"That was interesting," Joey said the moment they were alone.

"Yeah. And a very elegant solution for me."

"No, I meant the whole thing."

"Come on, Madeline obviously likes Edmund a lot more than me. They're closer in age, too. I'm like what? Twelve years older than her?"

"Since you don't age, that makes you four years older than her," Joey was kind enough to point out.

Cage scoffed. "My body doesn't age. That doesn't mean the rest of me doesn't."

"Kat's not much older than her, you know."

He groaned. "Yeah, I know. And it always bothered me because it made me feel predatory."

Joey laughed. "The beast should have made you feel predatory, not your age."

"Yeah, that too." And yet, he and Kat had just clicked. She hadn't cared about his age. In the end, she hadn't cared about his bad history either. She took him for who he was, darkness and curses included.

He remembered that. Why couldn't he feel it?

"Madeline is interested in you, though."

"Yeah, right," he mumbled, pulling on a purple vest and then searching for one of those fancy coats that made sure to show he had three layers of clothing on. "Didn't you see her staring at Edmund?"

"It's a different kind of interest," Joey said. "Edmund is a sweet little puppy."

"Edmund was blushing like a moron."

"Isn't young love sweet?"

"I wish it would be and that they'd all leave me alone." Next he had to put his crown on and that weird sash he had to wear for state meetings. Except he'd completely forgotten where he'd left them.

"The thing is, you're a lot more valuable than Edmund at the moment."

"He's the heir to the throne, not going to war to have his head sliced off by icicles."

"You're a warrior. You're not bad on the eyes at all. And you're the current king. No one thinks you're going to die."

Cage stared at him blankly. "And you gathered that from your portrait."

Joey shrugged. "I know how people viewed you when you were Admiral. Now's no different. You don't see yourself like others do. And even if Madeline may like Edmund's bashful youth, she's definitely attracted by the protection you offer."

Cage fought not to cringe. "So, I'm in danger."

"My friend, you've never not been in danger."

And wasn't that the saddest truth?

⚜

The Port Barons were a bunch of bumbling morons. Unlike their border counter-parts, they'd never had to even entertain the thought of protecting the kingdom. And yet here they were, chests puffed up, mumbling to themselves.

Cage watched them from his throne, keeping his back straight and dignified. How he wanted to slouch just to show them that this entire meeting bored him, even if they hadn't addressed more than a formal greeting to him. Next to his throne, Rip and Malcom stood, his only guards in the room. Not that Cage expected any trouble, but having guards posted next to him was unfortunately part of his job now.

Among the portly barons, one stood out, taller and meatier than most. Cage knew who he was and he fought the disgust his presence brought. The Baron of Royce, the supposed ruler of Darkwood. The man who Cage personally supplied with everything his town needed, and he just kept it for himself. 

Donnie's father. Donnie who was betrothed to Kat and only wanted her because she was beautiful. Donnie, who'd stabbed Kat in the stomach and almost killed her. Donnie who forced him to take his mask off and petrify a room full of defenseless townsfolk.

The beast stirred inside him and it was such an odd, comforting sensation after all this time. Because he could rein it in, and because the feeling reminded him of much simpler times.

"Well, gentlemen?" he said since the men didn't seem to have the guts to address him first and merely mumbled to themselves.

"Your Majesty, we need your guidance," one of them said.

Cage leaned forward in this throne, propped his elbow on the armrest and his chin in his hand. "Oh? Do tell." If they saw the mockery in the posture, they showed no signs, and it was all the assessment he needed to judge their political prowess.

"Our soldiers are dim men," another continued, "and they have come to the conclusion that, after your latest royal decree, they no longer have to serve in our armies."

"I see." Cage did his best to sound mildly interested rather than snap at them. "So... All of them?"

The barons blinked. "All of them what?" one of them finally asked.

"All of your soldiers, from different garrisons, are dim men who misinterpreted my decree."

This affirmation had the barons throwing shifty looks at each other. Cage knew they were not that stupid, but it appeared that their strategy in confronting him had been to feign ignorance. So he would treat them as such.

"We cannot possibly believe that your Majesty would disband our armies," the Baron of Royce said, his tone filled with unwarranted confidence.

"Your armies." Cage leaned back in his throne, putting on a pensive expression. "Why do you have armies, Baron?"

The simple question had them glancing at each other again as if the answer was a trap. It was, but not the one they thought.

"To protect our lands," one of them finally said.

"Protect your lands..." Cage leaned forward again, his forearms resting on his knees. "Why would any king allow you personal armies to protect... Your lands." He sunk enough skepticism into the last words to make it clear it had been a wrong answer.

"Our rights were awarded to us--"

"Your rights were awarded for the protection of the kingdom, not your private fortunes. Why is it that you think that only you and the Border Barons have armies? I'll tell you," he said before they could interrupt with more bumbling answers. "Because you were meant to protect the kingdom. When's the last time you did something like that?"

They had no answer because Cage knew for a fact that the ports hadn't been affected by more than an occasional skirmish in over twenty years. He stood from his throne, his hands behind his back and began pacing the length of the dais.

"Unlike the eastern borders, your task was to protect the coast from pirates or other potential dangers. How long did that last, though? Six years? Seven? Then, the navy took over, protecting the ports and the territorial waters of Iride. Your armies, which are, in fact, the king's armies, commanded by yourselves, have done nothing. I'm going to assume your soldiers also haven't trained in years."

The room remained deathly silent. Cage stopped his pacing and sat back on the throne.

"My decree meant to bring those men back where they belong. Into the royal army and under General Harkiss. They appeared to have understood that. So tell me, how are your men the dim ones?"

"Cage," Malcolm hissed from his left.

He had to fight very hard not to smirk. These moments of familiarity had become very rare and he enjoyed them immensely.

If they realized they had been insulted, the barons didn't show it. They continued to shift and mumble among themselves as if they realized that their plan had failed and they had no backup.

"Why take away our armies?" one of them finally asked. "It has been our privilege and responsibility for many years."

"You can't pretend you haven't heard the rumors."

"What rumors?" the Baron of Royce asked.

Unexpectedly, Cage could believe that he'd be as stupid and as self-centered as to not know. "Of an upcoming war with Endir."

The grumbling that followed as well as the frowns proved that almost all of them had known. It was when Cage realized that a part of him hoped to shock them. Because then, the selfishness wouldn't be there. As usual, his hopes were crushed.

"So forgive me if the safety of our kingdom is more important than your privilege."

"That is not true, your Majesty. We meant no harm to the crown or--"

Cage raised his hand to stop them. It was very true, but they were of course going to deny it now that they were called out.

"I appreciate your support and your understanding."

"But what if pirates attack our shores?" the Baron of Royce asked.

"This would be the perfect time to organize militias." Cage shrugged. "Either way, the navy is still out in the waters, protecting the coastline, so I doubt you'll see any trouble."

"Who will protect us from all those cursed creatures?" another of the barons said.

This time, a shiver ran through Cage. He clenched his jaw, struggling to keep the serene smile on his face. That particular part was his fault, but he had no solution for it. Cecille had been right. The people would just have to learn to live with magic again, and this could prove both fruitful and dangerous.

"The militia should help with that, too."

"You can't take away our protection!" one of the men called.

Cage narrowed his eyes. "What about the rest of the kingdom that has no private armies and has to rely on regular law enforcement?"

There was more grumbling and he was just about fed up with their entitlement. Fortunately, Humphrey burst in, out of breath.

"Your Majesty," he said, not even bothering to acknowledge the barons. "He-- He's back, but he's--."

Cage frowned. "Who's back?" Because as winded up as Humphrey was, he expected Fherras himself to have risen from the grave.

"I'm back." Jazz stood in the doorway, leaning his shoulder against the frame, grinning, covered in blood from head to foot. "And I bring a message of peace from the queen of Endir."

⚜⚜⚜

I didn't forget to update and that in itself is a miracle! Rejoice!

Poor Cage is surrounded by entitled idiots. But his best bud is back and he's covered in blood. I'm sure everything is well!

Time to get moving towards a meeting between our favorite characters.