The Near Death of King Zenddyn

Zenddyn learned his lesson. In fact, when the position of Captain of the Royal Shield was next available, the King himself chose the soldier to take the position, and made him a trusted advisor to the Royal Family.

When one of the Royal Shield members spoke a little too strongly about the King's chafing over his security detail, Zenddyn got wind of it. He summoned the soldier to the Throne Room in the Royal Palace. He demanded the soldier explain himself. The soldier, well-decorated as were all Royal Shield members, asked if he could speak plainly. King Zenddyn replied with a condescending "By all means!" The soldier said that the King was being irresponsible in demanding the Royal Shield stay back. The Kingdom had just lost one king, and the Shield's job was to protect the next one. The mere suggestion that he was irrespnsible enraged Zenddyn! How dare he?! Right then and there, the 15-year-old challenged the soldier to a duel. Zenddyn, still learning how to properly hold a foil apparently thought that being king meant he suddenly had superior skill with a blade. Or, alternately, he was an ego-bruised young man who didn't want to recgnize the truth. No matter, he was King of Orsholon, and he demanded the soldier duel him to the death the next day at sunrise. The soldier tried to dissuade the young King. He would certainly be slaughtered. But no, Zenddyn took this as further insult.

The next day, as the sun began to rise, it began to be apparent that the night had caused young Zenddyn to have second thoughts. He had realized that if the duel went on as challenged, he would stand no chance. But he couldn’t back down. His advisors had tried to get him to drop the challenge and move on, but he would not.

So as the sun began to glow behind the Rinzeremel Mountains, his fear rose. He would certainly be killed. He would not ask for mercy.

He reached the courtyard and the soldier stood with no armor at the opposite side. He carried only his foil. As the king moved to the center, so did the soldier. The soldier’s face showed no emotion. Simply a determination to complete this duel. The castle master of arms explained the rule to them. Since the King had declared that this would be to the death, there would be no dropping out. One could not resign and retreat.

The king and the soldier nodded their assent. They stepped back three paces. On the count of three, they would begin the duel. Zenddyn’s heart was in his throat and he felt ready to vomit.

1…

2…

When the master of arms said “3”, Zenddyn closed his eyes, ready for the killing stroke. But it did not come.

He opened his eyes to see the soldier kneeling with the tip of his sword in the soft grass of the courtyard. Zenddyn was confused. “Why have you not struck me down?”

“Your Highness”, said the soldier, ” my career in the Royal Shield has been dedicated to protecting the Royal Family, including you. I cannot take your life, so I offer mine to be struck down. I await your stroke, sir.”

Zenddyn was dumbstruck. He had expected to die. Here he could kill this soldier with a single stroke. An advisor leaned into his ear.

“Your Highness… spare this man’s life as he was ready to give it. Show him mercy as he has shown you.”

Zenddyn recognized that this would be perceived as a show of kindness and that it gave him an out while saving face. He would have died.

“Rise, soldier. Your dedication to the Royal Family is recognized. I give you your life.”

The master of arms began to protest, but the advisor stepped in “The King has spoken. There will be no bloodshed today. His decision is wise. Let us all retire and enjoy the rise of the sun.”

Zenddyn Torgaro had just ascended to the throne of the Kingdom of Orsholon at age 15. aftter the death of his father, King Stenthsul Torgaro at an early age, just 32 years.

Zenddyn had been a typical teenager: Moody, defiant, and headstrong. His father had begun grooming him to be his heir, but not much had stuck with young Zenddyn.

After he took the throne, Zenddyn resented the near constant presence of the Royal Shield members that kept him safe. He was KING! He didn’t need protection!

What he needed protection from was himself.