“Because the Travellian rebellion happened before Darius Travellian was even born.” Tudor said.
“You shouldn’t visit the sins of the grandfather onto the grandson.” Henry said. “I think you will find that very few people here will care that Darius Travellian was related to Samuel Travellian,”
Chadden got angry, “People care, more than just me will care.” He stated, with confidence that was failing the more people he spoke to.
“Maybe, but we’re not in that camp.” Tudor said.
Chadden threw them a dirty look and went off to see if he would find anyone to support him. He still had more people the talk to, he would find others that thought the way he did and then everyone had better watch out.
“He could spell trouble for young Darius,” Frank said, to his son.
“I know dad, next time I see Darius I’ll let him know to keep an eye on Chadden Jenkins.” Tudor said.
“Do you think there will be many people who feel the same way?” Henry asked.
“Some I reckon, but I don’t think it will be as many as Chadden Jenkins thinks.” Frank said. “The brothers have done a lot to change the way people look at their family. I also think a lot will change their mind now that young Darius is the King’s heir. You’ll be surprised how fast people will change their minds.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Tudor said, promising himself he would message Darius later, he also wanted to offer his congratulations to Darius, he would make an amazing High King, and he hoped others would realise that.
Tudor was one of the first friends Darius had ever made, along with Thomas Black a witch. They came from villages close to each other and were sent to the same college. They met on the first day of college and became fast friends. Neither Tudor or Tommy caring that he was a Travellian and Darius not caring he was a dragon shifter or Tommy a witch. Yes, different groups tended to keep to themselves, but none of them cared about that.
They regularly met up and if they couldn’t find a time to meet in person they phoned and chatted. Tudor didn’t mind, he had been in love with Darius since the first day they met. He was so pleased Darius was a wizard and not a shifter otherwise Darius would have found out a long time ago, Tommy thought Tudor should tell him, but Tudor wasn’t sure how Darius would take it, and didn’t want to lose him as a friend. He would rather have him in his life as a friend than not have him in his life at all.
Chapter 4
Dinner that evening was an interesting affair, the Regents went out of their way to be nice to Darius and his brothers, not that they had to try very hard, the three brothers were easy to get along with. The High Kings inner circle joined them for dinner. Darius and his brothers found out that King William’s inner circle was made up of his family.
His brother Jeffrey Dillion was his assistant and secretary. He ran the Kings life with the help of Adam. He was around eight hundred years old, but looked about forty, with long silver hair. He was around two hundred pounds of pure muscle and was a total silver fox.
His oldest son was called James and was in charge of the Kings security. He ran the biggest security company in the world and his guards protected everyone from world leaders to celebs. He was also in charge of the Council’s Police force. He was absent from dinner that evening as he was in a meeting he couldn’t get out of. But said he would be there tomorrow.
Randal was Jeffrey’s middle son and was Chancellor. He was around six feet four, with short light brown hair, was of medium build and had green eyes.
Sandy, King William’s cousin, was in charge of all communications that came out of the High Kings court and also for the council. He ran the council website making sure all was updated as and when needed. He was around six feet nine with a slim build, and short sandy coloured hair, with blue eyes. Felix worked with him, he stood around six feet one, with a medium build and long shoulder length light brown hair, with green eyes, he was all about social media.
Next there was Alex Carter, he was head of the High Kings Businesses. He was around six feet seven, with shoulder length sandy hair and slim build. He was Sandys and Florence’s brother.
Lastly there was Florence Carter, she was head of the Palace charities division. Around six feet with a slim build and shoulder length sandy coloured hair and blue eyes.
Most of them seemed nice enough but two of them kept sending them dirty looks, and one of them looked really angry. Being used to looks like that didn’t phase the Travellian brothers, but it seemed the Regents weren’t that forgiving.
“Is there a problem gentlemen?” Regent Woolburg asked looking at the two men.
“Yes, there is a problem, that man is supposed to be the new High King.” The angry man spat out, pointing at Darius.
“Yes, Randal he is. Picked out by your cousin, High King William,” Regent Flint said calmly, “So why are you and Felix so angry?”
“Because one of them thought they should become the High Kings heir.” Guy guessed.
“Is that true?” Darius asked.
Neither man said anything, Felix just looked down at his plate while Randal shot him an angry look. “It should have been one of us, we’re his family, the Kingship should have stayed in this family.”
“You know that isn’t how it works Randal.” Regent Woolburg said. “With no direct heir, the High King can choose whomever he wants.”
“But,” Felix started to say, but a look from Darius stopped him.
Silence descended round the table.
Darius looked at Felix and Randal. Then he suddenly smiled, “Well this is a simple matter to settle.”
Beck smiled and Guy groaned. They knew what was coming, it was the way Darius always settled disagreements.
Darius smiled at his brothers. Felix and Randal suddenly looked nervous.
“How so?” Regent Salmon asked.
“The duelling ring,” Beck and Guy said at the same time, grinning at Felix and Randal.
The duelling ring was a large spacious room usually in the basement of the main court or coven house. However, the palace had a large specially built building.
Duelling rings, were not actually round, but were a six feet square box, with wards and runes running along the edge to keep all spells inside and protect those that were watching. Seating for them was along the back of one of the walls.
A referee was always appointed to make sure all duels were fair and no kill spells used. It was against duelling laws to use kill spells in a duel, the role of the duelling ring was to battle for honour or any perceived slight against you.
When wizards and witches duelled spells were flung around. Witches making them up on the fly. Wizards had them pretty much already prepared, just needing a word or phrase to activate them. That’s not to say wizards couldn’t make up a spell on the spur of the moment, they just tended not to.