Shadow of the Knight

[lost-lover]

This is quite a bit different from my usual style of writing, and it's a different genre, but I felt like a change. However, I'm not really sure where I'm going with this after the first chapter so bare with me. As always, all comments, good or bad, are apprieciated.

CHAPTER ONE

"Sir?" Said the man stood in the doorway. "Sir, they're ready for you."
Quinton Edron nodded. The man stood in the doorway as if to ensure he was on his way. Edron stared at the man, hoping he'd get the hint and flee the room so Edron could go back to what he was doing - planning an escape. Unfortunatley the messenger showed no signs of leaving, instead he stood in the doorway and proceeded to watch Edron like a hawk. Edron growled to himself, then, looking past the man and through the open doorway realised he'd have no chance to escape anyway; there were two guards outside armed with pikes and swords; he was unarmed. Of course, the guards wouldn't kill him - a king such as himself would fetch too much in ransom to be used for sword practise - but he knew their master, King Alexandrios Niran, wouldn't mind too much if they maimed him - after all, his small kingdom - Tithperion - couldn't not afford to go to war against Niran's empire, the mighty land of Syadoria, which was the second largest country in the world.
Edron just hoped this meeting would be short and simple - he detested Niran, the traitor and usurper that he was, he had captured Edron under the pretence of a diplomatic mission, claiming he had wished to forge an alliance. Their last meeting had been just a week ago, and Niran had informed him that he had sent messengers back to Tithperion to compromise. Niran had told him he'd offered his family to half the ransom on Edron's head, which still left a very significant amount, especially to Quinton Edron's small kingdom, if Edron's daughter would consent to be his bride. For this reason the last meeting had not ended well. Edron, captive or not, was still smart enough not to do anything as foolish as attack his captor in a room full of guards, choosing instead to state a number of facts about Niran's claim to his throne; the man was most displeased to hear Edron knew of these. Edron was now hoping for a letter from his family, at least a few his eldest son and prince regent which expressed his keen rejection of Niran's proposal.
The messenger coughed to show his impatience. Annoyed, Edron said "Give me a chance, man."
"My master does not like to be kept waiting Sir." Replied the man. More likely the man didn't want to risk Niran's temper by being late to return with me, thought Edron. Niran's temper was legendary, as was the man's madness. Not that anyone would say so to his face.
"I don't like being held for ransom." Retorted Edron. The man had the grace to look discomforted by this. Edron sighed. "Very well, take me to Niran."
The messenger and a small troupe of guards led Edron through the labyrith of corridors - after a month of captivity they were still difficult to navigate. Once they reached the far side of the castle the messenger stopped outside a large oak door flanked by four guards. After a few words, they stood aside to let the messenger enter and announce the arrival of Edron. The voices from inside carried through clearly from the half closed doorway.
"My King, the prisoner King Edron of Tithperion is outside awaiting your humble presence for an audience." Came the voice of the messenger.
"Then get off your knees and send him in. Do you think I wish to spend my day listening to your idle praises and irritating voice?" Came a cold voise Edron recognised immediatley as the hated King Niran.
"N-no of course not my Lord. I will send him in immediatley." The striken messanger became visible in the gap in the doorway, bowing and backing towards the doorway.
"Then quit your infernal bowing and do it! I am trying to run a kingdom here. If your wretched body is not out of my sight and replaced with that of King Edron in ten seconds I'll send you to the gallows. Do you understand me, man?" Replied Niran.
The messenger screeched a yes, made a fianl bow and pratically flew himself through the doorway. The guards watched the terrified man until he was out of their sights before letting Edron enter.
The large room was lit by torches in brackets, it contained a big desk, a hude table and many chairs, and a dozen slaves crowded around Niran, fanning him or feeding him. Alexandrios Niran was a tall man, his body, which was bony rather than muscled, was covered by an extravagent robe of red silk. The man's hair was overlong, set about his shoulders in a mouse coloured mess. His waxy pale skin was stretched tightly over his skull, his strange bronze eyes the prominant feature of his face, the nose was like a bird's beak, his mouth was a thin line, and at the moment was smiling cruelly.
"Leave us." He said to the room at large. The slaves aruptly scattered, giving Edron frightened glances as they fled the room. "Come, sit, Quinton. You are my guest as well as my prisoner."
Upholding the royal mask of indifference taught to him from a young age, Edron sat opposite Niran and waited to see what today's meeting would be about.
"I have a letter from your eldest son Avin, Tithperion's prince regent." began Niran.
Edron waited to hear what Avin had said in reply to Niran's offer of a compromise. He hoped his son had not sacrificed his sister's freedom in exchange for his freedom. He was sure he would not, but the ransom was high and in his last letter Avin had told him Tithperion's populance was complaining about the new taxes, the lord's and the council members were complaining about their money losses; if would be a hard decision for Avin, despite his closeness to his little sister. The lad was just 20, and which ever way he had went with his decision he'd have to answer to his subjects in his first big decision, one which seemed like a lose-lose situation. Either way he was the populance wouldn't like the result; to get him back they'd lose his daughter, who he knew was a favourite with his subjects despite her headstrong manner and general recklessness, if they rejected the offer they would be stuck gaining the ransom, which meant they'd be stuck with the taxes.
"What has he to say to me?" Asked Edron, praying Avin made a decision he would not regret.
Niran looked surprised. "To you? Nothing. No message to you."
Edron tried not to let his surpirise show. Avin had sent a letter to Niran without any message to his own father?
"Then what is this letter you spoke of?" He asked.
Niran smiled. A truly chilling thing, even to a King. Edron knew that smile meant no good. Niran pulled our a thin sheet of parchment, from the underside, Edron could make out the Avin's signiture and the Edron family seal, as well as the signitures of all the Royal council of advisors. He felt his stomach drop as he realised what the letter was.
"This letter, signed by your Royal council and your son, your kingdom's prince regent, is a declaration of war."