Nimeyah's Awakening

CHAPTER THREE-FRUITION

"Fayne?" The old woman called out to him, "You look as though you've seen a ghost." His face was as pale as snow, breathing heavily he paid no mind to the group of soldiers who stood by the entrance to the castle and continued to walk past them.

Fayne might not have seen a ghost but he could argue that what just happened was much worse, and that was why he was rushing on the verge of running to the king. He needed to get to the king because it was of absolute import that King Eloden knew of the new threat that was on the horizon.

It was imperative that he was made aware of the turn of the tide that was fast approaching. Failure to take action would place all that they held dear in danger.

As he burst through the main hall, the guards scrambled to catch hold of him, having caused quite the scene, Fayne and the two guards began attracting the attention of the court, and soon that of the King. The message that he needed to get to the king was too important, and Fayne would take whatever risks were necessary to deliver the warning.

"Your Majesty!" he screamed, "Your Majesty, I beseech you! It has happened." Onlookers began to whisper to each other, wondering what the unhinged man could possibly mean, King Eloden wore an expressionless face, and as he stood to speak the room fell silent.

"Boy, should you have a grievance you wish to make known you enter my hall with humility and respect!" he shouted, "I ought to have drawn and quartered!" There was no reaction from the crowd, King Eloden was known for his ruthlessness and no one in that room wanted to incur his wrath; no, the brunt of such ruthlessness was to be taken on Fayne and Fayne alone.

"Father," came the soft voice of Princess Afsha, she was the only one brave enough to speak, "I implore you to listen to this man, he is desperate, and I would even argue horrified." She stepped down the steps and walked down the center of the great hall towards Fayne, intensely analyzing his features, causing Fayne to look away in embarrassment. It was almost as if she forgot what she wanted to say.

"Afsha!" the King shouted, and she turned to him, and gracefully curtsied when she looked up at the king, she asked in a tone more firm than it previously was, "Will you not listen, your Majesty?" When she raised her head to look her father in the eye, she was met with a furious gaze, but she didn't look away, no, the blood of her forbearers ran strong in her veins and she would not cower to anyone, not even her father, the King.

"You will take your place beside the queen and the prince in silence," the king demanded. Afsha held her head high, holding his gaze until she passed him and walked back to her seat.

Redirecting his gaze back to the crazed man, King Eloden said with envy, "My daughter seems to have taken some interest in you," Fayne kept his head down, giving no reply, which angered the king even more, "Look at your king as he speaks to you! I will tell you when to avert your gaze."

Fayne looked the king in the eye, and all the king could see was fear, fear that he took great pleasure in, after all it was why he demanded that Fayne look him in the eye. For King Eloden ruled with fear; it was his currency, it was what kept his subjects in line, and it was how he ensured respect, it was how he maintained power.

Everyone fell in line, everyone except Afsha, she challenged his authority, and although she was clever enough to play the game subtly, the king was no fool, he understood her actions loud and clear. If there was ever a challenge to his power, it would never be his son.

Theodred was weak enough that he would wait until his father's death for his turn on the throne, but Afsha, no, she would take it from him, she would be the one to stage a coup against him, and would succeed. She could command his soldiers and that was something that King Eloden could not have. He would have to break his daughter, make sure she knew her place, but he would have to put these thoughts on hold because he had to deal with this fool.