FOREWORD in progress 'Words from the King'

A Chapter by Tony Yost

Intro starting with the wicked king protagonist.

The smell of wine and perfume filled the room. The king and captain Brust of the Royalty Army were discussing their next move in the opposing rule of Au Gist. The King was sitting upon his royal red throne lifted by pounds of gold and garbed in Royalty purple attire. He wore the same purple cape as he did every other day, under it was a violet with gold trim tuxedo that he had scores of in a private dressing room. Holding in his left hand was a golden sceptre with an amazingly large amethyst perching on the top guarded by a gold vulture. On his crown were amethysts as well as emeralds and rubies, and his face was was obtained by a short trimmed beard with hints of gray and was a rather slim face structure as if he was a child with fast metabolism or a starved peasant. He looked like a bag of bones, and often called King of the Dead behind his back.
Captain Brust, who was also present, also wore Royalty purple uniform. Upon his head was a fine combed due of his charcoaled and silver hair. At his waist was a long golden colored sword that resembled intelligence, respect, prowess in battle, and meant he was in charge when the King wasn't present. His boots were mismatched. One black and one white. Why he decided to wear his own style and defying Royalty uniform is still a mystery. But he is a well respected man, captain of the Royalty, and friend to the king so it is easy to see why it would slide.
Frustrated, the king let out a sigh. His bony hands covered his cursed red eyes.
“We need to attack the Au Gist while they are quiet,” the King said softly, “we need this foolish war taken care of now.”
“Your Highness, they have assembled a large wall around most of the island. It would be almost impossible to get in without behind them without being detected.” Captain Brust stated.
“Almost is the key word, Mr Brust. Recruit some peasant as a spy, offer them loads of crowns and coins, equip him with a fishing pole and spear to play as a fisherman. Tell one of my spellcasters, Rogue preferably, that he will accompany this man or woman to contact me as soon as they get through and find someplace safe to scry from. Also equip Rogue with a mirror and a few hundred souls of choice to ensure they are not defeated, and if they are then it'd be a fight that’ll cause a loss for Au Gist. And when Rogue is safely in Aü Gist, kill the peasant.”
“But Your Majesty, wouldn’t Rogue be at risk to become possessed? A few hundred souls seems a bit much.”
“Ah, indeed. Why do you think I handpicked Rogue, captain? I believe he is our finest and most trusted, wouldn't you say?”
“Aye, I guess I see your point.” Brust sighed.
They continued talking about various strategies that could get the Royalty on top of the war between the Au Gist and them for hours when suddenly the king asks;
“It has been years since we have last spotted Eve, Akin, and that pestering Matus. Is there any sign of them? I mean who knows how much they've spilt about the Royalty.”
“I know not of them Your Highness.” Brust uttered scratching his charcoaled beard.
“They need to be found Brust. I do not need them to cause more havoc. They could be giving information out to Au Gist as we speak, and yet here we are standing around like careless peasants waiting for something to happen! I can not let them roam however they please Brust! Find them! I’ve been patient! Find them!” he roared throwing his silver goblet of wine. “Find them Brust. I do not care how. Find them now!”
“Yes Your Majesty.” Brust bowed. “I shall take two-hundred men in uniform and make it known we are still looking for Eve and Akin. What of Matus?”
“I do not care of Matus! Kill him! He is no use to me! He was a defiant, rebellious, and a cowardly lieutenant. I should have had him executed from the first mistake he made!”
Brust shuddered. “Your Majesty, what if we can’t come to kill Matüs? He is one of the better swordsman in the land. Not regarding that matter, a lot of soldiers and leaders including myself still see Matüs as a respected leader.”
“Then I’ll have all of your men you decide to take with you, ‘including yourself', demoted when or if you returned if Matüs escapes or is taken as prisoner. Understood?”
“Understood Your Highness.” he sighed bowing, making his way out of the throne room he added; “Your Majesty, your sister was requesting to speak with you. Coincidently about Eve.”
“Send her in if you would.” he sighed.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After minutes later of sitting the King Xander waited, watching servants clean up his goblet of wine. Thinking to catch Au Gist off guard anyway he decides it’d be best to send a few thousand of his men into Au Gist after his spies find a way around the walls.
“Your Highness, Lady Rayn is awaiting order to proceed into the throne room.” a servant called.
“Well I've already ordered her in, send her in.” he barked. The sound of doors being slammed and stomping from a ladies heels approached the king urgently.
“Xander, I’ve been patient for almost three years! I want to find Eve and strike her down, now!” she roared storming into the room.
“Sister, I have also been patient. I just sent out another separate party for Eve and Akin today with Brust. I am hoping to have them here at the Royal Kingdom by the end of this fall. If I do not have them by first snowfall you shall do whatever you see fit to capture them alive.”
“Brust?! You think that drunken hag will have them here by first blooming?! Unbelieveable! You’ll be lucky to get them into custody by the time you hit your deathbed.”
“No Rayn. You underestimate Brust deeply. He has captured the uncatchable Au Gist scum since before you were born.” He rubbed his hand over his cursed eyes and took a long sip of wine while Rayn cursed under her breath. “Have you succeeded in capturing Riverside of Au Gist yet?” the king asked.
"I have, Brother. Au Gist’s defense is rather pathetic I’d say. We captured the our city back within a day. We even succeeded in slaying their captain,” she sneered. “You can say Captain Jay Risa of Au Gist is no longer in office, or no longer a threat,” she chuckled.
“Good good my sister, Risa wasn’t much of a threat to me anyways.” he flatly said scratching his beard again.
“Not a threat? He singlehandedly slayed one of our Riders after falling scores of our men even after days of battles. He survived being isolated on the Giants Island and managed to slay sixteen of their mammoths and sixty-three giants! He had no help with this! Not a threat! Bah!” she yelled stomping her heels and scuffing.
“Hmph, Brust and any of my Riders can do the same asleep Rayn. Just because he is a hero in Au Gist doesn't mean he's some hero here in the Royalty," the king stated. "A threat to me my sister, is my son and Eve. Why? They have information of us. No prowess, but information and knowledge. That's a powerful weapon against us Rayn."
"Then find them," she replied mockingly.
"You don't think I'm trying?!" He burst. "I wanted them found the day they fled sister! It's been years later and years are too long to have valuable information! Days, is too long with information Rayn!" The King let out a sigh scratching his short beard, eyes darting around searching his mind for a solution.
"I've changed my mind, sister. I want you to assist Brust in this search party. Do whatever it takes to find them and bring them back alive." He spoke flatly with high volume making his voice echo through his hall.
Rayn smirked in an evil fashion and started to walk out of the throne room of Xander. "Ahh," he sighed evily. "With pleasure my brother," she chuckled evilly and continued out of the throne room.