"Falling"

Two Brothers

Tidaholm Kingdom. A Kingdom covered in woods, rich in iron and gold, and bordered by a beautiful blue lake, where the King's Castle oversees it like a white stone kissing its surface. The Kingdom hasn't seen war in many generations, and, because of that, it has many allies, making it one of the more powerful Kingdoms in all the land.

The Kingdom is ruled by the kind, but firm, King Josh Ackles. After the passing of his father in his sleep, King Josh rose to the throne, being the eldest of three. His younger brother, Jensen, became his Military Commander, while his sister Mackenzie is his advisor to everything that happens with the Lords and Ladies that live in his Court. And lets not forget their mother, Queen-Mother Donna, who assists all three in everything she can.

Jensen walks into his brother's study, the man sitting at his desk with his head in his hand. Jensen doesn't envy him, if being his Military Commander is hard, he can't even begin to imagine what being King is like.

Over the years, Jensen has thanked the heavens above for not being the eldest child, although he knows if, God forbid, something happens to Josh and he has no heirs, the throne will immediately pass on to him. With that knowledge always present in his mind, he makes sure that Josh is protected at all times. It may come off a bit selfish, but at least his brother is safe, so...

-"You sent for me?" - Jensen asks, as he sits down in a chair across from Josh, the familiarity only there because they are alone.

-"Yes. We're expecting a new envoy from the Ethil Kingdom. They should be here within a day or two, depending on their travel time."

-"Ugh. Now, why did you agree to that? You know old man Williams hates you because of what happened with his eldest daughter."

-"It was his idea. According to him, the envoy is a sign of goodwill from him."

-"Alright. Who is he sending?"

-"I don't know. He didn't say. Nonetheless, we will need guards for their protection while they're here."

-"I'll pull a couple of men to protect them."

-"Good. Make sure they know they are to protect the envoy but also to keep an eye on them, just in case."

-"Do you want to send a unit to escort them to the Castle?"

-"No need. Williams wrote that the envoy will have their own protection until they arrive at the Castle, but once they do arrive, their protection will leave."

-"I wonder if this envoy will be just as much of a handful as the last one was." - Jensen smirks, remembering the shenanigans the previous envoy got himself in.

-"I hope not, but I have taken precautions in case they are."

-"Of course you have." - Jensen smiles. -"Is that all?"

-"For now. Oh... Send some scouts ahead, so they can send word for when the envoy is close by."

-"Will do."

Jensen leaves his brother and heads for the training pits, wondering what kind of man this new envoy will be.