Chapter 71 The Bag of Coins
The royal court.
The members gathered again in the room connected to the throne room. There were guards from various castle factions in the nearby corridors. Servants were barred from entry by guards who had received orders from multiple nobles. Due to confusion, they allowed the young count Wulfhelm to enter but kept the three minor island lords from entering the main passage. Maite had stood in front of Peador to stop him from killing a guard. When finally, the doors were closed and under guard by twenty armed men who all wondered who they might be trying to kill soon, eleven men and two women sat down to decide the direction of the kingdom.
Guillermo in a stern voice: Counts, Lords, and Ladies. We need a king before we leave this room. If we do not decide today, Aurelio will decide when he arrives.
Octavio grumbled: I see that the island representatives are not here today, but the Count of Puerto Blanco is. Is there a reason for this?
Heinrich locked eyes with him: The count wants to participate in the meeting because the decision of today will affect his people.
Octavio snorted: He has no place on this court. His opinions are worthless here.
Guillermo looked at the elderly man and spoke in a soothing tone: He is the highest-ranking person in Puerto Blanco, after his mother. His opinions matter.
Valero realized the error his supporter had made: I agree. It is important to know the opinions of the future duke.
Esteban looked at his alliance for signs of unease and then spoke: Yes, his presence does not offend me.
Guillermo spoke as if to unruly children: Are there any other objections?
Nobody spoke, and the herald took out the bag of coins to decide the order of speaking.
Guillermo drew the first coin: Hooves and Helmets.
Emiliano took the coin and held it with both hands: Count Valero is a powerful man. But the throne is a matter of blood. If the most powerful is to be king, they we must all fight each other until the last one is victorious and becomes king of no one.
The priest placed the gold coin in front of the empty chair last occupied by King Aloisio.
Emiliano in the most strong voice anyone had ever heard from him: Olivia.
Guillermo: Castle and Quill. Chamberlain?
Bartolo: My friend was murdered by a criminal during the tenure of the Count of Arms. This man wants to support this girl. A weakness like that is the reason why the members of the court are not safe in their chambers. Was Hector murdered to change the balance of power in the royal court? I believe the voice of Hector needs to be heard today.
He placed the silver coin in front of Valero.
Guillermo interlaced his fingers beneath his chin: It is a strange situation. I propose that, if the vote is close, the coin of the Steward counts for Valero. We have seen that it was his decision.
The herald looked at each right hand and counted those that were in fists or open on the table. Many eyes were surprised when Emiliano placed his open hand on the table. Heinrich and Rodrigo did the same.
Guillermo placed his open hand on the table after the others: Seven to five, my proposal will be used only for this meeting. If we need another meeting, we are lost.
The next coin belonged to the captain of the Blue Knights. He placed the coin on the table in front of his body without speaking.
Guillermo nodded and continued: The Wings, High Priest.
Danilo: The two priests support Olivia. The goddess and the god have chosen.
His coin joined that of Emiliano.
Valero received his coin from the herald and held it in his remaining hand.
The Count of Colina Alba: I can beat Aurelio. She cannot. I do not know what prizes they promised for voting at this table. My promises are these: Heinrik, Count of the Ridges; Vulfhelm, Prince of Puerto Blanco, both with issue; and Marisela, Countess of the Colinas Gemelas, with issue, and you can marry without a change of power.
He dropped the coin on top of the other one that was in front of him.
The herald pulled out the silver coin for the red-haired giant.
Peador: The girl.
He stood up, extended his large arm, and struck the table with the coin, causing the other two to tremble slightly.
Octavio took his coin from Guillermo and tapped it on the table as he spoke: Wars are won with soldiers, food, and coin. I have two of those in abundance. Valero has plenty of the former. I will not support this bastard with any of my property or my treasure. King Valero.
There were three coins on the table for each of them.
Tatiana looked at her coin as it left the bag. She held it in her hand and took a deep breath.
The Warrior: Many of you would have seen me when I was ten years old and thought I was a weak girl. At fifteen, warriors from a tribe attacked our camp while most of our warriors were out hunting. Three strong men entered my tent to rape me. I took an axe in each hand and fought back. A sword pierced my stomach, leaving me unable to bear children. I killed two men with the axes and strangled the other with my bare hands. Do not tell me what a fifteen-year-old girl can do.
She slid the coin across the table to a spot in front of the empty chair. Her husband placed his hand on hers and looked at her with eyes full of sadness and love.
Guillermo cleared his throat and took out his own coin.
Guillermo: We need a strong king to fight Aurelio. Without the most powerful counts, Aurelio will take the throne without resistance. Heinrich, Vulfhem, think about what would happen if Aurelio were to win. He was Captain of the Banners of the knights who captured your northern city. Revenge sounds good to your ears but think about what he will do when there is no king to give the order to stop his soldiers.
He placed his coin in front of Valero with a solemn expression.