Blood of My Brother

Untitled Part 8

The human families gathered outside the great hall, some sitting on the steps to the family quarters, some leaning on the stone walls. The king's personal guard stood outside the door, his arms crossed over his chest. Reagan was not a patient warrior, not even by Joutone standards. No humans bothered asking him any questions about time despite how long they'd been waiting already.

When the preacher walked in with Chey the men all stood and shook his hand. Jess and Mark thanked him for availing himself to meet with the king and he too took his place on the wall. He was only there a moment when the giant door creaked open and Abbott poked his head out. "If you all are ready the king will see you now."

The preacher was enthused to see the court was as formal as King William's. It meant tradition and ceremony were valued. The long table reserved for dinners normally took center stage in the room, today it was parallel to the fireplace. The king sat to the far left leaving his wife and slave seats to his right. Jean was sure this confirmed his suspicion on the king's ability to hear.

The families all took their seats along a row of two tables set to face the family. There were no weapons allowed in the king's court and Chey was relieved of four blades by the door. Her wolf however remained at her side.

The king waited for her to take her place directly behind her charge, her eyes ever focused on Mavis while his queen watched him like a hawk. It took all of a few seconds for her temper to flare, "Why is she in my court?"

Mavis cut his eyes at his wife, "She is on duty, love. Would you want to attend court on foreign shores with no escort?"

Genie was sure she caught a wink as Mavis started flipping through his stack of papers. "I think the first issue I need to address is merchant contracts. I have a list in front of me vendors who will no longer sell wares on my island. Many of whom you do business with."

He started calling off names, some were respected business men by standards of men who had few options. A Charles and Mark both grumbled over one merchant who paid well, but had taken advantage of the kings good graces in trade practice.

When he hit the end of his list he announced, "There will be no humans allowed on boats for purpose of trade." The entire room erupted in disappointment. He quietly waited for the humans to calm down and when it dragged for too long he rumbled, "Silence!"

As soon as he could hear his own voice again he continued. "I will provide one boat per caravan across the straight. There will be a tariff to cover the wage of the warriors who will be pedaling your wares."

Keven stood, "You mean in addition to what ever they pocket of our earnings?"

Genevieve raised her hand to silence her husband, "It is my understanding that you already were paying far more for the same service."

"With venders we trust." He returned to his seat, sulked by the order.

Mavis's patience was wearing thin, he deliberately avoided eye contact for fear of this hearing turning bloody. "Did you knowingly and willingly do business with venders who circumvented tariff?" He did not want to know if he was being lied to and humans always gave it away in their mannerisms. He knew without a doubt what the answer was, it was as the only way to keep the cost of transport down.

This time he made eye contact with Kevin. "You of all here, should know the consequences of crossing me. I am certain you would never consider it again."

Kevin could now feel the entire room staring at the scars on his face and neck. Sobering reminders to all there. "Of course not, my king. Please forgive me."