Meeting King Malcolm.

Ms von Felsenstadt was walking ahead of Alan along the columns of the grand throne room of the Royal Palace. The clatter of her high-heeled boots was reverberating through the hall and all eyes were on her. The pair stopped in front of the steps leading up to the King’s throne, where King Malcolm sat and held his morning audience. She kneeled before the King and Alan did likewise.
‘Ah, Ambassador von Felsenstadt. What brings you here and who is the young man at your side? Finally got yourself a husband?’ Malcolm asked loudly, so all in attendance could hear and the crowd laughed lightly at the King’s joke.
‘Your Majesty, Obscuria wishes to resume more cordial relations with Mirantia,’ she gestured towards Alan. ‘To that end, I have brought someone special with me today.’ She paused a moment, building the crowds suspense. ‘This is Alan, your nephew, your Highness.’ A loud murmur went through the crowd at the mention of the traitor’s son.
‘Truly? Rise, young Man, and let me have a look at you.’ Alan rose to his feet and stood at attention. The King descended the steps to him and stopped a single pace in front of Alan. He looked at the young man intently. There was eerie silence in the hall as the King stood face to face with his nephew, everyone holding their breaths for the King’s reaction.
With a swift step, Malcom closed the distance to Alan and lay his hands on Alan’s shoulders, ‘Welcome home, little Al.’ Malcom drew the young man into a bear hug and Alan returned it hesitantly, surprised by his uncle’s greeting. Breaking their hug, Malcolm walked to his throne again and pointed to the crowd, ‘This audience is adjourned.’ With his announcement the crowed shuffled out of the hall, everyone glancing at the young man and the Obscurian woman, as they left.

Soon, only the King, his advisor Norbier, Alan, Maria and some guards were left of the previous crowd.
‘I’m not quite sure what your plan in this is Ms von Felsenstadt, but I thank you nonetheless for brining my nephew home. You may leave us, I will call on you for further negotiations soon.’ Maria bowed before the King and looked towards Alan, giving him a small nod, before walking towards the great doors leading outside.
Norbier raised his voice, ‘So, the traitor’s son has returned. For what purpose, I wonder?’
The King raised his hand to his advisor, ‘Let’s be civilised, shall we? I won’t hold him accountable for his father’s crimes, nor should you. But, you did raise a good question. Why are you here, my dear nephew?’
Alan cleared his voice, ‘First of all, thank you for welcoming me, your Majesty. As for the reason of my visit, the Obscurians figured I could help them improve relations between them and Mirantia.’
‘Well, that’s why the Obscurians brought you here. But what about you?’ the King asked, ‘And please, call me uncle Malcolm when we are in private.’
Alan smiled and nodded to his uncle, ‘I wanted some purpose in life, and—and I wanted to see my family again,’ Alan claimed.
The King chuckled, ‘I’m sure they will be glad to see you too, Alan. Tell me, how has my little brother been?’
Alan was confused for a moment, his uncle sounded nearly melancholic, ‘Father is—he’s keeping busy. What he does I cannot tell, because I don’t know myself. But, for the sake of all of us, I hope it’s not something sinister again.’
King Malcolm stroked his beard, ‘Your words in the gods’ ears, my nephew. You know, Alan, I’ve thought about you, your sister and your father over the years. I’ve—sometimes—regretted exiling your family.’ He sighed, ‘I know of the caged life Catrina and you have had since, and, for what it’s worth, I am sorry you had to be dragged into that mess.’
Alan shook his head, ‘Don’t be, uncle Malcolm. It is my father’s fault and his alone. Mercy stayed your hand and one should never be sorry for showing mercy—it is one of the great virtues. In fact, I should thank you for sparing my father’s life.’
The King grinned widely, ‘Knowing that you don’t hold a grudge against me is a relief. I had always feared my nephew and niece would one day return to exact ****. But it seems your father failed to corrupt your heart against me.’
Alan grimaced, ‘He tried, uncle. And when I was younger I even believed his lies. But things became clear to me as I had become older. He had always treated my sister with disdain, and I started to question if a man, who treated his own daughter like that, could ever be righteous.’ He sighed in frustration, ‘One of our tutors told Catrina and me the whole story. You did not banish him because he was more beloved by the people, as he had claimed.’
The King nodded at his story, ‘I had feared he would try to make himself the victim. It was always that way, even when we were children.’ He rose from his throne, ‘But let’s let bygones be bygones for now. Our fates have led us apart, and now they have brought us together again. We should take that chance, and maybe we can mend what has been broken.’ The King turned towards the side exit of the great hall. ‘Follow me, Alan. I’m sure you’d like to meet the rest of the family.’