The Ties That Bind

"My Lord, the situation has grown worse!"

"Tell me, what does the King want?"

"He wants your..." the soldier tried to gulp down his nervousness; however, it had been caught in his through.

"Come now, calm down. What are the King's demands?"

The young man heaved a heavy sigh before straightening up, "He wants-"

The Lord's doors burst open, interrupting the soldier's report. Several soldiers entered the room, the echoes of their chain-mail ringing through the hall.

"What is the meaning of this?!" The Lord demanded.

"We have word from the northern border, your Lordship!" one of the soldiers said.

The new Lord grew ever frustrated at the constant interruptions as of late, and the number of soldiers 'required' to deliver a single line of news. The Kunari to the north had a tiresome relationship with the King and due to the Lord's relation to him, his involvement was unavoidable.

The Lord pinched between his eyes. Though he had only come to rule a few short days ago, the burden of his father's strained ties weighed heavily on his shoulders.

"I've had enough of this!" the Lord commanded, "all of you, out!"

The group of soldiers that had just entered seemed conflicted as to what they should do. Though their ruler had commanded them to leave, they had urgent news to report. One by one, the room slowly emptied and the first soldier turned to make his leave.

"Before you go," the Lord said, "tell the King I will listen to his demands, but only in person."

~

The Lord arrived at the city to the south without an entourage. Although the relationship between the two kingdoms were strained; the Lord did his best out of respect for his family. He climbed the stairs to the southern kingdom's castle and paused for a moment to look out at the city below. His father had helped raise this city from ruin and appointed a ruler to oversee it. When he thought back to the days when his uncle would sneak the young lord out of his room to adventure through the city, he grew lonely. The Lord knew the people thought his uncle was no longer the kind man he used to be, but he heard what was said the night his father passed away.

The soldiers guarding the throne room door made way for the Lord to enter and he was greeted by a sight that was unusual, but entirely expected.

"It is so good to see you, nephew," the Queen said.

"In spite of recent events, I too am glad to see you," he replied, nodding his head.

"Yes, things have grown a little tiresome lately, haven't they?" she remarked.

The Lord noticed the lack of guards within the room and thought it odd that, despite the war approaching from the north, the Queen resided within such an unprotected location.

"The guards are protecting the King. Even though I hold influence over his decision, he apparently holds all the power."

"Well then, I assume you are the one that gave the message to my soldier?" he asked.

"Correct. The King wants you to withdraw your soldiers from their posts and rally them at our kingdom."

The Lord felt his blood boil. A difficult decision was presented before him and he knew, whatever he chose, it would cause the destruction of his city and its people.

The Queen noticed his hesitation."Tell me, is it so hard to side with your family? Your uncle demands your assistance, and you stand ever still as a statue."

"You speak of family as if those ties are binding, yet here you sit pulling each string to the point of breaking. I will not bow to you to keep our string from severing. I am bound to my people."

The Lord felt the sting of his decision, but knew the pain would be greater had he chosen otherwise.

"And what do you suppose will happen to your people if you cut the ties that keep them from harm? What would your father think if he knew you made an enemy of his beloved brother?"

He knew the southern kingdom lacked the space to protect his people. If he rallied his soldiers, it would mean leaving his citizens behind to be slaughtered by the Kunari.

"The fact that I am before you is out of respect for my dear uncle. I know what you are doing, but I cannot prove it. The least I can do is prevent you from doing the same to me."

"You dare turn your back on me? On your family?!"

He felt the ties between his kingdom and his uncle's become more strained as the conversation grew longer. He knew it was only a matter of time before it snapped and thought it better to do it now rather than wait for the stress to grow even more.

"You are no family of mine! Here me when I say, 'We may be tied by duty, but your blood will never run as pure as mine!' My uncle loved you and you repaid him with..." He stopped himself mid-sentence knowing if he spoke further, he would lose his composure and break down in tears.

"Do go on. I don't want any bad blood between us, dear nephew."

The Lord turned his back and made to leave the throne room. His heart was pounding, but nothing was going to change his mind. He felt the gaze of the Queen burning into his back, but he ignored it. He knew their kingdoms needed each other to survive, but an idea had entered his mind as he opened the doors to return home.

"If you leave this city, you will be forever marked as our enemy regardless of what 'ties' may bind us!"

~

"How are the preparations coming along?" the Lord asked.

"Your soldiers are camped in the forest ready to defend the southern kingdom. Our informant says the King's army will march at dawn." the soldier replied.

"Good. What about the cargo?"

"It will arrive tonight."

"Thank you. You're dismissed. Send in the next representative."

The soldier bowed and left the hall. A moment later, a large human-like tiger entered the room. He wore two battle axes on his back, but other than that, wore very little in the way of clothing or armour.

"The Kunari reinforcements are in position, as requested."