Not for Sale

Lord Haman politely tried to dismiss the king’s objection. “Oh, I would make sure her family is well compensated for. I assure you, this deal would be greatly beneficial for us all.”

“And I must assure you, in return, that I cannot in good conscience allow you to take her away from her home and family. As you stated, we have laws and traditions that limit what the girl can do. Well, they also limit what a king may do, especially regarding the sale of human beings.”

“You make it sound so barbaric, my friend,” Lord Haman said with an ingratiating laugh. “The girl would by no means be a slave, and even my lowest servants are able to command minor lords. I am quite an important man in my country.”

“My apologies. It was not my intention to insult any of my guests, Lord Haman,” the king replied, putting the slightest emphasis on the word guest. “But my decision is final. Now, may we return to the original discussion at hand, that of a possible alliance against the dragon that threatens us all?”

The nobleman bowed low. “As you wish, my friend.”

Thus, Lord Haman’s offer was soundly refused. However, the exchange did bring Hannen to the king’s attention. He had, of course, been vaguely aware of his son’s playmate, but he never saw reason to look into it. If Jastina felt it alright for them to spend time together, he certainly had no objections. Now, though, it seemed that the young kitchen girl had unexpected talents, such that even a foreign dignitary had taken notice, and while said dignitary assumed Allaria to be a land where women did not fight, he was not entirely correct. Besides, in these perilous times, the kingdom needed warriors, wherever they might originate.

King Embron made a mental note to find out more about his son’s friend.

1. King Embron decides to have one of his knights, Sir Ricardo O’Farrell, train Hannendine.
2. King Embron decides to bring Hannendine into the castle to train as a lady-in-waiting who can also double as a bodyguard.
3. King Embron decides to allow Hannendine to train alongside Theo and perhaps become his bodyguard someday.
4. Before the king can decide anything, Lord Haman has Hannendine kidnapped and smuggled along with his retinue as he returns home after negotiations. Surely, the Allarian king can spare one servant girl, right?
5. To his surprise, King Embron receives another offer from another guest.

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