Waging Wars: A Klaroline Fanfiction

5.

"What have you found," Klaus asked, startling everyone as he waltzed into the chamber.

Candles and torches burned in every corner, trying to scare away the darkness, but only succeeded in making the room hot and suffocating.

Captain Benedict, one of Klaus's most trusted explorers and renowned sailor stood, waving his dark cloak behind him with a flourish. "Your Majesty," he began with his deep baritone cadence, "we found land that I've had sketched for you. I sent out scouts and didn't find anyone who would be a threat to us."

"Natives?" he asked and with the sailor's nod he continued, "And I trust the weather was good?" Klaus sat at his desk, facing the four men who were present, one of whom was Benedict's right hand.

"Very, your Majesty," he answered and sat back against his wooden chair with an air of arrogance. "We were able to hunt and forage for food with little trouble. It seems we may be the first to have discovered it from the West. I don't believe the natives will be a problem. They're so...primative."

Klaus tapped a finger against the desk where the sketches sat. "Was anyone left behind?"

The Captain nodded. "Twelve warriors, all loyal to you of course, and the volunteer townsmen. Before I left they were beginning to settle by the sea."

"Should we send more people?" Elijah asked from his corner. "A couple ships full of families and warriors should protect the land and make claim to it. We don't want anyone finding out about these lands before we are able to protect it."

The men talked amongst themselves, telling stories of the new land as Klaus stayed silent. He wasn't sure what the best call to action was at the moment. On one hand he wanted to make sure his people could flourish in the new land. If they had harsh winters as they sometimes had in his kingdom he didn't want to sacrifice more of his people. On the other hand, he wanted to lay claim before word got to any of the other countries and they decided to settle as well.

"Send spies to the East," he commanded.

"Brother?" Elijah questioned and then turned to Benedict and his fellow sailor. "If you'll excuse us." When the two men left and the door was securely locked, he spoke again, "Why would you send spies there?"

Klaus met Elijah's unwavering stare with his own. "I need to know what they may be planning."

"Aren't you being a little paranoid?" Kol joked, but sat straighter in his chair when Klaus's eyes narrowed.

Elijah cleared his throat and wandered towards the desk. "If they were planning anything than Rebekah would know," he reasoned.

But Klaus shook his head, his blonde locks brushing his shoulders. "I doubt Rebekah's presence does anything there, when she is there, at least. You've heard how she speaks about the Queen. Do you not think the old woman knows how our darling sister feels about her? Do you not think the crone talks to her son, commanding him to speak of nothing to Rebekah or doesn't have at least one of her loyalists as a lady in waiting? The Queen may be old, but she hasn't lost her wits."

"I'll dispatch two of my men," Kol offered and Klaus nodded. "What of the Lockwood's? Aren't they our biggest threat?"

"Try to get word to our spies there," he commanded. "I need to know the second a decision is made about the betrothal."

Kol bowed before leaving to do as he was asked.

Klaus fingered through his mother's book absently as he stared off, thinking.

A New World emerges from the sea,

Abundance for all who reserve,

Prosperity and riches,