THE NORTHERN KING

Ivo was right about the food, he scooped a spoon full of cheese and milk soup as it melted on his tongue and slipped down his throat.

“The food is to die for” he informed Ida as he offered her a spoon, but she rejected it.

She had every reason, too, after hearing Ivo's ridiculous demands; she had spent so much time questioning her choice that she didn't even want to doubt him.

Ida would have left the party to retire to her room, but she didn't want to risk leaving Ivo here.

She could fear the eyes glancing at him, but he seemed to care less and concentrated on enjoying his meal.

Ida sighed and bent low to whisper in Ivo's ear, “where do you expect me to get that much emperor steel?” She asked not that she expected a reply from the lad who giggled with the ladies that waved at him.

She wanted to smack him straight in the head, but she decided against it, soon she was already considering doing so when Ivo teased a Noble's daughter by telling her to sit on his lap.

The voice of the king drew her away from her thoughts as she turned towards the upper balcony where he stood with his brother—her uncle beside him.

His eyes wandered around the room until it fell on her, and she bowed immediately before looking back at him, but his eyes were focused on something else.

She followed his eyes to see him staring at Ivo who didn't seem to care that the king stood before him, she kicked his foot hoping to draw his attention, but he didn't reply until she pinched his shoulder and he turned to her.

She used her eyes to direct him toward the king who watched him as he stared back at him for a few seconds before he bowed and resumed his chat with the lady who seemed assumed with his jokes.

“I must say I'm rather pleased that you all made yourself available to greet me this evening, I hope you have had your fill” The King Alaric called out as his loud rough voice calmed the room immediately.

His presence seemed to grow even bigger as he waved his hand, drawing even more attention.

“I have consulted my council and I have decided that the law of birthright has been revoked” he called out.

The room burst into whispers as Ivo's eyes found his brother's edric. He growled at him and turned facing the other side of the room towards his mother who stood with a red beard man that was practically the tallest person in the room with bucking muscles and a flashy grin—the king of the east desert.

The king waited for the crowd to have their fill before he waved his hand again.

“Who is a king?” He asked but everyone could tell he was asking edric who didn't reply but simply turned and disappeared into the crowd.

“A king is one that has proven himself to the people” he replied as he grinned

.“from now on a king shall be selected by merit and grace of the people! He practically roared,

Ivo could feel the shivers down his spine as he maintained his smile, deep down he was shaking. It took all he had not to break down and run away, he tried to distract himself with the lady that he joked with, but he sealed glances at his father as often as possible—and his father stared back

“I urge you all that the oncoming games is not restricted to the royal family anymore but to all, come and step into glory then only then can you call yourself men” he proclaimed as he tapped the metal railing and waved one more time before walking down.

He climbed down the stairs and through the crowd that made a clearing for him.

Ivo didn't like where this was going, he was walking towards him.

Ivo swallowed hard, as he dismissed the lady with him and arranged his collar before keeping a straight face.

Ida stepped back as she gave him a look filled with pity and turned to talk to her silver haired partner of before.

“Father”, Ivo called out. “I would have loved to greet you standing, but I just can't” he continued as he points to his legs.

“Pitiful” l Alaric replied as he grabbed the back of Ivo's chair and pulled him away.

The warm breeze hit Ivo face as he was left with the king in the open balcony, he stared at the stars as they shined ever brighter today than before.

Alaric crossed his arms and studied Ivo.

“Who are you?” He asked as Ivo turned to him with a smile.

“Your son—”

“I won't ask again” he replied as he walked very close to Ivo.

Ivo's heart was pounding, was he making his moves too quickly? Has his father caught on? His mind raced with thought, but he took a deep breath and calmed down.

“I nearly died father, I fell from the iron mountains' no rather I was pushed and in my sleep I thought I would never wake and then I did”.

“I woke up and stared at the sky, my weakness. I stared at everything and wished they were mine, and then I thought of how hopeless my wish was until you made the decree today”.

“And then I thought maybe it is okay to wish after all—”

“Wishes are for fools” Alaric replied, cutting Ivo off.

“Yes, but am I a fool? You asked who I am, I'm just a fool that has been reborn!”

Alaric laughed as he rested his back on the rolled stoned wall, “this will be interesting” he replied.

The balcony door swung open as Elvira walked in.

“Mother” Ivo called out and bowed, but she hissed at him.

“The guests await your toast,” she informed the king as she wrapped her arm around his and led him away.

She turned to give Ivo one last look—more of a warning, before disappearing

with the music coming from the halls.