King-Fall

III. The World In Which We Live

Finnian jumped when I shoved the double wooden doors open forcefully. The wood elf composed himself and steadied the shaking of his Alchemy table. My voice boomed as I strode towards him, my face was nonthreatening but my stride and voice was so tense that I basically boomed,

"Finnian, where's my son?"

"M-my liege," he hastily got up and bowed with his right fist clasped to his chest, "your son is in the other room. The talks have subsided, I assume?"

"They ended early."

"May I ask why mi'lord?"

"Ask Noraveh," I said unhumorously, "that wine bearer you are just so fond of, Divines here." I tossed him an Amulet of Mara, "That might help."

He caught the amulet with a face as red as an apple.

"M-my liege, I don't think she's fond of me."

"Just wear it for a month and you'll be married to someone soon." I stopped outside my son's door. "Your a good man, probably better than me."

From Finnian's stuttering I could see he was even more embarrassed, and flattered,

"Preposterous mi'lord! There is a reason you are High King and not I."

I smiled from the man's innocence and commanded, "Just take a compliment and enjoy your evening you silly milk drinker."

Before he could say anything I opened the door and sighed quietly as my son was reading. His black storybook-hero locks contrasted his pale skin, no doubt the result of his time inside. I entered tentatively and greeted,

"Hello son."

He turned to me and focused his mother's grey eyes on me and smiled.

"Father," he frowned as a question lit in his eyes, the seven-year old was bright, "did you... shout? A moment ago?"

I ignored his question.

"Come, if you are to become High King I must show you the world in which we live."

He obeyed and got up from his seat.

"Need I pack?"

"I wish to spend the night at sea so just pack your scrolls, Dragonbane, a fishing rod and maybe a dagger."

"So it's like a sleepover?"

"A what?" I asked drily.

"The boys in the market invited me to a sleepover. It's when a friend stays the night and do fun things."

"When were you in the market?"

He glanced at me as he packed and gave me a mischievous grin.

"Hadn't Finnian told you that I was getting restless? He was mumbling it the whole way back as he dragged me home the other day."

"Observant," I smiled proudly, "but as much as I hope you have fun, I intend for you to get some hairs on your chest on this trip. Now hurry, if you beat me to the stable I might make you High King early."

"Ha-ha, Dad," my son said and then challenged, "I'll meet you at the docks atop Frostheart."

"My horse? Anyone could steal that mellow beast. Take your mother's, now that's a challenge."

Before he said more, I went to my quarters and prepared my trusty Bloodskal Sword. Strapping the sheath onto my back, under my black-over-red two tone royal cape, I made sure the handle was easily within reach. The handle poked out over my shoulder as I grabbed one of my dozen Dragon Priest masks and bagged it with the Jagged Crown in a small sack.