Chapter One: Agenda

King Arthur the third of Emerald stood before the people of his kingdom.  He had called a meeting for all to attend.  Everyone came running.  The king was not one to call meetings if there was no need to.  He called them because there was a need for them. 

Never just for social visits.  The nobles,  wealthy and known men and women came as many as they could to see what their king had called them there for. 

Even some of the peasant families made it . They too were curious and keen to know what this good king of theirs had to say.  Even if it was going to cost them a leg and a toe to repay the traveling costs of the coaches they went with. 

King Arthur cleared his throat.  "My good people. My subjects I'd like to first thank you all for honoring the request I made to all of you." He began to address his people.  "I am not going to take much of all your time because I know you are all busy people with busy schedules."  He reassured as he made his people even more keen to know what it really was that this king was going to say today. 

"I am king." He stated the obvious.  Which the people were smiling at but inside were quite annoyed now by their king.  They wanted him to get to the point already.  Which seemed to be difficult for him.  He started off with making jokes, talking about the position of the sun these days and many things that did not yet concern what he wanted to say here today.  It was not until much later.  When the good people of Emerald had given up on ever hearing what this was all about that he began to talk. 

"I am not getting any younger." He was only twenty.  But to the kingdom and many people's eyes he was almost seventy.  "I realize that I need to have a successor.  An heir.  Someone who will take over my throne when I am no more",  this was surprising in deed.  People were not expecting this from their king.  The king has always been adamant on waiting until the right time.  That he would not just marry for the sake of heirs.  That he would marry for love. 

Now it seemed the king had changed his tune and  mind.  "I am to marry on the next red moonlight.  To the one that will be recognized as your queen.  And my wife.  Thank you . " With those last words the great elephant of the kingdom left the room.  Not leaving his burden. 

People were asking each other questions.  "How? Last time I knew he was focused on the kingdom when was he thinking about marriage? "

"Even if he was thinking about it.  Why did he just tell us?  Red moonlight is in three days!"

"Meaning he already has a woman in mind "

To say everyone was confused about this was putting lightly.  Everyone had no idea what to do with these news.

    This was definitely not what they had come to the palace expecting to hear. Yes they wanted their king to marry but their King was rather stubborn and they have him the benefit of his young age that he still had time to settle down and give him an heir. They never knew that this day would be today. Surely it was not their encouraging that made him to change his mind so soon. 

    

    It had to be something else. Something that he was not telling them. Maybe keeping it as a secret from them. But what could it be? 

    

    "Surely it is not love", one of the gossips said as they walked to their coach with their friends on hand. "He doesn't seem like the type to fall in love be is so-so and he likes to talk to his friend than any of the young ladies. I do not think it is love." 

    

    "Could never never be love!" One of the friends said with confidence. "Who would marry anyone so fast if they loved them?! And on the red moonlight? Who would do that?" She shook her head. "Maybe the king do not quote me but I think maybe he could have made a bastard somewhere and now he's trying to cover it up with a wedding. That would explain the whole ' heir ' thing he was talking about during his speech." 

    

    

   

***

"Who are you marrying?" Michael Vick, the most trusted knight by the king asked as he stood in front of Arthur who only gave him a sad look. 

"I am to die in two years." This was the first person he was telling this to. The first person he was unleashing his burden to. "If I do not get married then my family which has ruled over this kingdom for ions will be wiped out of the throne's existence.  I have to marry.  So I can get an heir ". 

Michael was silent his eyes still staring directly into the king's. If any of the others did this they would be punished.  The king was like a god.  He couldn't be looked at on the eyes. It was regarded as disrespect.  At the highest order if it so as well was a low person in status and title doing this.  But Michael was allowed to. The king was the one who couldn't keep his gaze. 

"For how long have you known?" This was Michael's first question after the silence.  To which the king replied to with his head looking down.  "Three years ."

Michael's breath hinged.  "What do you mean three years?" He was greatly disturbed and heartbroken that Arthur could keep such a thing to himself. To not even tell him something like that broke his heart and soul. If Arthur couldn't trust anyone he could at least trust him with his life. 

"I went to a healer about three years ago when I had those headaches.  I didn't think nothing of it.  It seemed like just some annoying pain that needed to go away.  So I went to see the healer.  Ready to put an end to it.  But he told me that I had Radat.  It's a brain disease.  It slowly kills the brain from the inside.  Until there's nothing left.  And then I die.  I asked him if there was no cure for it but he didn't know.  Said he had never dealt with it before. "

This made Michael furious.  "You asked only one healer?! There's so many! I could have accompanied you to everyone of them"

The king laughed.  A long shallow laugh.  "You think I'm stupid?  Mike I asked three thousand healers and they told me the same thing.  Some telling me what a miracle it was that I was still alive.  So I am very sure that I am going to join my ancestors soon "

Michael didn't believe it.  "We can consult more.  I know some of the best.  We shouldn't give up now."

Arthur shook his head.  "No. I will not increase my torment by doing that.  Three thousand people who don't even know each can't say the same thing so it can't be false.  I have accepted it. It's time for you to now.  "

"How can I accept this?!" He shook his head violently.  "Three thousand can lie! They all could have some agenda.  Maybe they want you dead.  I refuse to believe that you will die so soon.  I vowed I would protect you from everything.  From every threat.  You can not die now.  "

King Arthur smirked sighing.  "Yes you vowed you would protect me. And you have. Every threat to my life has been fought by you.  I am alive now because of you.  Your dedication and you being a man of your word has been the reason I have lived this long.  I thank you for that.  But this.  This you cannot fight."

Michael did not have words to say. So he chose to leave the throne room.  Without even getting his answer for his first question.  He still did not know who his king was marrying. 

    

    

    

    ***