Ganesh, Crom, and Valla were
gathered in the great hall. The room
seemed so quiet and somber when not filled with drunken soldiers and
wenches. The trio had converted it into
a war room for this occasion; it would be hours until it became a community
center of vices and debauchery. Ganesh
said to his son, “Crom, go find your brother.
We need to discuss succession to the throne.”
Crom
knew that this day would one day come and had a terse reply, “After Strom
departed, I sent a foot soldier to follow and report his whereabouts. That man has yet to return. I fear that Strom may have slain him. All I know is this: he has gone to live a simple life among the
commoners. Perhaps there he will find
the happiness that has always eluded him.”
The
thought of his son living amongst the common folk did not sit well with Ganesh,
“Ever was your brother quick to ignore his duties. Well, no matter, Strom will not be king when
I pass. You will, Crom. You are noble and honorable. You know where you come from. You accept it, and I believe age and the
throne will bring you the wisdom that you need.”
Valla,
knowing his role in advance reassured Crom, “And I will advise you, my prince.”
Ganesh
told Crom, “Yes, Crom, you would do well to heed Valla’s advice when you are
king. He knows much of military matters
and politics.”
Hearing
this completely stunned Crom, he had suspected this to be true, but did not
realize that his time was so near, “But. . .father, I had thought Strom was to
rule after you. He is the eldest,” said
Crom just to humor his father.
“Your
brother is tormented by personal demons, Crom.
He cannot be allowed to rule until he has overcome his inner turmoil,”
Ganesh continued, “And I do not see this happening in the foreseeable
future. I fear for your brother, Crom.”
Crom
made an empty promise, “Then I will hold the throne for Strom, until he has rid
himself of these demons that torment him so.”
Valla
saw through this façade, but knew Crom to be much more worthy than Strom, “As
you wish, my prince. But we must talk of
Aparthie, now. She is quite lovely, is
she not? A marriage to her, a peasant,
would greatly help Ganesh. The commoners
would follow your father even more strongly.”
Excited,
Ganesh added, “And with the commoners behind us, I can increase the size of the
army. I fear that Quadri, our neighbors
to the north and the descendants of Ishmail, may well invade soon.”
With
authority, Valla said, “I am sure of it.
They grow infinitely restless.”
Hearing
this astonished Crom. After years of
peace in Norway and the growth of their
army, he never thought of the possibility of aggression, he asked, “But would
they dare go against our strength?”
Ganesh
answered with, “Best to be prepared for any eventuality. Quadri has always needed little reason to
expand his borders. Now, you will be wed
to Aparthie. It shall be a grand
day. You must do this. It is you responsibility to your people.”
“I
shall not shy away from my duty.”
###
More Greatest Evil
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