The Forgotten Kingdom

Chapter 17: The Deal Striked

Avoiding the seas of people around him, Denco retreated to the outskirts of the party. He walked along the pond's bank, greeting whomever he encountered. Lords stopped to inquire of the King's consorts, and Ladies grabbed his arm, doting on the young man he was. Joyfully enough, he evaded further conversation than needed with them.

He was left to his mind, which was made up of tormenting thoughts—thoughts of war, unrequited love, and an urgency of power. Each of these weighed heavily on him, racking his mind. Lost in the throes of thoughts, he was interrupted by a Lord who now stood shoulder to shoulder, also peering over the lake. "You don't make haste to celebrate your brother, my Lord?"

Denco did not gaze upon the man but took note of his accident. He was not from around here. "I am simply not one of extravaganza." He heard the man chuckle, "I would hardly argue that tea is extravagant... It seems like the Kingdom gained a fine Princess." He continued when Denco did not give an answer, "You must be pleased to gain a sister-in-law?"

Denco rolled his eyes but held back further distaste, "Now I would hardly argue that they are my family..." He finally looked over to the man he was conversing with. A man, no older than forty-five, still peered across the lake. He had dark hair and a full, darker beard.

"Ah, I have forgotten. Your father seems to treat you well despite your standing." The man gave a slight smile, and Denco's jaw tightened. He was referring to Denco as the illegitimate son of the King. "Do you have reason to patronize me besides cruelty?"

The man turned to face Denco, looking slightly shocked, "I did not mean anything unsavory, my Lord. I simply mean to say that your Father seems like a good man to.. strike a deal with."

Denco settled on his back leg, inquisitively wondering what this man may be hiding, "The King is a drunk and a whore. You would be better off striking a deal with swine." He lowered his voice as he spoke, and turned back towards the water. Laughing was gaining decibels around them, as more and more alcohol flowed.

"Well, what about a bastard son? I presume that to be better than swine..." The man also turned towards the water. Possibly hoping to not gain attention form those around.

"What are you asking, say it plainly." Denco spoke sternly, unsure of what the man's intentions are.

The man now lowered his voice as well as he spoke, "Well, I have been sent here on account of the Corsinian border. King Yusen of Borschi will over take them any day now. Claudius is no match, no matter how many his men... But, this union between your two kingdoms has posed some issues for that plan."

"I do not see of how speaking of these matters is beneficial, especially if we are presumed to be at warring states, you and I." Denco felt the man shift, but chose not to look.

"Well, I am of knowledge that the Prince and King are of two minds, pertaining to war. I am wondering, where may you land?"

"I am a servant of the King, not the Prince. Until he is crowned, my Loyalty is of the throne." Denco stood ghastly still, awaiting any response. Any indication of what was to come. He was aware that this conversation suddenly became world changing, and he may now have a say in this game of war.

"I hoped you would be... King Yusen hopes that your Father would join him in the taking of Corsinian."

"My Father has recently blessed the union of our two states. How do you imagine any possibility of this?"

The man leaned in, slightly closer to Denco, "We have reason to believe that the union is not all that it may seem... Your mother was of Borschinian birth, as well was the Princesses."

Denco knew this of his mother, but it had not affected him much. She came to Havensoge as a young women, she was of this country through and through. No one mentioned it when Denco was born either, it did not matter much where is mother was from due to her illegitimacy.

Now Brielle was a shock, whatever her ties to Borschi are, it is enough that they are aware, "I see. I was not aware of her heritage."

Looking around, the man turned back towards the commander, "I was originally set out three months ago to propose a union between King Yusen and Princess Brielle... that has been unsuccessful due to, well you are aware. Therefore, we were at a loss of any union. But, finding out of the Princess' heritage, we are hoping it will halt any union between Claudius and Romar. As well prompting the King to not bestow any harm upon Borschi."

"I believe you may think to highly of the throne's morality." Denco knew his father did not care of ethics, He did whatever he pleased, as long as it benefitted him. Therefore, this information would most likely not shift the King in anyway.

Though, the Commander wondered why this informant spoke of such things, but he continued on without Denco's prompting, "I was saddened to know you were not the one marrying the Princess. That would have made a proposed union between our states much simpler."

Denco realized, and agreed. Not of a unionization, but that he would be a better partner for Brielle, "I agree Sir... My apologies what is your name my Lord?"

The man faced Denco, "Jolser of Asberry, my Lord. I am pleased to know you agree... I suppose true reasons of coming have deeper roots than what I have posed to you."

The commander turned from the man, and now faced the festivites. He even had a glimpse of his father who was drinking with a new woman perched on his lap, "And what would those be?" Denco inquired. As the man began answering, Denco glanced up to the castle, movement catching his eye.

He saw Brielle before him, her back pushed against the window. His pants tightened at the sight, suddenly very aware of the state she was in. Jolser continued, seemingly very unaware, "Well, my Lord and I wondered if there was any security in hoping you may wed with her, despite the crcumstances—"

Denco saw Brielle try to grip the window as she squirmed, red prints shined brightly on her bottom. The commander cut off the Lord, "Security lie in the fate of the future. She is wed, and I do not plan on treason against my own blood." He could scarcely focus on their conversation. He so badly wished to be the one ravishing her this second. He grew in jealousy against his brother.

Jaslor continued, "I am wondering... If you found the Princess husbandless... and if you were to marry her... could we depend on you to strike a peceful union between our Kingdoms?" Denco looked to the man. He indirectly spoke of treason against his brother, all for a woman he had known not a week.

"You ask a great fortune of me." Denco watched as Brielle was now facing out the window, peering down. He saw her facial expression turn as they locked gazes.

He wondered if her eyes filled of lust, as his did for her. The deal on the table before him became more and more intriging as He watched Brielle. Her eyes closed and her mouth opened, Denco felt like He would burst of anger and lust right then. Jaslor broke his thoughts, "We would take care of the dirty work for you, no questions asked. All we ask for is guarenteed peace."

The commander watched Brielle finished and fell away from the window, he was unable to bear even her absence from a distance and a blinding jealousy poured over his vision, "You have my word." With a shake of the hands, they departed from one another.