1 Surrounded by Wolves

The candlelight flickered against Ivan's tall shadow as he sat in his study. As it was just past supper time. He yawned as he calculated the cost of the long request for resources for the war. He loathe war and thought of how much it was a waste of money. The county of Duxland has always been at war since before his birth. He was just shy of his twenty-two years of life but he had taken more lives than his could count in this silly game of war. He snapped out of his train of thought as Almar, his knight walked in. He was a rather stout man with a thick beard and cold eyes. "my lord, if I may but can I have a moment of your time?" He smiled. Ivan nodded as he continued to count. " I wanted to know do you prefer it fillet, chopped, or fried?" Ivan paused and said," Wouldn't you do all three?" Almar looked a bit surprised," My lord how could we do all three? I mean we could.... but would it be to set an example?" Ivan took a deep sigh," why would we set an example? Just cut off the head, fillet it and rip out the spine and fry it." Ivan continued to count. Almar took notes but had just a few more questions, "but....my lord if we cut off their heads first, they won't be .....whats the word...fresh?" Ivan grunted as he folded the request. "I am not understanding?! Why you are asking me about fish for dinner. Doesn't the Cook know how to do his job?" Almar chuckled heartly, " fish my lord? No silly, I was talking about the prisoners. we can cook them to if you would like but I love your idea of filleting them and frying them. If we cut off their heads first, they won't .....scream...which is rather boring. I am sure the crowd loves a good scream. " Ivan was stunned and horrified by such acts but not surprised. His guards were up to their tricks again. " My dear sweet Ivan don't worry. With every new example we set...we secure the future of Duxland. " Amir sinister smiled widen as he approached his lord. " But I take the fall. Between you, Tessa, and Akito I will never get married. Don't torture the prisoners", he said getting frustrated. " No. We will continue to protect you, my lord. As for a bride, you can have any girl you want. Just let us know and she will be here," Almar stated as he plucked the lint from his sage green uniform. " Ivan mimicked him before putting his head into his hands as he whined," you and your words. It always all talk. " Another guard entered the room this time it was a tall woman with red hair and hazel eyes. She frowned as she saw the lord was again taking pity on others. " What is it this time, Ivan?" Ivan looked up sniffling," Almar wants to torture and kill the new prisoners by filleting them and frying them." Tessa nodded. " Burnt bodies.... hmmm the fresher the better. Let's do it tonight," she said, before the prisoner's smell worst. " Ivan shook his head no. " you're missing the point Tessa, if you guys do this. I'll never have an heir at this rate!" He told up. Akito knocked on the door before he saw all too familiar scene. Ivan, the crybaby being teased by Tessa and Almar. Akito approached the three and placed a small portrait of a beautiful young girl in between them all. She had dark hair and honey dark eyes. She had olive skin and rosy cheeks with a beautiful smile. All three were stunned by how beautiful she was. " She...is the Sunflower of Wey. The daughter of Viscount Maximiliano....Ava. She is known for her generosity, kindness, and Purity. Her people truly love her" Ivan picked up the small painted portrait and looked up at his guards. " We will have a Messager issue you a marriage proposal to her," said Akito confidently. " But.... she wont want to marry me ", Ivan said running his head through his brown hair nervously and a bit confused. " No unless we threaten to invade....." Tessa said smiling. " and if we invade we will capture her and behead the rest of the royal family. You will get a nice pretty bride and we get the spoils of Wey," Almar said finishing Tessa train of thought. " Hey! and she will hate me. w-w-we.... can't do this. It's not right," Ivan interjected. Akito panted Ivan on the back out of reassurance " Ivan you wanted an heir. Leave it to us. We will make sure you get to marry the prettiest girl this country has to offer. Ivan Wolfhard, Our Lord will always gets the best."