Indiscretion

“Your father betrayed mine.” No sense in beating around the bush, when the sun set this night he wanted all his enemies vanquished. Unlike his father before him, he had no need of the love of men. He would not seek to be popular, but to be fair and just as befits a king.

“You are certain?” He did not turn to look at his friend, just disrobed as best he could on his own, since he didn’t want anyone privy to this particular conversation and had dismissed his valet.

“My father told me with his dying breath.” Now he turned to face the other man. This was his friend, and more, one of the few people he bore any real love for. He looked for any sign that the other man had known of his own sire’s treachery and saw none. What he saw instead was disbelief and fear.

He knew what his words would do to the other man, and though he felt for his friend he would not temper his words or his actions. The room fell silent, as both men dwelt on what this would mean, the only thing it could mean.

“I will take care of it my lord.”

“No you will not, I would never ask that of you. I tell you now because there must never be any intrigue between us. What we share as friends and brothers must never be muddied by politics. If you should ever betray me, I will kill you without a thought. Now go say your goodbyes to your father.”

“How long…”

“It’s best that you not know, and Nicholas, I am sorry.” The young king did not wonder that his friend didn’t seek to ask for mercy for his doomed sire. It was testament to how well he knew him. Julian has ever been a man of his word and strong convictions.

The two men had shared many a discourse over time about just such things. They both shared the opinion that a man’s honor was his most precious possession, above diamonds and rubies, even a king’s ransom.

Though it must be done, he found no pleasure in it, as he felt none for what else laid ahead. King for a short while and already he felt the weight of the throne that his sire had carried for so many years and his grandsire before him.

Nicholas left and Julian called his man to see to his bath and dress. He enjoyed a glass of wine as he contemplated what must come next. His mind seemed too muddled to hold much of anything for too long so he just laid his head back and drifted.

Chapter 3

***

There was to be a short ceremony held in the throne room for the nobility that were already in residence. Later, after a respectable time of mourning had passed, they’d be another more harmonious ceremony to celebrate the coronation of the new king.

Julian wasn’t much interested in pomp and circumstance. Now that the reality of his new status was sinking in, he wanted to get on with it. It would be a long time before he felt like celebrating, but it was for the people that he would go through this show. For his people that he would show his face when all he wanted was to hide away and let the grief work its course. But alas it was not meant to be.

He had already avenged his father’s blood, but he will now draw out all that had had a hand in betraying the old king. Much like in the days of old, he planned to destroy every member of the families that had opposed his late father. Man, woman and child.

His nobles had already gathered in the hall as he walked in and made his way to the throne. He had never sat there, not even in play. His eyes went to the much smaller chair next to it, where his sire had sat him on many an occasion since he was old enough to sit upright.

It was there his sire more often than not would teach him the way of things. They had spent many an hour sat there, one asking questions while the other answered, a father teaching his son.

He sat now in his sire’s seat and faced the crowd gathered there. There was a mixed air of sorrow and joviality in the room. Those who had known and liked the king felt the loss of his passing, while others were here only for the pleasure of being allowed at the king’s table, no matter who that king was.

He sat through the words that were meant to transform him from prince to king. Accepted his duty by word and was crowned. The whole thing took less than an hour and he was glad when it was done. Now time to commit his first act as king. From this his people would see what kind of man, what kind of king he meant to be.