The Kingdom of Reykjagard stretched far beneath the great iron balcony, A sprawling web of stone and steel that gleamed under the morning sun. From his vantage point, Hamund could see the towering spires of his city's capital, once a mere dream of what could be, now brought to life through the sweat and blood of those who stuck by his side. The city was named in honor of his hometown back on earth and was built on the great lands of his people's new found home. The stone paths and bristling farms glowing gold–now stood as a testament to decades of conquest, sacrifice, and survival.
The wind carried with it the scent of fresh pine and the distant sound of his city's life hard at work to stand on its own.
As he leaned against the iron railing, Hamund’s gaze drifted over the vibrant marketplace below, merchants shouted their wares and children darted between stalls, laughter mingling with the ringing of iron work and steady winds.
Beneath the surface of this bustling life, shadows lingered. He could sense unease in the air. The whispers of discontent that reached his ears on occasion like a storm brewing in the distance. Despite the success he brought to his city, the remnants of those who he had to take this land from remained.
Hamund took a deep breath, grounding himself in the moment. The laughter of children, the shouts of merchants, even the busy sounds of iron work– it all felt like a fragile mask over deep uncertainties that still lingered from his previous adventures. He envisioned the sounds and sights of earth before its fall, the family and friends that he had left behind, he knew that was a fate that Reykjagard could not meet.
Hamund closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the warm breeze of the high winds that stretched across his land. He pictured spending moments with his family back on earth, he still heard and found comfort in their voices– those moments felt like a distant echo now, almost too fragile to hold onto. He shook his head, breaking his feeling of nostalgia that weighed him down.
“My lord” A voice echoes from behind, Hamund turns to see a young man standing behind him. The boy was dressed in stiff wool clothes, dyed blue with golden accents, fitting of a royal family. “Your court, they are awaiting you at the round table.” The boy bowed as he was waved out of the room by Hamund. Hamund looked over at the boy and was astonished by how old he had gotten. It felt like just yesterday he had arrived on this planet, the boy's father was the reigning king when his ship arrived. His father was a mere boy upon Hamund's arrival, scared of power and the many woes that came with it.
Hamund looked back into the world now envisioning what the city was before he arrived, the crops struggled to grow, houses were nothing more than mud huts held together by twigs and hopes. His people were starved and on the edge of rebellion, Hamund never wanted to hold power in these lands but he felt a need to for the betterment of the lands.
While Hamund was lost in thought another man could be heard entering his chambers, this time it was a man, the former king and the father of the boy from before. This man was scruffy but maintained his physical appearance, his body was clean of any scars of combat signifying his innocence when it came to matters of the sword, but his eyes were dead, bearing the mental weight of being a failed king.
“Tell me, my lord, do you plan on addressing your court today? Or shall I schedule it for another?” The man said straight faced but Hamund could hear the humor in his words.
“If it is left to me, you would be addressing the court, and I would be preparing our armaments for any incoming dangers.” Hamund joked as he fixed his leather and linen attire, preparing himself for the onslaught of stupid questions he is forced to endure, during his meeting with the court.
“If it was left to me, I would be a king of the dead, nothing to rule over but skeletons and ashes.” The former King mutters as he steps towards Hamund and begins helping him prepare for his grand appearance.
“You sell yourself too short, Yusif, given the time even the worst leaders can make good kings.” Hamund blurts out, knowing his words were only half true. “Tell me, my ear of the people, what is it that the underbelly whispers?”
“The people are afraid, that is true, to most of the older population, you and your crew are outsiders. To have swept through and taken power, seems like an insult to most, no matter how many lives you changed.” Yusif responds as he tightens Hamunds ceremonial belt around his waist.
“You can spread the word, anyone who wishes to take this responsibility, is more than welcome to.” Hamund says as he takes a deep breath allowing Yusif to tighten the belt.
Yusif chuckles and replies “I have many times, people only seek power and greed in times of prosperity, their threats are empty, most wish only to complain.”
“So if it isn’t the court complaining of travisties that have yet to happen, its the people calling for my head because I have given them new found flourishment.” Hamund lets out a loud anxious sigh “This is why, I never sought power.”
Yusif wipes away particles of dust and dandruff off of Hamund attire before looking him in the eyes and saying “Some people are just born for it, while others are just born into it.” Yusif feels a tension in his chest as he says this, knowing no matter how far they have come his actions will stain his name in the eyes of his people. Yusif showcases an empty smile before adding “You’re ready to go.” and gesturing toward the stone lined halls.
They walked through the guarded halls, each guardian dressed in silver armor with golden cloth draped across the plating displaying their position of king's guard. Hamund salutes each member of his guards as they pass, talking with Yusif as he does “You know we almost never stopped at this planet.”
Yusif seemed shocked by Hamunds statement “How do you mean? my lord”
“It was after our encounter with the Tuskers, although we won, undoubtedly, the maneuvers we had to make to avoid returning fire damaged our ship. We spent many hours floating freely through space, searching for any signs of a planet that held resources that could allow us to restore her to her glory.” Hamund pauses a second, taking a breath as he adjusts the belt along his waist. “I searched our map vigorously, checking off planet after planet, hoping for anything. When we did a scan of this planet almost all signs pointed to it being an earth-like planet. I left it to a vote, the crew was split down the middle on whether or not to go off course. It was only by stroke of luck, Val had Convinced Ken to vote for the voyage.”
“Val? He seemed the least interested in our people when you arrived?” Yusif replied in a surprised tone.
“Val seen earth-like qualities, although he doesn't like people, he assumed you would have honey for his mead.” Hamund stated as he held in his laughter due to his belt forcing him to breathe heavier.
Before Yusif could reply shouting could be heard coming from outside the roundtable hall. “It's the false king!” from a growing crowd was quickly deafened by the royal guardians shouting “Shut your mouth! No one can speak to the king in such a tone!” The guards shifted their stance preparing to draw their blades upon the crowd.
Hamund rushed over to the guards, his pace matching the severity of the current situation. “Stay your blades, We will not draw blood of innocence, they are frustrated. They pose you no harm outside of words of disdain.” Hamund looked across the crowd of hundreds, their faces were mixed of young and old. Some cheered as Hamund made his appearance but the cheers were drowned out by calls for him to step down. Hamund quickly shifted his worried look to a bright smile as he waved to the crowd.
Hamund looks to his guards as he reassures them “They are scared, everything is new, their wounds have only just faded. Let them be, we need not anger them more.”
As Hamund departs the scene he asks Yusif “Should we throw a feast? It could help lower tensions on both sides.”
Yusif weighed Hamund’s suggestion of a feast in his mind, considering the potential outcomes. On the surface, a grand feast could indeed help calm tensions, offering a moment of unity for both sides. It would show Hamund’s willingness to break bread with those who viewed him as an outsider, a gesture of peace after he had seemingly usurped their king, if only for a moment.
But the former king’s experience had also taught him to be wary of public events; they held darker tendencies. For a ruler, enemies lurked in every shadow. Yusif’s mind flickered to the faces in the crowd–the young and old alike, many of whom still harbored resentment towards Hamund for his taking of land and power. A feast could be the perfect cover for someone seeking revenge, a chance to slip a blade into Hamunds back or even poison in his cup. The merriment and distraction could make it difficult for even the best of his guard to protect Hamund.
Yusif glanced at Hamund, who was already smiling at the thought of easing tensions with his people. He admired Hamund’s desire to lead through compassion, to break barriers that divided the two worlds. But Yusif knew that kindness could sometimes leave on blind to danger. Yusif’s own reign had been marked by hesitation and failure, and while he respected Hamund’s strength of character, he worried that Hamund may have been too eager to believe in the goodwill of his citizens.
Hamund lingered on the thought of a feast, the idea brought hope, it could be the bridge that mended the distrust of him and his crew with the people. After all, he had brought them prosperity, in his mind he had saved their land from its inevitable decay.
Yusif remained silent, his brow furrowed as he entered the grand hall. His hesitation gnawed at Hamund, though he did not make mention of it at first. The weight of his court hung over him like a shadow. The air around Hamund felt thick with tension and the unspoken grievances.
The great roundtable loomed ahead of him, crafted from the stones of mountains and bordered by the finest wood the kingdom could find. Originally belonging to Yusif, Hamund could help but wonder if Yusif longed for its power once again. Seated around the table were pivotal members of both ruling members, six in total with eight chairs.
At each head of the table rested two empty chairs, one for both kings, new and old. Across the left side of the table were three members of Hamunds crew, Val sat closest to Hamund, he served as Hamund's loyal advisor, bonded by blood, Hamund knew he was a man he could trust to keep him on track. Next was Adamdra; she served as a general of the royal guardians, whose sole mission was to protect the king. Following her was Ken, Hamund’s trust had grown for Ken, but he was still a man Hamund wanted to keep within close watch.
Across the right side of the table sat three members of Yusif original council closest to Yusuf's chair sat his son Aris, his dark hair front and center as he found himself distracted by the ambiance of the room. Hamund hoped the boy would soon take his place on the throne, but feared the boy shared his fathers reluctance for the crown. Following Aris was an older gentleman clearly towards his end of life as depicted by the wrinkles on his face and shakiness of his movements. The man’s name was Opey and he was a signal of knowledge that blended three generations of kings before Hamund. Opey could be seen trying to realign Aris’s attention back to the round table. The final chair at the table was filled by Yusif’s original leader of technology Lev’ion. He had thrived with the assistance of Erp, although the seat was originally meant to be held by Erp, Erp felt no need to be in the spotlight but offered to assist with all future projects as long as Lev’ion took his spot.
As Hamund and Yusif took their seats, Aris stood up, bowed and began to speak the terms for the court. “Good evening my lords, I am Aris, speaker of the court, today’s court as per terms described under rule of the land will be conducted as follows.” Aris pauses to take a breath. “The first half will be conducted around the roundtable, we will address matters within a closed door setting.” Aris shifted his gaze between Hamund and Aris as he continued “The second half will be conducted in the open throne room, as members of the court will address a few public concerns brought by members of the general population.”
Aris took his seat as Hamund stood to address his table “Good evening, I will be bringing our first issue to the table. It has been brought to my attention that there is still disdain for my rule. We can not continue to hold our position if we do not have the support of the public.” Hamund looks across his table at Yusif who is still lost in decision “I believe it is in the best position for this court to host a feast in honor of our thriving capital. I will leave it to you all to vote.”
Val stood, his posture was a clear sign of his discomfort at this table. His arms were crossed, hiding the slight tremble that happened when he was forced to speak. “A feast can be a strong gesture, brother, but it also presents danger. The people are divided; it is true that some see you as a savior of these lands, but it is not a secret to others, you are a conqueror. Bringing others to your table puts you at risk.” He paused, his eyes scanning the room, meeting the gaze of each council member. “Still, I trust your judgment. If you believe a feast will help ease tensions, you have my vote.”
Admadra, sitting next to Val, Nodded her agreement before standing. “A feast is more than just a show of goodwill, It can also be a show of strength. We will show them that this kingdom was built from your leadership, and you will not fear them, no matter any threats said from cowards in the shadows.” Her voice was laced with confidence, her golden prosthetic leg gleaming as she shifted her stance. “I fully agree with the feast, but we must be prepared to meet force with force should there be any treachery. I will double the guard and ensure there will be no thoughts of trouble.”
Ken, who sat unusually quiet, leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. “I have always been one for theatrics,Hamund,” He said, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “A feast could be a good way to force our enemies to show their hands. But… It's a risk. People who hate you won’t change their mind based on you feeding them. If this feast is to work, we must ensure we are not inviting a wolf to dinner.” Ken glanced at Val, then back to Hamund “I vote yes, but we must proceed with caution.”
Hamund let his side of the table's word set in before shifting his gaze to Yusif’s side of the table.
Aris stood up. The boy seemed unsure, clearly wrestling the weight of responsibility. “My father always spoke highly of your leadership, Lord Hamund. And though there are those who doubt your rule, I believe a feast could be a step toward mending that divide.” He glanced at his father who remained silent, then continued. “However I also understand the risks. We must consider additional threats or even actions against you, for this reason alone, at the current time, I must vote Nei.”
Yusif finally stirred, shifting in his seat. His fingers drummed lightly on the table as he spoke. “My lord, Hamund,” he said softly “You are a far better king than I ever was. But do not mistake my silence for acceptance. I’ve lived with these people my whole life, and I know their hearts. Some will never forgive what has been taken from them, no matter how much they received in return.” Yusif scanned the angered faces of Hamund’s crew “Understand, that is not my position, I will proceed with whatever vote holds majority but it is my belief that a feast only creates unnecessary dangers.” Yusif returned his hands to his lap as he sheltered into a worried state.
The room was silent for a moment, the weight of Yusif's words settling over him. Hamund glanced over to his counterpart, he saw not just a man who had failed, but one who still carried the weight of his failure.
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“I didn’t take this land from them, Yusif,” Hamund replied, his voice lowered so as not to invoke anger from any of his court. “I brought something their own rulers couldn’t. I brought them hope when all they had left was despair.” Hamund gestured to his crew “We taught them how to utilize their lands, and it is still my belief that many will see reason, until one of their own is ready to rule.”
Yusif looked up, his eyes clouded with his regret mixed with an understanding of the situation “Hope is a dangerous thing, my lord. It makes people act in ways they wouldn’t normally–good and bad.”
Before the tension could settle too thickly, Opey, the elderly court member, cleared his throat, his hands trembling slightly as he leaned forward. “There is wisdom in both approaches,” he said, his voice was raspy but firm. “A feast could be a bridge, but it must be done with extreme caution. We must be wary of those who would seek to use this good gesture for nefarious means. If we move forward, it should be done not with blind optimism, but with watchful eyes.”
Hamund listened intently. Opey’s experience spanned across generations of rulers, Hamund knew he would be a fool not to heed his warnings, even if they did not match with his perspective.
Opey tapped on the table and quickly ended his vote with “I vote, Yay but only if security can handle the needs of such an event.”
Hamund stood, addressing his court “We have come to a general consensus then, we should prepare the guards and the dining hall to hold a feast for the people.” Hamund looked over to Aris who was writing on a table, all the words that had been said.
As Hamund sat back in his chair, lev’ion stood facing Hamund he proclaimed “It is my belief that our next course of action, should be regarding the oncoming winter.” He paused for a second awaiting Hamund's response.
Hamund waved to him to approve, as his eyes were locked onto Lev’ion.
“My lord, Winter has been our toughest time, our crops can not thrive and once again we are expecting heavy resistance from the frost giants to the north. Erp and I have been developing several devices that could assist in holding a defense against the giants.”
Hamund's gaze peaked with interest. “Well do tell me, what devices have we developed.”
“Erp has developed a blade with you in mind, he told me to tell you he named it “Fang of the north”” Lev’ion reached under the round table pulling out a sword wrapped in clothing, placing it in front of Hamund he continued “The blade itself will allow you to recall the sword, with two taps on your armor the sword would release its fangs dragging anyone it is connected to towards you.”
Hamund unveiled the sword, Its hilt was made of a blend of steel and gold, with leather wrapped around it to protect his hands from the shock of combat. The blade shined a light blue glow, Hamund ran his finger across it, it was ice cold to the touch almost freezing his fingertips.
Hamund held the “Fang of the north” in his hands, the power from the sword radiated through its cold surface. He admired the craftsmanship and care that went into making such a beautiful blade. Erp had truly outdone himself, Hamund couldn’t help but wonder if the gods themselves guided Erps hand as he crafted such a beautiful masterpiece. The light blue glow of the blade casted an eerie glow across the room as Hamund couldn’t help but smile as he wielded it.
Could it have been forged with Skaldi, the giantess of the hunt and winter, in mind? The thought sent a shiver through him, one that had nothing to do with the blade’s freezing chill. He thought of her—the goddess of winter's wrath, of unforgiving cold, and wondered if this sword could rival even her power.
Hamund gave Lev’ion a knowing look as he rose from his seat.
Hamund’s eyes matched the storm of the blade with his smile growing larger by the second. “Such a blade is meant to be wielded by the gods, I wonder how it would feel in the hand of a mortal?” his breath was visible as he spoke his words of gratitude.
Lev’ion felt Hamund’s excitement radiating out as he replied “Erp knew you would feel this way, He told me with this blade you would fight with the wrath of the heaviest winter.”
Hamund hesitantly placed the blade on the table, Hamund locks eyes with Aris and asks “What is next on our agenda?” before returning to his seat.
Aris abruptly stands and bows before addressing the court “My lord, The next matter to be addressed concerns the people of these lands and their fear of the royal guard.”
Admadras faces twists in surprise as she glares at Aris “What would be the fears that need to be addressed?” Before Hamund could calm the building tensions Admadra continued “The royal guard keep the members of this court safe, and we have had several threats made toward us. They have been given permission to meet all actions with an equal response.”
Aris, hands shaking with anger, responds “We have had three public executions within the last three months, I don’t see how that is equal force, to verbal threats.”
Hamund, sensing Aris’s growing anger and concern, interrupts “What were the crimes committed that warranted these executions?” Hamund turned to Admadra first signaling her to respond.
Admadra straighted in her seat, the golden from her prosthetic leg catching the light as she leaned forward. Her eyes narrowed, locking onto Hamund with a fierce, unwavering gaze.
“Hamund,” She began, her voice was firm and filled with confidence, “these men were not just issuing verbal threats. They were agitators, spreading unruly rumors and ideas among the people. They sought to undermine the court, to inspire a rebellion, calls for blood and heads shifted from each one's mouth. The public executions were meant to serve as a message– a reminder that treachery will not be tolerated.”
Aris, still standing, moved his fist to his side to hide there trembling and interjected “Public executions hold no merit in a civilized society, and death over pure words? My lord, they are creating more fear than loyalty. You will not find justice in death and neither will the people– they will see only tyranny. How long until fear becomes hatred and we all find our head on the end of a pike?”
Hamund leaned back in his chair, his eyes flickering between the two. The room fell silent, the air heavy with the weight of their debate. He could feel the tension growing between his council, the thin line between control and rebellion tightening with every word.
His fingers drummed against the table, the cold energy of the “Fang of the north” still lingering on his skin. He knew Admadra was a loyal and respected warrior through and through. Her defense of the royal guard was expected, but he saw the weight of Aris’s words. He couldn’t afford to lose the already thin trust of the people, nor could he allow the shadows to spread fear and discontent unchecked.
“Both of you make strong points, I see your concern for the people of Aris, but I also see a need to quell whispers of treachery and threats of violence.” Hamund said, his voice remaining calm through the tension but holding his commanding position “Admadra, we cannot allow rebellion to take root, but Aris is right–fear alone cannot hold a kingdom together. If the people believe the royal guard to be nothing more than a sword, to be sung at them at our beckoning call, rather than a shield meant to protect this kingdom, then we risk greater unrest.”
Admadra’s expression hardened as she crossed her arms, her stature commanding yet visibly strained. “And what would you propose? A feast? While our defectors continue to grow in strength? With all due respect, there are those who would see us fall, and they won't hesitate to use our compassion against us.”
Aris scoffed, his frustration becoming more apparent. “Compassion is not the same as weakness, Admadra! You speak of my people as if they are all inherently evil, casting them to the dogs you trained. If we corner them like animals they will be forced to bite.”
Admadra’s eyes narrowed, the muscles in her jaw tightening. “”And what if they do see it as a sign of weakness or cowardice? What if they see us reaching out to them as indecision? You’re asking us to play with fire, Aris, and when it burns, who will be the one taking the heat?”
Hamund raised a hand, a small gesture to quell the rising tension. “We are not here to point fingers or assign blame,” he said, his voice steady, yet laced with the urgency of their predicament. “We must find a balance. The royal guard cannot be perceived solely as enforcers of our will, nor can they be rendered impotent by fear of conducting their duties. We all have a duty to protect the kingdom–not only from the threats from outside our walls but from the discontent within as well.”
Admadra, her stare never leaving Aris, asked “Weren’t you the one who feared the results of hosting a feast?”
“I feared the result of a feast, yes that is true. That was merely an acknowledgement of the growing threats, not a declaration of death for those that live within our kingdom.” Aris replies, trying to hide his growing irritation.
Ken looked around the room, a sense of excitement rushing through him as he observed the visible divide growing at the table. He leaned back in his chair, an almost imperceptible smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he watched the exchange.
Clearing his throat, Ken spoke, his voice cut through the tension like a blade. “It seems we are stuck at an impasse, in front of us we have two very different visions of how things should go. But perhaps, instead of arguing over the merits of compassion and strength, we could consider a third path. One that combines both.”
Hamunds eyes flickered to Ken, watching him cautiously, still unsure of what he would say. Aris and Admadra were still locked in a verbal standoff, but Ken had a way of gathering attention when he wanted to.
Ken continued, now leaning slightly forward. “A feast is not inherently a display of weakness or strength, if used correctly, it can be a tool. The key to it is how we present it. We could use it as an opportunity to demonstrate our unity, both among ourselves and with the people of the kingdom.” Ken places his hands together, interlacing his fingers to resemble a cage. “But make no mistake–if there are factions within our walls that wish to challenge our authority, then this feast could serve as a trap.”
Admadra raised an eyebrow, she felt a mix of intrigue and wariness “And how would you suggest we set this trap, Ken?”
Ken laughed “We invite the loudest voices of dissent against us. Let them speak freely, under the guise of a diplomatic discussion. In doing so, we gather them all in one place, into a cage of our design.” Ken looks over to Aris, giving him a reassuring look. “Should they behave, then perhaps they can be reasoned with.” Ken shifted his focus to Admadra, “But should they step out of line, we will be prepared to neutralize any threat, while maintaining the perception of us trying to keep the peace.”
Aris immediately shook his head, his frustration with the court surfacing. “You want me to lead my people into an act of treason? Just so we can be justified in using violence, that is not a solution–that's manipulation!”
Ken's smile widened, but still he remained calm. “If your people are as righteous as you want to make them seem, we realistically won't have to use force.” Ken turned his eyes to Hamund, “Manipulation is a tool. And it is one we will need should we wish to maintain control, without plunging the kingdom into a civil war. Should we remain stagnant then I am afraid we will continue to be one step behind the ever growing rebellion.”
Hamund regarded Ken with a measured gaze, the weight of his words settled heavily in the room. The suggestion was bold, but it carried a dangerous edge that Hamund couldn’t ignore. The idea of manipulation was not how he envisioned his rule. Yet, there was an undeniable logic in Ken’s strategy, a means to control and even convert without immediate bloodshed.
Hamund’s thoughts swirled as the room remained silent, the tension hanging thickly in the air. Admadra, always one to appreciate a direct approach, seemed intrigued by the plan’s efficiency, but Aris’s disgust grew with every passing second.
“Manipulation is not governance, Ken.” Hamund finally spoke, breaking the growing silence. “It’s a dangerous game. If we set a trap under the guise of peace, we risk fracturing what little trust we have left. The moment they feel tricked, we lose everything.”
Ken shrugged, his smirk never fully fading. “The moment they turn on us, we lose everything anyway. This is about survival. We already fight a war with their whispers. This feast could be used to bring them into the light.”
Aris slammed his fist on the table, his eyes engulfed in rage. “You are talking about using people as pawns!” Aris snapped his head towards Hamund “My Lord, this will only deepen the divide between us and the people. Should we go down this path, we will no longer just be facing a rebellion– we will be actively feeding it.”
Admadra leaned forward, her expression remaining neutral, but her calculated tone couldn’t hide her interest in the plan. “Perhaps Ken has a point, Aris. If dissent is growing, we can’t afford to turn a blind eye. I understand your desire to keep the peace, but what price are you willing to pay for it? Sometimes the cost of peace is ensuring those who would wish to see our kingdom fall are exposed.”
She turned to Hamund “But Hamund is right as well. Trust, once broken, is nearly impossible to regain. If we move forward with Ken’s plan, we must be certain that we are seen in a better light. We must be seen as the ones who brought peace to the table, and not tyrants who lured our enemies to slaughter.”
“It is not slaughter that we seek– we just wish to regain control. A show of power, hidden behind a veil of diplomacy. They will have their chance to speak and express their concerns. But if they cross the line, then it’s they who revealed their true intentions.” Ken interjected.
Hamund raised his hand, silencing the room. “We are a council of eight, we will vote.” Hamund paused for a second taking in the arguments from each side. “I will vote yay, only if we go into this with the intentions of peace and discussion.”
Aris slammed his fist on the table. “Nay! My people are not pawns.”
Lev’ion broke his silent state and mutters quietly “I will vote Yay.”
Opey looked around his side of the table, seeing Aris’s anger he spoke up “Nay, we can not treat people as cattle and lead them to slaughter.”
Ken raised his hand and with a smile said “It is my plan, so I will obviously be voting, yay.”
Val looked to his brother, with concern in his eye’s “Nay, I don’t think the reward outweighs the risk.”
Admadra nodded her head in agreement. “It is a yay from me.”
Yusif found himself as the deciding vote. If he voted nay the court would be left at a draw, killing the plan at the table. Should he vote yay, the plan would move forward, helping squash remnants of the rebellion. Yusif looked to his son, with an apologetic gaze as he raised his hand and said “I will be voting yay, rebellion puts our lives at risk and must be stopped sooner rather than later.”
Aris’s face fell as he met his father’s gaze, disbelief flashing in his eyes. The weight of Yusif's vote hit him harder than any argument that had been made around the table. He clenched his fists, his jaw tight with restrained emotion.
“You’re making a mistake,” Aris muttered, his voice echoing his hurt and sense of betrayal. “This path will only deepen the cracks beneath us. Betrayal is not easily forgotten.”
Yusif’s shoulders slumped, the guilt he felt was evident, as he turned his gaze away from his son. “Aris, this is not an easy decision for me,” he said, his voice low and fighting through tears. “But we cannot afford a rebellion, not with winter around the corner.”
Aris’s heart pounded as his father spoke. “You grew up with the people of this kingdom, same as me, shared in their fears as we survived year after year.” Aris pounded his hand on the table and demanded “Look at me and tell me this is the best option for our people!”
Yusif, wiping away tears, turned to his son and stared him in the eyes. “This is the best we can do for our kingdom, without Hamund and his crew…”
Hamund attempted to interrupt “He doesn't need to know!”
Yusif ignored Hamund’s interruption and continued “I would have been digging your grave without Hamund.”
Aris still blinded by his anger “You hold yourself so low in your mind because of that man, we would have survived with or without him.”
Admadra looked over to Hamund, Hamund was shaking his head as a way to tell her to let them talk. His expression calm but his eyes were cold, showing his concern. He knew Yusif and Aris had become estranged over the years, but now, under the weight of the vote, it was boiling over.
Yusif, his face a mask of regret, met his son’s fiery gaze. “You don’t understand what it's like to sit upon that throne, Aris.” he said, his voice, wavering but resolute. “You speak of honor, of trust, but survival demands action, sometimes those actions go against our morals. I was a lot like you, I held tightly to my ideals–our people suffered for it. I won’t bury you again.”
The table fell silent, everyone's face displayed their shock, except Hamund and Yusif. Ken found himself feeling excited by the conversation ahead of him. “What do you mean again?” Ken asked as he struggled to hide his smile, he knew he was breaking into Hamund deeper secrets.
Yusif remained silent as he knew he had said too much. Aris fell into his chair as his fathers words echoed through his mind “I won’t bury you again.”
Hamund interrupts trying to break the tension in the room. “With the vote being final, it is time to take this court into the throne room.”
Hamund stood, grabbing the fang of the north, its cold grip felt cooling against the heated tension in the room. Everyone remained seated, still frozen by the shock of the words that were just said aloud. They wondered what Yusif had meant by his statement.
As Hamund walked out the room he heard Ken mutter once again “What did he mean by again?”
Hamund ignored his question and began walking toward the throne room.
The members of the table found themselves unable to move, exchanging glances as Yusif was the next to stand and depart the room.
Ken stood and angrily shouted towards Yusif “How are we supposed to trust one another, when it's clear the leaders are hiding secrets?”
Ken looked around the table, hiding his smile as he tried to plant a seed of doubt in everyone's mind “Are we just going to allow them to continue with these lies?”
Admadra stood, making her way to leave the room. She stopped in front of Ken, with a cold expression “They never lied, just remained silent.” she replied before turning back to leave the room/
The rest of the court slowly began to depart, the silence between them growing heavier. Ken remained behind, his grin widened as he looked around the empty chamber. He could feel his seed of doubt already taking root.
“It is the same thing!” He said softly, almost to himself, savoring every minute of what he just unleashed.