Doctor Abbott

Untitled Part 26

In the morning, the village woke to find the racks on fire and the bodies of the dead guards laying in the square. Ben covered Jocelyn's face with a blanket as he carried her through it to avoid her seeing the carnage.

The bodies brought to mind the day Mâvis was tied waiting for the racks at Ormr's island and then the warriors Mâvis had killed on the trail to King William's. Ben was awestruck as he looked over the mangled mess. He shook off the image and turned to head into the palace only to look up and see the body of Vidar dangling from the balcony ledge in a gruesome mess.

Mâvis was right, he was far more brutal than the other kings. Ben was shoved from behind by Reagan, "You admire his work I see, that is to bring fear into any who would be disloyal or wish to challenge him."

Ben retorted, "Trust me the message is clear on its own merits, no need to explain."

It took a few days to clean up the mess with Ben and Lúta left to direct in most of the work. Mâvis set about immediately to meet with King William as they took watch on the beach waiting for Ormr's men.

By the third night the small army made landfall with a few of Vidar's remaining loyals in tow. Ormr's men stood ready on the beach as Ormr climbed out of his boat. "What is this? Where is Vidar?"

Mâvis readied his axe and answered, "He waits for you to join him."

Ormr's guards took aim and Mâvis relaxed grinning as they quickly realized how out numbered they were. Ormr sneered, "You are king?" he looked around at the battalion and pressed his lips together, "There is no need for us to fight, Mâvis. We were friends once, does that not matter?"

"It may have before you sold my wife." Mâvis kept his gaze fixed on Ormr.

His anger took over, "Was she not to be MY WIFE FIRST? What gave you the right?" He stepped forward as Mâvis's guards took aim and the entire beach broke into a well-meant standoff. Ormr put up both his arms showing surrender, "Why should I sacrifice my men over your ill-gotten gains? Clearly, you two conspired to overthrow Vidar. Why should I be next?" His disgust now turning on King William as he got back in the boat.

Mâvis lowered his weapon and grinned as he rumbled, "Very good, Ormr, you know your limits at least. Run you coward."

As the boats left William turned to Mâvis, "Why would you let him leave? You should have killed him."

Mâvis shook his head, "His guards are loyal to no end, it would create retaliation with vengeance. Let me see how many of his men defect after learning I rule, then we make our move."

The two war parties made their way back into the village to see a massive celebration underway. The two kings pushed through the packed square to make it up to the palace only to find a feast waiting. Mâvis found Genevieve sitting at the table with Lúta and Beatrice. He pulled her off the seat by her arm leading her to the balcony and shutting the door behind them.

She backed up to the railing never taking her eyes off him as she smiled mischievously. "Do you need something from me, My King?"

His gaze was dark and nearly sinister in demeanor, "Say it again."

She bit at her lip smiling, "My King?" Her composure straightened quickly as he closed the distance between them and engulfed her in a deep and sensual kiss. He pulled away to see her eyes and she continued, "You did well, Mâvis. I mean to make this kingdom prosperous. Our daughter will never know war." She searched his face for his emotions.

His voice was soft almost purring as he ran his hand through her hair, "You do as you wish, love. You will have no defiance from me. You will, however, be guarded until we know there is no retaliation."