Demons Among Us

Chapter 7: King Yaznik

King Yaznik stood above the crowd that had gathered bracing himself for what he was about to announce, every table was full and many demons were standing or literally hanging from the ceiling. All the demon lords of every kingdom in the realm were present and impatiently waiting. 

He knew many would be against him leaving the kingdom to Yazmina but also knew many loved her. Whether they agreed with his decision didn't matter much to him what mattered was how miserable both his children looked.

Yazmina stood beside him with a scowl on her face and her arms crossed like a pouting demonling, great first impression of their queen he thought to himself bitterly. Yazsus stood at attention with his arms stiffly at his side and he stared at the back of the room with no expression on his face. 

King Yaznik sighed inwardly and for a brief moment hesitated about going until he heard his late wife's voice in his head, you are the king my love, this is your duty. 

As usual she was right he stepped forward until he was standing at the top of the stairs and began to command the room "Citizens of the Dominion Realm" all chatter stopped and the crowd turned to face their king as he continued to speak " today I leave on a journey that will take me far away from my throne" as he expected the mumbles started and heard a few voices express their disbelief that he would leave him.

 He gave them a few moments to adjust then began to speak again in a more kingly tone "quiet down!!" he was relieved when they all fell silent. "I will not be leaving my throne unattended, I am choosing the princess Yazmina to rule in my stead, from here on in she will be known as Queen Yazmina ruler of the Dezja clan and Dominion realm, her word is law and must be obeyed". He waited for the mumbling to start again and was grateful when they all stayed silent.

"Furthermore, as my final act of King I am proclaiming that Queen Yazmina may not surrender her throne for any reason, she will remain on the throne and in the kingdom until I return, and to make sure this happens I have made a pact with the elder demon gods that should she leave the kingdom or pass her throne on to any other demon then they would be welcome to rule the land and make it as they see fit including everyone who lives here." Now he did hear the mumbles and audible gasps.

King Yaznik let the masses have their moment of shock and disbelief that their king would take such a gamble with their lives. Demons didn't fear much but the elder demon gods were very ancient and believed in the old ways which was citizens of the realm serving them any way they saw fit and some of the way were not so nice, every demon feared becoming a slave to the elder gods.

King Yaznik looked at his demonlings for any reaction, he noticed that Yazmina horns were glowing a dull red, he prayed to the benevolent demon gods for Yazmina to keep control if she lost her temper now all hell would break loose and she would run and he would have condemned his people to a life pain and servitude. His eyes turned towards Yazsus and saw the same look he saw on his face before he began to speak, nothing.

King Yaznik waited until the mumbles began to quiet and spoke again "citizens I know you find my actions shocking and extreme but I need you to know that it wasn't to punish you but make sure your new queen stays loyal to the throne and to the citizens of the kingdom.  Queen Yazmina will protect the citizens of this realm as you are all her family like you are mine, we need to come together now more that ever and protect one another and our kingdom".

This time King Yaznik heard mumbles of agreement and a certain level of conceding to the current arrangements, he heard mumbles of its only temporary or he will be back soon. King Yaznik wasn't so sure about all that but he was sure this was something he needed to do.

He dismissed the citizens of the realm and took his leave as soon as they all filed for the door, he was so tense from the whole things, his demonlings resentment towards him, the bitter feud between a brother and sister, it was all too much he needed relief. He made his way back to his wing and was relieved when Valreha opened the door for him "my king" she purred in her demure voice that made Yaznik yearn for her touch.