A Decision is Made

Chapter 3

Rayna had ordered everyone but her captain of the guard, and her chief advisor to leave. She looked at them both. One clad in armor, and the other in fine silks. Captain Stokes spoke first, “I’ll send out guards to search the outlying area. These bandits can’t have gone far.”

Lord Stillwood, her Steward spoke afterwards. “To think common brigands would attack the King of Thalor. Did he not think to bring more men?”

Twenty men was hardly a good enough party for the long trip. “My brother in law was never a good judge of these sorts of things.” Indeed the, now former, King Pascal has always believed himself a man of the people. Her sister had loved that in him. “The poor boy,” she said her stone face slowly being peeled away.

“Indeed,” her advisors both said.

“Send a letter to Thalor inform them of what has happened,” she said standing up. “Tell them that their King has died. And that his only heir is in the care of his aunt.”

“My Lady, Thalor might consider that an act of war. At least a **** of their true king.” The lord Steward said.

“I will not let him return to Thalor.” She said to her advisor. She knew that land. Pascal was a good man. But the kingdom was filled with snakes and vultures.

“We should at least seek the counsel of the King.” The king of Sosphira was to whom he referred to. A weak man, and quite foolish. She had no time for that when she had to take care of her family.

“That boy has never known a mother. And his father has just perished. He needs a family. And I am all that is left,” she said as she left these two men. “Tell Thalor that the young Prince will be fostered here. Surely that will be quite acceptable.”

Her thoughts were drawn to the young boy. A prince who would become a king. She did not wish him to return to a land of vipers, a land of cutthroats and political scheming. No doubt the regent would sink their claws into her dear nephew. No, she would keep him close. Give him a proper home and upbringing. This she swore if nothing else for her dear sister.