Chapter 10 If Not by Blood
Chambers of Lord Heinrich.
Heinrich was thirty-eight and very fit. He was a new member of the royal court representing Blasser Hafen. This week, he had the pleasure of hosting his nephew for the week long celebration of Unification Day. The fourteen-year-old was the pride of his life. The young man bore a striking resemblance to the elder brother of Heinrich, Duke Reinhardt of Blasser Hafen, who had been executed by the king for leading a revolt. Wulfhelm had not known hs father except as a small child. Heinrich had guided him as often as his mother would allow.
Heinrich spoke fluidly: How is your mother? I have asked permission to visit you and her many times, but the drunken king always says my duties in this palace are more important.
Wulfhelm whispered in their native language: Onkel, er hat viele Ohren in diesem Palast.
Heinrich in the language of the king: You are right, there are too many ears here. But not every servant in this palace is loyal to the cock with a crown.
Wulfhelm sullenly: My mother is sick, as always. Her heart aches for my father and she smokes her pipe too often. Sometimes she coughs for ten minutes. I am afraid for her. She is too young to die, but I think it will not take long. She is younger than you but looks as old as my grandmother when she died.
Heinrich in his deep base voice: The world never considers age or whether the heart is good or evil. The world kills those it wants to kill. That is the only thing that is equal in this world. A duchess or a poor fisherman, or even a king. the world will eventually kill them.
Wulfhelm looked pensive: Can I ask you something?
Heinrich smirked: Your Excellency, you are my nephew, but more importantly, you are my Count and the Duke of the future. You need not ask permission to speak to me.
Wulfhelm smiled: Onkel Heinie, I do not like my family using my title or the flowery words lke that. Why do you speak the language of the king so well with me?
Heinrich became a bit flustered: Because I do not speak well when I am angry. And I always get angry in front of these bastards. Most are liers and dishonorable. As for your title, you are too modest, like your father. I am sorry you never met him. He was brave and honorable.
Wulfhelm: I have you. My mother always says you are just like him in every way.
Heinrich smirked: Your mother is a kind liar. There are few men like your father. He was better than me at everything. I hope you are like him. Your people need a man of greatness now.
Wulfhelm appeared pensive: Do you think the king will sign the declaration for my mother?
Heinrich replied: I do not know. I need to speak with him every day during this week of celebration. We have the support of the Count of Arms and his wife, Lady Tatiana of the Northern Province. They are exceptions here, I trust them to some extent.
Wulfhelm: I spoke with the High Priest of the Pegasi yesterday. He was kind, and I think he might support me as well.
Heinrich in a hushed tone: Watch out for him. There are rumors about him and young handsome boys. Do you remember the captain of the guard when you were ten? The man your mother had executed. Three boys younger than you testified against him. I suspect that High Priest is the same as he was. Be on your guard.
Wulfhelm looked uneasy: But I do not like men in that way.
Heinrich: Some perverts like that filthy captain and the wretched king do not care about the desires of others. They take what they want from those who are vulnerable. That priest is an apothecary, so be careful if he offers you a drink. And never be alone with him.
Wulfhelm: I understand. When you cut off the head of the captain, did you enjoy doing it?
Heinrich sighed out his answer: I have never liked killing men, but I have killed more than one hundred. After hearing the stories of those boys, yes, I enjoyed doing justice to him.
Wulfhelm: Are all men who lay with men like this?
Heinrich looked at his nephew directly: When you are an adult, will you fuck young girls? Do you think I fuck little girls or boys?
Wulfhelm exclaimed: Meeresgott! No, of course not.
Heinrich firmly grasped his shoulder: Then you have your answer. The honor of a man is not in who he lays with but in how he treats those he does.
Wulfhelm: I need your wisdom. You have been the only father I have known. I will need to rely on you when the burden comes to me.
The older man covered the hand of his nephew with his strong hand and smiled. A knock on the door was heard in the living chamber.
Wulfhelm spoke loudly, like a very small boy: Come in!
The young face turned red with embarrassment, and he whispered: Fick mich!
The Lord tried to suppress his laughter.
A page with dark hair and green eyes: Graf, Herr, der König ist bereit.
Wulfheim spoke slowly and directly: There language is not that difficult. Count, Lord, the king is ready. Please repeat.
The page slowly: Count, Lord, the king is ready.
Wulfhelm smiled: Sehr gut. Very good.
The three walked through the halls toward the grand staircase that led to the main floor of the castle and the grand banquet hall. They joined a flow of many nobles and servants streaming through the massive entrance.
Almost all the influential and powerful people from every corner of the kingdom would be in this room for many hours. Exquisite food, vintage wines, and strong ales would be served, and business of the realm would be decided, as was the case every year. The peoples of the kingdom live better or worse depending on decisions in ths hall.