"I'm sorry Duke," Ivan answered. He let out a long sigh contemplating his position.
"But a promise is a promise" He said rubbing Hansel's head, "I will never leave him again."
Duke shuddered, pained by Ivans words. Reaching into his jacker pocket regretfully looking away from him.
"Godefroi said you might say that…" Duke said. "And… I regretfully have to deliver you this decree."
Duke took out a small rolled up parchment with a royal stamp on its ribbon. He sighd as he handed it over to Ivan.
"This….. This is madness!" Ivan yelled reading the document.
"What does it say?" Wiesheng asked politely.
"It says…" Ivan began "I King Godefroi… call upon you Sir Ivan to join ArchBishop Clay in Tolouese to defend him against the coming Coup de tat. Due to the pledgethe houses have made to me… I have the power to select one man from each household, including yours. If you fail to accept my wishes…" Ivan trailed off. He rolled the paper up and squeezed it with his fist, crumpling it up.
"I will have no choice but to take your son, Hansel Dewsburry instead." Duke finished.
"I see," Weisheng said nodding. "As a fellow member of the Kings court, should you resist, I will have no choice but to use force? Understand Ivan?" Weisheng said.
"I do," Ivan said. "And to that I say, do your worst! But my son and I shall never be separated!"
"Very Well" Weisheng said drawing his sword.
"Big brother no!" Ying screamed, running in front of Ivan. "How can you do this! This is wrong!" She yelled.
"It's not my place do decide what is right and wrong," Weisheng answered. "I simply follow orders right Sir Duke?" Weisheng said.
Duke gritted his teeth, unable to answer him.
"Your going to stand around and let this happen!" She screamed at Duke. "Look at what your doing to this family!"
The halls began to fill with the sounds of Hansels cries as he watched his father draw a sword parring up with Weisheng.
"It's a royal decree" Duke said. "It is the law… If we don't uphold the law… we are no more than criminals" Duke answered
"Duke is so... Naive.." Prince thought. "Just like... I was"
"Prepare yourself!" Weisheng yelled.
"Hmph! I need not! With God on my side, I fear no opponent!" Ivan yelled
The two men danced in a circle and then in one swift move closed in on each other clashing their blades.
Cashing!
The two men's attacks were blocked off never reaching their targets.
"Duke?" Ivan said, finding Duke in front of his attack.
".....You…" Weisheng said coming eye to eye with Prince blocking his blade. Their eyes were deadlocked.
"This has gone on far enough" Prince said. "Don't you agree… father" He said.
"Father?" Weisheng said pulling back his blade.
"Yes, I am Sir Ivans bastard child, as you can see, I was able to your attack, proving my ability with the sword." Prince said placing his sword away.
"I was kept a secret, due to Sir Ivans commitment to his wife, even post modem, he didn't want to dishonor her, isn't that right Ivan?" Prince said.
A tear nearly surfaced in Ivan's eye, but catching onto the situation at hand, he forced it back.
"That is true, but this is not a matter of your concern!" He said drawing his blade. "I will not have a son, even a bastard son die at war!" He yelled.
"Father!" Prince yelled. "Look at yourself! Do you really think this is a good example for Hansel!" Prince yelled
Ivan looked down at his son who was hiding behind a pillar behind them. Putting away his sword he made his way back to Hansel.
"Hansel…" Ivan said. "Everything is going to be ok"
"I… I don't want Daddy to go away! Not like mommy did! Don't leave me!" Hansel cried.
Ivan closed his eyes and brought his son close to him, embracing him.
"Fine!" Ivan said. "Do as you want, my son," He said to Prince. "Just come back in one piece,"
"Will do father" Prince said approaching Duke. "Will this do?" He asked Duke.
"As far as I am concerned, the decree has been answered, a male from this house has been selected, are you knighted?" Duke asked.
"No," Prince answered. "My name is one of many controversies, I strayed away from being a knight as to avoid suspicion."
Weisheng walked up to Prince examining him closely.
"Something about his voice," Weisheng thought. "It seems familiar…":
"So then," Wei said. "What exactly is your name?"
"Machievelli" Prince answered.
A wave of silence passed over the group at the name being brought up once again. As Wiesheng looked into Princes eyes, he felt a tinge of animosity build up in him.
"This man…" Wiesheng thought. "His presence is too… fimiliar"
"Very well Machiavelli" Duke said drawing his blade. "Get down on one knee, I will dawn you a knight at once!"
Getting down on his knee, Prince smiled beneath his mask, overcome with excitement.
"Machiavelli Dewsbury" Duke said placing his sword on Prince's shoulder.
"Do you promise to keep and observe the faith?" Duke asked.
"Always" Prince answered
"To love your country and protect all within its borders."
"Always"
"To Respect and defend the weak?"
"Always"
"To never lie or go back on your word?"
"Always"
"To love the King and respect all his decrees"
Prince hesitated for a moment, almost choking on himself. Releasing the time laps, Prince recovered by bowing his head and striking his fist into his heart.
"I promise to love and observe our King until the day I die! Although I went against his wishes earlier… I promise to uphold his decree!"
"Good" Duke said. "Then I Duke de Niche of Paris knight you Machievelli Dewsbury as a knight, upon our arrival in Toulouse you will be provided a squire armor a weapon and bible."
"I already have all of those things," Prince answered. "Also, I actually have an unofficial group that I do work with, are they allowed to come on this journey?" Prince asked.
"The more the better!" Duke smiled. "Now rise! We set off for Toulouse at once!"
Prince rose to his feet, meeting his eyes with Duke.
"Golden hair, a respect for virtue...He looks exactly like I did in the past" Prince said.
"Goodbye father," Prince said waving to Ivan. "Take care of Hansel"
"Farewell… my son" Ivan said holding Hansel.
"Goodbye Mr. King!" Hansel yelled to Prince.
For a moment, just one moment, Prince felt his heart flutter. He had forgotten he had told Hansel the truth about himslef. He needed to get out of the room now before Hansel said any more.
"Mr King?" Weisheng asked. "And what exactly does he mean by that?" Weisaid eyeing Prince.
"He means King Macheievelli" Ying answered. "He often jokes about being the ancient King, he is his ancestor after all, the armor fits him perfectly" Ying said.
"It does…" Wei said dropping his guard. "I guess it was fate for you to have it… maybe your some kind of Prince somewhere in this world." Weisheng said dismissing Prince.
Prince winked at Ying thanking her with his life.
"By the way, Mr. Macheivelli, I know your secret, so why don't we just start Screwing around!" Wei yelled. He drew his sword ready strike down Prince.
"What are you talking about!" Ying yelled.
"Silence sister! Do you two really take me for a fool! This has gone on long enough!"