The Dragon Brothers
Chapter 33 - Trolls

* The Castle at Drakor; The Capital of the Chromos * Lucian POV

Viola is on bedrest until she can stand on her own and walk. Right now she feels dizzy and nauseated most of the time and she's still spotting some blood. Right now I have a council meeting to check on the status of indentured servants. This is important to Viola so it needs to be important to me and I need to make sure it's important to the council.

* The Council Meeting *

"Greetings gentlemen, the topic of this meeting is to discuss indentured servants and where we are at with eliminating this form of slavery from the Empire." I set the tone for the rest of the meeting.

"Scribe, have you added the law to our books and sent out messengers with letters to all kingdoms, cities, and villages, within the empire?" Making sure people are aware of the new law is the first step in the process.

"Yes my king. I have done as you requested." The scribe answers.

"If I may sire, I have been hearing a lot of grumbling concerning this new law. I would like to request that you reconsider your stance." Advisor Nash begins but I stop him before he can say anything else.

"How many indentured servants do you have at your manor?" I want to cut to the chase and get to why he wants me to reconsider so badly.

"Well, um, a few. But, that isn't the point." He's trying to save himself when he realizes what I'm getting at.

"Why have they not been released from their contracts?" I can feel my anger starting to rise.

"Well, your highness, I paid good money for those men and their living conditions are not so deplorable as others. I believe we should give nobles at least two years before the law goes into effect." Now I see the problem; he doesn't want to give up what he's paid for.

"No. The law has already been sent to the cities as a proclamation. I cannot change it now. It's too late. How many of you own indentured servants?" I cross the room so I'm standing in front of Nash.

"Sire, if you continue down this path you will end up with a revolt on your hands." He stands up and slams his hands down on the table.

"Advisor Nash, are you threatening the empire?" Before he can answer my sword is stabbed in his chest and into his heart. "Now, how many others have indentured servants still? All of you are disposable so you are either with me on this or you are against me. Now, how many of you are against me?" The mood of the room instantly changes as Nash's body falls to the floor. I get hurried agreements and reassurances that the rest of my advisors are with me. I'm tired of the political games so I exit the room.

* Roselake: A Small Village in the Salona Kingdom

Emily POV

I'm at Mrs Fishere's seamstress shop when I see soldiers walking down the middle of the road. My heart instantly goes to my throat as I wait to see King Wolf. He walks into the shop carrying a small box wrapped in gold paper with a red ribbon and bow. I feel tiny butterflies in my stomach and I start blushing uncontrollably. He is so good looking it's unbelievable! Could this really be my happy ever after?

"Hello Emily. Have you been receiving the gifts I've been sending you?" King Wolf asks in his deep

"Yes and each one is better than the one before it! The books you've sent me are wonderful! I can't believe the beauty of the editions that you've found. They are so expertly done. The flowers have been beautiful and have made me quite the talk of the town" I feel like I'm rambling so I stop talking. I'm not really sure where to look so I place my eyes on the ground.

"Here. This is for you. I hope you like it." Wolf hands me the box wrapped in the gold paper. I open the box and find the most beautiful earrings and brooch I have ever seen. They are probably worth more than all of the jewelry that I own put together.

"Oh my gosh! These are beautiful! I can never repay you for the things that you have sent me." I'm not sure what society's protocols are for receiving gifts like this so I'm not sure what to say.

"You can repay me by you and your father coming to the castle with me. I would love having you there and we could begin courting. Also, I could have your father taken care of by the royal doctor for the castle. Maybe he can improve his arthritis." He smiles down at me as he lightly brushes my arm. His touch sends sparkles and fireworks all through me.

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"Yes! The doctor that you sent earlier gave my father some balm to massage into his hands and back. I think we would both love coming to the castle." I feel so excited I can barely hide it.

"You have to go! This is almost like Cinderella. Out of everyone that I know you deserve the fairytale romance." Mrs Fishere stops examining the jewelry long enough to wrap her arms around. As we hug and giggle like two school girls I hear a large commotion outside of the shop.

Wolf POV

I'm so happy that Emily has decided to move to the castle with me. My mind is filled with romantic ideas for courting once Emily and I are settled at the castle when I hear a large ruckus outside of the store. I turn around and see my soldiers restraining a large group of men that are yelling. I walk out of the shop to see what the problem is.

"We want to revolt! We will not become part of the Chromos Empire. We don't want your laws or your taxes. We can take care of ourselves. We were fine before you came along and we'll be fine when you're gone." Yells the man at the front of the crowd and gets cheers from the other men around him.

"Hold on Gentlemen. Let's not make rash decisions. Let King Wolf talk." Lord Garbg walks out from the tavern with a smirk on his face. Everytime I meet this man I like him even less.

"There is nothing to talk about. The old king died without leaving an heir so the kingdom has been given to his daughter. She is married to King Lucian who presides over the empire. The agreement has always been that Salona would become a part of the empire after then Prince Lucian and Princess Viola got married. The taxes may seem high but they will provide more benefits for you than ever before. Also, Lord Garbg could always agree to eat some of the cost and not raise the taxes quite so high." I speak as the crowd starts to simmer down.

Emily and Mrs Fishere walk out of the shop to hear what is being discussed when Lord Garbg grabs Emily by the arm.

"Aren't you supposed to be working at my manor? I want my personal maid there with dinner waiting." Lord Garbg tries to run Emily off. But, this only adds fuel to my slowly rising anger.

"She is not your personal maid. Emily is moving to the castle with me. She needs to collect her things and father so we can leave." I take a step towards Lord Garbg and I'm towering over him by at least 6 inches. My lieutenant comes to my side and both him and I have our hands on our swords ready for action if necessary.

"Emily, would you care to explain? I thought we had a deal." Lord Garbg almost sounds like he's whining. She ignores him and walks down the street to her small house. I can see Lord Garbg's face becoming red with anger. I stay ready with my hand on my sword.

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I step around Lord Garbg to address the crowd. Why don't we all return to the tavern and the first round is on me!" With that the crows simmers down and returns to the tavern. My lieutenant follows me into the tavern and we both have a mug of beer. But I don't forget that Lord Garbg led this crowd of people to turn angry against the crown. I'm going to need to keep an eye on him.

*Kingdom of Cait *

Cyprian POV

After breakfast I take Molle outside. She immediately notices there aren't any gardens around the castle and the greenhouse looks like it hasn't been taken care of in ages.

"Cyprian, can I work in the greenhouse? I would like to fix it up.It's so sad that no one has taken care of it." I smile thinking of how beautiful it could look with just a little help.

"Of course. I think that's a wonderful idea." It makes me happy to see Molle taking an interest in the castle. We were still walking inspecting the greenhouse when one of my Lieutenants approached me.

"Sire, we have a problem with the Village of Penshaw." Lieutenant Harms says as he walks up to me.

"Molle, I'm sorry to leave you but I'll see at dinner." She smiles at me and I can feel my heart swell.

"According to survivors the village has been overrun by trolls and the lord and lady of the manor have been killed." Lieutenant Harms explains as we exit the greenhouse.

"I hate trolls!" I grimace at the thought of having to fight trolls. Lieutenant Harms agrees with me.

A/N

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