A kiss on the cheek

Thanks to reader230 for this chapter.

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You lean and kiss your wife's cheek before saying, "That will be our way to connect until you learn to trust me, but no more of that. I must be off. I have meetings to attend."

You are greeted by the King's High Councilor SunForce at the gates, flanked by a pair of royal guards.

"I take it you have consummated the marriage with the King's daughter," SunForce asks bluntly.

"That is between me and her." You growls with respect for your wife.

"Well, it's important that you have." He replies, motioning you to follow him towards the keep before asking, "I also assume you both attempted to make her with child."

"What business is this of yours?" You ask, annoyed with his prying.

"It is my duty to know these things, Prince John… for consummating your marriage and starting our shared dynasty will bring our kingdoms together." He adds, "For once you are king we will have a shared responsibility to confront our enemies."

Approaching the keep, another pair of guards open the gate as you are led towards a group of Soldiers of mixed origins. "Who are these men...?" You ask with curiosity.

"Your personal guard Prince John. Made up of skilled warriors from around the lands... they will ensure you are protected in the battles to come." SunForce replies.

You look at them, experienced scarred warriors... one in particular a half human/Orc woman sharpening her spear stares at you with interest. "Who is she?" You ask SunForce. "I am told her name is Azul, a fine warrior and recent escapee from Silva's dungeons. Come now... the king is waiting he says, leading you into the keep."

Your footsteps tap along the marble floors as you reach the meeting hall, taking your seat at the table as a group of kings guards accompany the Elven King. "John…" He says with a smile, stepping towards you to embrace you before having a seat.

"I am told the ceremony and consummation went as planned.... you are now my Son. Where you lost a father you have now gained another." He says with a smile, "Now we must confront our enemies and crush them."

"I can't wait to reclaim what is rightfully mine..." You reply with a smile.

"What news do our scouts bring Volodar?" The King asks one of his Generals, a scarred warrior with a record even you have heard of in a neighboring kingdom.

Nodding, he unrolls a map on the table and reports, "Sire, our scouts report a large Army under Lord Frederick heading South to destroy the raiding Armies of the Southern Queen. His daughter Aria, has taken a **** to besiege Lord Richard's castle and his son Silva appears to be remain in reserve. To the North, the Orcish Armies have been crushed but small pockets still remain that harass our farms and merchants."

"Good... we must send parties North to mop up the Orcish survivors..." The King says before he runs his hand along the Southern portion of the map, "But Frederick riding south and dividing his forces presents an opportunity..."

"We also cannot let Lord Richard fall... we could risk losing any support among my nobles." I warn.

Looking over at you, Volodar adds, "Well luckily he appears to have had warning... he brought his troops and provisions inside his castle and we estimate he can hold out for weeks or months unless Aria can get her siege engines... which appear to be stuck miles to the south.

"Excellent... well we must know where to strike..." The king says before coughing violently. A court physician, handing him a towel.

"Thank you..." He mutters before looking over at you. "Where should we strike... its your land after all."

"What strength can we bring to bear?" You ask Volodar.

"We can muster 700 Cavalry, 800 Heavy Infantry, 2,500 Infantry, and 1,700 archers."

"How many troops do they have?" You ask as you examine the map

"Best estimates from our scouts puts Silva at 150 Cavalry, 300 archers, and 800 infantry and Aria has roughly 300 Cavalry, 400 Infantry, and 200 Archers. However, his father's **** is formidable. Hopefully his campaign to the South bleeds him. Frederick's **** with his Nordic Allies numbers at 600 Cavalry, 900 archers, 5,000 infantry, and 2,000 Nordic Housecarls and pikemen.... that's over 8,000 men to our 5,700."

"Well we should take down his Army in pieces..." You add, tracing your finger over to Lord Richard's Castle. "If we break the siege and rout Aria's forces we could then turn south and besiege Silva."

"Wouldn't Frederick return to attack us...?" Volodar asks.

"I hope he will... for we can prepare for that. We must capture Aria during the battle, that would give us leverage and by drawing Frederick out we can choose the battlefield that meets our advantage in Archers. Hopefully his campaign in the South lowers his numbers and the long, fast march North makes his troops tired and forces him to leave his heavier equipment and baggage behind."

"Excellent idea Prince John… I look forward to serving with you." He says with a nod.

"You John… as my son by marriage and consort to the future Queen of my Kingdom will lead our Armies and carry my banner..." He replies with a cough, "I am afraid I am unable to ride as I used to... and my time could be short..." Snapping his fingers a servant arrives with something wrapped in cloth, setting it on the table. Uncovering it, the king says, "You will take my sword... and use it to deliver justice to our enemies. The Armies of our kingdom when led by a King of our realm have yet to suffer defeat in the field... and I expect you to achieve that victory and rule over our Kingdoms with my daughter."

"I will not let you down..." You reply with a nod, looking around as a few of the nobles and councilors glare at you with distrust and unease.

"Good... now I must retire..." He says as he steps away with his guards, the council standing as he departs.

You pick up the sword, fastening its sheath to your belt as you leave the room with SunForce and Volodar.

"The Princess will be waiting for you in her chambers in the Keep this evening..." SunForce says before he departs. Volodar grabbing your arm, he leads you into a room and says, "We need to speak privately John..."