Page 53 of Gilded Crown

Darlim had a special dinner that night to announce Aurelius and his intentions. He explained that Zylem had plotted, killed his Father, and tried to blame Aurelius for it. The usurper was now eyeing Wockston and sought to fatten his lands. The Crown Prince of Nova would be leading the Wockston army into battle and taking back his rightful place.

Aurelius stood and observed the Hall like a snake picking the tastiest prey to swallow whole. He thanked Darlim for his hospitality and aid, and he said all who fought, whether they be lord or commoner, were taking part in a great thing that would be remembered in history. Peace between Nova and Wockston would be forever mortared between them, and Aurelius would never let his greedy brother get his hands on a single inch of Wockston land.

His smiles, confident tone, and the concern he showed for Wockston worked. The courtiers clapped and cheered. Jari knew forever peace was a lie. In a couple of centuries, the rulers could find some reason to be at each other’s throats, and past help between ancestors could be quickly forgotten because someone wanted something or had a stick up their arse.

The others wanted to believe, so they let Aurelius convince them.

Jari kept quiet and wished he could return to their rooms. He’d never eaten at a High Table, and while no one was staring at him, he still felt conspicuous. Aurelius outshined them all at the table with his ramrod posture, looks, and Princely air.

The courtiers were probably just as empty and hollow as the ones in Nova. They settled to eat, and only a few lords were grim. Most of them would fight. Some younger ones, clearly only related to higher-ups, were also old enough to go, and they looked more buoyed by the idea of war.

They probably saw it as a potential chance for glory and were imagining themselves returning with tales of how they hadbravely fought. Jari already knew killing wasn’t fun, and violence could be haunting for the winner.

Aurelius settled next to him to eat. When the courtiers danced after dinner, Darlim went down to find someone to waltz with. Jari had gotten enough exercise lately and didn’t know how to dance, so he picked at his cake which was too sweet while he observed the Hall.

“Lucky, isn’t he?” asked Aurelius.

“Hm?”

“Darlim’s lucky. His reign has been mostly easy. Since he never had a spouse and only wanted a consort, he doesn’t even have to deal with a nagging husband or wife.”

“That seems kind of lonely.” Jari hadn’t been in a rush to marry, and he'd figured it would eventually happen at some point. Nobody had been able to command Darlim to marry since his parents had died years ago in a boat accident. He’d been on the throne at the age of sixteen which was pretty young.

“Some people aren’t the marrying sort,” said Aurelius. “His consort seems agreeable to it.”

Jari didn’t know much about Hesper besides that she gave the King two daughters, came to visit, and lived a few days away. She owned a playhouse, and rich people paid to watch the women wear elaborate costumes and act out epic tales. They also performed some that were done entirely in song and dance.

“I’d rather be married and living with the person,” said Jari.

“I guess not everyone is like that. It’s not like she needs him anyway. Her business must rake in money.”

“I’ll take a piece of wood over shiny silk and high collars any day,” said Jari. “Go ahead and say it. Peasant.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“I know you’re thinking of it.”

Aurelius glanced at him. “I’m rather envious of some peasants now. It can be far simpler.”

Great. Jari felt like an asshole again, and Aurelius hadn’t even really said anything. He was entirely right because most commoners didn’t watch their families go insane and treat each other like filth. He probably envied anyone who didn’t have to worry about life and death so much.

***

Jari slept on the horrid pink couch which was quite comfortable. He had a blanket that also matched, and many pink sheep must have been sheared for their wool. Two people lying on the couch would be a bit tight but manageable, and by himself, he had plenty of room.

He better enjoy it. They’d be sleeping in bedrolls a lot once they left which weren’t the worst and certainly not the best either.

Aurelius was busy the next morning. Darlim had written and sent out notices the day before so lords and soldiers in the south would know to gather at the Castle. Other plans for supplies and such had to be worked out. It was probably much easier working with Darlim who wouldn’t send out orders for ridiculous amounts of arrows.

Jari didn’t have to suck up to courtiers here, so he went out to join a group of men in the training yard. He’d done some practicing in the backyard when he’d last worked at his carpenter job since he liked the activity and it kept him fit.

Life and its various problems were hard to think about too much when he had to put all of his focus into attacking an “enemy” with a wooden sword. The guards practicing didn’t mind an extra who had real skill and wasn’t wasting their time. A few gave him pointers on footwork and certain moves.

Later in the morning, Jari’s world had narrowed down to one man who was putting up a good fight. Jari managed to get his sword close to the guard’s neck and win. They backed away fromeach other to catch their breath. Jari glanced at another pair going at it and wiped his forehead as he turned. A wooden fence surrounded the training yard, and Aurelius was leaning against the gate with a blank expression.

How long had he been watching?

“I do believe you’ll last at least a minute in battle.” Aurelius opened the gate.

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