Issues in Fate

Entering the grand, arching throne room, I immediately stiffen at the tense air. Not even the dustlight shifts as my companions and I stop in front of King Arwen. We  know why we were summoned, we stand, backs straight and shoulders tense, waiting for the inevitable. I try not to fidget under his scrutinizing gaze.

“You come into my kingdom-” he starts “-where I graciously host you on your quest…” he pauses, carefully looking at each of us, “and then you act without my accord.” His voice is like the calm before a storm, I focus on the light streaming through the windows behind him. “When a threat falls to my kingdom, I am a mere afterthought in your minds. Instead of waiting for my men, who are trained and loyal guards sworn to protect the walls of Gwent, YOU-” his voice suddenly booms, making us jump “-Paladins, decide to recklessly charge in.”

He sweeps his gaze over us, but we are frozen from his cold anger, so he turns to the two Princes and the Princess who have joined us, standing off to the side of the throne he sits upon, “and you three allowed this?” The tone is quiet but threatening, eyes narrowed and jaw set.

“The Witch had sent her Evil Eyes”, the Eldest prince, Theo, speaks, arms crossed behind his back as he avoids looking directly at his Uncle. “If information got back to her that we are within these walls, she would charge straight for Gwent.”

“Besides,” the princess Aria steps forward urgently, looking defiantly into her father’s eyes, “the Paladins answer to the Fates, not to the kingdom. They are the ones that called them to action!”

“And you answer to ME!” He declares, leaning toward his daughter, “all orders for protecting the kingdom should come from me! I should not have to find out what is already occurring from my advisor!” 

I feel a twinge of anger, fingers twitching behind my back.

Why does it feel like he cares more about his pride than of any danger to his people, or family?

The youngest prince, Edward, scoffs and folds his arms, “well if your advisor’s magic was competent we would have been able to ask for permission, but since it is not and you were away, the paladins had no choice but to deal with the issue at hand.”

I gawk at his words, looking from Edward’s smug look to the Advisor’s darkening gaze. Why does E look so pleased about starting a fight?

The Advisor leans forward, clutching his staff a little tighter, “the issue at hand? The issue at hand is that the quest of the Fates is bringing monsters to your Uncle’s kingdom. Sure the Paladins had one victory and procured a gem, but what about next time? What ills will fall to the kingdom for the sake of the Paladins?”

Us? 

“So you’d prefer the Witch to come here instead?” Princess Aria challenges, cocking her head.

“I’d PREFER”, King Arwen growls, “to not be undermined in my own kingdom!”

This is ridiculous, they’re just arguing in circles. 

Not caring for what defenses the younger royals start spouting, I gather my courage.

“Pardon me, your highnesses,” I talk over the Princess, hiding my angry fists behind my back, “might I be permitted to speak?”

King Arwen’s brows raise, head snapping toward us like he forgot we were there, before he nods and sweeps his hand out, gesturing to the floor, “by all means, what do you have to say?”

I grit my teeth at the condescending tone, ignoring my companion’s questioning gazes as I take a step forward.

“Your highness, I may not know much about war, or the intergracies of running a kingdom, but I don’t believe bickering amongst yourselves will help anyone.”

His brows raise even higher as he leans back, “do you also believe in taking matters of my kingdom into your hands?”

“Yes, actually,” I say with only a moment of hesitation, making his eyes narrow and thin frown set, “because I was under the impression that the Evil Eyes were directly feeding information to the Witch and needed to be dealt with at utmost importance.” 

Then, addressing my other frustration, “I would also not fault the advisor”, I direct to the Princess and Princes, “as he did as well as he could, in at least informing your highness on the danger.”

They seem surprised at being called out, but Prince Edward rolls his eyes, “please, all he did was tell you not to help and then stand around while you did as you pleased”. 

“Matters of my kingdom should be dealt with by my people, my soldiers,” the king informs his nephew, whose stance is nowhere near as formal as the rest of the room’s. “Which my advisor knows far more than you, it seems.”

Quickly, sensing another argument brewing, I continue, “I understand that you have fine guards, and that they are more than captible at protecting your kingdom, but me and my companions are here, so we will do everything we can to help you with this war against the Witch.”

“That’s all well and good but you are still inexperienced strangers,” Prince Edward reminds, arms still crossed as he looks past his nose with a smirk, “not even strong enough to be considered part of a guard, or did you forget?”

“Edward!” Princess Aria interrupts, brows creased indignantly.

He shrugs, “what? That’s why the Fates are putting them through this “quest” in the first place, isn’t it?”

“Probably”, I agree, glancing over his arrogant face, “and we are strangers, even to each other. Us paladins have met each other only days ago, yet we have shown more unity than all of you.” 

Now it’s my turn to pin them with my gaze, “we are willing to face any challenges to assure this war is won. A WAR, by the way, that has nothing to do with us, but everything to do with you.”

The King shifts, his elbow resting on the arm rest, hand on his chin, pondering. 

My anger and confidence build, “because it is YOUR people, YOUR lands that are being ravaged and killed. Yet you sit here squabbling about orders and power, and putting each other down. Yes, we may not have heeded the Advisor, but he is still a powerful sorcerer, and we are going to face a Witch!”

I sweep my eyes over everyone. Princess Aria and Prince Theo flit their gazes away, but Prince Edward maintains eye contact. There’s a fire in his eyes as his fists clench, stepping out to fully face me, “who are you to tell me what is right? You’re still a peasant from a different land, you should know your place”

“Edward”, the Heir now admonishes, stepping forward to stop his younger brother from doing something rash. 

The King turns his unreadable stare away to watch his hot headed nephew.

“And why are you attacking everyone?” I bite back with the same energy, one of my companions grabbing my shoulder to stop me from taking a step forward as well, “you are the youngest of the royal line yet you act like YOU’RE a king! People are DYING and yet no one can seem to be able to put down their ego or ARROGANCE!” I spit the last word directly at the fuming Prince.

“How DARE-” he starts, easily pushing past the more timid Theo. His attempt to launch at me is stopped short, however, by his nose slamming into a shimmering barrier. Behind him the advisor’s staff is lit up, the spell cast the moment prince Edward took a step. 

Edward curses and stumbles back.

“That is ENOUGH!” The King's voice commands at the same time, stilling everyone, even Edward, who is clutching his nose. 

“I’ve heard just about ENOUG-!”

“-Hey Ashlyn”, a voice shocks me out of my daydream, making me jump and spin around wild eyed.

What greets me is my coworker’s face, wearing an amused smile, “Where do you want to go for lunch?”

Blinking dumbly, glancing back at my computer where I was mindlessly inputting data.

“Uhm”, stall, grabbing the mug next to the screen, hoping the sip of my coffee will ground me to the present.

It’s cold.

What time is it?

“Uh-” I check the time.

It’s already lunch?

I hastily save and grab my purse, joining her as we walk toward the exit. She’s patient as I try to untangle my mind from the fantasy setting it was weaving

“I’m indecisive”, I settle on, flashing a smile, “where do you wanna go?”