The Battle of Kingdoms and Clans

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

King Gilford

I don't know what it is about this woman, Katerina, but she has me entranced to the core. I'm sitting in my study alone as I dismissed Laura hours ago. I needed her to focus on something besides Sebastian and myself so I offered for her to plan a banquet tomorrow night. She's driving me mad and I'm not sure what to do about it. I figured, if she's busy she'll bother me less at least for now. I'm looking over the letter I received from Kholis, the clan leader of Strasenkeihl. He wants me to come settle the arrangements on handing over Besapee and negotiate the deal. Of course, he reminds me that I promised my son to marry his daughter and he's eager to finalize the union. Sighing, I would much rather stay here to uncover the mysteries of Kat but duty calls I suppose.

It was no shock to me when Kreadon vocalized his distaste for an arranged marriage but the boy is in line for the throne, we don't have the luxury of making those choices with the first consort. I told him we can have her killed after the clan leader is assassinated once we have taken over the lands. My plan is of course, working perfectly. I should have half of the southlands by this time next year. With midnight approaching I find myself glancing at the clock in anticipation of Katerina walking through the door. I haven't been able to stop thinking about her and I find myself looking for her about the castle grounds and I realize that I'm not sure where the dark riders reside. I will need to find that out if I'm to ever bed the woman. Then again, with Laura in her chambers now, it doesn't seem so much of an issue.

I stand to go to my bar which has a mirror behind it to make sure I'm presentable. I shake my head and smirk as I pour the elder wine out thinking that it took me an hour to figure out what I was going to wear. If I don't have this woman by the next full moon I might very well go insane. I sip the wine and pour the other glass. I went with a version of my training leathers. My pants strapped with blades and my leather vest unbuckled at the top with bare arms. She's more concerned with battles and power so I figured I would show her just how committed I am to that.

Like as if summoning her, I hear a knock on the door. Which, honestly surprises me. She seems like a woman who would just walk in. And of course, thats exactly what she does.

"I guess come in?" I look at her pointedly. She ignores me and walks to the seat in front of my desk and takes a seat. She's a vision in red and black. As I guessed, fighting leathers with six varying blades attached to her. I notice she's wearing a top similar to warriors but likely for training with the sleeves gone. I turn to go sit and I notice her leather laced top is more revealing leading me to believe she's done it on purpose. I give her a seductive smile as I place a glass of wine in front of her. She keeps the emotionless mask on and takes a sip.

As I sit down I start, "so what do you have for me?" I decide to keep it business as she didn't respond to my advances last time.

She looks at me under her lashes as she takes a sip of her wine. "Well.." She puts the glass down, "I do have some very interesting information I've been able to gather. My little spies have told me there is absolutely a rebellion."

"Your little spies?"

"Yes. Thats what you picked up? You have a rebellion, thats the priority here." She speaks like a general, thats for sure. "I have suspicion to believe the Amata family is apart of it. They historically have been known to speak out against you and they have plans to build a hospital in Besapee."

That shocks me, "what? How did they even get the land?"

"Poor farmers. They made a deal and gave them cash. I think they are helping the rebellion. They also recently struck a deal with a Killian Rohourt. He owns the Highlander and has made quite a fortune these last few years. He's agreed to fund the hospital being built."