Chapter 2: Two Kings

"It's an atrocity! You need to mobilize the guard! Do something about this, you're the king!"

Ezran and Callum exchanged a glance, before the seated king turned his attention back to the very upset baker.

"I mean...opening up a bakery across the street doesn't really break any of our laws..."

"Well...then...make it a law!" The baker exclaimed. "He is selling his baked goods cheaper than mine, and he is doing it right in my face!"

"I see." Ezran said, half listening as he looked over at a nearly asleep Bait. "Have you thought about...lowering your prices?"

"Lowering my...hmph!" The baker exclaimed, turning and storming out of the room.

"Riveting stuff today." Callum muttered, as he stood next to Ezran's throne. "Can I get a chair? Is that allowed? Can I sit down? My feet are killing me." He called to the guards.

"You can sit in the King's presence only if the king allows it." One of the guards swiftly replied.

"I allow it!" Ezran exclaimed.

Callum smiled as he pulled up a chair, and took a seat.

He turned and patted his brother on the head.

"You're the best."

"DO NOT TOUCH THE KING!" One of the guards exclaimed, leaping forward with sword in hand.

Another sword extended, cutting a divide between him and the seated, confused looking Callum.

At the end of said sword, a scowling Rayla stood.

"I really don't think Callum touching his own brother's head will kill him. Settle down."

The guard relaxed, and backed away.

"Forgive me. I got...over anxious."

"Ya can say that again." Rayla replied, eyeing the guard suspiciously.

"We have one more visitor." Callum said, looking down at the logbook. "General Pryce of the...what does that say?"

Ezran leaned over, squinting to try and read the extremely fancy handwriting.

"Something...about a border?"

"Lemme see." Rayla offered, nearly climbing over Callum to try and read the writing.

"The southern border." A strong, hardened voice stated. The trio looked up.

And saw an armored, elaborately adorned older man walk into the room.

His hair grey, his features stiff. "I defend the edges of the continent from any surprise attacks from elves, or outlanders." He stated. "King Ezran. I am here to report to you that the flagship of the Katolian fleet has gone missing. It was on a mission escorting assorted elven refugees from a remote island that had suffered a recent outbreak. The ship was supposed to arrive two days ago."

Ezran frowned.

"Maybe they got lost?"

The general narrowed his eyes.

"Captain Virgil is one of the best sailors I've ever known. He doesn't get lost. We have reason to believe the ship came under attack."

"By who?" Callum asked.

"I can't tell." The general replied simply.

"You can tell me, I'm the king!" Ezran said, putting his hand on his chest.

The general rolled his eyes, looking clearly irritated with all that was going on.

"That's not what I mean. Look. My working theory, is that a Xadian separatist group sank the vessel in an effort to stall peace between the kingdoms."

Callum's eyes widened.

"Why would anybody do that?" He asked.

"Yeah, we literally just brought Zym all the way to Xadia to stop the fighting, why would anyone still want a war?" Ezran demanded.

Rayla looked at the General with skeptical eyes.

He cleared his throat.

"Peace isn't for everyone. I fear Xadia may overreact to the loss of their refugees. With your permission, King Ezran, I would like to mobilize troops along the southern border, as well as the breach."

Ezran frowned.

"Why would we do that? We don't want a war."

"Of course not, my king...but if Xadia decides to spark hostilities with us again, it's better to be ready."

"Excuse me. Xadia doesn't want a war any more than you do." Rayla said, eyebrows flared. "Azymondias and Queen Zubeia are reunited, there's no reason for any of this."

General Pryce glared at the elf, before his weathered eyes turned back to the king.

"The elf speaks out of turn. I would ask, so as to prevent conflict of interest, that she be dismissed from this proceeding."

"Now hold on a second..." Callum began angrily.

"Callum." Ezran said, putting a hand on his older brother's arm. "It's okay." He looked up at the General, and cleared his throat, more for effect than anything else.

"Rayla is my personal bodyguard. She doesn't leave my side. She got us to Xadia, we couldn't have made peace without her. So if you want to discuss anything with me, she will be present." He said, managing to keep his voice calm. "And I would appreciate it if you would show her the same respect you show any member of Katolis Royalty."

The general looked ready to punch something. There was a vein throbbing in his head. But he nodded.

"Of course...King Ezran. What of the breach then?"

Ezran looked to Callum, then up at Rayla.

"We're not fighting a war with Xadia. We won't be fighting a war with Xadia. We don't need soldiers guarding the border." He said simply.

General Pryce let out a low sigh, closing his eyes.

"I would...respectfully ask that you reconsider..."

"And I respectfully decline. Is there anything else?" Ezran asked.

"No." The general said with a bow, turning and walking toward the door. He paused.

"A word of advice, young king." He turned to face him, as he opened the door.

"Do not allow naïveté and sentiment to blind you. A king cannot be saddled by either."

He turned and walked out of the room. Leaving the king, his trusted advisors, and his guards.

"That went well." Callum muttered.

"King Ezran." Opeli stated, speaking up from the corner of the room. "You handled that extremely well. However I must warn you...while you may not always like the council and advice given by your people, you must always listen to it."

"Don't tell me you're on his side!" Rayla protested.

"I am on the side of the King of Katolis." Opeli replied calmly. "Rash judgment is the enemy of kings. Everyone and everything must be given consideration. Your father understood this."

Ezran nodded. A flare of uncertainty in his eyes. He turned to look at his companions.

"Callum. I wanna take a walk."

The ship reached the shore, and ramps came sliding down the sides of it.

The barbarians lumbered down the ramp, and reached dry land.

Behind them, the assassin, Talon, and the cloaked mage.

And behind them, the barbarians dragged their lone prisoner.

Captain Virgil. Bloodied and chained.

"Why do we keep him alive, my king?" Talon asked.

The mage looked back at him, blue eyes looking calm, relaxed under the wooden mask.

"We are conquerors, Talon." He replied. "Our weapons are numerous, but our greatest one is fear." He turned to his soldiers, and the shaking, wounded Captain.

"Free him." He commanded.

Captain Virgil collapsed to the ground, as the barbarians unshackled him.

"You are to deliver the message to Katolis. Their peace with Xadia is a betrayal. A betrayal for which they will pay the blood price."

Captain Virgil weakly shook his head.

"What am I supposed to tell them? I don't even know who you lunatics are..."

The mage turned to him, then raised his hood slightly.

And removed his wooden mask.

Virgil's eyes widened, as he stared at the horribly scarred, dark magic ravaged face that appeared before him.

"You know who I am." He spat, a small smirk appearing on his lips. "And you know what has been taken from me."

"K-King Azrael? But...it can't be..." Virgil said in disbelief. "They told me their were no survivors..."

"They were wrong. Warn your young king. I'm coming. And I won't leave anything standing." The cloaked man hissed.

Hole in the Sun-Two Steps from Hell (Azrael theme)