Mary Anne Gruen - The House of Red

Wendell called his staff together that same day to tell them of the message he’d received the night before from the Chancellor. “Queen Matilde is in residence at my castle,” he said. “She’s received word from Snow White through the Mirror of Truth that a great war is coming and that it’s going to affect the Second and First Kingdoms as well as ours. I know it’s been quiet here these last few days, as if the trolls had finally accepted defeat. And I know some of the men have been asking to go home. But we’ve got to stay in readiness.” The King’s blue eyes looked at each of them in turn, willing them to realize how serious this was. “The trouble is, we don’t know what the trolls are planning. But we know it’s going to be something special. The First Kingdom has taken this warning with equal gravity and they have also set up troops at their border.”

“Has the Second Kingdom done so as well?” Lieutenant Burke asked.

“I don’t know,” Wendell said. “I haven’t received any word from them. But I sent out a messenger first thing this morning to the Chancellor to inquire. Pass this information on to your troops, so they’ll know we’re not merely having them stay here on a whim.”

“Yes, your Majesty,” Lieutenant Burke said.

“You can go now. But Rose, I’d like you to stay for a bit.”

“Yes, your Majesty,” she said.

Wendell waited till the others had gone. Then he pulled the Chancellor’s message from his pocket and handed it to Rose. “There was other news in the Chancellor’s message that will be of personal interest to you,” he said. “It seems your brother has gone on a quest for truth. The more I see of him, the more impressed I get.”

Rose read the letter in silence and then said, “He had to go, of course. For his wife and our people.”

“You’re always talking about ‘your people.’ Are all wolves as devoted to the common good of their kind as you are?”

Rose laughed. “I guess I do tend to lay it on a bit. But, no. Wolves can be just as good and bad and divisive as anyone else. Being a hated people has helped to unite us sometimes, but we still war against each other. And although I would give my life for those fighting here, there are wolves that I’ve met through time that I knew couldn’t be trusted. To our own families, though, we are always loyal.”

“Am I family? I mean, uh, your people are here serving the state and I, uh, guess for all intents and purposes, I am the state.”

“You mean are they loyal to you? Unquestionably. You’ve given them a new chance at life here. Of course, not all the wolves in your kingdom chose to come. But a great many did. And the ones who are here are willing lay down their lives for you, no matter what great war is ahead.” Rose handed Wendell back the message.

“That’s a great burden, you know. Being King isn’t quite the lark of a job I once thought it would be.”

“Only a fool would think of ruling as a lark,” Rose said, smiling warmly at him. “And I don’t think you’re a fool.”

“Thank you.” Wendell returned her smile and their eyes held for just a moment. “You can return to your troops now.”

“Yes, your Majesty,” she said with a bow. And she was gone.