Moving Mountains

20

.^^ Plateau Front Entrance ^^

— Josef —

When the door whipped open, I expected her growl to grow into a full snapping at whoever was at the door, but instead she was silent, so I turned to see her on one knee, the king standing at the door with an eyebrow raised.

"Hmm? What do you need?" I frowned at him, annoyed by his mere presence.

He turned the raised eyebrow to me, this time. "Watch the tone, please... and I came to warn you that the lord's will be challenging you quite often, I suppose, and bringing fighters from all over to Duel you. Some will even be a challenge."

"I already knew that. Anything else?" I turned back to my little make-shift griddle, and flipped the Pancake over.

"If you knew that, why are you resting?" He frowned.

"Because I'm not worried, and I don't care. I have to accept a duel to lose it, and I don't plan on accepting any duels I'm not confident in winning. If that's all, then I'm sure you have things you need to do. Good day, Majesty." I pulled the pancake off the griddle, and bit into it, chewing slowly.

"Have I done something to offend you that I'm unaware of? Or are you just not a morning person?" He hummed.

"Both. Your general attitude and demeanor annoy me. Your aura irritates me. Your way of speaking reminds me of my younger brother, whom I detested with a burning passion, which does not help your case. And no, I don't like to be bothered in the morning, and especially when eating. If you have anything to say, say it quickly. My patience wears thinner the longer you're near me." I shook my head, not looking at him.

"Hmm... you'll have to get over that. As the Red Duke, your duties involve managing the kingdom's finances as a member of the Council of Kings." He chuckled.

"And I was not informed of that... why?" I poured more batter on the pan, not sparing him a glance, testing how long he'd stay before leaving me be.

"I would have, but you seemed more intent on railing at me for insulting your opponent than listening to me." He responded drily.

"No, you seemed more intent on discovering my secrets than actually informing me of anything at all. And I didn't Rail at you,-for Vanya or otherwise,- because if I had, you'd have known why I was lecturing. And the fact that you still don't know why I snapped at you is another reason I don't like you." I snorted, and flipped my last pancake, tossing the first to come off to Vanya.

"I'm a King, I don't have to listen to other people." He chuckled arrogantly.

"We both know you're too smart to be arrogant. Play your part somewhere else, or be honest with me." I shook my head, refusing to rise to his bait.

He sat down on one of the chairs, closing the door behind him. "And by what right do you demand honesty?"

"I didn't demand honesty. I gave you an ultimatum. Leave, or speak plainly. There's no one here to act like a fool for, there's no soldiers here to impress with crass humor. Just two very tired and cranky warriors, at least one of whom is capable of being your intellectual rival." I ignored him for a few minutes, eating the last of the pancakes, and then put away the cooking tools, standing up and stretching slowly.

Immediately, Vanya whistled slowly, and the king cleared his throat.

I looked down, and sighed, remembering I hadn't dressed fully yet. "Ah. Sorry." I pulled my pants and boots on, then pulled on my armor with a shrug of my shoulders.