The Luna Choosing Game

Nicholas

I wanted to talk to my father about the state of the people that I had seen when I had taken Piper shopping, but the King was too busy to see me for several days. When I was finally allowed audience

Inside of his chambers, he had his war map stretched out over the dining table.

My mother was seated in one of the cushioned chairs, with Terry in the one beside hers. My father was

standing, peering down at the map with his chin in his hand.

Nathan allowed me into the room, then followed me back to the table, where he stood quietly behind the

King.

“Nicholas,” my father said. My mother nodded. Terry stared at me blankly.

“Father, I’ve come to talk to you about a most pressing issue,” I said.

My father sighed. “Everything is a pressing issue, it seemed. What is it that is troubling you?”

“The welfare of our people. Father, they are starving and living in destitute conditions. They need more

assistance than we are…”

I trailed off as my father raised his hand.

“We have enough to worry about as it is. While I admit the conditions for our people are not as

they have been in the past, our people are strong. They can

own.”

dire things were? That

help.

could just

Nicholas,” the King said. “I have given you

how did you phrase it? “The welfare of our people‘ Don’t you

and looked back to my father for explanation. He waved me closer to the map, and then pointed at the crude black

northern borders,” the King said. “There have been reports of their soldiers crossing

call on our alliances,”

the Bears attack by water. But they are too smart for that. At least for now.”

seemed keen on tearing down others‘

OWIL

Dragons, then,” I offered.

father shook his head. “The Bear People and the Dragon Clan have a

arms against the other,

lived for war and combat. If they invaded each other, neither

mutually assured destruction.

must be something we can do,” I said.

“Pray,” Terry said.

nodded, agreeing with the

to negotiate with the Bear People,” the King