*Dorian Whitehall*
I sat at the table, my hands folded, my back straight and my throat constricted. "Is he aware of our terms, Reuben", the impassive Queen's gaze fell between me and Reuben a note of sympathy in her eye.
"No he is not, that amung many other things is what I wish to discuss", Reuben said his velvet red hair darker than Meredith's was cut short, and formal attire adorned him. He wore a deep crimson red to match his hair, with a button down coat, embroidered with silver stitching at his coller and cuffs.
Their family crest upon his chest, was a man with the same hair and look as Reuben and Varyon holding a horn in one hand, a sword in the other. Pointing to the coast of mountains as he sailed his boat a shore. King Reumond Oucstafèr was his name, the conqueror. A man who led the armies of Marvorians fleeing the Varagan Empire to the new land in the west. A great leader in battle and in politics, that settled along the east coast of the continent, beating back the native Celan and their Arvorian neighbours.
Sir Wilfred entered and strolled up to me positioning himself in the seat next to me. "What did I miss", he whispered his tone equally relaxed and agitated. Reuben and Jane were still discussing terms and Meredith was whispering to her brother about something. I leaned in to Wilfred, "Nothing much, they're just talking about our terms for this meeting and I'm yet to find out the true nature of this council".
Reuben spoke up drawing the attention of everyone, including myself. I looked briefly to Jane, to see her tense and displeased and then to Meredith who was concealing her emotions or held none at all. "Right, under our first act of countering Lorcan Riage". Countering, what had he done that was so wrong. He seemed oddly boisterous but yet reserved the few times that I met him when I was younger, though I hardly remembered them trips now. And yet I didn't suspect him of being guilty of something unmanageable, that put us in a place of fear. Something that we couldn't stop separately rather than having to unite.
I pressed my lips together, holding my breath and clasping my hands. Sir Wilfred remained deep in thought as the next words were said, "I would like for us three ruling Monarchs of our own Kingdoms, to be an united front against Lorcan Riage". Of course one would have already expected that, why else would we be gathered here around a table, but I could not imagine what he was going to say next.
"As I well know", King Reuben puffed out his chest, and looked to his children with a poised expression. "You both do not have heirs. And I have two children of age that can supply those heirs". My anger rose but I did not know why, I looked towards Meredith with a angered face, but eased as I saw that she was blushing just as much as I had been less than half an hour ago. She was nervous too, no wonder she was only my same age.
I didn't ponder long on that thought turning round to see, Jane who I had presumed to be in outrage. But as usual not even faint redness or a hint of anger. Just, plain and normal like a statue, as if nothing had changed. Still I couldn't help but wonder maybe she was optimistic, I mean she may wish yet to fight, but already her previous husbands or fiancé died. At least this one was different, a man from another Kingdom and not that much older than her for once.
I heard that all her previous suitors had been at least a decade older than her. And now there was Varyon, the cocky arrogant twenty two year old prince and heir of Reuben Oucstafèr. And with a marriage to Jane Crakewood would no doubt seal not only a bond of blood but also of Kingdom's. Since their children would inherit the title their mother and father would have. This was not only a union against Lorcan but one where Reuben would gain power and new insight into the way both our Kingdom's work.
I gritted my teeth. That bastard played me. I could always just refuse his offer and well, I don't have another plan. If I did do that it would leave me without allies in a time of war and that is never good. I guess aswell I'm not entirely opposed to the idea of marrying Meredith. My mind spun with a million thoughts of how it would go.
"What am I even thinking" I said out loud, though my voice wasn't that loud so it only drew a passing glance of Meredith, but Wilfred looked oddly amused. "You haven't been taking anything seriously, Wilfred" my gaze fixed forward not wanting to draw attention. "Have I now, maybe I'm just interested to see what my King, wishes on this matter are", his tone was someway satirical and it seemed as if he was drunk. "My wishes are to be laying in bed back in Whitehall, but here I am Wilfred. It is my duty" I say looking down at him. "Oh, then why does his royal highness blush, so much around the future bride" a grin spreads across his face. "Is a man not allowed to like women, or is it men who's company you prefer". I felt a slight nudge from Meredith, "Keep your voice down, if you want to talk about things so privy", she took a deep breath. "And is he drunk?" she asked accusatory. I glanced at Wilfred who was mumbling about something behind us. "He may well be, but I do not know for certain", I scratched the back of my neck as a slight blush coloured my pale cheeks. She clicked her tongue and through a half hearted glance back at me before looking forward, at her father once more.
I turned to face Reuben too. Under his plan we would have, the combined forces of three Kingdoms against the combined forces of two Kingdoms, well one technically but two in essence. And still they would have the better generals and warriors on the larger scale. I mean King Reuben and his men, have very little renown. Which would fall completely to me and Jane's armies to draw up the main battle strategies. Even still I am not entirely convinced that all of Jane's Lords would even come to her aid when she would call her banners. So that would leave us with one full Kingdom, another half Kingdom and then an unstable Kingdom worth of might.
Reuben began discussing the rest of meeting. But I my mind seemed to wander not paying much attention towards him, pondering more and more about a war.
I won't fight in it, I'd die if I did. I'm fast enough or clever enough to come out on top, I'll just leave Jane organise and lead our forces. But even that won't work, they won't follow a woman when their King is a lazy bastard. I slam my fists hard on the table causing Meredith to jump beside me, Sir Wilfred to slip further to off his chair and the others gaze to flicker my way. "I can say one thing, young King. Your quite passionate about what you set your mind towards. So what is it that caused such an outburst", Reuben asked with a wry grin across his face. "There is nothing I wish to tell you, King Reuben", my cheeks flushed and my teeth gritted. "Very well, if you say so. I presume you all have been listening and taken my proposal onboard", he gestured to Jane, who responded with a nod and then towards me. He expects me to agree?, I think my face still flushed and my anger palpable. Okay, Dorian cool yourself, this is only a part-time alliance after this war all will be good. "Yes, I accept", I say my voice more regal than before, as I look from each and everyone in attendance, Reuben hides a smirk as he nods back at me. Jane's face never once changed expect at the beginning of this discussion. Then there's Varyon who's unfortunately marrying Jane. He doesn't seem bothered with me. And finally Meredith, who no doubt has conflicted emotions just like my self. But hides them very well, behind a facade of perfection.