The King's Wife

18

Gabriel sat in the study with his chin resting on his fist as he watched the fire. He couldn't believe his luck. Ismay had learned everything and though she paled like a ghost when he told her about his parents, she didn't faint or call him a liar. Ismay actually believed him. For once her often irritating obsession with analytical reasoning seemed to work in his favor.

There was a knock on the door, breaking him from his thoughts. "Come in." Hugh walked in and the king's good mood wilted. He did his best not to scowl at the man he once considered his friend. "What is it?"

"Some point I would like to know what it would take to earn your forgiveness when even the queen has already forgiven me, but there are more important matters. Emissaries from the four kingdoms have arrived, here at the castle, and heavily armed."

The alarm sent Gabriel to his feet. "What? What about our patrols?"

"Either they were given information on how to avoid them or they ran them down. We don't know yet," he replied.

Was this it? Had their time ran out? "I take they've been non-violent since their arrival here?"

"Yes, they've only demanded to speak with you," he replied.

"So be it then. Have Godfrey bring them to me in the throne room. I want a guarded escort, match them man for man, a blade for blade. As well another escort of men just in case they change their non-violent position. Seek out the queen's maid and have her alert the queen of the emissaries and she is needed immediately in the throne room." Hugh dipped low, leaving. Gabriel swallowed his dread and fear with a swallow of wine before leaving for the throne room. This time he wouldn't fail his family or his people.

The throne had never been comfortable for Gabriel. It felt too large, yet constraining. Keeping his father close to his heart, Gabriel did his best impression of him and sat straight and stiff. It was but a moment before Godfrey entered with the emissaries trailed behind him. Ismay had yet to arrive and he hoped she wouldn't be long.

Once the four stood at the foot of the daise some ten feet from him, Godfrey bowed before him regally. "My king, emissaries of the four kingdoms. Prince Nicholas of Amika and Queen Margaret of Verun are known to you. This is Princess Jolecia of Iber..." He indicated to the woman. A quite attractive woman, though she held an entitled air about her that diminished any appeal she might have had in Gabriel's opinion.

"And Lord Brayton of Saminas," Godfrey finished, dipping his head towards a tall, thin man with olive skin with a thin, long beard peppered with gray. He smiled but it was purely predatory.

Gabriel nodded at the princess and lord. "Greetings, I'd welcome you, but as you've come into my kingdom unannounced, I reserve the right—"

"It's civilized custom to allow emissaries into one's land and stay at the king's castle," the Iber princess said cutting him off. Her tone was haughty and superior.

"Not in my kingdom. What brings you to my castle?"

"King Gabriel, we come concerned," Lord Brayton said with a snake like voice. Gabriel's instincts told me this man was more accustomed to lies than truth. "You have refused to negotiate with most of us and show no intention of joining the proper society. The rumors say you will take no other wives besides the Verun princess."

Gabriel shifted in the throne and stared down at the snake man. "I have not refused to negotiate, but if you think I am in desperate need that I shall take whatever scraps your kingdoms throw at me then you are mistaken. As far as my kingdom, by what authority do you believe you have that you can tell me how to rule?"

"Your Highness," Prince Nicholas said quickly. "The tales of Darug are once more causing unrest among the more unfortunate of our kingdoms."

Princess Jolecia's head snapped towards the prince, a glare narrowing her eyes. No doubt he wasn't supposed to give away such information which told Gabriel Amika was still in favor of friendship. Good.