Chapter 44 - The King's Way

Ryan stood with his arms crossed in front of two guards who had their spears crossed against each other, blocking the entrance to the palace.

"You assholes watched me leave with Nessa. Now you won't let me back in!"

"Sorry, sir. You don't have authorization to enter the palace."

"If Meatloaf could breathe underwater... Meatloaf would bash ugly Fishman into oblivion."

Ryan chuckled as a hand reached his shoulder from behind. "It's okay now. Please stand aside."

The two guards bowed, removed their spears, and stepped to the side.

"Shall we go see my father now?" Nessa turned her head and smiled.

Ryan nodded and looked back at Zareth. "Hey, uh, I'm sorry. I lost my cool. It was a dick move on my part. My bad."

Zareth chuckled. "It's okay. Those emotions of yours are probably more than warranted. I just hope you learn to gain some control over them." Zareth patted him on the back and followed Nessa in. He turned around and caught Ryan staring into space. "You coming? The king is waiting."

Ryan shook his head. "Yeah, I'm coming." Ryan walked through the barrier, kicked off his propeller boots, and ran to catch up with Nessa and Zareth.

Ryan entered the king's chambers behind Nessa and Zareth. The king stood immediately, and Ryan took notice. The king was as big as Olax was. His skin was dark blue, one fin was attached to his head, and others ran along his arms. He had black runes tattooed all over his body. The king approached Zareth and hugged him, then stepped back and grabbed him with both arms.

"My, is it good to see you! What brings you here?"

Zareth looked back at Ryan and then to the king. "It is wonderful to see you too, King."

"Oh, call me Father. You will soon be my son-in-law. No need for formalities amongst family."

"I am afraid my presence requires formalities this time."

The king took a step back and sat back down in his chair.

"Is that why this stranger is with you? I sense an ominous power within him."

"Partially." Zareth stepped forward and took a seat at the desk across from the king. "The demons need your help."

The king leaned forward on his desk. "What did you all do this time, Zareth?"

Ryan finally stepped forward. "It's more of what I did, sir."

"Oh, and what have you done?"

"I, ugh, killed the Beastkin emissary and his guards during their visit to King Olax."

The king slammed his fist on the table. "You stupid, stupid boy. Why would you do such a thing?"

Zareth put his hands in the air. "That is of no concern now. What is done is done. My father asked me to come here to ask for aid in the inevitable upcoming war."

The king leaned back in his chair. "Goodness, you've really stepped in it this time, haven't you?"

"Appears we have."

The king smiled. "As much as I'd love to stand, summon my army, and march to your capital, I am afraid I cannot. I have a feeling the council will not approve of it either."

"So, you are willing to just sit back and watch your friend's kingdom and your daughter's future husband die?"

The king leaned forward. "You started the mess. Why can't you clean it up?"

"Oh, I don't think you'd like how I go about cleaning up messes."

Zareth stood and turned to Ryan. "Please step outside and wait."

Ryan sighed. "Fine, but if you all can't come to a conclusion about this, I'll handle it my way, just as the king here told me to." Ryan turned, walked out, and slammed the door behind him.

Zareth sat back down and sighed. "I apologize for him. Nessa told me about the issues with the First Elder."

"Of course she did. Look, I want to help you and your father. Right now, my hands are tied, though. I presume she told you what would happen if I were to take the army and leave for your kingdom."

"She did, and honestly, I am not sure I can leave with that as a suitable excuse. This is my entire kingdom at stake. That man who walked out, he killed the emissary after he threatened my people with death, torture, and slavery. He said we could avoid it if we simply gave up our kingdom and joined hands with the Beastkin. So whether he killed the emissary or not, the Beastkin are looking for a way to start a war regardless."

The king sighed loudly.

"I assume you are on his side, Nessa?"

Nessa nodded.

"If I call forth the army, the First Elder will use it as a way to take the throne. He will say I have abandoned my people for demons."

"But the demons and Narethians have always been on good terms." Zareth tilted his head.

"Yes, but after the summit, the First Elder expressed his desire to continue the restrictions on the demons after meeting with an elder of the Beastkin. The council is split down the middle on the issue. If I march without their approval, I forfeit the throne. The First Elder knows that."

"As strong as my people are, and as much pride as we have, we cannot guarantee victory over the Beastkin. Nor can we allow our citizens to become slaves to them. Or worse... die."

The king looked at Nessa, who simply nodded.

"I am going to regret this, aren't I?"

"No. If it comes down to it, my friend out there has a way to handle the First Elder once this is all done. And I am positive he would handle it thoroughly and quickly."

"If I assemble the army, I cannot guarantee the whole army. There are those loyal to the First Elder. But give me a few days and let me gauge where everyone stands. If enough of the commanders will side with me, we will march and deal with what happens after we deal with the Beastkin. I never fucking liked them to begin with anyway."

Nessa smiled at Zareth. "It's settled then."

"If you weren't such a good kid, and my daughter wasn't madly in love with you, I would've turned this proposal down, even with your father and me being close."

Zareth stood and bowed. "Well, I thank you for your consideration. I will humbly wait a few days before I come search you out again."

"See to it your friend doesn't cause any disturbances while you wait. He seems like the type that trouble just seems to find."

"I will do so." Zareth nodded at Nessa and walked outside the chambers. He walked past Ryan, who was sitting down with his back against the wall and his arm folded.

Ryan saw Zareth and stood. "Well? My way or your way?"

"For such a young man, you have the temperament of a middle aged demon Ryan." Zareth smiled. "We will go with the king's way... for now. Come, let us explore the palace and I'll tell you what the king said."