High King Brian Boru was an old man but not an old fool. He knew what his words meant. The gravity under every syllable. Asking Kazi, a foreigner, to lead the army was controversial as it was vital to the future of the kingdom. The king's eyes were an amalgamation of years of study and strategy, of legendary battle and wisdom of people.
"Ard Rí! Your Highness—"
If Kazi stayed quiet, then Marchad might see him as a threat.
"Your Highness, I appreciate the offer, but I must decline." Kazi gestured to Marchad. "Your son is the only man capable of leading this army, of fighting back against these invaders."
"Yet the Lord sent us a man of your beauty and wisdom. I cannot see why else you would be here?"
It always had to be like this, huh? Those wide eyes, that sense of affirmation, the thought that he would solve all their problems—that they were waiting for him.
