Seamus

Fury fills My HEART. James is now either in Alignment with Jonathan, or he will Become a scapegoat. Either way, he is unReliable. I am going to have to Determine the king's indiscretions for my SELF, particularly his Eldest daughter. I Imagine Jonathan will bring me the rest.

I Enter The Council Members' Quarters and knock upon Seamus's door. No Answer. I continue down the hall and knock upon Tomás's door. He opens.

"Your Grace!" He bows his head instantaneously. "I did not Expect to Find you here."

"May I?" I wave Towards his personal chambers.

"Oh! Yes! Forgive me, your Majesty. Please Do come in." Tomás steps aside, Allowing me to Enter. "What may I Do for you, my QUEEN?"

"I am Looking for Seamus. Do you Know where I May Find him?"

"Yes, your Grace. He is Training The New GUARD."

"GOOD. I will Seek him there." He bows his head. I turn to leave, pausing before stepping out. "Oh. And Tomás?"

"Yes, your Majesty." He responds.

"Mention nothing of this Meeting. It is for your own GOOD." He nods.

"GOOD." I firmly state. "Good Day to you."

"And you, your Grace."

I leave the room and head Toward The Training Grounds.

The Troops are mid-Session upon my Arrival. I Look around, Scoping our Progress. A Collection of young Recruits practice their Mobility through the Art of Tai Chi, another works on their Marksmanship. Archery and Weaponry Skills Enhancement Courses Surround me. Seamus is Training our upcoming GUARD on Military Strategy. I Enter the Session, taking a seat quietly so as not to Disturb the Lesson. I Listen, waiting Patiently.

"The Northern Kingdom is our Most-Likely enemy. The King would love nothing more than to see us fall. The Potential Points of Entry lie here, here, and here." The Recruits Gather around Seamus, Studying a full-spread map of The QUEENDOM. "Our Scouts are continuously on the Move, Monitoring the Situation. These Troops are Trained in Archery, Weaponry, Strategy and Tai Chi. They are ONE with their Surroundings. They do not go for the kill unless it is of Necessity. Their Most-Valuable Skill lies in Informantry. Any Questions?" Seamus looks up, catching my eye.

"No, Sir." Our Recruits simultaneously reply.

"Good. Familiarize your Selves with the Layout of our Land. I Must take Five."

"Yes, Sir." Seamus walks my way, leaving The Recruits with their Studies.

"My QUEEN." He bows his head, hands positioned behind his back.

"Seamus." I reply.

"What May I Do, your Grace?"

"I Need an Escort to obtain Pertinent Information."

"Shall I Dismiss our Recruits?"

"The Sooner, the Better." I state.

Seamus turns. "Recruits."

"Yes, Sir." They Stand at Attention.

"Report to your next Station. You are Dismissed." The Recruits Salute and disperse. He turns back to me. "Your Grace. I take your Lead."

"Let us Meet with the king."

His eyes flash, bloodlust coursing through his veins. "As you Please." He eagerly Agrees.

We Arrive at the king's cell where he is Imprisoned. Sebastián stands, approaching me and Seamus.

"Good Day, Sebastián." He spits in my face. Seamus reaches through the bars, grabbing the king by his stained collar and landing a tight fist square on his jaw.

"Apologize." He growls.

"To that bitch?" The king snarls. "Never."

Seamus wraps his hand around the king's throat and Smiles. "Are you certain?" He threatens, squeezing slowly. The king Begins gasping.

"What do you Want, QUEEN?" He Questions, whispering raspily.

"Apologize." Seamus pulls out a hand-cut knife, pointing it at his groin. He drags the edge down the center of his pants-line.

"D-don't!" Sebastián gasps.

"Last Chance, king." An evil smile spreads across Seamus's face as he digs the knife deeper. The king claws at his hands, desperate for air. His eyes rolling backwards into his head.

"I-.. I-I.. A-a..polo..gize."

"I Apologize, what." Seamus squeezes tighter. It takes Everything within Me not to stop this brutal Affair, but we Need Answers without recoil.

"M-my.. Qu-..een." He manages to rasp out. Seamus releases his throat, leaving the king gasping for air.

"Say it again, king." He forcefully demands.

"I Apologize, my QUEEN. Forgive me. Please.. I beg for your Mercy. Don't let me die in here." Tears well in his eyes.

"Enough." I Command. "These are the Consequences to your Actions. You have embarrassed your People long enough. They are no longer yours. You may let go of this Hope. What Becomes of you now Depends Entirely upon The TRUTH of The Answers that you Willingly Provide. Should you so much as even stutter, let alone lie.." I pause, Allowing the Silence to fill the void. "..well, Seamus?"

"Yes, my Queen."

"Tell the king what awaits for each wrong Answer and hesitation that he Provides."

"Gladly, my QUEEN." His black eyes ooze with torturous desire. "First," he pulls the king's arm through, securing his wrist, "I will cut off each appendage." He traces the length of Sebastián's thumb. "Then," he flashes the king a dazzling Smile, "I will do the other - nice and slow." He pulls out his knife, piercing the king's skin. A small trickle of blood drips from the tip. Sebastián hisses in pain.

"Do we have an Agreement, Sebastián?" I calmly Breathe. He nods, eyes wide. "GOOD. Let us Begin."