This week, there is a very tenuous link between the prompt and the story. The image I chose was of what I have decided is a feast, and everyone is invited to a feast at the end of mine so it counts, right.
It hurts to
stand and to breathe, but not as much as it hurts that I was too weak to
prevent what happened to Tian. Father rages at Lord Trevithick and he rages
back. The things he says disgust me.
“Stop.” The
sound of my voice surprises me. It is louder and braver than I feel. “You laid
hands not only on me but my prince also. Do not forget you are on his lands
now. You have no authority here. Father, arrest him and hold him pending
investigation. It is the least you can do given his assault on your son, and
the possible damage what he has done to Tian might have on our mission here.”
Father
hesitates. I understand why he does so. Lord Trevithick was one a friend of his
and he holds great sway with the Counsel. However, this time he has gone too
far and they both know it. Lord Trevithick blusters, spewing hatred about our
coupling and a spear of unease hurts my heart. What if he does some real damage
with my father or the Counsel? What if they hurt Tian? No. I cannot allow that
to happen.
“Silence.”
Again the strength of my own voice takes me by surprise. It hurts a little but
I thrust the pain aside. It is fading anyway. “What we did was not wrong.
Perhaps leading you to believe Jandra was Tian’s betrothed was wrong, but that
was not my idea. I have always wanted honesty and here it is. Tian and I love
each other and we will be together
whether ignorant old men such as you will it or not.”
“It is an
abomination. It is everything that is wrong with this sick alliance.”
“I love Tian
and he loves me. There is nothing
abominable about that, and this alliance is all that gives your miserable arse
opportunity to save its seat in our home. Without it, when the South rises your
perverted morals will do you no good against their magic. Do not speak.” I cut
him off when he would have protested. A quick glance at Father reveals an
almost amused expression. It gives me courage to continue.
“But this is
for a later time. We have more pressing issues. Whatever your opinion of the
alliance or my bedding habits you assaulted me and committed treason.”
“This is
ludicrous. It was an accident. I was defending the honour of the kingdom and
the crown as you defiled it with that demon.”
“That demon is
my betrothed and crown prince of these lands. You will use his given name or
title; or you will not speak of him at all. Your accident was a deliberate blow that caused me injury. There will be
no more discussion. Guards, arrest Lord Trevithick and put him under guard on
charge of treason.”
“Hold there,”
Lord Trevithick blusters. “You have no right. I am a member of the Counsel.”
“Who is not
exempt from charges of treason.”
“Still, that
is going a little too far.”
I stare at my
father in shock. I was not naïve enough to believe my father would approve of
my actions but I did not think he would gainsay me. My heard slumps as Lord
Trevithick sneers.
“Not at all,”
a voice says, drawing our eyes to the raised flap and the handsome man who
stands there. “In fact, if you do not arrest this man for treason under your
laws, I shall have to do so under mine.”
“What? What
are you talking about? Who are you? How dare you enter the royal tend
uninvited.”
Without a
word, the man moves smoothly into the tent and strikes Lord Trevithick across
the face, sending him flying backward, as I had done a short while ago.
“That is for
daring to lay hands on the Crown Prince of Coedwen. Had it not been that I
respect the alliance I would have killed you for what you did.”
The cold, hard
expression falls from the man’s golden eyes as he turns away from Lord Trevithick,
with a flick of his hand, instantly dismissing him from his attention. “And
this, I presume is the man that has stolen my son’s wits.”
I find myself
wrapped in a warm embrace. Stunned, I hesitantly settle my arms around his
surprisingly large girth and gaze over his shoulder. Tian beams at me and
winks. Men dressed in forest great drag Lord Trevithick out of the tent while
our own men watch helpless awaiting direction from my father, which never
comes.
After a few
moments Tian’s father draws back and scours my face, with a serious expression
on his. “Tian has made a good choice,” he says. “For all that he was a damn
fool to follow the pull of your bonding without proper preparation, I cannot
say I blame him. When his mother’s call came I would have moved mountains to
get to her.” His eyes narrow slightly. “You need work, but you will make a fine
King.”
I begin to
smile, but then his words hit. First; what does he mean need work? Second, and more important; king? True, I am crown
prince and therefore set to rule after my father, but I feel that is not what
he meant. It hits me. If Tian and I are joined, we are heirs to two kingdoms. I
will rule here as he will rule my home. Oh hell.
As if reading
my mind, Tian’s father smiles and grips my shoulder. “Details will come. For
now perhaps you, and my wayward son, might like to dress. Come Alfric, let us
leave our young to their affairs. I have a feast prepared. Partake of wine with
me and our sons will follow as they may. I will leave my guard to ensure they
are escorted safely to my halls. Your entourage would do well to strike camp
and follow as soon as they may. The feast extends to them all.
Now is the time to hurry off and read all the rest of the flashes. There are plenty to partake of this week
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