"Why have you called us here today, Josh? Have you news of my father? Is he well? Has he sent for me?"
"Ummm..not exactly."
"Huh?"
"He sent us to come to you so that you could find your own chair. I thank you for warming the seat up for us though. I hate it when I have to sit in a cold chair and have to heat it back up."
"Well cousin, somebody had to keep this kingdom in check since all of you magically disappeared on us all and left us here to die. I have done my best to do what father would've wanted for this kingdom."
"What about Jade? Have you no love for her?"
"Jade!! She is an evil queen and deserved to be wrought into the ground where she belongs."
"Did your dad tell you that?"
"Yes he did. He told me everything I neded to know about her."
"You never went to her and asked if hers and his story matched up?"
"Why would I? I just took Jim at his word. It is called trust."
"Bermur, I think the word you're looking for is not trust. It's just called stupidity."
"If my father did send you, then why are you here?"
"I told you. He wants to put the kingdom back under royal blood."
"Royal!! Am I not royal? Who is this?"
"You're adopted and henceforth should have had no claim to anything. Also I'm ashamed that you do not recognize your own sister. Come on now."
"Aus, that's you?"
"Hello little brother!!"
"Can you back up what Josh is saying?"
"I can. Jim gave us his blessing before he passed into the ground forever."
"He's dead? How did he die? Did Jade somehow get released just for that purpose and that purpose alone?"
"Very good, Bermur. Very good indeed."
"So why does he want you to replace me?"
"Bermur, you are too young and lack the proper experience to lead a nation!!"
"I lack experience, cousin? It's because of ME that this kingdom still stands. I singlehandedly carried this kingdom on my back and brought it out of the ashes and mess that my parents left. The only good thing that did come out of my parents' mess was that those pesky annoying Half-breeds are finally gone. They never belonged here in the first place. What have you done all these years….outside the wall!!"
"Funny! I never thought they were annoying. In fact I liked their company and was always glad when they came out of the forest to come visit. The only annoying thing that doesn't belong….is you!!"
" You take that back right now!!"
"I will not!! I said it and stand behind every word that was spoken."
"Then you will never have my crown."
"That piece of jewelry is not for you to hold. You're not first born, whether a son or a daughter. Austin deserves to rule…and I will see to it that Jims blessing comes true. Who are you to deny a request? After all, don't you like parading in the old ways and traditions. The pastor that I just got done talking to said, 'We've never waivered thanks to our king, Bermur.' Wait a splinter. He's referring to you, is he not?"
"Nevertheless, there are only two ways to take a kingdom. You can either take over me by force or through a peace offering. Now I know that I may be younger; but I am ten times stronger than you'll ever be."
" It's not me who will be taking you on. Austin has inherited her mothers magic and there is nothing more deadly than that. With just a snap she could remove you from your seat…and use it to beat you senseless. None of the boys ever got powers, but all of the girls definitely did; so do you really want to risk the kingdom over a little girl like her? SIT DOWN!!
"What offering do you have to give that I would possibly consider marrying you two?"
"I know how much you like spicy food and don't like all of the other toppings on it so I offer you a Gremlin. You of all people know how hard it is to get one. Even as a king you couldn't get one. You are put on a strict diet and unless you charm someone then say bye bye to your sweet fantasy."
"Grrr!!"
"If you think you can tempt me with food then you're wrong."
"Ah, the fierce sound of the rumbly tumbly. That beast is all too familiar to me. If you want a slice then I'll trade one to you for your crown."
"Sir, what are you doing? You can't trade your crown for food."
"Father has blessed it and Josh is not one to lie. He knows that if he lied to me and I found out then that is the worst thing that can happen. He knows my strengths, my weaknesses, my soft spots, and also what angers me the most. Lying angers me the most.
Josh, send it over…*grrr**....please!!"
"Here you go. Austin, can you break the bread please?"
"Okay."
"Wait, Austin, what are you doing? Put that…here…let me. I am the priest after all and it is my job to slice the bread every Sunday."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Let us pray. Please, everybody grab the hand of the person to your right. Our Father who art be in Heaven. Hallowed be your name. We pray that this food we are about to receive be edifying to our souls and strength for our hearts. Lead us in the path that we are to go and be with us along the journey. I ask that you be with this couple and if it be your will that they rule the kingdom…I ask that you help them rule it well. Please let this not end in fighting. We pray these in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. AMEN!!"
"Bermur, are you okay my king?"
"I'm fine. It's just that I have not had Jesus sit at my table in a long time."
"Here you go. There's a slice for you. There is a slice for you. There is a slice for you; and here is a slice for me."
"Hope you all like spicy, guys; because after this; things wil get heated up really fast."
"Bermur, what are you doing? I said there was no extra toppings on it."
"I know, but I'm just checking."
"You still don't believe me?"
"If this be my offering then I want to make sure you did it right. Yep, there is a small thin of mustard, no cheese, and no pickles. You remembered what I liked."
"How could I forget?"
"Pst, Josh! Wasn't it Jade who snatched your sandwhich and Tipsy gave you the acci…shh!! Not now."
"Ting ting ting!!! My friends, listen up and raise your glass with me."
"I'll raise a glass with you."
"So will I"
"Me too."
"Count me in."
"Josh here…..doesn't lie."
"Bermur, my king, how can you be so certain? We can't just take him at his word. You really believe your father would just hand over the kingdom without telling you; even if she is of natural blood?"
"Josh has not lied to me before and he does not know. He knew that his words alone and of fathers would not be enough to have me hand him the crown; so he had to show actions to back up what he said. He not only showed us his cards but also found the true key to my heart. The Gremlin is not even on the Red Furnaces menu but only the secret menu; and the only way to access the secret menu is with charm. You may know the sandwiches, but if you request one without charming the cashier with a story; then you can say goodbye to your dream. He also knew how I liked my sandwiches and made the Gremlin as such as I would like it. Needless to say; he went to my fathers heart to get the blessing; got it; and then went to my heart to do the same thing. He cared about the details even when he didn't need to. He couldv'e just gaven me any random spicy sandwich and I would've been satisfied, but no. He went further than that and unlocked my heart in the proces. If anybody here has a reason these two should not wed…speak now or forever hold you que."
"I OBJECT!!!"
"Austin, what are you doing? Don't you want us to marry?"
"Marry?"
"Yes, marry?"
"Oh yes. We should definitely marry and do it with haste."
"Then what was that?"
"What was that?"
"Why did you object to our wedding?"
"I didn't object to our wedding? Bermur said that he liked his sandwiches, bland, but then I must've toned out for the next words I heard was who here objects. So I objected and meant that I like my sandwiches to be stuffed full. Sorry. Did I do something wrong?"
"No..No!! Austin, you could never do something wrong. You're perfect in every way."
"You're just saying that."
"No, I really mean it. With what you go through; you still have shown you can push through and am going to be queen. Just think of that. In a few days you, my dear, will be Queen. Then we will make a rule that anybody will be outcasted for talking down upon another."
"I'd like that."
"Me too."
"Mhmmm!!"
"What?"
"Are you two done awwing each other?"
"Oh yes."
"Good. We should start getting all of this in order then, if that's ok with you all."
"Nothing could be more ok."