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

our people are strong. They can overcome any hardships

own.”

things were? That people were homeless and

help.

I could just

said. “I have given

did you phrase it? “The welfare of our people‘ Don’t you understand that our borders

pointed at the crude black line meant to replicate our border

the King said. “There have been reports of their soldiers crossing into

on our

exactly?” Terry said with a harsh laugh. “The Merfolk are basically useless unless the Bears attack by water. But they are too smart

seemed keen on tearing down others‘

OWIL

Dragons, then,” I offered.

Bear People and the Dragon Clan have a

the other, in the name

of the fiercest types of shifters. They lived for war and combat. If they invaded

to mutually assured destruction.

must be something we can do,” I said.

“Pray,” Terry said.

nodded, agreeing

must find a way to negotiate with the Bear People,” the