Chapter 15: An Heir
Three long and peaceful years passed in the Kingdom of the Roses Movan oversaw the reconstruction of that which had been destroyed during the war with the Sultanate, and he regathered his strength his armies trained daily and the Mountain Bandit Tribes kept Movan and his men battle ready and hardened. Though they tried many times Movan and Bernatys did not have a son or a daughter. The doctors who were brought in from far and wide across the six kingdoms all came to the conclusion that Bernatys was infertile and could not bear any children and no Heirs could be produced as was expected of a royal family. Borcha, and Klethi now had a small brood of children five in total all with the fire of their mother and the strength of their father.
Movan and Borcha, Klethi, and Borcha and Klethi's oldest son Borak rode through the streets of Valuca the people that walked the streets cleared the way for them to ride.
"What will you do Movan since your wife cannot produce an heir everything we have worked for will crumble into a civil war if you were to die." Borcha said concerned for his long time friend.
"The queen and I have thought about that, we have considered that and have decided to find one of my bastard sons to rule in the event of my passing." Movan said as they rode.
"Ah well that will be difficult to track them down if there are any indeed alive, Many would be in Swadia and who's to say they would come with you?" Borcha asked.
"Or we adopt one from the orphanage." Movan said with a smile an infan… Movan trailed off as he heard a scuffle in an alley.
Movan stopped his horse and dismounted. Borcha, Klethi, and Borak dismounted as well to follow their king.
"We'll show you to steal bread from our master boy." Said a much larger boy.
The one they were attacking was a small boy who was holding a round loaf of bread. The boy punched the one who had spoken in his manhood, the older boy crumpled over.
"Knock out his teeth!" the older boy yelled holding his manhood.
One of the other two boys raised his fist Movan rushed over and grabbed the boy's fist.
"That is quite enough boys." Movan scolded.
"Stay out of this this little pipsqueak stole bread from our master." Said the boy who Movan had ahold of.
"That's the King you idiot." Said the boy who was punched in his manhood.
The other two quickly let go and fell to one knee.
"Movan Beltasus?" Said the boy holding the bread.
"Kneel you insolent fool that's the king." Said the boy Movan still had ahold of.
"It's quite alright your wrist must be hurting should I release you?" Movan asked the boy he was holding as he let go. "You boy with the bread who are you?"
"I am Marius Geral I remember you from the tournament at Praven." said Marius smiling.
"You gave me a practice sword three years ago at a tournament Praven." Marius said drawing a wooden sword from his belt and handed it to Movan.
Movan inspected the blade and smiled. "Do you have any parents boy?" Movan asked.
"I never knew my parents, they both died when I was five and I have been alone ever since and I made my way here hoping to one day be in your service ." Marius said sadly.
"Do you practice with this?" Movan asked.
"Yes every day." Marius said with a smile. "Hand me the bread."
Marius quickly obeyed, and Movan looked it over "This is moldy you three wanted to beat Marius here for stealing moldy bread." Movan said disappointedly before throwing the bread at the three who attacked Marius.
"Come join me Marius tonight you dine with the King." Movan said extending his gloved hand to Marius who was standing stunned.
"I am undeserving of such myking." Marius said backing against the wall.
"Would you prefer I leave you to these wolves?" Movan asked.
Marius stepped forward and took Movan's hand. Movan lifted the very thing Marius up and carried him to his horse and sat the boy in the front of his saddle the three who had attacked Marius looked surprised as Movan did this. Borcha shrugged and chuckled as he went back to his horse and mounted. Movan mounted behind Marius and turned his horse toward the Castle. As night fell Movan,Bernatys, Borcha and the other companions sat at the King's table in the hall of the castle. Each of them staring at Marius as he ate plate after plate of food.
"Husband who is this boy?" Bernatys asked as she watched Marius Eat.
"If he so wishes he shall be my heir when I die." Movan said with a smile as he took a bite of elk leg.