Hey all, before you read this chapter I have a favor to ask of all of you: I just...really need ALL of you to review, I need the feedback and motivation to keep writing everyday. If every single person would just leave one review per chapter that would really help me get these out faster, it can be anything; criticism on things you like, things you don't like or a suggestion, an idea, anything, even if it's something really simple.
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Thanks in advance :)
Chapter 34: King Reidrich
A large ornate table sat in the middle of a large room, inlaid with white gold/silver trimmings and elegant patterns carved into its surface and legs. The room in which the table sat was no less embellished though it was lit only by dim candlelight and the early sunrise of a land that saw more clouds than it did sunlight. At the head of the table sat an elder man somewhere in his mid-sixties; his thin, bearded face was nearly as gray as the short slicked back hair on his scalp and he was clothed in a plain white, but still royal looking, long sleeved tunic and black knee high boots. The shoulders of his tunic were embroidered with the guise of hideous dragon heads and his faded green eyes; hard and worn from time, now narrowed in concentration as he studied the parchment held in his hand. It was difficult to tell his mood, whether irritated or thoughtful, as he leaned heavily on the table and drummed his fingers against the almost reflective wood surface...Reidrich Westergaard; high king of the Southern Isles.
Just to his right was a middle aged man with eyes the same green as the king's, his hair though was dark brown (nearly black), his beard fuller and his face with more color. His attire was similar with the addition of smooth yet clearly battle-worn leather armor baring the image of a boar's head across the breastplate and jutting out as steel from the shoulders. This was prince Karl Westergaard; eldest son of Reidrich and heir to the throne of the Southern Isles. He leaned on his elbows, gloved fingers interlocked staring down at his blurry reflection and occasionally glancing in the direction of his father; waiting for him to finally speak.
Behind him to his right was a young man, no older than twenty; short black hair and blue eyes (a rare combination), a small scar across his chin. Unlike the other two he was dressed in full plate with a sir coat that held prince Karl's standard; his armor thicker and more layered than that of the average Southern Isle's soldier. At his side was a finely crafted longsword while under his arm he held a polished visored helm, he stood tall and erect with his gaze held forward though he would occasionally glance at either the king or prince. Sir Galen Barres; a young knight sworn to the royal house of the Isles and a sort of ward to prince Karl.
Across from them, leaned back in his chair was a man slightly younger than Karl but with similar features and the same eyes. His hair was a lighter shade of brown, almost gold in fact, while lacking the presence of facial hair that Karl did he instead had a pair of somewhat unsightly sideburns much like their youngest sibling; Prince Kurt Westergaard, the ninth eldest son of king Reidrich. Unlike his older brother he seemed rather unconcerned as his attention was focused on his left hand as he used a small knife to clean his nails. He performed the task in a meticulously slow manner and the small scraping sounds were beginning to wear on Karl's patience, in fact if he had to listen to it anymore...
With a discontent growl Karl scowled up from the table to his younger brother, "Do you have to do that here?"
Kurt grinned and paused without looking away from his task, "Is there something else I could be doing instead?"
When his older brother failed to produce an answer quickly, he resumed his picking with a smug chuckle, "Perhaps if you shared my appreciation for public face...you might be happily married like myself, dear brother."
"She must have a remarkable amount of patience if she married you...though I know she had little choice in the matter."
Kurt once again paused, looking up at Karl with the same smug impression while the elder only met his gaze with his own indifferent eyes. Before either could say another word to each other, a parchment landed between them in the middle of the table. They both turned to see their father now leaned back in his chair, eyes on the parchment as Karl reached to look it over himself. Without any physical reaction the elder brother then slid it across the table to his sibling and their father at last spoke.
"Of all the places I'd expected to be at war in this age, Arendelle would have been the last..." He said in a low but measured voice that was rimmed by thin sarcasm.
Kurt chuckled as he tossed the letter to the middle of the table, "Still, it makes sense that these people would be the ones to ask for help; since King Agnarr's rule that country hasn't had a spine for war...perhaps this is an opportunity we've been waiting for. Is it not you who once said that 'war holds opportunity' dear brother?"
"Only if you can guarantee victory...but what opportunity do you think there would be in aiding a kingdom that all but hates us?"
King Reidrich smirked towards his eldest son, "You should take note from your brother Karl; while only a fool would doubt your wisdom on the battlefield my son, your skills in the political ring need sharpening."
Karl scoffed and leaned back, "Oh please do enlighten me." he gestured with his arms.
The king looked down at the table momentarily before speaking, the same small smile on his face, "After Hans' botched attempt to assassinate the ruling sisters, it took some heavy persuasion to keep queen Elsa from breaking off her kingdom's ties with us as she did with Weselton. And ever since she has kept us on the end of a very long pike that we dare not walk towards...until now."
"And who do you believe she would send to negotiate with us?"
"She may send an emissary or...she may more likely send her sister. A bold but not unwise strategy considering your brother's attempt on their lives."
Kurt smiled, "If she wanted to appeal to your better nature, in which case..."
A quick, cutting glance from Reidrich let Kurt know that his comment was not appreciated and his smile quickly vanished.
It was Karl's turn to smirk at his younger brother before speaking to their father "And what of this foreign army invading her country, are they connected to her would be assassins earlier this year?"
"The Naga Ai..." The king mused, gripping his chin.
"She had originally suspected Hans to be behind the attack...They could be a mercenary army, perhaps we should have a chat with our baby brother after all..." Kurt commented.
"Hans may be devious and underhanded but he has neither the tact nor the resources to construct such a plot. Whoever they are it is of no consequence; they are no ally of ours and therefore engaging them poses no threat to the Isles stability."
"And what shall be our response to their plea?" Karl asked.
"We will hear it and we will aid them of course; you will leave the Isles with the princess and your forces and in return queen Elsa will reconsider who her closest ally is in the days to come."
Karl nodded and stood, "Very good."
"But that is not the only reason you will be going..." The king said, looking to his eldest son with knowing eyes.
Karl grimaced, knowing exactly what his father was asking. Reidrich's face was unmoved by his son's reluctance, he then looked to the young knight behind him, "You; knight, sir...?"
The boy stiffened, "Sir Barres, your grace."
"Sir Barres, yes...tell me, what do you believe is most important to a king and his kingdom's success."
The young knight did not have to ponder long before he came up with an answer, "Family, your grace?" he said quickly.
Kurt snickered impolitely while Reidrich pursed his lip and nodded softly before he lowered his gaze directly at Karl, "Legacy." he spoke the word deliberately and without passion. "Give us the room."
Kurt stood, giving his brother one last grin and a mocking wink before exiting while Sir Barres bowed respectfully and departed behind him. Another brief moment of silence plagued the room before the king stood and walked towards the window, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. Karl sighed, walking around the table to join his father as he spoke again "Do you know what I admire about the Arendellians?"
"No, I honestly don't."
"They are a practical people; the resources they put out are all of practical use: crops, iron, lumber and ice. Everything they produce serves needs, not wants and that method has made it one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the known world. And yet they manage to do all this without forming the most crucial of bonds with other nations: without alliance-without marriage...that ends now." He whipped towards his eldest, his eyes hard and voice no longer welcoming, "This is the opportunity my son and I do not intend to let it slip through our fingers! The queen and princess are both unspoken for and after you've won their war for them you will propose to one of them and secure the north in one swift stroke!"
Karl frowned "And if I'm refused?"
"HA! If that is how those brats intend to show gratitude, then you can tell them that I have no issue razing Arendelle to the ground immediately after."
"You really believe it wise to go to war with her?"
"Even with her powers, if she is anything like her father then all I need do is slaughter enough of her people and she will bend like a blade of grass."
Karl could not hide his disbelieving expression as he stepped towards his father, "And what if she'd rather break before she bends?"
"Then she will break...and there will still be her sister." he said in an uncaring voice.
At this point it was growing difficult to contain his disgust towards his father's words, even more so to contain his anger at how indifferent the old man was. "Why may I ask is it so important to you that I have to marry? Are you not already blessed with eleven other sons who are already married or have heirs to you?"
"They are not my eldest!" The king sighed and stepped forward until he was eye level with Karl, "It is not solely for that reason that I ask this of you; you may not want it but you are the only one of my children worthy of the throne. You must be the one to carry on my legacy and it must be your son who carries on yours, not Kurt's-not Hans'...yours."
The prince looked towards the ground, grinding his teeth together behind his lips, "You speak of legacy...yet you expect me to marry one of these women, both who are less than half my age."
"I expect you to do your duty to the kingdom and to me. You are going to be king one day and its time you start making kingly decisions." He placed a hand on his shoulder, bidding him to look at him, "You can only accomplish so much on the battlefield my son, this is where the real wars are won, this is how empires are built. You and I have had this discussion many times but mark my words it will be the last-time." he spoke the last words less kindly, removing his hand he turned and walked back around the table towards the doors, "One way or another you will marry one of those girls."
"Do you have a preference?" he asked with disdaining sarcasm.
The king laughed without looking back, "I leave that to you my son, they're both pretty, young ladies...I'm sure it won't take you long to decide."
Reidrich responded as if he had missed the sarcasm or simply paid no heed to it, it was most likely the latter and unfortunately he had grown used to that. Karl leaned an arm against the window looking towards the rising sun and resisting the urge to drive his fist through the glass. All the while dreading what he may have to do...hoping that somehow he wouldn't have to.
Sorry this took so long, had to really dig down to create these new characters and make them believable.
So I have a fun little thing I think I'll start doing from now on; I'll leave a list of actors regarding one of the characters and I want you all to leave a review on which you think would be the best to voice them.
Who do you think would be the best voice for King Reidrich? Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton), Brian Cox (King Agamemnon) or Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister).
Let me know in a review and I'll see you guys next time, Ciao!
