Dark One Rising(36)
Fallon approached Randor as he came to him from the far side of the table. Fallon bowed to him, then they shook hands. “Your Majesty, you are looking well.”
“As are you, Your Grace. I hope your ride was uneventful.”
“I had to deal with a couple of problems on my way, but nothing serious. I’m looking forward to our talk and more so, finally getting to meet your beautiful and fiery daughter, Melenthia.”
Kevaan glared. So, Fallon had not told his father that he had indeed already met Melenthia or what passed between them. He was angry that his father was so oblivious.
“I’m sure she is anxious to meet you as well, Your Grace.”
Kevaan felt sick. Randor shot Kevaan a look of warning to keep silent. Kevaan bowed his head slightly, answering his father that he would be still.
Fallon looked over to Kevaan and strode forward to shake hands with him. “Your Highness, it’s good to see you again as well. We missed you at the last negotiations we had. Apparently you were out dealing with a problem in the city. I hope everything is smooth now.”
Kevaan seethed inside. He wasn’t absent by choice. He was absent because he knew nothing about the meeting. Had he known, he would’ve made sure he was present. He held his tongue.
“Yes, of course. Everything is fine.”
Fallon nodded to him, then looked back to the king.
“Your Majesty, I would like to introduce you to my Counselor and Legal Advisor, Jaron. He is here to witness this exchange. Pretend he isn’t even here. He’s here to observe only, not to interfere.”
“And the guards, what are they here for?” Kevann said aloud, looking straight at Fallon.
Fallon turned his head, a small smile cracking his thin lips. “Why protection of course, in case things don’t go well.”
“Are you trying to imply something, Your Grace?’
“Of course not, Your Highness, but I don’t underestimate anything. That’s why I survive on the battlefield. I plan for every unknown.”
“That would suggest that there is a battle here. I thought this was only a solidification of a deal.”
“It is, but like I said, I always plan for any unknown. It’s just a formality, I assure you.”
“Kevaan, my son, everything is fine. Fallon why don’t you have a seat, and I’ll have the servants bring some libations. I’m sure you’re hungry and thirsty after your hard ride.”
“You must have rode all day and all night to arrive here a day and a half early,” Kevaan stated. “You weren’t supposed to be here for a couple of days yet.”
Fallon sat down in a seat across from the king, his advisor, sitting next to him. Kevaan stood behind his father.
“I apologize if my arrival is inconvenient. I had some things to attend to, so I thought I would head this way after concluding my business.”
“It’s not inconvenient at all, My Lord. Things are fine.” Randor looked at his son. “Why don’t you sit, my son.”
“I’d prefer to stand, father,” he answered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Fallon noticed and smiled.
“You seem a bit agitated this evening, Your Highness. You really ought to relax.”
“I will relax when this is finished.”
“Very well, then.” He looked back to the king, his advisor watching Kevaan with dark eyes. “I will be taking your daughter’s hand in marriage. I will present her to my land on the evening of Midsummer Day. In return I will enlist my army to you and will set up a border patrol near the edge of the Xanthe River, where the bridge leads from your province into Isamar. This will keep the pirates from coming in from the Tierian Sea up the river. We will keep the toll bridge set-up in order to collect passage into Aaralyn.”
Kevaan watched his father, hoping that at some point there would be questions, but he just nodded.
“That is what we agreed to, yes.”
“And who will collect these tolls, and where will the money go?”
Fallon looked up at Kevaan. “Have you and your father not discussed this already?”
“I guess we’ve both been too busy to go over the details, so I will discuss it with you.”
“The toll will be collected by men that I will hire, the fees, to be put into a secure account and split up between our realms.”
“Why are you hiring the men?”
“Because I have more legions at my disposal and can afford to bring in some better help.”
“Don’t underestimate us, Fallon, We may be a small kingdom, but we can hold our own. Who will be in charge of keeping track and allotting the toll fees?”
“That will be the job of my advisor.”