Scapegoat

Obsidian keep

.....

Setting on the his throne without any expression on his face he watched the the nobles expressing their fealty

The dukes had gone first followed by the counts. While the counts were paying their respect he noticed someone he had been keeping his eye on walking towards there throne

He watched Roderick frostfield kneel at the foot

" The Frostfield family once again swears allegiance,it's sword and it's shield to the blackfyre dynasty " he proclaimed with an obvious tremble in his voice

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.

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He regarded the young man before him a cold stare, making no moves to acknowledge his proclamation like he had done with the others, which he had acknowledged with a slight nod

The silence became deafening,the atmosphere awkward. the young man trembled more noticeably.

.....

POV

Reginald Frostfield

'They'ed overstepped, a grave miscalculation,they had made a grave mistake' these thoughts ran through his heads uncontrollably.

If by now he didn't realize then he had to be a fool

His father had played a game that has been played a thousand times, but all of a sudden the rules have been changed when he wanted to have a turn

Their plan was simple, straightforward even, it is natural for a newly coronated king to have a short time of weakness after his ascent to the throne. Especially admist the circumstances that this exact king claimed the throne,in these circumstances nobles would express support for the king of course for some benefits.

That is why they dared act so brazenly.

Normally they wouldn't be this brazen,but due to the fact that the count was now a iron core stage warrior they believed they could use their influence to get some leeway with the young king , especially considering the small amount iron core stage warriors in the kingdom and also the fact top level warriors were needed, although everything looked peacefull,the kingdom was essentially at war.

This is why they believed they could get away with creating a secret army, which wouldnt have been so hard had the actors followed the script.

But they didn't.

He expected the dukes to show some hesitation or reluctance while swearing fealty,he wasn't the only one looking for these signs most of the nobles were looking for these signs.If they see these signs they could rally behind the dukes and extort some subtle benefits from the king

This was double for him who had a iron core stage warrior backing him .If things had worked out as it should have, they would have four iron core stage warrior put pressure on the king to secure benefits and ignore the fact that they had built a secret army,the Frostfield family really had no plans of rebelling just a bit of greed

But things hadn't gone as planned, because this dukes almost seemed happy to bend the knee.

He would never know that the reason they happily kneeled was because the 7ft4 knightmare that terrified them in their dreams was standing lazily beside the king

With these thoughts were churning in his mind he knelt before the king, taking solace in the fact the secret army was still just that, a secret

.....

Pov

Null Blackfyre

"Are you the head of house frostfield?"he asked levelling the man a chilling stare

"N..no your grace but -". '"are you the head of house frostfield "he Interrupted place more emphasis on each syllable

"No your grace"

"So what is your purpose here then, I sent a call to all nobles Lords and you are obviously not a Lord "

"Your grace I believe my father sent a letter outlining he's reason for absence"

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There was a long pause in the hall as the guests noticed the kings gaze become colder at those words, Roderick caught this too as he started sweating.

"No I don't think he did ,he never sent word of the reason for his absence. Nor did he send word asking for permission for his absence,he only sent word to inform me of his absence.

At this point Roderick was finding hard to breathe he was getting a feeling that mere words wouldn't solve is predicament.

The guests below the throne also noticed this, the duke already having a premonition of what is about happen, a method as old as time itself, tested and trusted

"I sent a message for all Lords to come and swear fealty to me on my coronation and your father simply rejected " with those words he pause then continued his voice unfeeling " he wouldn't be rebelling now, would he "

At this point every noble felt a chill down their spine,while the dukes had expressions as if confirming a thought they had

But nobody was as terrified as Roderick himself

" NO YOUR GRACE I assure you that is impossible, my father is most loyal to your family name, we have and will always be your staunchest ally, just like when he rode with your father into war" Roderick almost screamed his calm facade cracking completely

Nothing scared a noble house like the 'R' word.

"Oh is that so, then that's good " Null said relaxing back into his seat " hearing that really set my mind at peace "

At this point the nobles and Duke had surprised expressions on their faces 'was this boy really going to survives this ordeal' they thought

Roderick too calmed his racing heart feeling a bit happy at surviving this ordeal

"So why don't you tell me about this secret army your father is raising"

Those words sent shockwave through the hearts of every noble in hall, if rebellion was a scary word, then treason was a forbidden word to nobles,but still it rang in their heads right now,because whay the just heard was undoubtedly treason.

The dukes at this point had already confirmed their previous thoughts,

the Frostfield family are going to be scapegoats for the king, timely ones at that.

....

Pov

Roderick Frostfield

He knelt there staring wide eyed at this young king staring deeply into those seemingly emotionless eyes,but he managed to find one ,amusement

'how,how,how,who,how did he know,who told him' these thoughts churned in his mind as he tried to understand what had caused this situation, a moment of greed, just a moment of greed

"Answer the question boy " he was brought out his thoughts by a growl like voice immediately after he was drowned in a wave of pressure he had never felt before he shakily look to the side at the mountain who had spoken, cold eyes stared back at him ordering him to speak

He was saved as the king raised his palm and almost like magic the wave receded

He dropped to the floor catching his breath while down the he Heard the familiar cold voice speak again

"Nothing to say?"

He grit his teeth, clenching his fist so hard that blood dropped from them, he couldn't believe it, his house with a 100 years worth of history would be wiped out because of a moment of greed.

With hope in his eyes he raised his head looked Into the eye of the king and said the only thing that might help their predicament,

the last straw he could grasp .

"My father,he has become an iron core stage warrior "

Although he heard the gasps of surprise behind him, he ignored only looking into the eyes of the king looking for something anything,maybe even a hint of surprise.

He saw nothing,as if driving the last nail into his coffin he heard

"So"

"Take him away "

The light in his eyes dimmed he made no movement as he was carried aways by a pair of black armored guards

...

Pov

Null Blackfyre

Watching Roderick being escorted out the hall,

Nothing he said here could have changed his fate, he needed control over his kingdom and the best ways to achieve that was either through fear or respect, preferably a healthy dose of both but if he had to chose one he would have to go with respect .

But respect took time to cultivate so he has to make do with fear and this whole fiasco was just godsent from his perspective.

The fate of the Frostfield family had been sealed ever since he was informed of the secret army by Silas

Since the mole dared to jump out it's hole, he had no reason not to whack it

Focusing back on the gathered guests he noticed their uncertain expression but did nothing to remedy it

" The Frostfield house will be facing the capital punishment for treason " this made them even more uncertain but he ignored it again.

Instead he dropped another bombshell

"By my order, upon return to your fiefs everylord is expected to strengthen their army to the extent possible without harming their economy " chaos erupted even the dukes couldn't remain calm hearing this .

This order essentially gave them free reign to make an army as big as they want ... That means under the right circumstances a baron can control more troops than a Duke

It was a crazy order, but it also showcased the kings confidence

"The starhaven kingdom has jumped around long enough "

"!HAHAHAHA!" Those words got a booming laugh from the duke of blackfort

"Yes they have" he muttered with a pained smile on his face