Dark One Rising(37)

“And we’re supposed to just sit back and allow you to handle everything for both sides?”

“I would assume since we are in dealings that you trust me.”

The king interrupted. “Of course, Fallon. My son is just trying to get a picture on the entire scenario. He wants to understand what it is we’re doing. Aren’t you, my son?”

“I’m trying to figure out what gives him the right to tell us how to run our borders or what gives him freedom to deal with our accounts.”

“My marriage to Melenthia, of course. She will run my household while I’m freed up to run the business end of things. She will be a tremendous asset, I’m sure. I will be most happy to see her.”

Kevaan looked over at his father, who had remained silent most of the time Kevaan and Fallon were discussing things. He was straight faced and mostly just nodded. Kevaan suspected that whatever was happening, it probably had to do with Fallon’s ad-visor. He didn’t trust Fallon, but he trusted this Jaron even less. The room felt eerie, the hairs on the back of his neck were standing up, almost as if the room had been hit by lightening.

The king stood up from the table and pulled the call for the servant. It took a couple of minutes, but then one appeared in the doorway, and bowed.

“Please fetch my daughter. We’re ready for her now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he said bowing again.

He left the room, and Randor sat back down at the table. He looked in Kevaan’s direction. “While we are waiting, what do you think of the arrangements, my son?”

He glanced quickly at Fallon and then sneaked a peek at his advisor, his hands clasped neatly on the table. He was looking at Kevaan, and the eerie feeling got stronger. He felt himself starting to sweat under his leather.

“I don’t like the fact that we’ll have no access to our own accounts or have someone from our house even be able to examine the books. I also don’t think extra patrols on the river are necessary. The toll that is being charged is already too steep for the legitimate fishermen who bring in their catch once a week. I don’t think raising the price will help the businessmen of this kingdom who work hard to survive.”

“Times are changing, Your Highness. Your kingdom is small, but eventually you will not be able to provide for your people if the pirates and brigands continue to come up the river and take business away from those who are legit. You must see that some things have to go up in order to provide more security. I think raising the tolls, rather than the taxes, is a fair compromise.”

“I understand the process and the reasoning behind it. What I’m opposed to is having you in charge of it. We’ve been able to handle our books just fine. We don’t need an outside party to have their hands in our affairs.”

“That’s not a nice attitude toward your future brother-in-law.”

Kevaan’s teeth were gnashed together. “If Melenthia is happy about the situation, then I will give my blessing, but I think you’ll find that she won’t be.”

Fallon looked at his advisor, then laughed loud, his advisor smiling now for the first time since he had come into the room.

“Her happiness about this arrangement has no bearing on it, Kevaan. She is a woman, and her hand has been given over to me by your father. She is a princess and has a duty to the crown.”

“And I have a duty to it as well, and one of my duties is to make sure that my sister is taken care of and that whatever arrangements are agreed to are beneficial and fair to both sides.”

“This small kingdom needs the income, Kevaan, and this will insure a steady stream of it.”

“Well, I’m not willing to just hand over the family’s business so easily, however, marriage or not.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but unfortunately there’s nothing I can do about it now. This meeting is just a formality. The deal was already made. Your father and I have already come to an agreement, the papers have already been signed.”

Kevaan looked sharply from Fallon to his father. “Is this true, father? Have you already signed the papers without discussing this with me?”

“Yes. I didn’t feel it was necessary to involve you this time.”

“What is wrong with you? This will be my kingdom in the future, and I share responsibility of it now. You should have consulted me, father. It’s bad enough you handed Melenthia over without talking it over with me, or her for that matter, but this is wrong.”

“I’m only thinking of the future of this kingdom, your future kingdom. This will make it stronger for years to come. As far as Melenthia is concerned, this meeting is solely for the purpose of Fallon and Melenthia meeting each other before their nuptials next month. The deal is done.”