The Burden of a King

Leofric stood before the fire in the hearth of his hall which sat proud atop the city of Avonar. His city. At least it was for now. Outside the wind howled and thunder rumbled as a storm unleashed its fury on the city. Lightning flashed and rain poured, while the thick oaken walls and beams that held the ceilings groaned under the weight that nature threw against them. It was truly a ferocious storm, possibly the worst he had ever known in his 56 years of life in this world. However, it was not the forces of nature that threatened to overthrow the King of Avonar and his city.

He winced as pain emanated from on his shoulder and he instinctively reached up to touch his wound before stopping himself and letting his hand drop back to his side. In his years as King of Avonar he had borne many wounds to safeguard his realm and each time he had done so joyfully, content in the knowledge that by them his people were safe and free from their enemies.

This wound however, this wound was different. It was as a mocking companion constantly by his side to provide a constant reminder of his failure, for by this wound had all his world been undone.

As the King stared into the fire the memories drifted back into his mind, the roaring of the flames became the roaring of opposing armies and the crackling of the wood as it was consumed became the clash of steel on steel, the rolling thunder in the skies became the thunder of hooves upon the earth. Leofric was almost seeing it again. His army clashed with the forces of the Koraki, men of the South of the island that had knelt to their enemies in ages past rather than resist them. All had gone well for the Leofric and his people as he led them into the fray. Their charge had driven deep into the enemy lines and the foe was on the verge of collapse. Leofric heard the approaching hooves of a horse and spun to see a rider on a black horse, clad in mail and full face helm, black surcoat emblazoned with a white eagle, emerge from the depths of the enemy host and lash with ferocious speed and strength at Leofric with his shining blade wounding him and sending him to the ground.

The King closed his eyes and felt tears begin to well up in his eyes. He had not seen what had happened after that moment, but when he awoke next he was prisoner of the Koraki. His army, fearing his death, had fled. By the account of the Koraki his son Tegid had tried to rally them, but succeeded only in organizing a withdrawal. Even so, most of the Leofric's men had been slain trying to escape the battle and there had been no news on Leofric's son.

Leofric heard several footsteps approaching hurriedly towards the door. He straightened and banished his prior thoughts. The next step was to be one of the hardest, but necessary. He turned to face the door just as two women, one older and the other significantly younger, in dark, well worn, and drenched travel clothes turned into the entrance.

The youngest, a beautiful red-haired young woman, now sixteen years old, rushed forwards on catching sight of him.

"Father!" she cried joyfully.

Leofric couldn't stop the smile spread across his face at the seeing his daughter, Edith, once again rushing into his arms and burying her face into his chest as the two embraced. They held each other for a moment not saying anything, and Leofric tried to keep his tears back as the joy of his daughter's return mixed with sorrow. After indulging in the brief show of affection, he composed himself again, Leofric pried her away from him. She was no longer the little girl she had been when he had last seen her. Small pointed chin, radiant smile and thoughtful brown eyes framed by high cheekbones gave her a beautiful, noble and intelligent appearance.

"I can hardly believe that this beautiful woman before me used to be my little girl." Leofric said in wonder, "Although," he began again gesturing to her muddied travel clothes and the trail of muddy prints she had left behind her on the wooden floor, "it seems that some things have not changed."

Edith gave him a mischievous smiled and mock curtsy, "I can assure you father, I am far more mature now." Leofric caught the woman at the door giving Edith a stern look at the sarcasm in her tone.

This woman, Ebba, was an older woman but still beautiful with elegant features, thin nose and sharp jawline surrounded by raven hair that fell to her shoulders, spoke up, "My Lord I am sure you are aware that this visit is unusual for those of our order, but your letter made it quite clear that we were to be given little choice in the matter. If it is all the same to you I would like to know what we have been summoned for."

Leofric felt the joy at reuniting with his daughter dissipate at what he had to do next.

"I have summoned to demand my daughter be returned to me.

Edith's face was a mix of confusion, and concern as he said this, but Ebba was much easier to read. Her face quickly changed from shock to anger.

"This is an outrageous request! You know that the order of the Offeiriaid does not allow its members to leave once they have joined our ranks. I told you as much when you agreed to allow me to take Edith amongst our ranks!"

Leofric levelled his full glare on her. He was not used to being told he couldn't do or have something he felt he needed. "I know the rules of your order, I have felt their enforcement keenly for the last four years. But circumstances have changed, this is a command from your King and you will obey it."

Ebba stood up straighter, "The Offeiriaid are not your servants to be command. We serve the true gods of this land and no earthly king has the authority to command us in any way." She turned to Edith, "Come Edith we will stay within the city, I will not stay beneath the roof of this man."

As she turned to leave the entrance through which they had come crowded with guards, swords drawn. "I am sorry," Leofric said firmly, not at all meaning it, "but you cannot leave with my daughter."

Ebba turned blazing eyes towards him over her shoulder. "You think your men could stop me with their mere swords?" Around her hands a feint violet glow began to form, and the guards shifted uneasily.

"Stop!" Edith stepped forward between the two, hands outstretched towards them.

The two looked to her, "you cannot return to your father girl. It is forbidden!"

Edith ignored her master and focused on her father. "Father, you said that circumstances had changed. What did you mean by that?"

Leofric met her gaze. "You may not have been aware during your studies, but for the past few months we have been at war with the King of the Koraki to the South. A few days ago we marched to meet them in battle. We were defeated." Leofric kept the pain and gravity from his voice as best he could. Nonetheless, the news seemed to hit his daughter like lightening. Edith just stared in shock at the news.

"What is that to us?" Ebba questioned, eyes not leaving the king and her hands splayed at her side, the glow steadily pulsing at the ready.

Leofric carefully contained an outburst of anger at the callous arrogance of the woman, he couldn't afford for her to walk away from this.

"Because," he began through gritted teeth, "the Offeiriaid and the people of this kingdom hold to the old gods of this land. Those who will now rule this land do not. They hold to the beliefs of the Dryads that they left behind when they departed the island. The worshipers of the Dryad pantheon are not kind to others who do not share their faith."

"Father," Edith asked, her voice now filled with worry as the realization of the situation dawned on her, "what of my brother and sister, Tegid and Lewella? Where are they?"

Leofric turned his gaze back to her, "Your sister has since been married to Eoderic, king of Tirastadt. They had intended to join us in battle, but the Koraki moved to fast and so when we were crushed they withdrew back to their city. She is well I believe. As for your brother, Tegid was at the battle with me, he survived leading some men to safety, but I have not heard from him since."

Edith seemed to relax a little at this news, but was clearly still trying to take stock of the situation. "What of my purpose here?"

It pained Leofric to have to tell his daughter all this. Every instinct in his body rebelled at the idea, but he had to remain firm. "During the battle I was captured by the enemy. I was able to talk to the King, Athos, and his two brothers, Rickard and Gabriellos. Seeing that with the defeat of my army the end of the war was in sight I negotiated a peace as best I could to serve the needs of our people."

Edith's eyes filled with horror with realization beginning to dawn. Leofric pressed on. "As part of the negotiation I have agreed that I will step down as King, my throne will be given to the second brother, Rickard, as his personal duchy. To solidify his rule, you will marry him."

Edith began to tremble. Leofric moved to console her, but she stepped away from him and moved besides Ebba, who put a hand protectively on her shoulder.

Leofric felt something break inside him to see it, but Ebba stood before him gaze now firm. "The girl's life is not yours to pull to and froe as you will. Nor are the Offeiriaid to be used as pawns in your political games."

Leofric clenched his fists and his voice became as ice, "She is my daughter, not yours! I am her father and I will decide what must be done!"

Ebba did not move, "Yes you are her father." she replied sharply, "As such it is your duty to protect your daughter, not cast her before your enemies like bait to save your own skin!"

Leofric's gaze was unfaltering, "Its not about myself. This is about our way of life. The kingdom has been lost, but with Edith as queen she can use her influence to preserve what she can, including your Order."

Ebba considered for a long moment, and for a moment Leofric was afraid she would press her case further. He really did not want a confrontation with her in his house, and especially not in front of his daughter.

Finally she spoke again, her tone pensive as her mind whirred through the possibilities. "I understand your majesty. I will consult with my sisters on the matter. However," she continued, giving a pointed look at the guards, "I very much doubt there will be much choice in the matter."

Leofric nodded, "Thank you. Know that I would not have done this had been presented with a better choice myself."

"I trust you would not." Ebba said, "But it would seem that the coming times will not allow us to continue as we have been accustomed."

Ebba turned to Edith, "I shall return to our sisters and tell them of your situation and the reasons for it.”

Edith grasped her masters arm pleading, “Sister you can’t let them take me, it’s a sacrilege for a sister of the order to leave, let alone do so to wed a man!”

Ebba put a firm hand on Edith’s own and pulled it from her. “Edith, we are all being called upon to make sacrifices, this is yours, for the good of the people and the order alike.”

"Please master." Edith begged holding onto Ebba's hand like a lifeline, "You cannot leave me to this. It can't be right?"

"The Motherhood will decide what shall be. We must think beyond ourselves in these dark times. But never forget, no matter what happens, you are a sister of our Order, you will conduct yourself as such at all times, even when with this man. Understood?"

Edith looked crushed, but managed a weak, "Yes master."

"Good girl"

Turning back to Leofric, "I will see myself to my room for the night, I will be gone before you arise in the morning."

Leofric nodded, "Very well, then I shall wish you good night and fair travels."

Ebba bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement, before turning back and walking past the guards who now stood aside.

Leofric turned to Edith, who now stood there tense.

"Edith..."

Her eyes flashed at him. "You're doing it again!"With that she whirled around and exited the room before Leofric could say another word.

Leofric sighed. This was going to be the most last, most important and bloody battle in his life...

To be continued in "The Path of Duty"