To be king is not what most believe. It is not sitting upon a throne and deciding which portions of your people must starve during a famine. As great as the decision is, that is what the king does.

This I know, I’ve seen. Or at least I’ve seen the after effects of it.

A small force of men in suits of armor identicle to Piety still as stone near the Northern entrance to the desert. They marched in wearing the armor and died in it without even one of them removing a single piece.

Such is the decision of a king.

A king is a man of destiny. The world itself exists for them to shape as they will. That is their duty.

I know because I am King.

“You hit him!” Natalia hisses at me. She speaks as if its a crime to dicipline ones own child!

Her fist tightens and loosens about her spear in a way i’ve seen countless times before. In a way that suggests she’d like nothing more than to eviscerate the target of her rage.

She won’t. She know’s her place is beneath me. Such is the difference between those of her ilk and those of mine. It is destiny. My destiny.

She understands that.

“You hit him!”

Turning about in the chair isn’t easy but I do so and make it look like it is, that to is part of acting a King. As is making sure the proper protocals are being used. Including the way she speaks to me.

“So I did. Do you wish to complain about how I treat my son?”

“Son’s!” Natalia hisses back. “Have you even spoken to Garrick since you sent him to work with those of the blackened sands? Besides how do you expect them to listen to you when you beat them! It doesn’t ensure loyalty.”

Allow me to deal with her Sire.

That is hardly a winning idea. You are under the impression because you are mine that you can do as you please.

He doesnt argue. Never does. Not with me. Yet he would believe himself the embodiment of my connection with the goddess.

Only the fact that his death wouldn’t be permanant has kept his hollow head attached. Well, that and the fact that when he does as he’s bid he is excessively efficient.

“Well have you?!”

Is she still speaking? Have I what? Oh right Garrick. Why did I bother laying with her? Oh right the very fire she’s showing now. Nothing at all like Babaleon.

A warrior that put Natalia and Samira alike to shame.

Or at least she was. Babaleon was nothing like herself after Tolwren was born. Something about his birth doused her fire. Perhaps the fire in her was fire she held for him?

Tolwren was perfect. Strong, wise, decisive. A step above any other his brothers. He had the makings of a King. A touch of destiny. That undefinable something that so many others lacked.

The current children available to me as heirs all leave something to be desired.

Evander, the cloying simpleton that thinks himself a warrior when he manages to be nothing but a coward. He’d the ruthlessness of a king but nothing else. If he were not a child of the goddess I’d have thrown him from the toward a decade ago.

Garrick could only be defined by a single word. Vile. His skill with the sword and spear grew by the day, as did his intellect. That wasn’t even touching on his gift with languages. His poor bathing habits kept it from being one of worth. Well that and his proclivity to forget one must cook food before consuming it.

Vandal, Vandal remained the only child that I’ve still not gotten a handle on. Once I thought him kind, to much so. But something’s changed. Perhaps Tolwrens passing has brought something to the surface that wasn’t there before.

Perhaps Vandal wished to keep it hidden. If so the little fool lacks more brains than I originally imagined.

But it was a spark of destiny greater than any I’ve seen. Already the people clamor around him begging his blessing or going out of their way just to see him. As it brought them some luck just being near him.

But he acted above his station! Placed himself above his father.

I’d call him a bastard but that’d just insult myself. And the goddess of course.

He is so much like my older brother Bragi and our Father that it’s almost a surprise that he’s sired from me.

The fool boy even went so far as to give his stabilizer to one of his attendants! Yet death did not take him. Destiny indeed.

And those beasts of his! How he’d turned them on me! His father! His king! It didn’t bring me joy to strike him.

THe very though has my teeth creaking under the strain. I wont do it again. Escpecially since doing ti could actively for a revolt.

From the corner of my eye I can see Natalia still shaking.

“Begin your exercises.”

She lloks ready to argue but shows why I keep her about by keeping quiet. She sets about stretching and I smile.

Some might call it a waste of her talent. To those who say such things all I can say is, shaping the future is a high responsibility. An equal privilege is to be expected.

Its the true purpose of a King. To press ones desires into the world and make it ones own. I know.

Samira begins bounding across the room in patterns that once stirred something within me. They no longer do. The embers in that fire have long since lost their final light and fell to ashes. Still attempting to kindle them seems to bring her joy and I’m in no mood to try and story her. Especially since she’s also keeping quiet.

Still, there can be no doubting her beauty faded though it has. On that count along with her ability in battle she can give them a run for their money.

But maybe, perhaps Natalia is the problem with Vandal and Garrick alike.

Tolwren lost Babaleon just days from his birth. He grew to be a fantastic heir, driven, focus, with a thirst to succeed that I’ve never seen before.

Perhaps if Natalia was removed, similarly if not out right removed, the boys would fall into line? Its a thought for later however as the side door swing wide open.

Ryver, the stablemaster, loyal subject and one of the few I might consider friend. If he were of proper station. Perfect timing. Boredom had already begun to set in. A good hunt should raise my spirits and show the people who their king is.

“Highness the beast rampages.”

The messenger falls silent as my fist crushes his face and he slumps down to the floor dead. A glance at Natalia tells me she hasn’t heard even if she has seen.

“What is his crime Sire?”

She looks every bit the warrior queen, the way her hair clings to her face and the way she clutches her spear.

“The fool has apparently allowed the Tuviat to get free of their cages en masse. Even now they run rampant through the streets.”

From the pocket within the cloak I place it beneath my nose and take a deep breath. I rub my nose until it clears and extend my hand to Natalia.

“My sword.”

From her side he pulls a sword the width of her leg and offers it to me.

“Hello old friend.”

I shove the weapon into the sheath at my side. It really has been to long. Just the feel of it brings back old dreams. Thoughts and wants that belong to the young. The want to bring the world to its knees through blood and battle.

Sadly such things were always Bragi’s path and when he failed to produce an heir father’s willingness to war withered away.

That doesn’t matter now. Now I will show them all.

Holding tight to the hilt of the sword I rush down the hall, a moment later Natalia falls into step beside me.

I blink into the light as we pass into the open air. The last thing I expect howevever is that they’d be dealing with the situation so well. Three of the little baby eaters had already been backed into a wall. Their each and every attempt to dig themselves into the sand vanishing with the thrust of a spear.

Damn!

Though its a good thing the guards are so capable I thunder down the stairs fuming. How many were there? Was it just the three or were there more?

“How many were there?”

Natalia looks at me with no small amount of shock. “Without my paper’s highness I don’t know.”

“Useless wench.”

Just as I was about to give up hope I see it. Sand flying into the air as one struggled deeper into the sand.

“Piety I need your spear.”

The manifestations hand extends out of my chest offering up its golden spear. Its an ornate thing. A display piece made functional by the grace it was given by being part of Piety.

Spinning it wabout my fingers to measure its weight and balance I raise the spear and then its away, spinning in a tight spirat, one that would bore a hole right through the awful little baby eater.

Only thats not what happens. The spear strike true as expected but thats were it ends. From the hole rises a reptile not a Tuviat. Its got two legs just behind its spade like head and a forked tongue that it keeps releasing into the air.

Basilisk. Where did the stable master even get one of those! Were they even native to the desert?

Opening its mouth it reveals several rows of fangs many of which are dripping with a clear liquid.

“Hardly worth the effort.” I grumble, on the inside however Im elated! Sure there was only one of them when I hoped for more but still. Finally a creature that isn’t bound to my son that is a challenge! Taming it however would be far to simple.

Knock it once or twice, maybe a third time if it attempts to argue and pat it on the head when it does a good job and just like that. Creature tamed. How is that kingly?

The answer is its not.

No. To impose my will on the world, the lizard must be sacraficed, not fed. They all must be sacraficed!

“I need a another spear.” I growl.

Pieties hand comes again, only this time the blade is the size of a normal mans torso. Perfect. Raising the blade high I ready myself to battle. Each beat of my heart rattles my hands.

The basalisk rises up and rips at the sand launching itself through the air like an arrow.

Taking just three steps forward I spin and strike the snake with the flat of the golden blade. It sails through the air and into the nearest building. The building falls, sands and dust rise. So much so it creates a fog thick enough I can’t see my quarry.

“Highness!” I turn to Natalia just in time for her to step in front of me and take a blob of the liquid to her chest. No not just liquid toxin.

Natalia screams and clutches at her eyes and face. But there’s no time. I cannot let the basilisk get away. I shove her aside.

“Piety jump!” Racing along the sand I leap into the air, though its far from what most would call the average jump. Moreso because I cleared the building.

I see it, its scaled body glinting in the sun even if its within the clould.

Flipping the spear about as gravity reasserts its control I launch the weapon. It cuts the air like a fish cuts through water and pierces the creature through the back of its skull and out the other side.

A fine throw highness.

“You needn’t tell me its a fine throw. I know its a fine throw. Just deal with the landing.”

I wastch as the golden glow begins the flicker about my legs just as I strike the ground.

Making a Beeline for Natalia Im not surprised to find two medics tending to her.

“Take her to the spare chambers.” And point them in the direction of the palace.

“Yes Sire.” The white says lifting his head of guards into the air.

I stare at the newest of my fallen foes and frown as the dust settles. It seepms are small than it had just. A moment before.

In fact it still looks to be getting smaller unitl the blades edges are more than enough to cut through both sides of the head.

“Its just this little thing?”

Striding up to the small creatrure I stumble back as its head twitches and it fires off a small ball of poison.

“A waste of my time.” Gesturing at a green I point at the snakes head. “Get over here and clean this up!

The spear fades as I turn away and stalk back toward the palace. There is no clapping. No applause. Nothing. It seems I have failed.

Fail.

Fail.

Fail.

The word repeats itself with my every step. My every breath draws in more rage. As the door slowly swings closed behind me I wait and watch until its sealed and round on the nearest vase.

Made eight hundred years prior, the first gift given by the Gerosin, back when they were trustworthy. Estimated value? Priceless.

Rearing back I slam it into the wall ignoring the flying shards and turn my attentions to the tapestry. Made by the best craftsmen in over thirty years. Is a master work by any description.

The edge of my blade shears it down the middle and I cut again and again until its nothing more than a tattered mess.

Finally I take a deep breath and head for the spare room. A spare room I realize, that might as well be Natalia’s room in the first place. She’s got three spears, and multiples of her uniform spread through the room.

The healers stand on either side of her holding her down as Rue looks her over not flinching in the slightest despite all of the screams. WHen she finally pulls away it isn’t with a look that pleases me.

It says instead,that she can do nnothing.

I do not blame her. For all of her talents and age, she is not god born. She can only reach so high.

“How long does she have?”

Rue eyes me critically.

“Days if she just sleeps through them. Hours more likely.”

Nodding I make my decision. Straightening my back I walk over to the healers and shove one aside.

“Natalia, warrior of the white. Do you wish to fight? Or have you given up?”

I all but roar the question at her attempting to get her to hear me over her screams of pain. Suddenly she freezes and almost mechanically faces me.

“Get out you piece off shit!” She screams at me. She even goes so far as to spit at me and with surprising accuracy as it strikes me in the cheek and slowly makes its way downward.

A large chunk of me demands I throw her out of my home for such a thing. But she’s dying, worse she’s dying after protecting me. I can’t kick her out, the laws of hospitality are old and not ones I’ll be crossing.

Besides she’s not much longer for this world as it is.

“So be it.” I grumble as I move to the door and pausing I lean against the frame.

“Make her comfortable.”

Its the only thing I can do for her.

Years of loyal service does not beget a painful end. Not while I’ve something to say about it. And I’d like to think I do.

“As you wish Highness. Anything specific?”

I shake my head. “Whichever way she prefers will be fine.

Besides, at the very least this saves me the trouble of removing her from Vandal and Garricks live’s later.

Hells, with any luck, Natalia won’t make it long enough for Vandal to get back from his patrol.

The last thing I need is her telling him anything. The boys willfull enough as it is without know the whole truth.

Passing a servant I stop. She looks familiar, but not in the way where she looks like she belongs in the house. Is she a messenger? Something else?

Someone else?

Taking her by the arms I pick her up. “Who are you and why are you here.”

She keeps her head down. And speaks quietly. “Highness i was on my wat to inform Natalia that messengers from the rook cities of Lux and Lyomenos have arrived with news of the hares.”

So they turned deeper into the desert? But why. Predators have routines like the rest of the world. WHen one upset those patterns, typically the animal will return to where its certain it has food.

Was the horde drawn further out? But what could cause that?

“You’ll not be making that report. At least not to Natalia. She’s not long for the world Im afraid. However I’d be more than happy to hear whatever you’ve to say.”

Setting her down I ignore her gasp of surprise, though why is surpriseing when people die everyday I don’t know.