Fredreich's First Move

I found myself sitting beside Amber at a long table, with Lucius facing me from the other side. Faelar sat beside me while other nobles filled the remaining seats. Some familiar faces like Lord Matthew and Lady Nora sat a few seats away.

“Your highness, if these taxes are reduced, we may not be able to build up our military as quickly as you want,” a pompous man clad in robes of velvet spoke out. “It’s best if we kept the taxes high so that we can counter this threat from Mittengrad.”

“We’re not reducing the taxes, Lord Ryder, but as Aizawa explained it, we’ll be introducing progressive taxation so we can make up for the military’s growing expenditure,” Amber responded firmly. “Aizawa, will you please explain it once again?”

I stood up from my seat, as the eyes of all the nobles fixed on me, whispers still emanating from the far side of the table. “You see, we’ll be reducing the taxes on individuals who earn less than a certain threshold while increasing it on people who earn more,” I spoke up. “And the only ones who shall be paying taxes to the crown will be the nobles.”

“First you demand our loyalty and now you want us to give you even more money?” the cry of an old, bald man rang out from the far right.

“These taxes will be going to the development and protection of your own cities, sir,” I shook my head. “I do not see how this is something to criticize.”

The young Lady Nora spoke up, catching everyone’s attention. “I, for one, welcome these changes. It keeps the common people happy while meeting the needs for a growing kingdom.”

“Precisely, and if we—” But my words were cut short. A scout rushed into the meeting chamber, his breathing jagged.

“Apologies, your highness, but this is urgent,” he spoke up from beneath his veil, his eyes darting across the room.

“Understood,” Amber nodded at the scout, asking myself, Faelar, Lucius, and a few others to remain beside her, excusing the rest of them to proceed with this meeting another time.

The scout kneeled before Amber as the others left. “Your highness,” he spoke, “Fredreich of Mittengrad demands an ambassador be sent to meet him.”

Amber stood up, taking a deep breath. “Anything else?”

“We have reports of movement of troops near the Blutklamm mountains on the other side,” he replied, “but they haven’t engaged with any of our scouts for now.”

“That bastard is preparing for war!” Lucius slammed the table with his fists. “We’ll respond to him with all our might!”

Faelar shook his head. “There’s no need for that. He probably wants us to strike first,” he stroked his chin. “If things go south, we have the support of one of their biggest cities ready to turn on him in an instant.”

“I’ll meet him personally,” Amber replied. “It’s best if war can be avoided in totality—”

“No!” my words escaped my mouth as the eyes of everyone at the table turned toward me, ready to scorn me for my insolence. “Apologies, your highness, but please, let me go in your stead,” I cleared my throat. “You’re needed here to lead and govern the people of Ur.”

“I believe that’s precisely what he wants,” Faelar stood up, looking me in the eyes. “What if he imprisons you again, or worse?”

“I know he won’t kill me, that’s for certain,” I replied. “He needs me and says he has use for me. So, it’s best if I’m the one who goes.”

I remembered his obsession with my alleged status as a messiah and how he needed me to restore balance with him. I took a look at Amber who looked at me through nervous glances, silent, but fearful, realizing that just maybe, I had already helped a little by helping her reach where she was.

Faelar stood up, his fists clenched together. “Then I’ll come with you,” his voice fierce and determined. “Someone has to be there to protect you from him.”

“No,” I shook my head. “If something happens, he might launch an invasion, and we need you to protect Ur if and when that occurs.”

“I’ll go with Jaeger,” I replied. “Maybe a few guards, but nothing more. I don’t expect anyone to be able to put up much of a fight against Fredreich.”

Lucius laughed, “Nonsense, I’ll send the best mages from my scouts with you. We’ll see who comes out on top, then.”

All eyes turned to Amber, looking for approval. Her gaze shifted to the floor beneath her as she sighed. “It appears we have no other choice. So be it.”

We all nodded in agreement and proceeded to send a letter to Fredreich, stating that an ambassador from Ur would be coming to meet him soon.

The day turned into night as I squabbled with some more nobles who seemed dissatisfied with my recent tax policies until I finally found myself outside of Amber’s door, where a guard gave me a half-hearted salute.

I walked in to see Amber in a nightgown, talking to an Elven woman who seemed to be just as young as Amber was, her hair neatly tied into a bun. She gave me a slight bow as I did the same.

“So this is the young man whom you spoke so fondly of,” she proceeded to smile at Amber, who hid her flushed face in her hands.

“Nadyaaa,” she cried out, “stop it.”

“I’ve heard much about you, too, ma’am,” I walked up to the both of them. “If it’s not too much trouble, may I speak to Amber in private?”

“Oh, please, do so,” she bowed once more and proceeded to walk toward the door, leaving me and Amber alone in the room together.

“She seemed nice,” I walked to her bed, sitting beside her, as she looked at me.

“She has the hots for Faelar,” Amber giggled a bit.

I laughed at the revelation as I shook my head. “So what are you going to do about it?”

“Use my queen powers to force him to get married to her, obviously,” Amber proceeded to giggle at her own joke.

“Wow, doesn’t Faelar get any say in this? Tyrannical, if you ask me.”

She smiled, looking at me, as she pushed back a strand of hair hanging in front of her face behind her ear. “You’re really going to leave, aren’t you?”

“I have to,” I sighed. “There’s no other way.”

She took a deep breath and shook her head. “There has to be another way, Aizawa,” she spoke up. “That boy, I don’t know what he’s thinking, but he just doesn’t make sense.”

“All he wants is power, Amber, and he’ll stop at no means to get it. He hides behind excuses of revenge, that’s all.”

“Can you hear me just for a second!” Amber practically screamed out loud, causing me to jolt in surprise as I looked at her.

“No, wait, I’m sorry—” her face flushed red. “I didn’t mean to scream, I’m sorry, it’s just that—” she hid her face in her hands once again, groaning in disbelief.

She took a deep breath and proceeded to face me, her eyes looking into my own, looking for something. “Aizawa,” she whispered, placing a hand on my face, “I don’t want you to go, but I know you have to, so take me with you!”

I leaned into her touch, holding her hand with my own. “I’m sorry, Amber, you know you have to stay here,” I placed my hand on her belly, “for them, too.”

“Then promise me one thing,” she spoke, her voice low. “You’ll come back, alright?”

“I promise.”