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"Put your weapons away and sit down, gentlemen," Bria
The princess looked toward the far end of the table where the king, his eyes bleary and his beard slick with the grease of roast fowl, sat. In the first chair on the right sat his young queen, Celia of Dunsany, barely older than Bria
As Bria
Finally, Camden demanded, "Who dares burst into my hall?"
"Bria
Bria
"What apparition are you?" demanded the king. "My daughter was abducted by ogres!"
"Then what are you doing here?" demanded Bria
This was too much for the stuporous king. "She's a ghost!" he blurted. "Away with her!"
Hrodmar started to step around the table, but Gavorial raised his hand and gently held the frost giant back. Bria
When no one moved to obey, the king leaped out of his chair. "She's a ghoul, I tell you!" he yelled. "Don't let her near!"
"I'm no fiend," Bria
The earl nodded. "Her flesh is as soft and warm as that of my own wife."
"What are you saying?" the king demanded. "Whose side are you on?"
"My king's, of course," the earl replied. He met the king's glare evenly. "I'll claim that Bria
For a moment, Camden stared at Earl Wendel as though he didn't comprehend what the man had said. Then the king seemed to realize he was making a fool of himself and sank back into his chair. He pulled off his golden crown and placed it next to his mug, then ran his hands through his tangled hair.
"Yes, forgive me. It's just that I'm… I've been so distraught." The king raised his gaze to Bria
"I imagine you didn't," Bria
The king's lips began to tremble. His eyes darted around the banquet table, studying the mood of his earls. When he saw nothing but blank faces, he motioned Bria
"You must be hungry, my dear." Camden cast a meaningful glance toward High Priest Simon. As the cleric rose to offer his chair, the king continued, "Come and sit beside your father. Eat and drink."
The king had not lost his capacities entirely, Bria
"Sit down, Simon." As she gave the command, Bria
Camden's eyes flashed with anger. He pushed his chair back and drew himself to his full height, slamming his fist onto the tabletop. Earthenware mugs and platters bounced so high into the air that they shattered when they came down, spilling mead and greasy meat.
"I did not trade you for my throne!" he thundered.
Celia's face went as pale as bone, but the young queen seemed afraid to rise without permission. Bria
"You dare deny it?" Bria
This drew a quiet drone of whispering from the earls, and Bria
"I don't deny that I have made great personal sacrifices for the benefit of Hartsvale." The king's voice was suddenly as calm as Bria
"And the price for his help was your daughter?" asked Earl Wendel, incredulous.
The king narrowed his eyes at the earl and gave him a menacing glare. Then he answered, "Yes."
The king's mouth hung open for a moment, as though he intended to add more to his explanation, then he shifted his gaze to Bria
"Please understand, Bria
The princess studied the king without responding. Although his tears appeared genuine enough, the eyes from which they came were cold and hard and, most surprisingly, angry. If not for the ire in her father's eyes, Bria
"You're lying, and the sad thing is that you're the only one who doesn't know it," she said. "You don't have any idea what it means to act for the good of the kingdom. You can think only of what makes your throne more secure-and the reason you're angry with me now is my return threatens your power."