Magnus
The royal palace on Bastian was even more grand than that of the great fabian temple. Like the great temple it had once been a fabian structure, but it had survived the long years since the fabian withdrawal largely intact.
It had only been days since the royal wedding. Much of the world of Bastian was still drunk with the celebrations. Some lords had begun to return to their own worlds. Magnus and the others had already recieved orders that their leave was coming to an end, and they would be returning to the Warwick sector soon to rejoin the rest of Task Force Delta in patrolling the Walhaz border.
Magnus had expected a quick tour of the royal palace when Edwyn had invited them. That had proved false as he learned that he and Lydia were to be support for the young prince who Magnus had come to see had little respect for his own father, and disliked to be alone with the man.
King Oswald was tall, and in good shape for a man his age. Any nerves which Magnus had when the king and his wife showed up out of the blue to surprise them as they were quickly gone with the ease which the king spoke, and the queen Blair proved just as pleasant.
That hadn’t stopped either Magnus or Lydia from shooting Edwyn glares. The prince had just shrugged and pleaed for forgiveness with his eyes.
King Oswald spoke kindly and there was more than a hint of pride in his voice, of his son.
“I understand you are the brother of Thane Payton?” King Oswald asked Magnus as they enjoyed some fresh fruit which came from some far off world in the Kingdom of Talus.
“Yes lord King,” Magnus replied, and tried not to show or sound shocked not just at the king’s knowledge of him and his brother, but that the king showed no signs of hatred towards the young man who one was of his chief opponent in the Commonwealth.
“A skilled man, you must be proud of the features of your brother, and how far he has come,” the king continued. “I know it reassures me to know that you are there next to my son. If you have even half the skill of your brother, my son is in safe hands.”
Magnus felt the small squeeze of Lydia’s hand on his, but didn’t look at her. “Thank you lord king. It is I that am lucky. Edwyn is one of the best pilots on the ‘Greymark’, and we have some very talented officers and commanders.”
“Modest,” the king replied with a smiled. “Perhaps, but I have read reports on you, as I have on all those who serve so close to my son. You have character for one so young, a trait I was not surprised when I learned who your brother and mother was.”
“Thank you lord king,” Magnus said again. He didn’t know what else to say to such a thing.
“My I ask a favor of you?” The king continued.
“Of course lord king, I am yours to command,” Magnus told him and bowed his head.
“Father,” Edwyn cut in.
“A simple request is all.” The king said holding his hand up.
“Of course, anything,” Magnus said, and ignored the prince.
“I love my children. All of them. I just ask that you continue to watch over my son. Keep him safe from harm.” King Oswald said.
“Father, enough,” Edwyn cut in again. “I am not a child for you to control. I am a member of the Commonwealth Forces and I do not require you to use your influence for me, I can stand on my own two feet.”
“Of course you can,” the king said sharply. “You will understand when you become a father some day,” he continued with a softer tone. “A father cannot simply not try to keep his children safe, it doesn’t matter if they are a king or a beggar. A father’s duty is a father’s duty.”
“And the three of us have our own duties as members of the Commonwealth Forces.” Edwyn countered.
“Of course you do, and I am glad you have found those you can trust. Forgive me for butting in,” the king said. “Let us talk of other things. You are from the world of Anchorage are you not Magnus?”
