Blood King

Chapter Thirty Three (partly edited)

Chapter Thirty Three

            “So what were the full contents of the letter? Was there something that we didn’t go over that bothered you?” Herald asked as he poured a cup of spiced wine as the two sat in the kitchen near the wine cellar. It was small and not used as often so it was the perfect place for the two to talk without any prying eyes or ears.

            Xavier paused in taking a sip of wine to give a puzzled look to the Minister. “I had come under the assumption that you’ve already read the letter alongside me, was I mistaken in that line of judgment?”

            “No my Lord, it is just that my eyes are not as they were many years ago when I was a young man. Not to mention that bastard of a King makes impossibly small handwriting, even Kale the youngest of us all seemed to have issue with it.” he took a swig of his drink almost taking it all in one gulp. “Honestly, he wrote so small I bet even you have had some kind of strain on your eyes when trying to read that ant-march of a scrawl.”

            Xavier chuckled softly. “My eyes are not as old as yours, I read the letter fine,” but his good humor fled when he continued after drinking his cup. “What concerns me is the one thing that could bargain us out of the possibility of a war.”

            “You mean Celina,”

            He sighed. “Yes, I know it’s something that should be considered but I can’t bring myself to even think it. I don’t want to hand Celina over to them and do gods know what where I can no longer keep her safe. A part of me wishes I could just remove men like him and that blasted bloodline off the face of the earth. Especially Stepan…”

            Herald paused in his drinking, noticing how Xavier clutched his goblet with curled fingers, as if he would crush the metal beneath his hand in that very moment. “This has something to do with your late uncle, doesn’t it?”

            Xavier glared at the hulking man, but did not lash out. “I’ve said it once before, I will not speak of what he did or tried to do to Celina, I won’t deny my hatred to that man, or his family, but there are things that I will remain to keep to myself.”

            He did not push on the matter and poured the King and himself another glass of wine. “Do you recall what you said to me when your Father was buried?” When Xavier did not speak Herald continued. “You said: “For as long as I live I will keep my sister by my side, so that she may live a good and safe life, for if she is not near I will no longer live.” Do you remember saying that?”

            “What of it?”

            “I never truly understood what you meant by those words, but now seeing your affliction in what to do and the supposed rumors of what the former Queen might have done I can hazard a guess as to what it might have been. But I shall not judge, nor do I intend to speak of it. You were young and you wanted to make sure no one would do anything to harm her.”

            Xavier remained quiet for a moment contemplating his words. “You had family, when you lived in the Northlands.”

            Herald nodded. “Yes, though all have long since died. I can still understand your need to protect your remaining family from those who seek to harm. But know this my King, there is only so much one man can do.”

            “I know,” Xavier said softly. “Thank you Herald,” he then changed the subject to another topic. “I meant to ask this, but how do you think I am fairing at being King?”