flag." He held up the letter as he read from it. "His Imperial Majesty of Yaman herby declares war on the realm of Tortall."

"What about Princess Shinkokami?" Thayet asked, thinking of her son.

"According to the marriage contract, the union is dissolved with a declaration of war," Gary counseled.

"So my son is not married to his wife because we opened this letter just now," Jonathan asked, seeking clarification. Gary nodded slowly.

"But they've been man and wife for three years!" Thayet said in protest.

"If there was a child, things would be different. The section of the contract that annulled the marriage would have been declared null and void with the birth of an heir."

"But since they didn't have a baby, they can't stay married," Thayet finished.

"What's more is that Shinkokami and her ladies are to return to the Islands immediately," Jonathan said quietly. Thayet's face fell further. She looked tragic in her distress for the young couple.

"I am sorry," Gary said. "Shinko was a good match for Roald." Jonathan clapped his friend on the shoulder.

"Gary, get a good night's sleep. We'll deal with this in the morning." Gary nodded, slipping from the room.

"I guess I've got to tell them," Jon said to his wife. She nodded indistinctly.

"I'll tell them, Jon, but not until the morning. Let them have one last night."

"One last night," Jon repeated, following his wife out. He felt a great deal of disbelief at the situation. He knew that his Prime Minister would be getting no more sleep than himself.

…..

Shinkokami drew her shawl around her arms. It was a chilly October night in Corus. Roald smiled at her as he came out onto the balcony.

"It's cold out here!" he said, slipping his arms around her. "You should really come inside. I wouldn't want you to get sick now." Shinko smiled, placing a hand on her belly.

"Why is that?" she teased, letting Roald lead her into their chambers.

"You well know," Roald said with twinkling eyes. He settled her onto his lap, in a chair near the warm fire. A big blanket went over both of them before Roald began to kiss her gently. "When are we going to tell my parents?" he mumbled.

"Let's wait, Roald. Let them find out for themselves," Shinkokami said.

"You won't be showing obviously for awhile yet," Roald said.

"Yes, but we will have that time to keep the secret to ourselves. Roald, we're royalty. Once the world knows that I am with child, they will not leave us alone."

Roald smiled, taking his princess' hand. "You're right. Let's keep our secret."