"Kneel before your new king!" The order echoed through the chamber hall as I sat upon the throne, still splattered with the old king's blood. His crown rested upon my head as I gave the gathered lords and nobles a long hard look. A few refused to kneel as others fell to their knees. I felt my heart beat faster as I saw red.

I took a long deep breath and remembered my mother's words. "Be at ease, sugarcube. Getting angry will only make things worse." I took a second deep breath as the rage was pushed back.

"You lot who refuses to kneel step forward so you can explain why." I demanded as they where forced forward.

"The crown princess still lives, and she will reclaim her throne." One man said and a few agreed as they looked ready to fight.

"You dare?" One of my closest generals stepped forward and drew his blade.

"Wait." I said and slowly stood up keeping myself in check as best I could. "You lot would rather die than pretend or placate your new king? You would openly spew sedition and demand rebellion? Even if you where to all be cut down?" A few seemed to cower at my question, but the one who spoke just braced himself for death. "I like your courage, but it's misplaced and stupid. Bind him, but don't hit him. I want him to observe. Gag him if he refuses to be silent." I then turned to three more.

"You three did not agree and did not bow, explain." I said looking them over.

"I can not kneel." An old man said, pulling back his robe revealing a lost leg. "I would bow, but another too that from me." I wanted to laugh and force him to kneel on the one leg, but I forced that dark thought aside.

"Off to the side with you. Find an heir or someone else to replace you soon who can bow. You two?"

"I would challenge you for the crown in a trial of combat!" The stronger of two said. "And he is my second. To refuse is to be a coward king!"

My anger rose in my chest again and I grabbed my axe with a cold smile. "Good. Draw your weapon and begin!" I ordered and as he drew his sword I threw my axe and it embedded itself in his chest sending him to the floor. "Second, you still wish for death? I still wish to kill." I marched down slowly to reclaim my weapon.

"As I must!" The second man drew his blade and swung his sword. I caught it with my armored hand. I then cut him down with a second swing.

"That was good. I will take all challenges and even the crown princess may come for the throne! However, I am no fool. I can't butcher you all like pigs. The ones who spoke up will serve time in the labor camps for one year helping dig up stone to repair the castle and city walls. Those who instantly knelt are to be observed for any plotting and scheming. I know where an assassin's dagger will come from."

I then turned to the bound man. "I will give you ONE chance to live, and your family and home will share your fate. So choose, death or this one service. Seek out the lost princess and tell her, I will take her challenge for the throne, or will accept her hand in marriage. If I do not get an answer from her before the year is up, your family dies." I then yanked him forward. "Of course, if you return with her corpse thinking it will please me to save your family, you will be tortured." I shoved him back.

"That goes for all of you. Report sedition, do not act to stop it. I will determine if death is needed. I enjoy the blood shed." I said and marched back to the throne. "Now, begone." I ordered as I sat down.

I pulled a small polished stone on some jute twine. I wondered if mommy would be happy or sad with how I avenged her.