Fortis

"Ben, it's so nice to see you again," I tell him.

"You too, Lord. I'll admit I was a little surprised when your guards took me from my cell. I thought there would be no more interrogations." Ben mentioned.

I nodded. "That's why I made you stay back. In case I needed more information. Besides, my wife and kids find these entertaining, and so do I." I added with a smirk. "Although, I'm sad to say that this may be the last one. I wrote King Henry yesterday, and I'm expecting a reply soon."

"Then we'll be sure to enjoy this one then," Stephen said.

"Please do. Question, Ben. If I were to declare war on King Henry. How many soldiers would he be able to call upon?" I asked.

Ben

"What?" I asked, taken aback by the question. The first interrogation he did had to do with the crime and a little background information. Why is he all of a sudden digging deeper?

He is trying to figure out if King Henry is a threat, like really checking.

Does he want a war with King Henry?

"You heard me." He said curtly.

"I don't know that kind of information. I'm not his advisor. I'm just a guard." It's true; I don't know how many men he could call upon to fight against Fortis' Army.

"Guess,"

I threw out a number. "One thousand men."

He nodded and smiled. "Not bad. Well, I have two thousand men to call upon."

I convinced myself that it was a bluff and thought nothing of it.

"Impressive," I mumbled, looking down.

Fortis' laugh filled the room. "Alright, you got me. It was a bluff. I have one thousand men to match King Henry's one thousand men. Honest." He said, looking me in the eyes.

He seemed sincere. I don't think Fortis lies about anything he says. He doesn't tell the whole truth. He leaves things out.

I nodded.

"He also has a family. Tell me his wife's and kids' names."

I fear what will happen if I don't.

"His wife's name is Melanie, his firstborn son's name is Alexander, his firstborn daughter's name is Amber, his second daughter's name is Katerina. And his second son is named James." It took so much for me to say all of that. I'm sorry, Lord, Henry. I felt the guilt begin to sink in.

Stephen

"Just out of curiosity," Fortis said. "How old is his second-born daughter?"

I perked up at that. Why is he asking about Katerina?

"Katerina is seventeen," Ben answered, green eyes filled with guilt.

I miss her so much.

Maya looked over at me for a second; then she looked back over at Ben.

I wonder if Katerina and I both weren't royalty and we met, what our lives would be like.

Fortis nodded. "Interesting. You mentioned earlier that you aren't his advisor. If not you, then who is?"

Fortis' voice brought me back to reality. I have to pay attention and stop thinking about her.

"Lord Henry doesn't have an advisor," Ben said.

"Neither do I." Fortis chuckled. "Sad to say that this interrogation has come to an end." Ben relaxed, but he still had that guilty look in his eyes. I would, too, if I just told some essential information to my enemy.

Fortis continued. "I have other things to do today. Thank you for participating willingly, Ben. I will reward you with extra food! That's right! You and Matthew get extra rations for lunch and dinner! Enjoy." Fortis exited the throne room.

Scarlett exited the throne room shortly after Fortis did.

Brody and Luis chained Ben and left the room. To take Ben back to his cell, I presumed.

Maya stayed seated, and so did I. I know she wants to talk.

After the door closed, it was just Maya and I in the room.

"He asked how old Katerina was." She said.

"I know. So what?"

"Maybe he's considering a peace treaty between the two kingdoms," Maya said.

"Just because he considers it doesn't mean he will do it. I'm not getting my hopes up." I growled.

"So what? You have no hope then?" Maya asked.

"Hope is a dangerous thing." I simply said.

Maya shook her head, got up, and left the throne room.

I took a seat in my father's chair and wondered how it would be to rule this kingdom.

A burden, but it has to be done. I can still find happiness in this life, right?

Does ruling the throne with someone you love, make it less of a burden?

I got up from the chair and left the throne room.

Fortis

Scarlett followed me to my office.

"What can I do for you, love?" I asked as I sat down at my desk.

She closed the door behind her.

"Oh, I wanted to read the reply from the wolf king." She said as she took a seat in front of my desk.

I nodded and handed her a copy of the letter I wrote to the wolf king.

She read it.

"Nice points for formality." She joked.

I shook my head. "I see you got jokes."

She smiled.

Just then, Brody and Luis entered my office.

"I don't recall hearing you two knocking," I said bluntly.

"Sorry Lord, it's just that the wolf king sent you a letter," Luis said and handed me the letter. "It's just that we were so excited to hand you this letter; we forgot to knock."

"That's not true; I reminded that fucker to knock," Brody said, throwing Luis under the bus.

Luis did walk in first.

I took the letter and began reading it. "Fucking knock next time, Luis," I growled.

"Sorry, again, Lord," Brody said. He and Luis bowed, then left my office.

"Give them a break; they work hard to please you," Scarlett said.

"You please me better than they do, and you don't even have to try," I smirked.

Scarlett ignored me and rolled her eyes.

"I'll read it out loud. Ready?"

She nodded.

"Dear Fortis
I'm Henry, the king across the River. But you probably already knew that.

"First things first, I agree that the river should be the line between our territories. That should solve the trespassing issue.

"Next, I would like to discuss how you're getting your eight hundred shillings and how I'm getting my guards back. I want to do an exchange at the river.

"I will be there and expect to see you there. You're allowed to bring five guards, and you have my word that I will do the Same. Tomorrow after breakfast is when we will do the exchange, do not be late.

"Last thing I want to bring up, this has nothing to do with the negotiations. I just thought you should know that two of my kids and your two kids met up in the forest twice yesterday. I only caught them the second time. They claim they were exchanging information. If that is true, that makes them traitors.

"Thank you for reading.
~Henry"

I looked up at Scarlett when I was done reading.

She stood up and said. "Let's go interrogate our kids." She grabbed my hand; I got up and followed her.

"This should be interesting," I mumbled

~Dominique