The soldier stands at attention. His silver plate burnished to a dull shine. The Grand Duke Agro, Duke of Rockport and Right Hand of the King approaches at a dignified pace that belies the urgency of the news he carries. News and a request, neither of which the King will want to hear. Agro nearly sighs. His job is nothing if not difficult. When he reaches the great, black oak door that stands between the throne room and the rest of the palace, he comes to a stop. The two soldiers who stand guard at the door both have their swords drawn but stand at attention. They make no move. A functionary who sits at a small table near the door stands up and steps to the door. He knocks three times on the great oak door. It opens. The small man bows to the throne that sits in the distance. Then he turns to the Grand Duke and bows again. He stays in this position as the Grand Duke enters. Proper etiquette observed, the functionary sits back down at his desk without a word. The Grand Duke smiles. All is as it should be.

The throne room is built to impress. The walls are adorned with flags of all seventeen of the Dukes who serve the King. There, right near the throne, on the wall is the Grand Duke's flag. It depicts a pair of standing hawks facing outward and holding halberds. Grand Duke Agro feels a thrill of family pride every time he sees it there in the second most powerful position of the kingdom. Behind the throne hangs the flag of the Kingdom. Green hills under the sun with a blue sky background, upon which a Roc flies with seventeen arrows clutched in its right claw.

A crowd stands in waiting around the throne room. This is where all the true business of the Kingdom happens. Agro can see at least three other Dukes standing talking with councilors of the throne. Certainly trying to eke out any advantage they could for their individual Duchies.

The Grand Duke glances forward at the King who sits in his throne. Grey hair lays flat against his skull. His eyes, although sunken, hold deep intelligence. The stare unblinking at the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke gets to the end of the red runner carpet and stops. He kneels on one knee and slightly bows his head as is appropriate for a man of his station. Along the walls, seventeen knights stand at attention in full battle armor. One from each of the Duchy's that comprise the kingdom. They are part of the Elite Guard. Those who have sworn their lives to protect the King and the royal family.

The King nods to Grand Duke Agro. "Rise," his voice is quiet. He stretches forth his hand and beckons the Grand Duke closer. A private conference then. No one is allowed within twenty paces of the throne without the King's invitation. This ensures privacy.

"What news? How goes the war?" the king asks.

The Grand Duke shakes his head slowly. "How is your health, sire?"

The king shakes his head quickly from side to side. "What news, Agro?" he asks with greater urgency.

"Not good, sire. Not good at all, I am afraid." Agro holds an official message in his right hand. He raises it a bit as if to emphasize the news within. "This just arrived not half an hour ago from General Durrant."

The king waited patiently for more.

The Grand Duke waited also.

"Agro, I am not a man with much time left to me. Quit playing politics and tell me what news," the king demanded.

"Sire. The war will be lost within four sevens. General Durrant asks for more assistance."

"Yet we have nothing else for him," the King states with a flat voice.

"Correct." Agro clears his throat slightly.

The king smiles slightly. "Obviously you have an idea Agro. Spit it out then, what is it."

"The princess sire."

The King shakes his head violently.

Agro raises his left hand as if to put it on the King's shoulder. "I know you have said this is a closed topic, but I believe it is our only chance. If she were to marry the Northern Prince, sire, they have already agreed to a cessation of hostilities."

The King lowered his head slightly. "I promised her mother. I cannot break my vow."

"And so you will jeopardize the lives of every citizen to keep your word?" Agro asked.

"That has always been the difference between us," the king said.

The Black Oak Sword

Chapter 1: Part 1
Chapter 1: Part 2
Chapter 1: Part 3

© 2017, Stone Golem Publishing

**All pictures used are labeled for reuse. They come from Max Pixel

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