"Your King has allowed my stay, but you have to understand both his and my desperation" Jaye's voice echoed through the room, between the absent or bored expressions. Jaye cleared his throat, said: "Your war is not over if you don't listen to my concerns."

Arlo's brows furrowed, glancing between Jaye and Farewell. Farewell and Arlo, for the first time since Arlo could remember, exchanged a look. Jaye must be the one to speak first, to prepare them for what I have to say, why I do what I do, the punishment that will come for their crimes against me, unless they agree to work with me. But what could Jaye mean, unless he means...

The Tree Witch. Alro had not heard of the 'dark things' Jaye mentioned, but underneath he had a suspicion, maybe a hope--

"Before Alro speaks, however, I would like to first. Your Witch is killing the land, not your rivers or lakes. Yes, we have no water because of the salt that litters it, but haven't you thought about why the places, the villages with wells, are seeing landslides, and dying trees in good growing places?"

"The Villages are too few to consider as a statistic." Farewell's eyes darted between them, wondering How could Arlo allow a peasant to speak before him?

"In my travels, I visited those villages for work. There was more food there, until my master returned from his resent travels for raw material. Thirty-two deaths in the four months I had been there, but they weren't all casualties of the famine."

"He is a peasant, are we without rule?" Farewell barked, but his words clogged in his throat as Arlo matched his gaze. His eyes were two olive stones in a dark pond.

Jaye will not be interfered with. I brought him into this, he will at least be able to say his word if they end the meeting sooner...

Farewell eased back into his seat, crossing his legs under the table. That brat will learn, I will make him before he dies...

"Sire, I apologize for interrupting, but I must speak."

"Of course," Arlo's tone lightened, Jaye observing him with wide eyes as he did so. "This meeting is open to all, and I believe firmly in this. What are your concerns before Jaye speaks?"

"I felt this Court has only expressed their options or opinions before asking the most important question: Why did you decide this man as an Heir, despite the turmoil it could cause to you? I do not believe to avoid a marriage is the only reason. I know I have not been with this court long, but I knew you in your first days of ruling. You never once acted out despite our loss, nor responsibility."

"I agree as well, June." Arlo's eye darted in shock to Calvex, his gaze not shifting once from the Council woman. "Thank you for reminding us what is important here."

Calvex barely kept his words from betraying him, let them see his reasons first, see him for what he is. He has too many enemies in this Court for his very breath to even matter here...

Arlo's heart skipped a beat, I didn't expect anyone to want to listen. But, she is right that I cannot be dishonest with my intentions any longer. The loyal ones must have an explanation, a cause... I didn't think they existed...

Arlo cleared his throat, his voice ringing like a guitar string. "Jaye was selected as my 'heir' because as I have said, to marry to the East Kingdom is to sell our souls. We would lose our culture, our art, our people's freedom by the culturation of the East Kingdom. The agreement—and yes, I have read it—details a very clear take over of our financials, our trades, and so on. I do not understand how you could throw away our Kingdom for a temporary gain, because I know very well the money will run out."

"How so? Do you care to tell us?" Farewell snapped, while other council members turned to each other. June casted a concerned glance between Jaye and Arlo, before turning to snap at a crude comment.

"Do any of you know of trade?" Jaye's voice slammed down like a gavel. "You may expect your sales on raw materials to continue to flourish—"

"You should not speak here, he is an apprentice."

They aren't going to listen again, and then this would be for nothing. Arlo snapped, speaking quicker than he could decide on what to say. His anger burst like Dragonsfire. "Do you need to be removed, Farewell? Because you should remember well what outburst does. And let me tell you, although I was able to have divine mercy upon me that I did not experience any trouble aside from my court, and the kindness I received from Jaye. This meeting is not possible without those small blessings, but I cannot promise the same for you."

Slowly, the roomed dipped into silence. Farewell watched his king slowly recoil his anger, thought: He has never shown me that kind of anger before, not even after... He's out of his mind.

"I refuse to have anymore interruptions. We are not children, for Dragon's teeth!" Arlo snapped as he leaned against the table, palms flat. "I am a man of civility and patients, but I cannot tolerance uncivil disputes like this for much longer. I do not take joy in having to parent my Court, and of you very few have been civil. June, Calvex, as well as myself, are asking for a polite discussion. You are council members, act like it."

A pause, Arlo watched as June nodded. Calvex, who had barely changed from his seating, quirked a smile. "You keep a horse in his stall for too long, he will break it. I have seen the best trained stallions do this, and now of our King. Perhaps our court can learn from this?"

Arlo fixed his collar before he continued, "Jaye, please elaborate from your experience about the trade market. I think this will help clarify matters, as we do lack firsthand experience due to the casualties of the war."

The King, the man... Calvex thought, He lacks that bravery to even be a man, he still let's Jaye speak for him. Farewell has been too levitant despite his determination to use the complete potency of the poisons I offer.

"Thank you." Jaye's smile was like a panther, smug until he looked back to the council, and continued.

Arlo was surprised as Jaye began at the surface, then discussed the deeper interworking's of the kingdoms trade: how he discussed with businessmen, how much ore to distribute, and the changes in pricing due to the war. He's gained a great amount of experience, and yet he lost his memory, and is no older than I.

When Jaye finished, he dusted one hand on the side of his jeans, looked back up to the assembled Court. "Do you understand now? Even despite your limited information, Arlo was keen enough to make this observation. And if there is any elaboration I could give, its this: The same concept applies to how people changed their behaviors, because they learned not to travel between places, they learned to hide instead, and change their behavior. With the East Kingdom introduced, people will change again to meet the East Kingdoms standards, and their culture, rather than how Arlo or any of you have been taught."

"Sire, I want to be abundantly clear, if I may."

"It is never a terrible thing to be certain of one's information. I can say in good faith that Jaye shared surprisingly identical concerns as I have with this marriage. Jaye's purpose has a heir was to forestall the marriage until these concerns could be made clear."

"If I may, Arlo's 'outburst' has brought us some fortunate luck. We have obtained a new tradesman, and perhaps out financials may be sorted without selling Gvir's Scars, as I had previously suggested. Excellent work, Arlo"

Arlo bristled at the lack of title, but nodded at the support from his brother. "Thank you, Calvex."

"Then, I believe Jaye is allowed to stay as our trades advisor." Farewell's voice was smooth as he replied, the Council nodding with him.

"Do you accept, Jaye?" Arlo kept the excitement from his voice. I wish they listened to me sooner, but it seems clear that next time they shall listen to my turmoil... I wonder whether it, but then they refused to listen no matter how I worded the urgency.

Jaye hesitated, took a deep breath through his nose, and said: "I enjoy my job as a tradesmen, not conducting it. While I am humbled by the Courts offering, I cannot accept this job. However, I will agree under His Majesty's agreement that I will train someone in my place."

"We thank you for your generosity. You will have a place at this palace until the training is complete, and you are welcome to return to your regular job as desired."

"Your Grace," Farewell continued, "This court cannot disagree with Jaye's need in this court..."

Arlo suppressed rolling his eyes. Jaye did that for him as Farewell continued, "But, I do not believe anything of what you or Jaye are concerned with is a meaningful reason to deny the East Kingdoms offer. We agree, that as of tomorrow, you will meet your bride, and be married the day after."

Breath hitched in his chest, he closed his eyes for a moment and opened them again. Their plan wont stop despite my concerns, but I couldn't stop them because it would destroy this kingdom... We would have been destroyed regardless!

"What are you taking about? There isn't banners, bells, ivy or gold bells across the city. What kind of bat-flying marriage is that?"

"The East Kingdom has agreed to pay their portion of the share. We want it to be a moment of hope and victory, even if it comes as a surprise." Farewell's chest puffed out as he replied.

"Farewell, how quickly were you thinking of changing leadership? I cannot be expected in my age to be a King at such a young age, nor yourself. I will not allow someone as you in your anger to lash out." Calvex's hands folded together, the white of his knuckles the only betrayal of anger.

Arlo's chest puffed out slightly. After all I did in raising them, it is nice to finally hear some acknowledgement that Farewell is up to no good, that we agree on something.

Calvex fingers chipped away at the cuticle of his thumb, his eyes locked with Farewell. He will kill me as soon as Arlo departs, with my own position. I am no blind fool, old man.

"You cannot expect the kingdom to be ready by tomorrow. And what of the documents for inheritance? Those require countless meetings—"

"Under the Patriarchy Act, I am able to fill them in as soon as a King's death—Alexius if I may—has been declared, even if the heir is not old enough. You are aware these are the conditions of government."

Arlo's teeth ground against each other, drawing a slow and careful thumb in a ring around his knuckle. That document was only signed because he thought he would be assassinated after I was born! Farewell's been planning this for two years since my father died.

Jaye's lip twitched; his legs sore from standing so long. However, his impatience rocked until he could feel the pulse of it brimming through his hands. All they talk about is politics, and none of them still know what I came here for!

"I don't mean to interrupt, but don't we have an evil Witch who supported the Dark King still on the lose? Why is that no ones concern? You are talking as if Arlo started the war because he is not in love, and does not agree with an insensible and desperate contract."

Arlo's cheeks turned red at the thought of dismissing Jaye. He has more to say, or he would have said so at the Diplomacy Meetings.

"You have kept secrets from your King of this arrangement, do you understand why now that we do not trust your Council, why we are so angry with the lack of progress?" Jaye's voice rose, "You are not even aware of most of the things I have seen."

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