Chapter 27 #2
“While you two bicker about whose sword is bigger, we have a more important problem. I’ve already begun reviewing the numbers and, as I suspected, the census is proving worse than our original calculations.
” Mina’s eyes scanned the scrolls of parchment laid out before her.
“We must assume this trend will continue as we complete the other territory visits. By my extrapolations, we must decrease rations.”
My heart dropped, and I wanted to believe she was wrong.
But despite any other shortcomings Mina had, her arithmetic was not one of them.
Her analytical skills had safely navigated us through fluctuations in population and Vassal donations for many, many years.
She knew I would stand for no exaggerations, and she would not be making this declaration if she weren’t certain.
“Re-run your equations,” I demanded, still partially in denial.
“I’ve re-checked them thrice, brother.”
Orin, having likely already discussed Mina’s concerns, sought to direct my attention.
“The Heart will not take well to this news; it is important you quell fears before the trip to Lyr. Let me focus my efforts with the Parcaetes and building a solid plan. You were always better at politics than me.”
Esiree looked at me concerned, still perhaps not grasping the full weight of telling an entire city of Vampyr that they’d be receiving even smaller portions.
“Do not alter the rations until I say so,” I instructed them both. I needed to find a way to communicate this to my people before anything commenced.
My sister nodded, understanding the seriousness of our decision.
“Master Tyber, please extend my congratulations to your team for this small victory. I am certain we are on the precipice of making great strides against our common foe.”
Tyber lowered his head in deference and gratitude, looking pleased.
“We should focus our efforts on speeding up production of the weapon,” Orin added, trying to turn the conversation back to the matter at hand.
Master Tyber turned to look at me, awaiting my decision and knowing full well that my command was the only one the Parcaetes would follow.
They knew that in the event of my undoing, they were to destroy any evidence and flee if possible.
Their unique knowledge could be twisted toward dark ends, and for that reason, I had ensured the dissolution of their existence should my kingdom fall into the wrong hands.
“They must stay the dual course on a cure,” I disagreed.
“Your Majesty—”
I cut him off. “We are going to starve, Orin. Does Mina need to state it any more plainly? Our existence is just as much under threat as the humans’.”
Orin sat back into his seat, folding his arms across his chest.
“We must protect the humans; they are our life source. We cannot let them succumb to the Forlorn. Even if we defeat them, the human populations will not replenish quickly enough. We must find a cure!” I declared, slamming my fist on the table.
Regret overtook me instantly as a startled Esiree placed a hand to her chest and gasped.
Tyber appeared conflicted, seeing the dissent between Orin and I, but also understanding that my decision was always final.
“I am confident we will remain steadfast on both endeavors. Each territory affords us new learnings to apply to the weapon’s development. In between visits, I will instruct my team to redirect their efforts to the search for a cure.”
I nodded at him, and then he stood while making the closing statements to officially conclude the Council meeting.
I strode swiftly back toward the Royal Hall. Too swiftly for Es to keep up. Before I realized it, I was many paces ahead and had forgotten the unnatural ease with which I could fall into my Vampyr cadence. I retreated quickly to her side.
“I apologize; I was distracted.”
“It’s okay, it’s just always odd to see you move like that. It reminds me of the day…”
“The day I proclaimed you’d be my wife?” I said, finishing the thought for her, the words sparking the memory of that moment.
I had been terrified as the Forlorn closed in around us, but the astonishment alight in her eyes when the words escaped my lips gave me all the strength I needed to protect her.
“Yes,” she answered.
“And I was correct in my assessment that you’d make a proper queen.”
“You never said that,” Es stated with momentary confusion.
“I didn’t need to. It was intuition. I would not have asked for your hand if I didn’t believe it to be true.”
I grabbed her wrist and lifted it, inspecting the ring I had designed for her where it sat so delicately atop her finger.
“You know, my mother told me that a kingdom once went to war for these stones.”
She looked up at me as I appraised the jewelry with curious nostalgia.
“What makes a shiny rock worth waging war?”
I chuckled. “It’s just a fairytale, but supposedly they have the power to take you anywhere in the world.”
She smiled innocently, hearing me replay what my mother had told me in my youth.
“Well, if they could do that, where would you want to go?” She played along sweetly, before a more deviant gaze overcame her angelic expression.
“I should like to be in the Falls.” I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her tightly to me. “With you. Alone,” I murmured close to her cheek.
Her heartbeat began to pitter-patter the way it did when she was excited. The look in her eyes daring, not scared.
“I suppose I could use a wash,” she said coyly, accepting my invitation, and I had to exert every ounce of my will to maintain the facade of self-control, to keep myself from tearing the garments from her body and carrying her all the way to our destination.
When we arrived at the Falls it was late into the evening, and my sleepless citizens were already well occupied by their illicit engagements.
I stood in the middle of the damp walkway that led deeper into the cavern.
I halted for a moment, still clasping her hand in mine before I roared a command.
Loud enough to overcome the deafening sounds of the rushing water and the primal noises that surrounded their… activities.
“Leave! Now.” I paused, suddenly faced with the stunned expressions of my citizens. Esiree’s hand clenched mine nervously. “Everyone.”
All of a sudden, nude Vampyr began to make their way toward the exit.
Some walking casually, with annoyed expressions and remarks of disdain, and others who blurred past us in fear, having never witnessed me command such a thing in the Falls.
Within mere moments the entire area had emptied, leaving me and Es to one another’s company.
“Have you ever done that before? Cleared the Falls?” she asked, wide-eyed.
“Never,” I answered earnestly. “I find myself uncharacteristically out of sorts in your presence.”
“It’s okay for a king to be selfish. Sometimes.”