{"id":138,"date":"2018-12-03T06:35:21","date_gmt":"2018-12-03T06:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/?p=138"},"modified":"2018-12-03T06:35:21","modified_gmt":"2018-12-03T06:35:21","slug":"december-3rd-the-iron-throne-ambassador-stavish-by-dppatricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/?p=138","title":{"rendered":"December 3rd- The Iron Throne – Ambassador Stavish by DPPatricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The companion story is The Iron Throne – King Haajensen<\/span><\/strong><\/a> which can be found here<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

My name is Stavish. I am an ambassador of peace and a diplomat. I am also a warrior. Fluent in a dozen languages, I am able to converse in several others. I am attached to no specific land and no leader has ever been able to convince me to stay, once I feel my mission has been accomplished.<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned everything I know at my father\u2019s right hand and now, with his passing, I wander. Where I find strife, I attempt to mediate a settlement. When I find war, I study the politics of both sides, choose one, and lend my considerable talents to winning.<\/span><\/p>\n

I had no inkling that my life was about to change when I mounted the steps and entered the hall for my first audience with King Haajensen. This is a small country surrounded and beset on all sides by imperial threats and martial forces. My investigation into the circumstances had determined that the royal I was about to meet is the most upstanding and trustworthy of the squabbling lot, and his goals admirable. As such, I decided I would do my best to help him prevail against his enemies, before moving on.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThe peace ambassador, diplomat, and warrior, Stavish,\u201d the chamberlain announces, and I\u00a0 enter the throne room. Wardens step back, holding the doors open. I sense the space behind me becoming crowded but no one stands between me and the seated king. The crown he wears is not as ostentatious as some I\u2019ve seen and its simplicity suits his outwardly calm, controlled demeanor.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no sound except the breathing of our silent witnesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have served kings, emperors, and potentates. I have arranged peace accords between feuding warlords and supposedly implacable clan chieftains. I have associated with the best and worst rulers throughout the known world and, therefore, I thought I was immune to power. However, it seems I am not, since I am intrigued by, and drawn to the personage across the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Haajensen sits on his iron throne but it\u2019s not the innumerable swords making up his intimidating chair that entrance me. It\u2019s not even the weapon, clenched in his leather-clad hands, the point resting upon a square of wood laid into the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

I had heard tales of the Sky Sword and fully admit they were part of the reason why I chose to come to this land. Reputedly cast from a fallen star, its edges and tip are supposedly impervious to damage. It is also said the sword can only be taken from its rightful owner by treachery. It was that which had been employed when the former king was betrayed and slain, and the sword stolen.<\/span><\/p>\n

This son, this man who sits before me, had avenged his father\u2019s death during the act of recovery. It is clear that the blade — longer than that which a man of normal height could wield, and gleaming as no sword wrought from earthly metal could match — is well suited to this monarch and might reveal its awesome power in battle for him, alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

I pause, suddenly incapable of moving forward. Haajensen appears weary beyond bearing and I\u2019m sorry, for an instant, that I requested this meeting today. My sources informed me he only recently returned from a border dispute but I had not realized how desperate the encounter must have been.<\/span><\/p>\n

As if sensing my hesitancy, his gaze, focused on the steward slightly to my right, snaps to mine, unblinking, and I am captured.<\/span><\/p>\n

His eyes, which are the color of the sky on the brightest of days, clear of their weariness, and the fire I suspect is usually present in them, blazes. I have looked in the eyes of the most important leaders of this world and not been moved or impressed. For some reason though, the intensity in this minor monarch\u2019s gaze has pierced my heart and lodged in my soul.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cApproach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The word is said softly and, instinctively, I know this is the voice I will listen to for the rest of my life.<\/span><\/p>\n

My eyes never leaving his, I cross the distance between us. \u201cMajesty.\u201d I begin to bend a knee.<\/span><\/p>\n

With his gauntleted left hand, he grips my right arm. \u201cNever.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Even through layers of fabric and leather, his touch electrifies me. Had I not been gazing into the other half of my soul, I might have taken offense at the stern command, but my mind understands his true meaning and I answer with my own thought: I hear, and rejoice. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Indrawn breaths and foot-shuffling shift my attention, while my eyes remain fastened upon his. Has this king not previously waved the normally required gesture? Perhaps not, and I immediately vow never to dishonor the gift he has given me.<\/span><\/p>\n

He stands, tightening his fingers on my bicep. \u201cI should have felt your coming, but I did not.\u201d His earnest stare warms a part of me I hadn\u2019t realized had been cold. \u201cNevertheless, and I say this with all my heart, you are welcome, Ambassador Stavish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He turns me to face the throng of guards, knights, and civilians who are standing three- and four-deep against the walls. Casually, although I know it is not a casual move at all, he drapes his right arm, the hand still holding the hilt of his magnificent sword, over my right shoulder. His left hand grasps the blade and, using it flat against my chest, pulls me back against him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gasps are audible and more feet shuffle but the faces show only relief and joy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have heard this warrior\u2019s name and know that he and I are not related.\u201d Haajensen\u2019s voice rings clearly for all to hear. \u201cBut I tell you this, he is my brother.\u201d He draws me even closer. \u201cI believe we have both waited for this moment all our lives.\u201d He releases me and turns me to face him again. \u201cIs that not so?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

My eyes re-lock with his and I bow my head slightly. \u201cIt is, Sire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And, for the first time, his beautiful face lights up. My heart, which was already in his keeping, shatters into a million pieces, over which the honey of his radiant smile flows. Although it normally beats quietly, it now drums in time with the pulse I feel through his glove. Every ache, injury, and wound I\u2019ve ever taken is instantly healed. I am whole.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He sheathes the majestic blade, puts an arm around my shoulders, and turns me again to face his subjects. We stand side by side, almost of a height, and I can sense the stresses leaving his body.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTogether,\u201d he says, his tone making it clear that he will allow no dissent, \u201cthis man and I will forge a deep and lasting peace like none our besieged land has ever known.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheering erupts and builds as we march through the throng and out onto the landing at the head of the broad staircase I had walked up only minutes before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI prayed to Thor.\u201d His words are, perhaps, unheard by anyone else.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy lord?\u201d I wasn\u2019t sure I had heard him correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t often. Pray, that is.\u201d His slight smile is self-deprecating and any resistance I still retained against my utter capitulation to his will, is swept away. \u201cBut, I did,\u201d he murmurs, \u201cand here you are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I nudge him lightly with my elbow and laugh very softly. I certainly didn\u2019t want to presume on our new friendship but I wished to further lighten his burden, if possible. \u201cI\u2019m no god\u2019s emissary, Sire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He smiles and I am happy, for I have evidently not offended him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know. But I\u2019m more grateful than I can say that you are here. For whatever reason. And here I hope you will remain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor as long as we both live, Your Majesty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He tightens the arm around my shoulders. \u201cAs I ask you never to bend the knee to me, I also ask that you not use such words. I believe we are equals and I mean to have you at my side, as just that, from now on. I have no power to make you royal but it\u2019s my sincere hope that you will be my trusted friend, partner, and companion, as Lars Knutson was to my father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I am not to use your title, King Haajensen, how shall I address you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you doubt that we will think of something, Ambassador Stavish?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince the moment I entered your throne room, I doubt nothing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u201d Under cover of the continuing joyous noise, he leans against me. \u201cWe must get you a sword.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I shake my head. \u201cUnnecessary. I already have several.\u201d I glance down to his left side. \u201cNothing as grand as yours, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He laughs again and his left hand falls lightly to the hilt. \u201cThere is no other like the Sky Sword in the known world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo I\u2019ve heard.\u201d I shrug. \u201cI may even have made my way here simply to find out if the legendary tales are true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing at the top of the steps, he surveys the still-cheering throng but, instead of the haughty look I would expect from any other leader, this king is contemplative. \u201cSome of them, perhaps. I\u2019ll tell you about it when we have time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI look forward to it.\u201d Then I shrug again. \u201cI make do with mine though, simple and utilitarian as they are. My squire has them in his keeping, along with my horse, at the inn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent! For, although it is peace we seek, we cannot overlook the probability of having to fight for it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is true.\u201d My life of wandering is ended. I\u2019ve come home to this man and his iron throne.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The companion story is The Iron Throne – King Haajensen which can be found here. My name is Stavish. I am an ambassador of peace and a diplomat. I am also a warrior. Fluent in a dozen languages, I am … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,7,17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-gen","category-sfw"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=138"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":154,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138\/revisions\/154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}