Medieval Hammerstacks

Endolynn POV

After a few days, everything had settled down, more or less, and I had to find things to occupy my time with. Gerald was taken away pretty often by stewards and the like to do, "Kingly duties," as they described them to me. I holed up in my room or the library more often than not, sleeping a lot and looking for books I hadn't read yet that interested me.One day, after having failed to find any, Gerald found me slouched in a large armchair in the library. He lifted me up and sat down, pulling me back into his lap.

"Ryia wants to talk to us," he said, almost sighing, "it's probably a strategic whatever."

"But she wants me to hear it, too?"

"Well, she knows you aren't an idiot, so yeah, I guess."

"We should probably go find her, then."

He made no move to do so, "Probably."

I leaned over and kissed him, "We should go."

He sighed, "I know," and helped me up. We left together to find Ryia.

They didn't have to search for long, Ryia was just outside the doors speaking with Akilla on the edge of the courtyard. Ryia noticed us, spoke to Akilla for a bit longer as we approached and then turned to us as Akilla left just after bowing to our presence.

"My King, and Queen. I have a matter to discuss with you both." Ryia spoke as she bowed.

"Don't do that," I laughed and pulled her up, "You can bow to Gerald, because I don't think he likes you too much, but not to me," I had put my hand up like I was keeping the judgement a secret from him. He just rolled his eyes. "Anyway, what did you need?"

"I need to have permission to retire a guard and give the open position to Aloys." Ryia answered instantly ignoring the humor weirdly enough.

My smile fell and I furrowed my eyebrows, "Who are you retiring?"

"Commander Pate." She answered quickly.

"What?" Her response surprised me, "Did something happen?"

"Nothing that hasn't been happening for awhile P- I mean my Queen." Ryia corrected herself.

"I'm confused..."

"Is something preventing him from doing his job," Gerald interrupted, "or did he choose to retire himself?"

"Both." Ryia answered honestly, "If I can have your permission then I can go prepare them."

"You do," I nodded, "You have mine, but..."

"Mine, too," Gerald said, but he seemed as confused as I was, "what's been going on with Pate, then?"

"He is just getting a bit old." Ryia tried to smirk but it was strained.

"Old? Uh, Ryia..." I shook my head, "Either he's a vampire, or he isn't thirty yet."

"Don't joke about that," Gerald muttered.

"He's still twenty or so," She corrected, "but it's nothing that will kill him or any-wow... this is stupid of me." Ryia rolled her eyes frustrated and stepped closer to us and lowered her voice. "Pate was injured on the raid when he was sent to scout ahead of us. He is losing muscle and is hardly able to do even the most common of things. Aloys' wife is willing to try to save what she can but it's important that Pate is retired to save his honor."

"I understand," Gerald nodded, looking somber.

"But he's gonna be okay, right?" I asked, "No more deaths?"