Chapter 6: Rat's Throne

With cold eyes Eries stared at the dark man now kneeling before King Aston. It had been nearly six years since she had first met him, Folken, now Strategos of Zaibach. He didn't seem to have changed much since then, except in title. Folken was still the tall, grim and intimidating man he was before. Even bowing before Aston it was obvious who was in control. His words were deep and seductive as gee spoke of a Fanelian attack on Zaibach and a king who was ruthless and merciless.

Folken was lying. Eyes usually as cold as hers were too warm and empathetic for his words to convince one who knew him.

Eries stood beside the man she called Father as he nodded, slowly considering what Zaibach had to say. Whether King Aston believed Folken or not was inconsequential, Zaibach was their ally and the words would be taken as the truth.

The other officials were being convinced. Folken had a gift for getting what he wanted, and his words were eloquent and seducing. She took in his voice, his sight. It was good to see him again, but he didn't look at her and the changes she'd since ensued upon her life. No longer hiding behind her pale locks, she was a tall and beautiful woman. She no longer spouted off her mouth and had even repaired the damaged caused in her youth with Daedalus. The bruises, the beatings, still came, though not as often nor as bad as six years ago.

She'd learned when to back down to King Aston. And when to stand up to him. His fist was met with defiance now. Not tears.

It was because of him. He'd seduced her thoughts to his ideals long ago. If only she could seduce him back and once again find the warmth beneath his cold exterior.

A palace guard bowed low before King Aston. "Sire, Sir Allen Schezar arrives at the palace; he has brought the Fanelian King to Asturia."

Allen? Eries frowned at the name. What was he doing back in Palas?

"Lord Folken, you may retreat to my study until Allen arrives," Aston said. "My daughter shall accompany you."

Folken rose, his eyes resting upon Eries as she approached. It was not a warm stare, and she returned it.

Aston saw the cold looks in their eyes. "Do you like her?" he whispered as they passed by the throne. "I'll give her to you."

Folken glanced between them. "I doubt she would find life aboard the Vione acceptable."

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Eries shut the door to the study behind them. She tried not to laugh at Aston's odd offer. He'd meant it as an insult to her and Zaibach who was gaining control over Asturia. Aston didn't realize where her heart stood on the Strategos of Zaibach. But it hadn't come as a surprise that Folken had refused the offer.

"You know, if we married now, and King Aston died, you would become the king of Asturia," she told Folken. "If Millerna marries Dryden first King Aston will give them the throne."

"I have no interest in ruling Asturia."

"Yes you do. You just knelt before King Aston and controlled the entire kingdom. Besides, I have an interest in ruling Asturia," Eries said. "King Aston does not want me to inherit the crown. He'd do anything to keep it away from me. It is only because Millerna is his daughter that he gives her the throne."

"What do you mean 'Millerna is his daughter'?"

"King Aston is not my father. Thank the gods," Eries said. "He looks with favor upon his real daughter, but I would make a better ruler. I'd make a better ruler than even King Aston. I handle over half the affairs in Asturia anyway."

Folken walked to the window and stared out over the city. "I admit I prefer your way of talking. You don't gloss over the truth and aren't blinded by lies."

"Soon we won't have to deal with King Aston," Eries said quietly. "Even without you I will gain control of Asturia. I have it all planned out." Eries brought forth a tiny bottle from the pocket of her gown.

Folken turned his eyes upon the bottle. She held it out for him to take, but pulled it back as he reached for it forcing Folken to draw nearer to her.

Stretching up, she kissed his lips. Lips as cold and emotionless as his mechanical arm. Frustrated, she pulled away and gave the vial to him.

"What it is?" He asked it like her kiss had never happened.

"Rat poison," Eries replied. "For a big rat on the throne of Asturia. If I give it to him a little bit at a time no one will suspect a thing. He'll just get sick and die. And they won't be able to trace the poison."

Folken handed it back shaking his head.

Eries grinned. "You think I'm cold? That I'm wicked?"

"I don't think anything of you."

"You said I should stand up to him."

"That's not quite what I meant."

"You bring peace your way and I'll bring it mine."

He stared at her, his face unreadable.

Her smile fell away. "Aston is cold. He allows so many to suffer in Asturia and turns a blind eye to the travesties of other kingdoms. Gaea's people are in pain and it's because of Aston. It's time for a new leader."

"And when he's dead, will you poison your little sister as well?"

Eries looked at the bottle in her hand. "No," she whispered. "No, I don't want Millerna to get hurt. If Father dies before she marries I might still be able to take the throne. If not..." She looked back up at Folken her eyes once again as cold as his. "...at least he'll be dead."