10
That evening the bonfire was lit and the King settled on his throne with his queen sliding in to stand next to him, her head held high like she was pure. Muttering had started and Yan settled next to Jack to watch, Dahlia inside with the children for the night.
Goddrin had waited for the movement when all children were abed and just the Grups were there before he rose to address the King "My Good King Gamell, I seek guidance!"
The King looked startled for a moment, then recovered as he waved a hand for him to continue and Mervik sniffed as she looked down her nose. Goddrin said calmly "I seek to claim rite of blood. Bormeth has spilt blood and scorned my mother. His father was nothing but a goat fucker!"
The place erupted and Jack glanced at Yan who was rising to address the gathering and he realised with a start that she wore a crown, "I, Yan of Cymru answer the call for Rite of Justice. I welcome the defence of a woman, a mother! My dear King, you concur?"
Yan turned, her robes flowing around her as she stepped into the flames, Jack swallowing as Yan put on a show like no other, letting the flames rise around her to turn her clothing to a flaming mass, "I recognise the challenge as a Dragon of Cymru!"
The place was in an uproar as Yan rose into the sky like smoke … actually jumping forward a few seconds but the result was chaos. She then stepped from the flames, letting her hair turn deep fiery red with orange tips, her gown a colour changing silk "Let battle commence!"
"Hold on!" Bormeth roared, "I do not recognise …."
The thump was loud as the King rose, his cane hitting the ground, "I recognise! This is not our hearth, not out home. I recognise the regal being that grants us audience. Yes! To the victor … my right side."
The place went deathly silent and Jack turned to Luc who hissed "If he kills Bormeth or makes him yield, he gains the position of King's Hand."
"Ah!" Jack finally saw Yan's plan, shaking his head as he wondered once again just how malevolent and spiteful his love might have been had he not had such a huge heart that the crystal shard chose to live within instead of consume.
"Hang on!" Owen yelled, "It's too dark. How do we know someone doesn't palm off a weapon or something!"
Yan could have kissed him for seeing a flaw and turned to the King like it was all his game, "Sire? You will name the place and time of battle?"
The King blinked and then bowed deeply, "I bow to your knowledge of this realm my dear."
"We will battle at dawn so the children might be entertained inside with food and not afraid of noises in the dark. This is not something for faint of heart. This is a manly action. Warriors will battle. I choose the children's play area. We will remove the climbing frames and such leaving the wood chip so it is not too hard and is also able to be cleaned if there is gore." Yan sniffed and everyone roared with glee as Bormeth grimaced, looking at the queen who was plucking at the sleeve of the king with a frantic look on her face.
"SO BE IT!" the King bellowed with undisguised glee, turning to yank his arm from his wife's fingers and stalk off toward his large tent, several other wives running after him with their glances back at the first queen showing their delight as well.
Yan looked at her for a moment and then lowered her chin so she was looking through her fringe, "and as for you. If he falls, do you think your head will not? Who knows. I might challenge you next!"
She paled and turned, running for the tent and Jack watched Luc stalk the perimeter of the fire pit to look at the tent of his father with interest. Jack walked over "What are you thinking?"
"That come the morn I must wear my best furs" Luc turned to face him "for my father will want to put on a show like no other."
"And your wife?" Jack prodded, Luc lighting up as he turned to his own home.
"Yes brother, you are right. This is our realm, not Father's. We should be the family on display. Oh, I must check the pink fur is ready for her, she will want to wear that. Likes pink, my sweet queen" Luc was gone, racing to his house and Jack smiled softly as he knew well the feeling of delight in pleasing your mate.
He might not need to provide furs or jewels but as Jack turned to head for his back door he knew something he could provide that his mate would appreciate.
And the massage oil would not take long to warm up.
It would be a fiery night and an explosive morn to come.