I haven't slept appropriately for nearly a week since my coronation. Everyone who believes being a king is comfortable is certainly wrong. Many issues need my attention in my newly acquired territories, mostly from the resistance of nobles to the Blue Order. Those in Oceanhall are more obedient since my uncle has suitable methods to get rid of his unruly vassals. But those in Meath and Summervalley are unreliable, house Aetherwolf is put in an order now but their vassals are disastrous. If killing them doesn't create more enemies, I will do it immediately.
Haizz. I look outside the window, it must be around midnight right now. I'm just an 11 years old child and I need to sleep properly to grow up. My wolves have enjoyed themselves long ago after they have their dinner. If UNICEF existed in this world, I would have reported about abusing the children's workforce. But there is not, so I have to sit here, read and sign these papers while complaining to increase my mood.
Somebody knocks on my office, I say:
- Come in.
Charles gets inside and bow:
- Your majesty, I bring news about the Shadow Ranger that you have just created.
- Good, continue.
- Mushashi has managed to recruit 45 men until now, which is not as half as you demanded. However, both of us believe that we should concentrate on those who are loyal with decent ability rather than those who are more skillful but we can not guarantee their loyalty.
- That's reasonable, they'll conduct secret missions for us so we need both trustworthy and skillful people. How is the training going?
- Your majesty, now we are training according to what you've told us. They are being trained to fire arrows continuously using short bows while climbing walls. I've set up a secret camp and build some houses for them to practice parkour. Moreover, Mushashi also teaches them how to fight with two swords.
- I'll need them to be ready in a year, so ask Mushashi to speed up the training plan. Any news about the nobles?
- There have been detected of violating our law even when the Blue Order soldiers show up, your majesty. How should we deal with them?
- Crucify them. We need to make examples for those who have the intention to follow their actions. No mercy, we need to stabilize the kingdom as soon as possible.
Crucifying seems cruel since it gives people slow and painful deaths. However, many nobles are corrupted and know nothing aside from robbing and harming the small folks for no reason. To make my kingdom thrive, its citizens must be rich. So severe solutions are suitable for problematic people. Some might dislike or fear me; however, the small folks will love me more than loving their lords, which is useful in increasing my influence in my realm.
I look over the information that my spies gather about what is happening in the Heathen Kingdom. It seems like Khal Kjartan is facing real problems since other Khals of the Grasslands have allied to oppose him after hearing he is being defeated by the Alleinstein Kingdom's army. But his military might is not weak, there are rumors about he can control thousands of eagles and use them as scouts along with a fighting unit to cause catastrophic damage to his enemies.
I ask Charles:
- Have our emissary to the Heathen Kingdom come back?
- Just recently, your majesty.
- How does he describe how Khal Kjartan's attitude toward him?
- He wasn't sure, your majesty. But he was treated nicely and didn't face any insults.
- So even Khal Kjartan fears being attacked from two directions. Deliver my order, send food, tools, and weapons to aid him. In return, as for a non-aggression pact with him. If we can promote our friendship, there will be someday the famous Moon Riders of the Heathen Kingdom fight side by side with us.
- They are barbarians, how can we make friends with them? Even if we do, is it wiser to seek alliances among the Khals of Grasslands? They have the upper hand in the current war with Khal Kjartan.
- Your opinion is right but not wise. If we help Khal Kjartan, he'll appreciate us more since we aid him in times of trouble. The khals of Grassland are far superior to us and won't view us as equal as them. They can have more men, Charles, but that is their problem. It is hard for them to collaborate with each other. Sooner or later, these ambitious men will end their alliance and fight among themselves.
- I understand now, your majesty. Sorry for questioning you.
- It's fine, if there isn't anything else, you're dismissed.
- May the gods bless you, King Ivar.
- Gods bless you too, Charles.
Charles closes the door after leaving my office. Stand up and do several exercises to lesson my body, I wake my sleepy wolves up and we go to my chamber, where I find my comfortable after a hard-working day
*************
- Lord Kruger, I have found some suspicious documents in the documentary room. Please have a look at them.
Kruger, the new lord of Meath, takes the documents from his chancellor and carefully inspect it. After a while, his eyes widen in surprise. He whisper:
- If these documents are true, it means that house Pyrell had hired the Beastmen to attack us and that Pyrell whore was the one poisoned the king's mother.
Breathe deeply to regain his calm, Kruger investigate the documents further. In the Abandon Forest, House Pyrell has good relationship with some Beastmen tribes by offering them young women as tributes. Elizabeth Pyrell, who is the formal king Mathel's wife, had bribed a maid working for house Fortuna to poison Lady Fortuna while carrying his majesty in her belly. Although Lady Fortuna was saved successfully, she died after giving birth to King Ivar. The maid who was bribed succeed to escape to house Pyrell's teritory.
Kruger clenched his fists and order his subordinates:
- Find the maid, capture her family and bring to Neverwinter. Send these documents to the king so that he'll know about the truth. I will accept no failure, this mission is related to the king himself.
- Our wishes are your command.
***********
( Khal Kjartan's POV)
- We appreciate your support, tell King Ivar that I give him my deepest thanks. Of course we accept your offer of signing a non-aggression pact under the witness of the gods. I will give him my sword as a sign of friendship between us. Now, take your time to rest and feast, Fortunian messenger, our cuisine is famous throughout the peninsula.