11 To the North

"Mother, let's return,"

"Son, you must know that not every one at the Assembly cares for your welfare--"

"Mother, my welfare has been put foremost for sixteen years. It is time for me to also put my people first. I've decided, mother. I'm going to the North and to General Zarin,"

***

"Your majesty, let us allow General Zarin to take care of the-- of the bandits, for now," this was Left Minister Larheen, who was over the treasury. Most Left Ministers nodded in agreement.

"You mean we should let him deploy the Army?" the prime minister drawled unpleasantly.

"Yes I do-- what other option do we have? Admit, prime minister, this is the only way. Except you want to go to the North personally?" Left Minister Larheen gave a wicked grin. For a second the prime minister was disgruntled.

"I would sooner have sent my sons Taurus and Picus -- but--"

"They are dead," snapped General Harfad unkindly. The prime minister clenched his fists and shot daggers at him with his eyes.

"Harfad-- " the king said in a warning tone. There was no order anymore in the court now that war was imminent.

"Pardon, my king," said off the tip of their tongues was the excuse to continue talking.

"Prime minister, this is not the time for your personal sentiments. Truly, General Zarin is nothing compared to heroes like Taurus and Picus, who happen to be your sons. However, we give it to General Zarin that he has been doing a good job for years at the Northern Border," the person speaking seemed so far to be the only sensible one in the room, an old statesman, from the Right Assembly, in full armour. The king detested him, but could not help admitting that he was right.

"Lord Erhan, I did not grant you leave to talk," the king growled.

Lord Erhan chuckled and the court all looked at him.

"I don't need to kowtow and seek your permission to let out some air out of my lungs, Andros."

"We all know that you are an elder...but you should give his majesty his due respect!" the prime minister flared.

"As I was saying," Lord Erhan continued uninterrupted, "Zarin will handle the magic users just fine,"

"Hmphh-- your majesty, let us put it to the vote!" someone said.

"To the vote!" he was supported by several voices.

"Go ahead then," the king said.

A number of nobles stepped out and bowed to the king.

"We are in support of General Zarin deploying the Army, your majesty!"

Even simply glancing over the number of nobles who stayed behind, one already knew the outcome of the vote.

"Against, your majesty!" Said the rest of the court when those in support had resumed their places.

"And what would you rather that will be done?" asked the king.

They spoke with one voice.

"Allow the Crown Prince to take over control of the Northern Border, your majesty!"

"What-- the crown prince?" the queen was shocked. Just when she wanted to bring the topic back to the coronation rites!

The prime minister seized his chance.

"Your majesty, let the crown princess selection be ongoing while the heir is away. Upon his return, the coronation will take place,"

"Good idea," half the court agreed with him.

"In that case, your majesty-- a new rites minister should be selected right away and the title stripped from the former bearer for disregarding the king's decree," the prime minister said in a wicked tone. From all angles it seemed that the Rites minister had offended him.

The king saw that he was hemmed in. There was nothing for it. He simply had to do what the prime minister said.

"Very well," he sighed, "let the selection process begin,"

The prime minister saved himself the trouble of saying he already had the man for the job and instead the whole court, even Lord Erhan, favored Right minister Zareed, a wiry haired man from the west side of Valencia.

"Greetings and respect to the Crown of Valencia," the new Minister for Rites paid his customary respect, bowing deeply from the waist to the king.

"Queen, since you are over the crown princess selection, you must henceforth work hand in hand with the Rites minister. Nothing must go wrong," the king ordered.

The queen turned to face the throne and curtsied deeply.

"I will abide, your majesty!"

The Rites minister bowed a second time, both to the king and queen.

"Prince Theon?" the king called next.

"The Crown Prince!" the chief eunuch repeated shrilly.

Prince Theon turned round and got down on one knee.

"I await your decree, king father!"

The king rose from his throne for emphasis. Everyone in the hall bowed.

"Theon, my second son and third child, accept my decree -- from henceforth, you are in command of the Northern Border, under the title of General Husaad,"

"Yes, my king!" Theon rose, "I depart at once to take command at the Northern Border as General Husaad under your majesty's command!" he exited the hall immediately, as a solider should.

.....

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