𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝

𝙊𝙉𝙀

Percy Hotspur and his father sat, directly opposite each other. Percy with his hands together leaning his mouth against them, an unsettling amount of impatience radiating off of him as they waited for the king who was very late.

Percy lifted his head up hearing a thud of gates and dark barks indicating that the king had eventually arrived. Many lords walked into the room and Percy's father stood, quickly ordering his son to do the same, although he looked reluctant to do it.

As the king eventually arrived he walked in looking an awful state. His hair seemed to not have been washed in days, he was also sweating. It was clear his bad illness had taken a large toll on him.

"My lords, I'm most sorry for making you wait. I know you've traveled far and from great travail. I pray that you will know that this time of civil unrest consumes me, day and night" The king said as she sat down and all the other lords followed suit.

Percy looked down at the sick king with a rage full expression, his mouth twitching slightly in anger. He sat down, but was the last to do so.

"I understand the battle with the rebel Scot's was hard fought" The king spoke as many servants prepared him for his meal.

When Hotspur noticed his son was saying nothing he quickly spoke "it was my liege. We lost some..300 men"

The king inhaled deeply before ignoring the speaking man, and beginning to pray in Latin. Percy shook his head noticing the disrespect the king had just shown his father.

"Amen" They all said as the king finished his prayer.

They king reached for the wine, grabbing it as he wiped his dripping nose, sniffling. "Good Hotspur, you led the charge, we're there any prisoners of note taken? The king asked Percy.

"Many" is all Percy said as he stared at his king.

"Are they in train?" The king asked.

"No" Percy said quickly, continuing to stare at him. By now the other lords had noticed the tension and stopped to look at the scene.

"And why is that? Why have they not been brought to me directly?" The king asked as he prepared his food.

"Why will you not pay cousin Mortimers ransom?" Percy shot back.

The king stared at him momentarily "you'll need to speak up, my boy. I'm an old man. My ears... are filled with hair" He said.

"Cousin mortimer is held by the rebels of wales. Why do you refuse to pay his ransom?" Percy asked his voice much louder.

The king cleared his throat as he bit into a chicken leg "I refuse to pay Mortimers ransom because I refuse to believe him a prisoner. I rather believe Mortimer a traitor. He has joined the welsh rebels. He has betrayed England and is now an enemy of mine. And therefore of yours. You agree with my précis, young Hotspot?" The king asked.

"No" Percy answered his face twisting with anger

"My son-" His father began but was cut off

"I believe yours to be the ramblings of a crazy old demon." His father begged him to stop but was stopped by the king.

"Oh no please let him speak, I wish to hear him" The king said.

"Yours are the ramblings of an old man so saturated with malice and mistrust that he no longer knows up from down. Can no longer see beyond the walls of his own monstrous schloss. My family have served you. We aided you in your ascension, and still we fight for you. Cousin Mortimer has fought for you. And yet now, whilst you slobber over that chickens won't, he shivers i a western prison awaiting mutilation at the hands of Welsh witches" Hsaid