the beasts over the crown

After most of the lords left the common hall, the Lord of the North remained seated next to his brother and Ser Declan, exchanging words.

"How is the prince? Any news on him?" asked Ser Declan.

"He visited us a few months ago and has grown much taller. I tell you, we will see wonders with him when he sits on the throne". said the Lord of the North proudly.

"Do you think King George will accept that easily, my brother? I don't see that happening... peacefully at least" Bard interrupted his brother, then turned to the knight: "What do you think, Declan?"

"Who? The king? He certainly won't accept that. Just mentioning his father in the court is enough to spoil his mood. As for prince taren, the heir to the throne, I don't think he's really interested in it at all."

"When was the last time you saw him? Four or five years ago... the boy has grown up and has become a different young man now," said the lord with a laugh.

"And yet, he was always the kindest among his brothers. What really worries me is Prince edris."

"He's the king's second son, right?" asked Brad the knight, surprised.

"Yes, among three sons, and there is only one year difference between him and Prince Taren. I have seen him during his visits to the kingdom, and I don't think he will just sit and watch... and you know whom he was raised by!"

"What can he do? Our customs and our laws in ruling are clear in this regard; the eldest male rules," said the lord.

"You said it yourself! Our laws, those barbarians in Manfee will not follow them, and they might use him to extend their control over the kingdom and then the whole continent."

"Then tell me, what do you truly intend to do, cousin?" said the lord.

"No good! No good at all! The king, in a moment of madness, agreed to the witch's plan... she wants to open one of those cursed jars and intends to offer the child sitting there as a sacrifice."

"Damn her! An old crone witch!" the lord shouted angrily then spat violently on the ground: "Woe to a kingdom where three sit on its throne : a fool, an tyrant, or a patient one"

"What is to be done then?" the knight wondered in frustration.

"You will do as you are told. The king has six advisers, and I don't think he needs a seventh."

"What about the child, brother?"

"It is his fate; there is no place for the offspring of the devil among us."

The witch approached the three seated quietly, and suddenly silence fell over the table.

"What do you want, woman!" the lord shouted as he lifted his eyes to her.

"I carry a thread of tidings from the unseen."

"Spare me your words, for there is no wealth in the north to waste on your kind, and if we have any, there are women in the West who are more deserving of it than you" the lord replied sarcastically.

"I need your ears, not your wealth, so listen to my words: one day, a green sun will rise upon you, which will blind your eyes and make your heart tremble in fear. And at sunset... at its sunset, two men will come to you, whom you know and who know you. One of them will stab you in the back with an unseen sword, and the other will slit your throat with a visible sword."

"Is this what you tell the king? You disgrace yourself, witch!" the lord shouted, slamming his fist on the table.

"I did not tell you out of my own desire, and I do not care whether you believe me or not," she then rushed out of the hall.