Throne of Blood

Part I Chapter 18

Valrun was still processing all that his brother had told him. He could not believe the words he had spoken of how he was confident that Kavanland would attack soon and of the fear that the Night Thorns lurked in the shadows. He was beginning to believe all of the advice about Kavanland but refused to accept anything involving the Night Thorns.

The High King needed to return home. He needed to make sure Esmer was safe, and then he needed to hold the peace for as long as he could. He would do everything to make sure war did not break out. Valrun had fought too long and too hard to lose all that had been built. However, he had to first make sure that his brother would be okay and that his deteriorating mind would not crumble any further.

It had been clear the previous evening that Melchel was struggling by himself. His wife was not much help, as she had constantly been reminding Melchel how crazy he was. It was no wonder that he had begun to lose his mind in the solitary confinement he had found himself in. Valrun was determined to speak with Melchel's wife, Danys, and show her the importance of keeping her husband stable in the time of rising uncertainty.

"Ah Danys it is good to see you," Valrun said, giving his sister-in-law a huge bear hug. The harsh-looking, skinny woman was almost crushed under the weight of the king's massive force.

"Good--to--see--you--too," she let out between gasps of breath.

Valrun had never much liked the woman his brother was married to. She never found any of his jokes funny and always had her nose scrunched up as though everything around her reeked. Alas, it was his brother's duty to marry her. As Valrun let go of her, he smiled at her stern-looking face and thought to himself that he was very glad he got the better of the two potential wives.

"Let us eat, dear sister-in-law," Valrun said. "I am famished."

"I'm sure you are," Danys said in her snooty little voice while looking the king up and down.

"I would have gone crazy too with a wife like you," Valrun muttered under his breath to make sure she would not hear him.

It had been rumored throughout Petroas that the king and queen of their city were no longer even living in the same wings of the castle. As the king's eccentricity had grown, the two had grown further apart until they both decided to be as far as they possibly could from one another. There were rumors that the king had been having an affair, while some claimed that the queen had refused to bear the king any children. Although both of these rumors were false, it was indeed true that the queen now occupied her own separate quarters. It had been months since Melchel and Danys had spoken to one another, and it did not seem as though that separation would end anytime soon.

As Valrun and Danys dined, they talked of the kingdom and the events happening around it. Mostly idle small talk with no real value or weight in the discussion. Once they had finished eating, the queen decided to take a stab at why Valrun had decided to come visit after such a long absence.

"I know you are here because of your brother's growing stupidity, but I assure you we are fine," Danys said, giving Valrun her infamous, icy glare. "I do not know what you think you will fix by being here but I assure you nothing will change by this short visit."

"I do not plan on being the one to institute change, Danys," Valrun said cooly. "That is why I need your help. Only you can change my brother's mind. Right now, he needs his wife." Valrun saw the queen's eyes roll at this. "Do not doubt your power over him. Although he has lost his mind right now that is only because he feels alone. He needs your help to comfort and nurture him back to his old self. I know you have never been a fan of his loud mouth and brash words but he is a good man and you know that."

Danys eyes dropped at these words. She knew her husband was a good man, but she was tired of dealing with the craziness of his new lifestyle. "Valrun," she said with pleading eyes, never before having used his name, "I don't know if I have the strength to deal with his actions anymore. Surely you cannot believe his tales of Night Thorns and war?"

"I am not sure about the Night Thorns; I do believe that to be far-fetched. However, the war may not be as crazy as it sounds," Valrun said, rubbing his bearded chin. "Still, I am trying to do everything in my power to prevent that from happening. Danys, I need your help, though. If our kingdom is not unified with all members playing their part, we shall fall divided.

She was a harsh woman, but not a hateful one. Danys understood her duty as a wife, as a queen, and as a servant of her king. "Maybe, Valrun, maybe," she said with uncertainty in her voice. "I will see what I can do to help my husband."

"Thank you, Danys," Valrun said, his face relaxing at the first good news he had heard in a while. "I know we have not always seen eye to eye, but I appreciate the help."

"I am but a servant of my king," Danys bowed her head, returning to her steely demeanor.

The two stood from where they were seated and headed back out into the main hall; as they were preparing to part ways, Danys grabbed Valrun with her cold hands and pressed her lips to the king's ears. "My king," she whispered, "I wish it had been you instead of your brother by which our kingdoms had been united."

Danys then darted off, leaving the king speechless as the mysterious, cold woman floated away into the grand halls of Petroas.

"Your majesty, we are ready for departure first thing in the morning," Commander Dade said, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. The unexpected arrival of the cavalry commander snapped Valrun out of his perplexed trance.

"Uhm, very good commander. Get some rest before our departure. We must make haste in getting back," Valrun said, still staring in the direction of where Danys had disappeared.

"Yessir," Dade said, saluting the king and leaving him once again alone in the halls of Petroas.