This choice: The Counsel Hears from Sir Nascar Kirwin • Go Back...Chapter #7The Counsel Hears from Sir Nascar Kirwin by: ♫~ Kenword~♫   The eyes that had studied the air around them suddenly locked on Sir Cleven. He nodded his head and all the eyes went to Sir Nascar Kirwin. I too was compelled to look on the Lord of Arts and Letters. I broke the silence with my own nod.
“The floor is yours, Sir Kirwin.”
He lifted himself from the chair and looked from counsel member to counsel member and then finally at me. He seemed as tall as a redwood sapling and as trim. His beard was groomed into a tidy triangle that still covered his thin lips. The blue velvet tunic he wore over a white linen shirt was decorated with the coat of arms of the Kirwin house - A red shield that pictured a knight in golden armor astride a white stallion prepared to launch into battle.
Given Sir Kirwin’s love of the royal parlors, I nearly laughed at the sight of so genteel a Lord adorning himself. Still it was important to observe my manners, despite the fact he was not my image of the dragon slayer his house used to represent. Frankly, I was surprised that he would wear anything that esteemed violence.
“You have called a counsel Your Majesty, I believe, because the seven houses that have vied for allegiance in the past will once again determine our fate. If you will agree that we are a nation, then I will say those words. They will demand our allegiance once more as a nation.”
Kirwin’s voice was heartier than I could remember, and while taking the long way around to his point, I could bare the weight of his journey. And I did not interrupt.
“If you do not disagree, then I will say it more clearly. We are the nation of Dimbersmere. We were formed to live autonomously from all other powers. Our forefathers were hunters and warriors who prepared for the generations to come, a land where we can live in peace and happiness.”
Sir Cleven nodded at Tome and Sladhock and they both uttered a sturdy, “aye.” I’m sure my face betrayed by my soul’s appreciation of the comedy that was unfolding before me.
“As we know,” Kirwin continued, “Lord Afertyson, has wanted an alliance between his landholdings and our nation. He of course has no more strength against any aggressor than we ourselves possess, however he does have one thing that we do not and that is a powerful alliance with House Lassiter.” Sir Kirwin paused to let this news sink in.
The alliance between Lord Afertyson and House Lassiter was well known to me and I’m sure Sladhock, Tome and Cleven had been discussing the worth of such an alliance for some time. But besides holding no love for the other Houses, Lassiter was in no way on common ground with Dimbersmere.
As if reading my thoughts Kirwin said, “Lassiter has of course, less favor with the other houses than we do, and they tend to be more accustom to fighting than diplomacy, but they are feared by the other houses because of their violent nature and with some increase in economic fortune they could re-arm themselves and become a powerful protector for both Dimbersmere and Lord Afertyson.”
Tome was about to say “aye” when I stood from my chair.
“If you are suggesting we try to gain favor with this grissly friend of Lord Afertyson by re-arming them I would bid you consider a different course immediately. They are not a house to be trusted, especially if they are well armed.
Tome, his shaggy beard getting grayer by the minute, rolled his saucer eyes and grunted towards the king.
“You needn’t worrby ‘bout does prospects Mi Lord,” he said pushing a cloth against his lips to dry them. “We’ve nuffin Lassiter can use except our food. None of us affordin’ no army now. But they are a feared bunch, I say.”
Sir Kirwin blushed and nodded at Tome. “He is right your Majesty. An able bodied army fully armed is out of our reach…for now.” Naskars eyes widened and seemed to become bluer. What is called for, and is the most important thing I can say to this counsel, is a marriage.”
“A marriage your grace,” Sladhock interrupted, “will help the merchants in every one of the villages. The merchants doing well will help the farmers and hunters and craftsmen to have buyers for their goods.”
As Sir Clemens rose to address me, Sir Kirwin raised a finger and lay it carefully beside his nose. “Pardon me Lord King, for just one moment,” he said, “ Will be right back.”
My hand went involuntarily to my forhead and I rubbed the furrows that were forming without permission from their Lord.
“The proposition is dependent on how badly you want to have a kingdom that will be a legacy for our children,” Sir Cleven began. “You will eventually need a Queen, My Lord or your legacy will die right here and now. Consider a Queen now and all of the possibilities of being in servitude the unholy seven for the next hundred years begin to fade.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I looked each of my counsel members in the eye. Tome’s black saucers seemed sympathetic and warm. Sladhock’s eyes were steely and gray and narrowed. Cleven’s were smiling and jittery. He blinked several times and I felt the smirk underneath his gaze that challenged mine.
The door burst open and Sir Kirwin led two servants into the counsel chamber carrying a large picture covered with a black curtain. Another servant came in with an easel and the picture was put on display before the counsel.
“This is a gift your Majesty,” Sir Kirwin said, laying a hand on one of the lower corners of the curtain. “Behold – the dutchess of Afertyson.” Naskar’s hand swept the corner of the curtain upward and over the picture frame revealing the newly created painting of Lydia Aftertyson.
For a moment my breathing stopped as my heart pushed upwards past my throat. All the air around me was alive with the heavy sighs of men longing to be young again.
Word Count = 1029   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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