Forest Kingdom Trilogy 1 - Blue Moon Rising

from which they came. It's a simple enough solution to the problem.'
    'Almost elegant in its simplicity,' smiled Lord Darius. 'Would you not agree, Sir Blays?'
    'It might work,' said Sir Blays grudgingly, 'if the Curtana can affect non-human minds. Far as I know, no one's ever tried that before. But even if it does work, what happens to the sword after the demons have been routed?'
    'Afterwards, it will be returned to the Armoury,' said the King. 'And there it may stay till the end of time, as far as I am concerned.'
    'Indeed, indeed,' said Lord Darius, smiling and bobbing his head and clasping his podgy hands across his vast stomach. 'I fear, however, that the noble Landsgraves will require more concrete evidence of your majesty's intentions.'
    'You dare?' roared the Astrologer, stepping forward.
    Lord Darius paled, but stood his ground. 'Your majesty ...'
    'Let him speak,' said the King, and the Astrologer resumed his position beside the throne.
    Lord Darius bowed gratefully. 'When all is said and done, your majesty, a sword is just a sword. Since you agree it should never be used again, might I suggest that once the demon threat has been disposed of, the Curtana should be publicly melted down and destroyed, once and for all?'
    The King frowned thoughtfully. 'My instinct is to say no. The sword has been in our family for generations, and might be needed in the future . . . but I see your point. The Curtana is too dangerous a weapon to be trusted with anyone. Would such an answer satisfy the Barons, Sir Blays?'
    'It might,' said Sir Blays carefully, 'but I speak only for Gold.'
    King John smiled coldly. 'Where Gold leads, Silver and Copper follow. Isn't that right, Sir Guillam?'
    The Silver Landsgrave bobbed his head nervously. 'I'm sure my masters will find it an excellent scheme, Sire.'
    Then I'll consider it,' said King John. 'You'll have my answer before you leave tomorrow.'
    Sir Blays nodded, his face carefully impassive. Thank you, Sire. Our business now being at an end, with your permission Sir Guillam and I will withdraw to our chambers. It's been a long day.'
    That it has,' said the King. 'Very well, my noble Landsgraves. You are dismissed.'
    Sir Guillam andSir Blays bowed to the throne, turned, and left the Court. The courtiers watched them go, and muttered quietly to each other.
    'Be silent,' said the Astrologer, and they were.
    'Before I dismiss this Court for the day,' said King John, 'I have a pleasant duty to perform. Princess Julia ...'
    'Ah, you've remembered me at last,' sniffed Julia. 'I was beginning to think I was invisible.'
    'Julia, my dear, you are never far from my thoughts,' said the King earnestly. 'Harald, I trust you've been keeping the Princess entertained?'
    'Oh sure,' said Harald. 'She's getting quite good at tick-tack-toe. A little more practice, and she'll be able to beat me without cheating.'
    Julia stabbed at his foot with her dagger, and grinned as he moved it quickly out of range.
    'If you've quite finished,' said the King, 'I have an announcement to make.'
    'Then get on with it,' said Julia.
    The King sighed quietly to himself, and then stared out over the Court. 'My Lords and Ladies, I announce this day the betrothal of my eldest son Prince Harald to the Princess Julia of Hillsdown. I wish them every happiness and all good luck.'
    'He's going to need it,' muttered a voice at the back.
    Julia was on her feet in a second. 'I'm not marrying Harald!'
    'Yes you are,' said the King. 'I've just announced it.'
    'Then you can damn well unannounce it!'
    'Princess Julia,' said the King, entirely unperturbed, 'you can marry him willingly or unwillingly, but whatever you say and whatever you do, your marriage will take place four weeks from today. Harald is a fine young man and a credit to his line. I'm sure that under his tutelage and discipline, you will become a credit to him and to this Court.'
    'I'll kill myself first!'
    'No you won't,' said the Astrologer. 'You're not the type.'
    Julia glared angrily about her, and then turned her back on them all as she found herself blinking away angry tears. 'We'll see,' she muttered shakily. 'We'll see about this ...'
    King John ignored her, and looked out over his Court. 'My Lords and Ladies, I thank you for your kind attention. Court is now dismissed.'
    The courtiers bowed and curtsied to the throne, and then riled out slowly through the double doors, unusually quiet and subdued. At a nod from the King, the guards and men-at-arms followed them