Chapter 38: The small council
Josiah, he was called the man of whispers for nothing. Secrets, deep secrets that should remain in the dark—he was capable of digging them up.
He had a smallish structure, with short black hair and a broken-shaped nose. His dark eyes were always quick to detect fault in people.
He always wore a long gown, belted at the waist. With long sleeves completely covering up his hands. He knew how to peer into the deepest part of people, as if he were able to read theirs.
Then there was Drigo; he was a Black man. It was said he escaped a war from his country and fled to Westeros in a fleeting ship of his own enemies. Drigo had bald hair, beady eyeballs, and faintly pink lips.
He was a tall, lean man, but in that brain of his was the map of the whole world. Knowledge that shouldn't be underestimated, so fluent in grammar. His only weapon was the use of words to hurt his enemies.
That was how Harris, Ragaleon's father, took a liking to him when they met, in a festive season, at the market square. After that day, Harris added him to the council, making him one of the most trusted advisors.
Among the council was also the grand maester; it was said he was knowledgeable in all types of medicine. He was the oldest in the council. He was also skilled in making poison for arrows. Decreash always needed such weapons in times of war.
The last was the priest Tailbon, a very cunning man. A man who didn't lead by example was very vile. He was a priest but sought women and wealth. He would preach about the gods but do things contrary—a two-faced man.
Yet he also had wisdom. As a priest he had connections; he was the closest to the people and knew how to turn the subject's heart to the crown.
The small council was seated in the meeting room, around a table, when Ragaleon stepped in. His black hair swayed, his brown eyes fixed ahead. Everyone present immediately began to rise to their feet and acknowledged him as he took his seat at the head of the table.
Immediately Ragaleon took his seat; the rest of them followed.
"What news will the small council set before me this morning? Ragaleon started playing with a small globe, intertwined between his lean fingers. His nonchalant gaze glancing fleetingly at his advisors.
"Queen Yumi has her armies marching towards the east. We should be preparing for a war." Josiah said, rubbing his palms together.
"They would be defeated; his majesty doesn't have to be worried about that." Drigo said, using a strange accent.
"I heard she has gained favor from Galvestone Being relaxed wouldn't help anyone, Drigo." Josiah said, his gaze fixed on Drigo.
"You both bore me with your quarrel; have you heard…? The peasants are hailing the third queen…Queen Micah." Priest Tailbon said, his hand caressing the ancient necklace on his neck.
Ragaleon froze in his movements when he heard what one of his advisors said.
"Yes ... The queen, the gods have sent, that's what they call her." The grand maester said.
"We are here to discuss important matters, not to blabber about common happenings in the palace." Josiah mused.
Drigo scoffed….
"If you think things concerning the subjects are small matters, then I must pity your insight, Josiah. The subjects are just as important; if you ignore them, there is a hefty price."
"Drigo is right; we are the ones in power. But I tell you, whoever has the subjects by their side has more than a hundred armies; Queen Micah has earned the favor of the people." The grand maester said.
"Why am I just hearing this? Ragaleon suddenly asked.
"His Majesty has more important things to do, and as such…" Josiah was intruded upon.
"Things concerning the people are important, Josiah! The hand of the king, Brandon, suddenly spoke up for the first time.
"Queen Micah visited the temple, and she distributed food and fruits to those around the arena. The peasants saw this and acknowledged her good deed…." Priest Tailbon was talking.
"We have been helping the needy for years now, ensuring that they are fed. How is it any different when Micah does it? Ragaleon's gaze was distant.
"It is the duty of the crown to feed its people; your father did a fine job keeping that in check. However, Queen Micah used a strategy no other queen has ever used… she humbled herself." Priest Tailbon said with a calm voice.
"She looked like she was mourning, but at the same time, she put a smile on the peasants' faces. I have read a lot of history books; there is not a single queen I have seen do such an act." Drigo added
"It is quite amusing, yet a smart move on her part. Whoever has the support of the subjects doesn't need anything else, not even the crown." Grand Maester Braven said, stroking his grey beard.
"So this is why we are here today? The king didn't ask for gossip." Josiah looked like he was fed up with the topic being discussed.
"If I am right, Queen Micah broke a golden rule: she left the walls of the palace without the permission of the king." Brandon suddenly said.
"Maybe that shouldn't be a rule; freedom can be entertaining when used right." Drigo said, drumming his fingers.
"We are in perilous times, Drigo. Wouldn't it be a slap on the face if anything should have happened to Queen Micah, if our enemies had happened to…?" Brandon was still talking.
"The walls of the kingdom are so far impenetrable; how then could any traitor be found roaming the streets in search of a royalty they could harm?
"The queen had escorts with her; for goodness sake, it was a temple she went to." Grand Maester Braven intruded roughly, and Brandon shot him a deadly glare.
"That's enough! Ragaleon, he said calmly but firmly.
"The small council is dismissed." Ragaleon's gaze was fixed on the globe in his hands. They all glanced at each other with an intense gaze… before reluctantly rising to their feet. They bowed to Ragaleon in courtesy before taking their leave.
Everyone stood up to leave, including Brandon.
"Stay! Ragaleon said to Brandon without sparing him a glance. Brandon slowly sat down, feeling uncomfortable. After everyone was gone, Ragaleon finally raised his gaze.
"Is it because your sister is my second wife that you tend not to give the other queens any favor, irrespective of their deeds? He asked without breaking his intense gaze from Brandon.
"Your Majesty, I am your hand. I seek what is best for the interest of the crown."
"And that is…?
"The people, the queens, and you." Brandon was being bold without knowing it.
"You don't serve the people, you don't serve the queens, you serve me, Brandon, and I want you to remember that." Ragaleon's voice was terribly low and dreadful.
"Why was a servant butchered yesterday? Ragaleon asked, changing the topic.
"He stepped into the concubine's harem, which is against the rules." Brandon answered rather bluntly.
"I want all the male servants working in this kingdom to be castrated before the sunset.
"As you wish, your Majesty." Brandon answered curtly.
"You may leave." Ragaleon said, and Brandon slowly rose to his feet and then bowed slightly before straightening up and making his way out of the room.
Ragaleon was seated for a while, lost in deep thoughts, before rising to his feet and making his way out of the council room.
He made his way to his chamber, and just as he was about to go in, he paused….
"Summon Queen Racheal to my chamber." He said to one of the guards in front of his chamber.
The guard nodded, then bowed before going on the errand.
Racheal stepped into Ragaleon's room, dressed in a green gown matching her emerald green eyes. Her curly brown hair was packed up in a bun. The V-neck dress she wore exposed her neckline.
Suddenly someone came from behind and started loosening the rope of her dress.
"Your Majesty." Rachael knew it was Ragaleon without even turning to look around.
"I want you to be the mother of my heir." Ragaleon whispered in her ear as he took her dress off. Only a plain gown was in view; Ragaleon didn't bother to take it off.
He led Racheal to his bed and made her bend over the bed, her knees on the floor, her upper body on the bed. He slowly raised the gown.
Rachael was quiet throughout; Ragaleon slowly unbuckled his belts and took out his dick. He was still fully dressed, in case an emergency came up.
"Ohh! Uhg! Rachael begins to moan as Ragaleon slides his dick into her core.
He began to bang her slowly from behind, and Racheal clenched the bedsheets as she followed the rhythm and rocked her body.
"Uhm! Aghhh! Uhg! She moaned.
Ragaleon captured her soft breast through the linen of the plain dress and squeezed it.
"Shit! Uhg! Racheal groaned.
They continued like this for some minutes, until Ragaleon came inside her.
He straightened up, then buckled up his pants. Just then a knock came on the door.
"Your Majesty, the small council has been summoned." A guard, said from behind the door.
Ragaleon slowly gazed at Racheal, who was already dressing up, her eyes still filled with unfulfilled desires.
He walked out of the room with his hands behind his back, with his chest out, as if nothing ever happened.