Crown of Blood

12.2.|| The Crowning of a King

"You are not serious." General Harkiss' eyes were huge as he stared at Cage.

If the coronation hadn't been such a resounding success, Cage was sure the general would be glaring at him. "That is the line of succession, General. I saw no reason to interfere with it."

"But your Majesty, Prince Edmund is so..."

"Young?"

"Well, yes. But frail. And he has not been raised to rule a kingdom."

"Which is why he will begin to join us in counsel. He needs to learn, and fast."

"But..."

"We don't have another option, General. Even if I did what you wanted, married Madeline and got her pregnant in the next week, she would still be left to care for an infant in the midst of war. And you and I could both die. Who would rule then?"

Harkiss closed his mouth, then opened it again, but he didn't seem to have any pertinent argument to present. Cage knew he wouldn't.

"You keep forgetting you would die with me, don't you." The silence of the other man spoke volumes and Cage sighed. "I understand that you wouldn't want my mother leading the country, but we're talking about Edmund here, not her."

"So you do agree that the Queen Mother..."

"Is ill fit to do anything but sulk? Yes, I'm very aware of that. I have asked Edmund to think about naming a successor as well."

"Your Majesty, this is all very frail. We can't leave our kingdom to chance. If anything happens to you or me..."

Cage raised his fist and let the lightning curl around his forearm. It halted any other word from the general.

"I agree. But I tend to believe I'm not so easy to kill."

"But neither is the other side. You said they have magic as well."

"True, but unless Lucille enhanced Kat's powers to an extreme, I think I can handle it."

"Lucille..."

"Yes, General. The fairies are involved, and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about that. But I digress. We should treat this war as any normal one. After all, the bulk of both armies won't be wielding magic."

Harkiss nodded and the news seemed to give him solace. "I confirm that my garrison is ready for battle and under your command."

"Under your command, you mean," Cage said with a grin.

Harkiss waved his hand. "Yes, yes. I vowed fealty to you and the crown and I meant it."

"Why General? Are you growing fond of me?" Harkiss said nothing and it made Cage curious. "I'm allowing you to drop protocol and be honest."

For a few moments, there was silence, then Harkiss groaned. "You're a cheeky little brat, but I know you're a man of your word. I also know that you're a competent military leader and that you brought the navy to a level of proficiency that has not been seen before."

His words had Cage laughing. "There you go. You can admit that you were afraid I'd be an incompetent fool."

"Regardless, the garrison here is ready and under your command. I will make sure they are preparing for war. I have also summoned the armies of the south and the answer has been affirmative."

"But..." Cage could sense the but and he was sure he wouldn't like it.

Harkiss sighed. "I have no answer from the border barons. I have summoned them here to discuss the status of their garrisons, but they ignored me."