Forest Kingdom Trilogy 1 - Blue Moon Rising

farmers hadn't been there, that bloody berserker of yours would have killed him!'
    Blays inclined his head slightly. 'A regrettable incident.'
    Harald let his hand drop on to the pommel of his sword. 'Is that all you've got to say about it?'
    'I'll deal with Bedivere later.'
    'That's not good enough.'
    Sir Blays smiled politely. 'I'd hate to see our alliance fall apart, Sire, especially after we've all invested so much time and effort in it. Right now, there are a great many people waiting to meet you, Prince Harald, all of them gathered together in one place at your request, at no little inconvenience and danger to themselves. I therefore strongly suggest that you don't keep them waiting any longer. This way, Sire.'
    Harald didn't move. 'You seem to be forgetting which of us is in charge.'
    'No,' said Sir Blays. 'I haven't forgotten.'
    'Without me, everything we've discussed comes to nothing.'
    'Precisely. You need us, Harald, and you've come too far to back out now. My fellow Landsgraves and I can always leave this Castle and return to our masters. Sooner or later the King's forces will become so thinly spread they'll be unable to defend him, and when that happens, the Barons will just move in and take over. They won't need your help, and they certainly won't need you as King. Of course, if we have to wait that long, much of the Forest Land will have been destroyed by the demons. And you can be sure that when we finally storm the Castle, you and your father will not be given the option of exile. Do I make myself clear, Harald?'
    'Yes. Very clear.'
    'Good. Work with us, and we'll make you King. Certainly the Barons would prefer it that way; they can see a great many uses for a constitutional monarch.'
    'You mean a figurehead.'
    'Yes, Harald. That's exactly what I mean. Now, I think we've wasted enough time on unnecessary discussion, don't you? It's time to go, your guests are waiting to greet you.'
    Harald's shoulders seemed to slump a little, and he looked away, unable to face the open disdain in Blays's eyes. 'Very well, Landsgrave. It seems I have no choice in the matter.'
    And then they both jumped as behind them the double doors flew open, and Julia stalked out of the Great Hall and into the antechamber. She slammed the doors shut behind her, swore loudly, and then glared resentfully at the watching Prince and Landsgrave.
    'Ah, Julia,' said Harald quickly. 'I'd like a word with you, if I may.'
    Julia shrugged angrily. 'Suit yourself.' She folded her arms, and leaned back against the bare panelled wall, frowning at nothing.
    Harald turned back to Sir Blays. 'I will join you at the party in a few minutes. I give you my word on it.'
    Blays glanced at Julia, and then smiled tightly at Harald. 'Of course, Sire, I understand. Please accept my congratulations on your imminent wedding. I shall speak with you further at the party. In a few minutes.'
    He bowed to the Prince and to the Princess, and left the antechamber. Harald looked at Julia, and frowned worriedly. Her head was bowed, and her eyes stared blindly down in quiet desperation. There was a simple, tired, defeated look to her that touched Harald strangely. In all the time he'd known Julia, he'd never once known her to give in to anybody or anything. But now all the strength seemed to have gone out of her, until she had nothing left with which to hold the hostile world at bay. He moved forward to stand beside her.
    'Julia, what's the matter?'
    'Nothing.'
    'Something's wrong. I can tell.'
    'Wrong? What could be wrong? In two weeks' time I'm marrying a man who's going to be King!'
    Harald hesitated. He knew instinctively that if he said the right thing now, he could win her over to him in a moment, but say the wrong thing, and he'd lose her for ever. He was surprised how much not losing her mattered to him.
    'Julia, things will be different between us after we're married, you'll see. I know how much Rupert meant to you, but you'll get over him. Whatever happened, I'm sure he died bravely and honourably. As soon as this business with the Darkwood is over, we'll take a troop of guards and search the Forest until we find out what did happen to him. And then, together, we'll take a vengeance the Forest will never forget.'
    'Thanks,' said Julia quietly. 'I'd like that.'
    'He is dead, Julia.'
    'Yes. He is.' Julia stared listlessly at Harald. 'I've known that for ages, but I could never quite bring myself to believe it. I didn't want to believe it. For a long time I