Much to her surprise the plan has worked perfectly.
A Bellumi detail entered the city posing as an escort to Asna and her Meegan delegates to stand before the King. The fact that Meegan’s have entered the Capital for the first time in hundreds of years was a fantastic ruse. Will was shocked that anyone took his strategy seriously, much less implemented it.
Asna stands in the Great Hall with a dozen Meegan soldiers, and forty Bellumi infantrymen. Lieutenant Rain and Roasa stand at her side. The Court is buzzing with anticipation of this truly historic event.
Inside the Throne Room, Marco is caught off guard for once. This was not supposed to happen. He had an army of knights stationed outside the Old Summer Palace; they should have reported this news back to him.
“Damn drunks.” He mutters to himself.
“Your Royal Majesty, I present to your Court, Asna, daughter of Dabir the Governor of Meego.” Shouts a Court official.
Asna walks in ahead of her delegation, Rain and Roasa one step behind.
King William takes note of the beauties walking before him.
Rain cannot hold back her contempt and gives him a scowl. The King doesn’t recognize her.
Truth is, he is distracted by the beauty of Asna. He’s never had a Meegan woman before, and he can’t help but desire her now.
“Welcome Asna, your beauty brightens the entire Capital. It is an honor to greet the first Meegan to enter the Capital in centuries.” Says King William.
“Thank you for that warm greeting.” Asna replies.
“What brings you here?”
“I come with news concerning your sons.”
“My sons? What about them?” William responds with a heightened voice.
“Your sons entered Meego being chased by knights that were trying to kill them.”
“That’s a lie!” someone shouts from the Court.
The entire court erupts into chaos. Asna’s words of accusation shake the entire room.
King William raises his hand for quiet. “What about my sons?”
“They entered Meego, then they attempted to leave but those same knights were waiting on them.”
“What happened?” King William asks.
“This is all a misunderstanding my King. She is confused, those knights were sent by me at your order to ensure that Aero entered Meego and to escort David back to the Capital.” Marco interjects.
“No there is no mistake, they were there to kill both of your sons. But they failed, they were all killed.”
“By whom?” William asks in astonishment.
“My husband.”
“Just your husband?”
“Yes.”
“Marco, how many knights did you have stationed there?” The King asks.
“Five hundred, roughly.” Marco answers.
“So, your husband killed five hundred knights all by himself?”
“Roughly.” Asna replies.
A small rumble comes across the social elite of the Court. Marco can’t hide his frustration; a large grimace has appeared across his face.
“My dear, you must have some husband.” The King says lightly. “I had hoped you weren’t married. What about your friend?” He says looking at Roasa.
“This is Roasa, she is a Durrie, she is a widow. She is one of my sworn protectors.”
“A Durrie? Are you the one that was with my sons?” He asks Roasa.
“She is, they found her mourning the murder of husband at the hands of the Red Horned Knight. She has been an asset to me.”
“I bet she has been, I would like her to become an asset to me.”
“Father, since I am soon to be King, wouldn’t she be better served as my asset?” John Henry says from the corner of the room.
“She’s my asset, I didn’t come all this way to talk about my protector.” Asna interrupts.
“Right, your husband.”
“Your son.”
“Right, where are my sons?”
“David is with Ser Stephan with the rest of our forces.”
“Force? Are you invading us after all this time? I demand the release of my son!”
“He isn’t a prisoner; he is one of my advisors.”
“What? That doesn’t make any sense. So, I assume you killed Aero.”
“No, he is alive.”
“Both my sons survived Meego? Why didn’t our knights secure them?”
“I already told you.”
“Your husband killed them. Did your husband make the trip with you? I would like to meet such a mighty man.”
“He did, he is with the rest of my advisors.”
She turns to look for him, he steps out of the group wearing a hood to hide his identity.
“Welcome mighty warrior! Remove your hood so I can gaze upon the greatest warrior in the kingdom.” William says sarcastically.
The Court laughs for the King.
“I present my husband, Aero the one true King of Avodroc.”
Asna words echo off the walls, complete silence as if time has stopped. All eyes are on Aero as he lowers his hood.
“You married a Sand Charmer?” King William says in shock.
“Yes father.” Aero responds.
“You think that makes you king? This is treason, you and your sand wife must die! This is my first command as King!” John Henry interjects.
The room stands at attention. Three contenders to the throne. The old lion, who is on the way out. The middle son who has been named heir, and the youngest brother who should be dead yet here he stands.
“What makes you think you have a claim? All you have to show is a Meegan wife.” King William says.
“Doesn’t matter father, he’s dead.” John Henry says as he waves his hand.
Three men come running at Aero. Quickly he unsheathes his secret weapon, the Royal Blade. With one swing all three men explode into a pile on the royal court floor.
The shock and horror of the moment is evident. Plus, the sight of Aero standing with the blade glowing changes the entire mood of the room. Aero is no longer looked at as a joke by anyone. He is a serious contender.
“You retrieved the Royal Blade?” King William says absently.
“My sword!” John Henry screams. “Give it to me.”
All the highborn elite look on in amazement.
Aero simply tosses John Henry the sword to the amazement of everyone. Even Asna is taken aback.
“Yes! You did good brother, smarter than I thought. I guess our talk really put things into perspective.” John Henry says, “But it ‘s so dumb to hand over the ultimate weapon to your enemy!”
John Henry swiftly swings the sword at Aero, striking him across the left shoulder… A killing blow.
Yet the sword did not penetrate Aero’s skin. The blade wrapped around Aero’s back protecting him perfectly. John Henry is appalled.
Aero holds out his hand and the sword flies into it.
“No! This can’t be! Guards! Guards! Help your King!” John Henry screams in terror.
About fifty guards flood the court. They had been called for by Marco from the shadows.
They encircle the court. The social elite scatter beyond them. Aero, Asna and their supporters are surrounded.
No one makes a move. It is too quiet. Tensions are rising quickly.
John Henry runs to Marco’s side.
Aero holds his sword at the ready, the blade glows yellow-gold with the anticipation of battle.
To Aero’s left, a commotion breaks the silence. Pushing through the perimeter is two men.
Matthew and Ali.
They join Aero’s side and prepare for the rush.
Another commotion, a guard breaks through the formation.
“My King, I heard the order and came as quick as I could! I will stand by your side!” Will says.
Will turns toward the guards, his co-workers. “You all should stand with King Aero and Queen Asna, they are the rightful rulers of the Kingdom.”
He pulls out his sword and prepares for what comes next.
Asna is flanked by her two female guards. Rain has her spear, Roasa has her bow drawn.
King William breaks the unease. “Blood shed in the court is not necessary, there must be a way for us to handle this with the dignity of our position.”
“Kill them Father!” John Henry shouts!
“Father, perhaps an alternative could be arranged.” Aero suggests.
“I’m listening.”
“David has declared me King, and you have declared John Henry heir so instead of a battle here… I suggest a one on one duel between me and my brother to decide the heir.”
“But you have the Royal Blade, you have an unfair advantage.” John Henry says in protest.
“No weapons, just fists. How is that for even?”
“I see no alternative. I do not want blood shed in this great hall.” King William states.
Aero hands his sword belt to Matthew, and steps into the circle. John Henry emboldened by the fact that he is the older brother, who beat up Aero as a child steps in with arrogance.
Both brothers look to their father.
“Fight!” He shouts.
The future of the kingdom has come down to a fist fight.
John Henry being aggressive, steps in quickly. Aero counters by stepping in and swinging a haymaker. The blow lands on John Henry’s jaw.
He falls to the ground, out cold.
“Matthew screams “One punch!” Aero’s camp erupts into laughter.
Aero allows a smile to come across his face, that felt good.
“Stand down.” Will shouts to the guards. They comply.
Aero turns his attention to his father. He walks over to Matthew and unsheathes his sword.
He walks to his father and presents it to him.
William takes the sword in his hand. As soon as he has possession the sword rust to the condition that it was in when it was first seen in Meego.
He takes a long glance at the blade that he has always desired to hold. His heart breaks as he realizes the sword does not work for him. He takes a few moments of reflection. A single tear falls from his eye.
He hands the sword back to his son, instantly the sword returns to its shine.
William steps forward. “Aero is King. Asna is the Queen.”
William walks out of the Throne Room.
Marco and Gerwin flee with the distraction, no one notices.
Aero calls for the names of all the guards to be recorded. He strips them all of their ranks and declares that they must wear yellow cloaks to show their dishonor or be sent to the cells.
The Captain protests, saying they were just following orders.
When Aero asked who’s orders they were following, the Captain remained quiet and steps back in line.
“This dispatch needs a Captain. Matt, what do you think?”
“I would select Will; he has proven himself capable and loyal.”
“I concur.” Asna adds.
“The Queen has spoken.” Aero says “Will, speak to your men.”
Will goes over and talks to the guardsmen. As he does Matthew and Ali pulls the King and Queen aside to give them a quick rundown of the secret meeting with Crimson.
Rain and Roasa secure the room, forcing out the social elite.
Aero and Asna also command Matthew and Ali to get with Stephan to vet every person in the castle. Who knows how far Marco’s influence reaches…
Aero has Matthew pick up John Henry and place him into the royal cells overnight.
Lastly, he returns to Will. All the men chose to serve instead of the cell.
“So does this group have a name yet?” Aero asks.
Will thinks for a moment. “Yes my King, we are the Resurgent.”
Aero turns toward the men. “See that you are.”
Relics of the Old Age 