Chapter 19 – Another Visitor Today

After High Priest Cendrin left, it took Kira about 1.2 seconds to completely lose her composure. “How the...? When did...? No, no, better yet, what just happened, my Prince? I have never in all my years of service ever, and I do mean EVER, seen the High Priest act that way. For a minute I questioned if it was really him!”

“You and me both.” Cooper replied just as confused before he continued. “I have never seen anyone talk to him in such a manner either.”

“Indeed.” Kira agreed before continuing. “Can you please explain, your Majesty?” Even in all her exasperation, her upbringing did not allow her to push too hard for answers.

“Hahaha! The looks on your two faces...Priceless.” Prince James laughed.

The looks on Cooper and Kira, it was clear they did not see what was so funny.

“Alright, alright. Let me explain what just happened. Kira you were correct, High Priest Cendrin did come here to assess me” Prince James said the last words while using his hands to make quotations mark motion. This further confused them.

“What are you doing with your hands, your Majesty? Does that motion have some significance?” Cooper asked.

Trying not to laugh again, Prince James replied. “Yes, it does but it doesn’t matter right now. Back to your questions. Cendrin was expecting a sheltered Prince, one who has been locked away, perhaps easy to guide” Prince James used the hand motion for quotation marks when saying the word guide.

“There is that hand motion again. What does that mean?” Cooper looked even more perplexed.

‘Has he taken one too many blows to the head?’ Prince James thought.

“He was expecting someone much like my sister, bless her heart. I was raised in isolation after all. What he found was something he hoped for, something that sparked a renewal of his faith. With me, he encountered the unexpected. He came here expecting to control the conversation so he could get the easy answers he wanted. What he found was zero control over the conversation but the answers he needed not wanted. Do you understand?” Prince James explained.

“Uh, not really sir.” Cooper replied clearly confused.

“You showed him a glimpse of what the rest of us that follow you have seen. You are doing what we could only hope for. You gave the High Priest hope. Somehow what you said triggered a memory, a pivotal moment in his faith. All of us that follow the Light have had such a moment. Get it now Cooper?” Kira said.

“I think I do my Lady Kira.” Cooper replied.

“I made it clear I knew things that most nobles who have lived their whole lives at court never figured out. Sloane has done a great job in keeping me informed since I appointed them to be my Head Spymaster.”

“But that’s the part I don’t understand Sire. When did you have time? I have not seen Sloane constantly coming and going. How are they keeping you so informed?” Kira said.

‘I made a point to get detailed status reports on the prince’s activities, just as Mira did. It’s so I can better serve, that’s all...I swear.’ Kira thought even as she said such words to herself, she knew they were hollow.

“Simple, Mind Magic.” Prince James said.

‘Wait did he say mind Magic? Can he read my mind? Is he reading it right now? By the Light what has he heard me say?’ Kira thought with a growing worry showing up on her face.

“Do not worry Kira. I do not actively read thoughts.” Prince James said.

‘Though I have heard some of yours as they are pretty damn loud.’ Prince James thought before continuing. “I tend to favor Soul magic over Mind magic, but this ability is very useful. It is a unique Mind magic called Party Link. Once the link is willingly established on both sides those involved in the party link can send mental messages back and forth over long distances. As people get used to the link, they can send images and eventually it’s like carrying on a conversation in person but in your head. Sloane has been constantly sending me mental communications.”

‘I never thought there would be an added benefit of learning to partition my mind. The help with multitasking is amazing.’ Prince James thought as he let his words sink in.

“That gives an amazing advantage to your Majesty. Think of what could be accomplished in battle. Our enemies would never know what to expect. Do you plan to form this bond with the rest of us in your personal royal knights?” Kira asked almost hopefully, her previous trepidation vanished with the thought of forming any type of bond with Prince James.

“Eventually yes Kira but not yet. I’m still getting used to the ability. Plus, it would be good to discuss this with Simmons and the other Sergeants before we proceed.” Prince James said.

Looking off to the side, Prince James smiled as he said, “Now that’s over, I think it’s time to talk with my uncle, General Marcus. He is here if you want to let him in.”

“General Marcus? How did you…? Why is he here? Never mind, I’m learning you are clearly several steps ahead of the rest of us.” Kira said in a resigned exasperation as she got up to escort the general into the conference room.

Prince James stood and shook his uncle’s hand before gesturing for General Marcus to take a seat.

“It’s good to see you Uncle. Funny to find you here in my wing of the palace.” Prince James said even though Sloane had already informed him that the General got wind of his meeting with the High Priest.

‘It’s clear my uncle is curious to find out how that meeting went.’

“Yes, I thought I’d stop by and spend some time with my nephew.” General Marcus said nonchalantly.

“You mean you didn’t come to find out how my meeting with the High Priest went?” Prince James asked in a tone that clearly expressed ‘I see right through you’.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Oh? Did you meet with the High Priest today? Really?” General Marcus asked, feigning exaggerated ignorance.

Shaking his head at his uncle’s antics. “Come Uncle, let’s have lunch together and I’ll fill you in.” Prince James said before walking back into his suite and sitting at his dining room table where the maids were setting out lunch.

After they took their seats, Prince James figured he would get right to what Uncle Marcus wanted to know. “Cendrin has pledged his full support to the royal faction.”

Uncle Marcus was just taking a swig of wine when he abruptly spit it out. Coughing a little, “Wha..., cough, cough, say that again nephew.”

“Cendrin has pledged his full support to the royal faction. It appears he found me an acceptable heir.” Prince James said.

“Acceptable my ass! Cendrin, though he has been somewhat supportive, has never fully committed or pledged himself to anyone other than his blasted ‘Light’! Pledging his full support means he saw you as far more than ‘acceptable’ nephew!” Marcus animatedly stated.

Reigning in his emotions, General Marcus continued. “Your father and mother have been trying for years to get the church to publicly show their support for the crown. Sure, High Priest Cendrin has never spoken ill of the royal family, but he has also never praised them either. What did you do to convince him?”

Prince James just shrugged his shoulders.

“Cooper!” General Marcus turned his attention to the jovial knight.

“Yes Sir!” Cooper snapped to attention.

“Care to fill me in on what my nephew did to convince High Priest Cendrin to join the cause?” General Marcus asked in a commanding tone.

“I don’t rightly know Sir! They just started talking and somehow at the end of the conversation the High Priest pledged the full support of the Church.” Cooper quickly replied.

Hearing Cooper’s response General Marcus thought, ‘my nephew is a shrewd fox. Either his man is keeping his secrets, or they don’t know how he did it. Though I did ask Cooper, he’s not exactly the sharpest sword in the arsenal, too many blows to the head from his calvary charges. Perhaps Kira.’

“Sergeant Kira. What do you have to report on this outcome?”

“Nothing Sir.” Kira said almost absent-mindedly.

“Nothing?! What do you mean nothing?!” General Marcus asked in exasperation as he thought, ‘I know Kira is close to the Church of Light, but she has never refused to answer a question from a superior. And why does she have a big smile on her face all of a sudden?’

“It’s ok Kira, tell my uncle whatever you wish, I have nothing to hide from him.” Prince James chimed in.

Marcus was unaware that the reason for Kira’s broad smile was Prince James had created a mental link with her. She was so surprised and happy she could exchange thoughts with him she immediately replied to General Marcus that she knew nothing.

Prince James told her telepathically, “It’s ok you can tell him. Just keep the fact that the Church’s spies work for me now from him… for now. I will eventually tell my uncle, but not until we have learned more.”

“UNDERSTOOD YOUR MAJESTY!” Kira mentally shouted to make sure she was heard.

Wincing inwardly Prince James replied, “Just talk normally, you do not have to shout.”

“Sorry.” She replied telepathically.

“I merely mean there is not much to report General. I have never seen the High Priest act that way. High Priest Cendrin seems to always steer a conversation in a direction he chooses no matter whom he is speaking with. I have never seen him be bested in such a fashion. The prince guided him right back to whatever the prince wanted to discuss. I have never seen that happen General, ever.” Kira replied honestly.

After a moment “Hahaha!” Marcus laughed.

After he calmed down General Marcus continued. “It appears nephew that you are so skilled at negotiating that both Cooper here and Kira are unsure of how you achieved it. When I tell my brother, your father, about this I will have to recommend you be our negotiator the next time we have to discuss relations and trade with our foreign neighbors. Hahaha.” He said the last part with a mischievous grin on his face.

‘I don’t like that look. He’s up to something. Looks like I’m going to have to put that spy network to use even sooner than I thought.’ Prince James internally chuckled.

“Thank you for the food and drink nephew. Your father and I were a bit concerned about Cendrin’s visit.” Marcus raised his hand, “Yes of course we knew it was coming but to Kira’s point Cendrin has a way of guiding a conversation. I can’t wait to tell my brother this story. Well done, well done indeed. The nobles won’t stand a chance.” Marcus stated as he rose from his seat and excused himself.

They all watched General Marcus leave Prince James’ suite. They could hear General Marcus saying under his breath, “I don’t know how he did it, sir.” Chuckling to himself as he imitated Cooper’s dumb look on his face as he closed the doors and laughed, “Hahaha!”

“Hey, is he talking about me?” Cooper asked.

“You’re fine Cooper, he’s just impressed with our Prince.” Kira replied at the oblivious man.

“Well, that is completely understandable. Our Prince is a great man, even the Church of Light thinks so!” Cooper replied.

“Dude how many times has this guy taken a lance to the head?” Prince James asked Kira telepathically.

“More than you can even guess. Though he is as kind as a stuffed animal and loyal to a fault. He’s just always been oblivious to politics. His motto has always been ‘point me in the direction and let me charge ahead.” Kira replied telepathically.

“Welcome to the Party Link, Kira.” Sloane said through the link.

Kira was momentarily shocked before saying across the Party Link, “You can hear me Sloane?!”

“Of course, Kira, the term ‘party’ implies more than one after all.” Sloane answered.

Kira’s face seemed to fall as she realized her hopes of getting time to chat privately with Prince James whenever she wished evaporated instantly.

Sloane, who could sense the strong emotion, decided to help their fellow knight. “Cheer up Kira. As the originator of the Party Link ability, Prince James informed me that we can speak with him privately without the others that join the link hearing the conversation.”

Prince James decided to chime in. “What Sloane says is correct. As you have to consciously will your thoughts into the Party Link, just focus on only sending the message to me directly instead of the whole chat.”

“LIKE THIS, MY PRINCE?!” Kira practically mentally yelled at Prince James.

Seeing him wince, Kira apologized. “Sorry sire.”

“It is fine.” Prince James replied.

In Party Link Kira asked, “Wait how did you know what I was feeling Sloane? You are not in the room.”

Prince James answered in what he was thinking of as group chat. “Strong emotions can sometimes be sent over without you realizing it. Practice masking or ‘going dark’ in the chat. I do it all the time.”

“He does, it is most annoying when he does it as I cannot sense him or if he is alright.” Sloane answered.

“This ability is mine to use as I feel is best and we all require our privacy.” Prince James adamantly replied.

“Fair enough, my liege. What are your orders?” Sloane asked.

“Meet up with Cendrin, but as always, use your stealth to make sure you are not seen.” Prince James instructed.

“As you command, my liege.” Sloane replied before ‘going dark’ in the Party Link.

“Are you two alright? You have been staring at each other for the last few minutes. Do I need to fetch a healer?” Cooper asked. To him both Prince James and Kira just stopped talking and seemed to have vacant stares in their eyes. At first it did not bother him as he enjoys long moments when off duty that he can just stare and think of nothing. In fact, it is his favorite past time besides jousting and caring for his horse. He had learned though that it was not normal for others to have that look for too long, which is why he spoke up.

“Let me go get the healer, maybe you took a blow to the head during morning exercises. I know I enjoy just staring after such a thing. That and hitting the person back just as hard, if not harder. Where was I? Oh yes, let me get you both a healer!”

Prince James interrupted Cooper’s ramblings. “We are fine Cooper. Do not worry yourself, both Kira and I just needed a moment to collect our thoughts.”

“Oh, that is completely understandable, your majesty. It is nice to find someone else who likes to stare off into space as I do. I do not feel so alone now.” Cooper said with a smile on his face.