Throne of Blood

Part II Chapter 1

It had been five months since the king had made his journey out east. During those long months, the king had secured his army and notified the generals of potential movement in the coming year. Valrun had held off for as long as he could and had even attempted to reach out to Kavanland to broker peace. But it was to no avail, and so the kingdom continued its waiting as tension and rumors of war spread throughout the land.

Valrun's brother had since quieted down, and talk of his eccentrics had become almost nonexistent. It appeared as though Danys had done her part, and now it was up to him to keep the unity and peace secure. He had often wondered what Danys had meant by her kiss but chose to push it out of her mind as he focused on the more important coming birth of his child.

The queen was now very pregnant, and she was expecting any day now. Esmer's nerves and emotions had become rather unpredictable recently, and Valrun could not wait for the mood swings to be over. He was excited for his heir but nervous for his queen, who had been dealing with much pain over the course of her childbearing.

As Valrun headed down the halls of the Blood Palace, fresh from a council meeting, he stopped by an open window along the hall to breathe in the warm summer air. Valrun loved the sea and the excitement it brought. He loved the rush of the wind blowing through his hair as the sea sprayed on his face, his eyes stinging from the salt. The sea and all its dangers seemed like such a simpler place to be amidst all the happenings of his kingdom.

Valrun broke from his moment of peace and headed towards his chambers to check on Esmer. Upon entering the room, he found his wife pacing back and forth with both hands placed on her stomach. She was breathing heavily and was clearly uncomfortable.

"Ah, Valrun, have you come to ease this horrid burden in my labor?" The queen said, giving her husband a smile.

"I wish, my dear. Hopefully it will be only a few more days, and we shall have our child," he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind as she leaned against him. His strong figure held up her tired and wasted figure.

"But what world will our child be entering if we are at war with Kavanland. Will there even a kingdom for it to rule or enjoy if we do not protect what we have?" Esmer said, the fear evident in her voice.

"The council has just reported to me that there is growing worry that Kavanland has amassed an armada of their own. It could be soon before they decide to move out. All we can do is be prepared and continue our attempts at diplomacy."

"And where has that gotten you!" Snapped Esmer. "You men sit in your lofty tower discussing the potential threats when the threat is clear, and yet you choose to ignore. How long before you act? Will you just sit and stand by until your people die from an attack you were unwilling to initiate?" Esmer was out of breath by this point and had to sit down in exhaustion from her rant. "I just don't understand, Valrun, how you can continue to do nothing."

"I am not just sitting on my hands doing nothing woman," Valrun could feel his annoyance growing. "You act like you know the events of my kingdom when you do not sit on that council nor do you truly understand the climate. This is a delicate situation and if we can avoid an all-out war we must do so at any cost."

Esmer turned away from her husband, unable to look him in the eyes. She refused to accept the solution of waiting patiently to see what happened. She was angry at her husband for being such a coward and for claiming she knew nothing. His words stung deep, and she was tired of fighting him.

Seeing that the conversation had reached its end, Valrun left the room to meet with Brenwick. He had much to discuss with his top advisor and little time to do so as the impending doom of an attack was closing in. Valrun was determined to keep the peace, but he knew it was foolhardy to do nothing. 

Valrun had told Brenwick of his brother's fears about both the Night Thorns and an attack from Kavanland. Brenwick thought the Night Thorn's to be an outlandish tale devised of Melchel's warped imagination. He did not hold much weight in the king's brothers' opinion and insisted on continuing preparation for war.

Brenwick seemed so eager to attack Kavanland first before they had a chance to strike. He was exhausted and tired of his two closest people telling him to be on the offensive when he was firm in his decision to maintain a peaceful stance. Only time would tell who was right about the decision of war.