Falkner stood on the wooden platform right next to the north gate. staring at thousands of men and women approaching from the north.

“close the gates” someone yelled he was too preoccupied to see who spoke. Philip has almost no knights, the town watch is not equipped to handle a sieged the militia? Hopefully it won’t come to that. A messenger came to the gate riding on a strange donkey with a long floppy nose and longer legs. What a strange beast

“what business do you have on these lands!” Phillip called

“My king wishes to settle these in these lands'' the messenger replied. Falkner looked at Phillip who looked angry don’t you start a war before you know you can win. Falkner thought “are king will be here shortly we can work something out” Falkner let out a long breath in relief. good keep them talking reinforcements should be here soon with that time the messenger rode back to deliver Phillip’s response. after his return

“my king agrees but we will stay here till my king returns but only if you open up trade”

“Then it is agreed, open the gates” the gates swing open that could have been a disaster

“I like them they seem nice” Nyssa said

“you would say that”

“Of course they live in the cold, they can’t be that bad,'' Nyssa joked back on the street. Not much is known about the men of the north but it could backfire if they decided to attack the kingdom is not very strong. We could muster thousands of spearmen, man-at-arms, and knights but that could take weeks. Brith was walking by his side when he showed up?

“my lord his majesty will be here shortly and rumor has it will be delighted that you and lady Nyssa are here”

“thank you Brith I can always count on you”

“very high praise my lord” Brith always seemed to look fresh, never was he even remotely wore dirty clothes or messy hair ever as far as I’ve seen even on our hunt.

farmers and craftsmen were everywhere in the streets talking about the north men and sir William rumored doing farm work. He stopped at a small stone temple where people were offering burnt offerings of Goats to Which one was he again right Tempestas priests in dark gray and blue robes teaching the people. walking briskly towards the south gate again

“Is something the matter?” Brith asked

“nothing” how could the gods leave us! hearing mother telling stories about the gods then was told they died. Now everyone just goes about worshiping as if nothing has happened. Wait, does everyone know they're dead?

At the south gate the king’s bodyguard was seen in the distance heavily mailed knights all with kite shields, spars and swords or axes as secondary weapons

“Do you think his majesty will be here long?” Falkner asked

“no idea my lord” Brith replied they rode through the gate at a trot. He immediately gave a bow as did Brith they rode on to Phillips manor ignoring us.

“we should probably get to Phillips manor to greet his majesty king Richard” “probably” Falkner agreed heading towards their inn. After a while of walking I should have taken my moa. By the time he made it to the inn he and Brith was winded. In his room he sat in a chair looking out the window. mother and John were out somewhere but then a servant came in a middle aged woman with gray in her hair

“his majesty is hosting a feast tonight and wants lord John and lady Heather to be there” then left

“my lord I’ll prepare your best coat for the feast”

“thank you” Brith gave a bow and left him alone to read.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Later that night at Phillip's manor at the entrance. Mother John and Nyssa were waiting to get greeted. Mother didn't talk to him much today. Her expression stringy cold towards him Nyssa was wearing a dress with her white hair in braids. It looked nice on her.

“welcome lady Heather and lord John” Phillip said in his beast coat and breeches all a dark red “this way” as Brith take their cloaks then went to the servants table he went on

“sorry where a little late” mother said

“not at all” waving away their apology inside there were servants and hurting about trying to look busy for the handful of nobles the king brought with him in the main room.

The tables were lined with a feast. roasted pheasant, chicken, pig, with all sort of vegetables potatoes, carrots, and some turnips he sat himself down grabbing food off his plate and poured himself some wine

The king was wearing a purple coat, blond hair, blue eyes but not physically imposing, more of a lean build and queen Elizabeth sat at the head of the table wearing a stylish purple dress, staring at him for a moment or was it my imagination. Princess Lily definitely had big blue eyes staring at him when he looked at her she looked away. she wore an elegant light green dress. She would be beautiful one day. people were laughing at the jester then jugglers began to perform after the jester sat down. performing some of them while juggling up to nine balls. mother touched my shoulder

“ his majesty would like to talk to us privately” leaving his half eaten meal to go upstairs. King Richard and Lily joined them as well after a short wait. as John, Nyssa, prince Richard II, and queen Elizabeth, the room was mostly empty; the furniture was mostly cleared away for guests.

“I have a proposition” Richard announced “a few lords who shall be nameless are viewing me as illegitimate so a marriage between our families will not only strengthen me and the throne but the kingdom as well” Richard 2 was a little younger than Nyssa but not a horrible match “I agree” John said mother had a sour look “I agree” mother said Nyssa looked a little queasy “I suppose it’s for the kingdom an alliance is needed” “excellent Lily has turned of age your step son Falkner and Lily will make a good match” Lily! and me! looking at her with a determined look on her face she can’t be older than fourteen “when will the wedding take place”

“the night of the dead is approaching so in a few weeks at the capitol would be most proper” Richard replied mother looked a little unhappy but said nothing

“I’ll make the announcement” Richard said before going back to the feast downstairs as did Elizabeth, Richard 2, John, mother, and Nyssa, they left me alone with Lily, his now future wife

“um...are you mad?” Lily said, staring at him,

“why would you say that?”

“your eyes on fire” Lily squeaked he didn't realize he’s surprise lit up his eyes in flame he looked angry from her stand point

“no just surprised” Falkner said calmly

“it’s so exciting isn't we need to make wedding plans”

“Slow down” hands raised to emphasize “at least the first thing is to get to know each other”

“what do you want to know?'' Lily said drawing nearer to him burn it if I know I don’t know this girl

“What's your favorite flower?”

“How romantic. roses'' great job you fool “so how old are you?”

“Fifteen in a few days'' looking confused “why?”

“I just wanted to know I’m sixteen” she had no reaction to that. they stood there in silence with nothing to say “let’s join the feast we can learn about each other tomorrow” Lily nodded. back downstairs sitting by the king was a northman with a gold ring but no crown, a lord perhaps? They were negotiating about land just southwest of here.

he sat back where my food was before but he ended up playing with it rather than eating it “

it’s announced look on the bright side you were worried about getting married off now that it happened it’s over you could do worse” Nyssa said taking a seat next to him

“I didn’t want this” Nyssa shrugged

“It’s politics don’t be so down on yourself I’m next”

“This is turning out to be a poor hunting trip”

“yes it is'' Nyssa agreed

“Are you feeling better yet?” Nyssa asked “not really”

while sipping her wine there were in fact a lot more northmen than before. They must have come very recently.

Lily was staring at him again with a grin “Do you think she wanted this to happen?”

“who?” Nyssa asked

“Lily”

“wouldn't surprise me if she does you are a handsome man and single she’s a young lady with the throne by her side she could have a hand in it for sure”

Falkner groaned in reply did he announce it already?. It doesn't matter going back to playing with his food. as the king stood up with the northman lord at his side

“we’ve made a peace deal he shall be a vassal king but with the lands I gave southwest of here and free trade we will have peace with the men of the north” applause followed the announcement the king raised his hands to quiet everyone “and my daughter has come of age” Lily got up to stand by her father “and will marry lord Falkner'' everyone cheered and applauded except him.