Unexpected News

I'd had four years to get used to being King at this point, but I still thought that audience time was the most boring part of my day. I'd much rather be outside sparring with someone. Especially today I would have counted myself lucky if anyone had actually showed up and distracted me from the dark thoughts. At this point, the most mundane request would have been welcome, but the hour was nearly up and no one had come.

I was just about to call it a day when the doors to the throne room were shoved open and my sister marched in. As usual, Eleona wore her castle guard uniform and had her hair braided back and pinned into a tight bun at the nape of her neck, but nothing about her expression said as usual. Instead, her face shifted between worry and a hint of giddy excitement I hadn't seen since the day she had finally been allowed to officially join military training.

"What's going on?" I asked. Her entrance had prompted me to get up from the throne. For all I knew, either we had some exciting visitor, or we were under attack. With Eleona I could never be entirely sure, but I sincerely hoped that my kingdom was not under attack.

"There's a girl waiting outside at the gate, Serbaith by the looks of her. Says she needs to talk to you, urgently. Apparently it's about Iohan." That got my attention. I hadn't heard a peep about my uncle in years. I sat back down.

"Let's talk to her." I decided after a moment of silence. The two Knights of my Royal Guard shot me worried glances. I assumed they were already thinking about all the ways in which this encounter could go sideways.

"I'll go get her." Eleona said and marched out of the room.

"Captain, would you mind fetching the General?" Captain Calain Matheos nodded and left right after Eleona. I took a deep breath. Of course I just had to get word on my uncles whereabouts today of all days. Just my luck that this happened on the fourth anniversary of my father's murder at the hands of just that uncle, and just my luck that this day also happened to be my seventeenth birthday.

A few minutes later, Captain Matheos returned flanked by the General of my army, also known as my mother. Her black uniform and the blue and silver sash across her chest marked her as the General, but even without it, it was hard to mistake her for anyone other than a leader. She caught my eye, silently asking me if I was alright, a question I had no answer to. All I knew was that I needed to hear what that girl had to say about my uncle.

Another minute passed, then the door opened again and Eleona entered, followed by a young woman of maybe nineteen years old with brown skin and black hair that was braided down her back. She had a sickly appearance, painfully thin, her hair lustreless, her skin greyish like it hadn't seen the sun in a long time. Only her onyx eyes were alive and alert, darting around the throne room as if they were trying to scan every corner for a potential threat, or a potential escape route.

Finally, her eyes met mine, and I knew that I was looking at a warrior and a leader. Despite her broken appearance, she kept her posture tall, her shoulders back and her chin high. The look she fixed me with was proud and even somewhat challenging, but there was also a sense of sincerity and urgency in her eyes. I got the feeling that this woman wouldn't appreciate me mincing words and wasting time with pointless phrases and courtesies, so I decided to get right to the point.

"Welcome to Angeleor." I opened, "My sister tells me that you have information regarding my uncle?" I hated having to start conversations, but in here, as King, I was the one who had to talk first. The woman bowed quickly and clumsily.

"Thank you for receiving me, your Majesty. My name is Zairah Lear, hunter of the Serbaith, or used to be. I was your uncle's prisoner in Soane for the past three years. I'm here to tell you that he plans to attack you soon." the woman began. My mother, Eleona and I exchanged troubled looks. They had warned me that something like this might happen as soon as I'd made the decision to banish Iohan instead of getting rid of him permanently.

"Welcome, Zairah Lear." I said formally, "I'm Ionathar Angeleos, this is my mother, General Ameada Angeleos, my sister, Lieutenant Eleona Angeleos, and two Knights of my Royal Guard." Zairah nodded.

"So, how come one of his prisoners knows about his plans?" Mother asked.

"And, more importantly, what exactly are his plans?" Eleona added.

"He's gathering an army and he's planning to march his army here next spring. As far as I know, he wants to take your throne. I know that, because Crown Prince Milnor Soanis told me. Before you ask, he's also the one who helped me escape from Soane and sent me here to warn you." Zairah answered.

"Where is he getting an army?" Mother wondered. I had a suspicion. There had been rumours about someone conquering the lands in the north and east.

"He lives in Urtheon and has the Queen wrapped around his finger. And he spent the last three years pillaging and killing, in the east first and now up north. He destroyed my home. He's forcing the men he didn't kill to fight for him." Zairah replied. Mother, Eleona and I exchanged glances again. The rumours had just become our problem.

"I'd really hoped that these rumours were just rumours." I admitted. Zairah surveyed me with a hint of surprise in her eyes. Mother caught my eye, and we had a silent discussion. She didn't seem too eager to trust Zairah's information, but I was willing to trust her for now. Hazel eyes bored into me, but eventually, Mother backed down.

"Thank you for your warning." I told Zairah.

"So, what do we do now?" Eleona inquired. I wished I knew. All I knew was that I couldn't just wait this out. I had to do something. I turned to our guest.

"If you were me, what would you do?" I asked her. Zairah stared at me blankly for a moment. Apparently, being asked for her opinion had been the last thing she had expected. She took a moment to think before she replied:

"I'd probably attack first, take him by surprise." Eleona nodded slowly, but Mother shook her head, and I had to agree with her.

"That would play right into his hands." I said, "He'd just make us out to be the aggressor and legitimize his claim to this throne. Besides, starting open war is never a good idea. I'd suggest negotiating, but that won't help us either."

"But if we don't do anything and just wait for his attack, he'd spin it in a way that makes it look like we knew and did nothing about it. He's going to blame us either way." Eleona countered.

"Blame me you mean." I corrected. The look in Zairah's eyes made me realize that I kind of was to blame. I could have avoided this situation if I'd had the traitor executed four years ago.

"And if we provoked him into a premature attack?" Eleona suggested.

"That should be a last resort. I think it would be best if we were to take out Iohan before anyone attacks anyone." Mothe retorted.

"You mean send someone to Soane to kill him?" I asked. That would probably be the most effective plan and cause the least casualties. And if it failed, it would probably provoke a premature attack.

"I like it." Eleona said, "It's risky, but I'd say it's worth the risk." I nodded, but Zairah, who had silently followed our conversation, spoke up:

"I don't know if you've ever been to Soane, but the castle is impregnable, and Iohan doesn't leave or let anyone in without permission."

"Then we need to give him a reason to come out." I said, even though the idea that was forming in my head was absolutely insane, "I'll go."