Page 50 of Gilded Crown

The Castle wasn’t as big as the sprawling Palace that he’d gotten used to, but it wasn’t small either. Their horses were put up in the stable, and they were led inside. Courtiers here and there whispered as they saw the group, and Jari’s heart pounded as they were taken to a set of double doors on the top floor.

What if Darlim said “just kidding” and had them tossed in prison to be taken away later? Of course, he wouldn’t quite say that, but Jari wasn’t exactly trustful of royalty. Being rather hungover didn’t help either.

Chapter Eleven

Darlim’s hair was entirely white, and he had a bit of a paunch like many men his age. Jari and the Prince sat in front of the desk, and the King sent for a servant to bring them mellyball tea.

“Are there any more people with you that you’d like to bring?” asked Darlim.

Aurelius shook his head. Darlim looked at Jari, alert but trying to relax, and Aurelius, prim and proper in his fancy coat and trousers. Jari couldn’t figure out how he’d managed to keep it from getting wrinkled in his pack.

“Are you two lovers?” asked Darlim.

“No,” Jari said a little too fast, and he cringed inside.

“No,” Aurelius added with a hint of offense.

“Well, he’s come all of the way here with you, so-”

“He’s with me for certain reasons that are a bit complicated,” said Aurelius. “Anything said to me can be said around him.”

“You asked for my army,” continued Darlim. “That’s quite a request. I keep a large one, but I’m not a warmonger. I don’t seek trouble, and I’d prefer to remain peaceful. The large army is only to discourage others from stepping on my toes. It seems to have worked.”

“I understand. The problem is that it won’t be long before you need to use it anyway. When my Father was with King David, it was said they planned to join their Kingdoms.”

“I’d heard,” said Darlim. “They were quite close.”

“It’s also said that they planned to take yours too and split it between them. Wockston, Zora, and Nova were one country to begin with. In the past years, he’s also spoken to me and my brothers about taking over Wockston although he never made a real move toward it. He wasn’t comfortable with going to warwith King David, and I think you can see David is the same, considering the tension mostly simmers and hasn’t exploded yet. My brothers were quite in agreement with taking over Wockston. To them, you were simply a chunk of land to be added to their inheritance. They told Eurig to go for it and then deal with Zora so our family would have it all.”

Jari was pretty sure that was a lie, but if it made Darlim take note and seek to protect his borders, so be it. Darlim folded his hands over his stomach as he leaned back in his large chair.

“My brothers also said unpleasant things about your daughters,” said Aurelius. “Things I won’t repeat.”

“I heard Zylem saying something I won’t repeat either,” Jari added simply to drive the point in. He hadn’t, and he wasn’t sure if the Crown Prince had either, but Zylem was the sort who’d probably let the army have them just to be cruel and spiteful if it crossed his mind. The lives of others meant nothing to him.

Darlim’s jaw tightened. Truth or lies, it worked. No man likes another to say or imagine such things about his daughters. A portrait of them by the door showed both in silk dresses, wide sleeves, and velvet lacing with their dark curls draped over their shoulders.

“I’d prefer not to send any of my men to potential death,” said Darlim.

“Would you prefer the certain death of many? Zylem was particularly interested in war. If I don’t get my Kingdom back, you’ll not only lose soldiers, you’ll lose men, women, and children in your towns. Zylem isn’t the type to tell his army to refrain from killing innocents if possible, and he won’t care if the army rapes and slaughters as they please. In fact, he’d probably order innocents to be put to the sword. Lives mean nothing to him. He is not a kind man, and war would only worsen him. I think the murder of our Father shows that.”

Darlim’s brow furrowed as he seemed to be imagining what Zylem would order. Whatever horrible images were playing in his head made him straighten, and a servant entered at that moment with a tray. He only spoke again once she left.

“I’ll let you have my army, but what are you going to do if you take back Morning Glory? I’m sure the rest of the Kingdom would quickly fall in line behind you since you’re the rightful ruler.”

“Once I have my proper spot, and I’ve avenged my Father, I would combine what’s left of my army with yours and go south to ensure Zora stays within its borders.”

“No.” Darlim pursed his lips. “I don’t want my army to continue south.”

“King David never had special feelings for me,” said Aurelius. “I’m not Eurig, and David wouldn’t give a shit about me or my brothers.”

“Which is exactly why he may pull back. No feelings, no grudges.”

“Or he might not and decide to take over since I’d have fewer Novan men to protect my Kingdom with. What would be holding him back?”

It sounded like Darlim would agree to things as long as Aurelius didn’t demand to get his entire way. Jari tried to give him a warning glance, but the Prince didn’t look at him.

Darlim finally picked up his teacup. “Your brother is a concern, but with him out of the way, I’d prefer my men to go home afterward. Write to King David, speak to him, and if it seems things may collapse, I’ll revisit my decision. I won’t permit my men to simply follow you right into another war after the first. If you can resolve things without trouble, let it be. If not, I can send my army back to aid you. King David and I have never exchanged so much as a single word, but if he plans to takeNova, I’ll help so that he doesn’t get too big and start eyeing me too.”

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