Chapter 153
Nichs
I wanted to talk to my father about the state of the people that I had seen when I had taken Piper
shopping, but the King was too busy to see me for several days. When I was finally allowed audience
Inside of his chambers, he had his war map stretched out over the dining table.
My mother was seated in one of the cushioned chairs, with Terry in the one beside hers. My father was
standing, peering down at the map with his chin in his hand.
Nathan allowed me into the room, then followed me back to the table, where he stood quietly behind
the
King.
“Nichs,” my father said. My mother nodded. Terry stared at me nkly.
“Father, I’vee to talk to you about a most pressing issue,” I said.
My father sighed. “Everything is a pressing issue, it seemed. What is it that is troubling you?”
“The welfare of our people. Father, they are starving and living in destitute conditions. They need more
assistance than we are…”
I trailed off as my father raised his hand.
“We have enough to worry about as it is. While I admit the conditions for our people are not as
generous as they have been in the past, our people are strong. They can ovee any hardships on
their
own.”
Did he not truly understand how dire things were? That people were homeless and hungry, and needed
help.
“If I could just exin
“That’s enough, Nichs,” the King said. “I have given you my answer.
“You are too young, little prince,” Terry called. “You’re na?ve, concerning yourself with… how did you
phrase it? “The welfare of our people‘ Don’t you understand that our borders are at risk?”
frowned and looked back to my father for exnation. He waved me closer to the map, and then
pointed at the crude ck line meant to replicate our border with the Bear People in the North.
“Tensions are high on our northern borders,” the King said. “There have been reports of their soldiers
crossing into our territory inrge numbers. They are likely nning something.”
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“We should call on our alliances,” I said, rmed.
“Who, exactly?” Terry said with a harshugh. “The Merfolk are basically useless unless the Bears
attack by water. But they are too smart for that. At least for now.”
I gave Terry a sharp look. He seemed keen on tearing down others‘ ideas without producing any of his
OWIL
The Dragons, then,” I offered.
My father shook his head. “The Bear People and the Dragon n have a very old agreement. They
have
both sworn not to raise arms against the other, in the name of peace.”
It made sense. The Dragons and the Bears were two of the fiercest types of shifters. They lived for war
andbat. If they invaded each other, neither would stop until the other was totally wiped out. This
would lead to mutually assured destruction.
“There must be something we can do,” I said.
“Pray,” Terry said.
The Luna nodded, agreeing with the sentiment.
“We must find a way to negotiate with the Bear People,” the King said. “If only we knew what they were
really after.”
They know what th
“They know what they are after, dear brother–inw,” Terry chimed in once more. “They see the
weakness of the royal family and wish to im ournd for our own.” d
“We have shown weakness,” the Queen agreed.
“What would you suggest, then?” the King said, frowning.
“A show of force,” Terry said. “Send our own troops north.”
“And risk full conflict?” I said.
Terry clucked his tongue at me. “Little boy, don’t you have other things to do? Like worry whether
people
can afford new sweaters, or whatever you were worried about.”
I grit my teeth. The welfare of the people was not something to be mocked. Feeding our people and
protecting the people were two problems, sure, but we didn’t need to sacrifice one for the sake of the
other. We could care about both.
Yet bit my tongue. For whatever the reason, my mother and father too–often deferred to my uncle’s