win me in a staring competition. Or would you rather

for his kingdom. Brimsbol began. "The land thieves have been apprehended and thrown in the dungeon, but the wares of the villag

He had not meant to yell, but from the report the men had given him, to the news he received the day before from his spies, the frustration had finally caught up to him, vexing him in ways unfathomable. He breathed d

ad vigorously. "No, Y

u what it means. It means, elite soldier, that those unfortunate villagers would be fed from the nation's coffers, and do you know what happens when you tamper with planned va

sty, please forgive me." He

mumbled. His voice was barely audible but the scared man heard him clearly and did not hesitate

eturning with lame and vexing justification for their incompetence. How wa

trust anyone when even hi

otherwise, he would know of all that happened within. "Edmund!" He called. The servant appeared to

sters and the Solicitors, to the Viscounts of Ackley and of Sorway, the Dukes of

was somewhat reliable. "You may depart. All of you." Edmund bowed,

or them. Men and fortunes of the realm that he commanded. The Lords he ruled over, one of which he called friend; and of co

is mood,

iasm, struggling behind the gloomy clouds to establish itself. The single light thrived against

busied about, preparing the castle for the arriving guests. The council meeting would be of great importance to his kingdom, and although he woul

Alexander realized how greedy and how great a coward St. James was. He had just a

to attend to his never-ending duties and his non stop complaining subjects. Edmun

e arrived for you at

stop. "And I wou

ou have been occupied for

is it

Carlisle." Ed

note? He couldn't possibly be sending an excuse, could he?

ut he has guests and would like

ed to see Edmund inches from him, having s

so here,

ement. "You do not suppose it i

shoulders. "I would

manservant was many things; knowledgeable, aware, sometimes fast in thoughts, and a good serving

I am currently enroute to the castle as commanded, but I am with guests and woul

t it wasn't his affianced, he was perfectly certain. And he was asked not to overthink? He smi

aiting in the courtroom." Edmund b

lt it, that the gathering of the Lords would bring great excitement. Who was Carlisle coming with? He wondered. It was no one of the male

r walked into the courtroom with all the regality he poss

t in the relaxed form he loved. He sat like the king he was, and was dressed as the same, exuding a nature that w

Sir Brimsbol to deliver this

r

Maj

ive th

been discovered and we have with succe

as great as he wished but it was b

bowed

forward. "Your Majesty, I receiv