For Her They'd Do Anything

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

King Astaroth opened the report sent by Rowland. Rowland wrote that he had met King Avery's daughter, Constance, and that he had talked to her for a while about her family. According to her, her father is the most loving and devoted father and King. He would never act without reasonable cause. Everything that Constance had told Rowland, well, Astaroth already knew to be true. Rowland continues explaining that the only time her father didn't act like himself was, in fact, during the time that General Lacy was away to handle Lamia. She even said that as far as she knew, her father had never had an episode like that before, even during the war with Spain. This is all seeming very highly suspicious to King Astaroth, like someone planned this out and wanted Lamia destroyed. Luckily, Lacy used his head and heart and sent word beforehand. That act alone, save a lot of lives. The citizens of Lamia have since been returned to their homes. They were grateful that they had been evacuated and a travesty had been avoided. Astaroth was grateful too, honestly. General Lacy deserves high recognition for his actions towards Lamia. He handled it with care and respect. Something that Astaroth knew, deep in his bones, that King Avery would have done himself, had he been uninflected by an unknown source.

Astaroth sends word to King Hardy, letting him know that he is going to Desmond and what has been uncovered so far. Rowland also stated that there have been whispers throughout the castle about who could have possibly done it. There haven't really been any leads deeper than sometimes the King being moody to one of the farmers or other similar instances. Nothing that warrants this kind of retaliation.

Astaroth prepares Gododdin for his departure and prepares to leave. His Royal Secretary, Damian Gasper, will take care of most of the issues, should they arise. General Clark Gibbs will handle security and has a report demon who can send messages to Astaroth in a matter of minutes. This demon is only used in dire situations, due to the fact that it takes a lot of energy from both the demon and the sender to send a message that fast. General Gibbs is left with strict orders to only use him if it is something as bad as the whole Kingdom is on fire. Everything else, Gibbs should be able to handle himself. He is very capable, after all. Astaroth is also taking a messenger with him, to send into Desmond and collect Rowland and Andrew, so he can talk to them first without any interruptions and see what has happened since the letter was sent. Then, he plans on "arriving" after his discussions, which will be done separately, so Andrew doesn't find out about Rowland. Rowland has to keep who he is a secret for now, so the less people who know, the better off he is.

* * * * *

Astaroth arrives in Desmond. He rents a room from the Noble Inn on the outskirts of the Kingdom. He sent his messenger, Sam, into the Kingdom to fetch Rowland first, since he hasn't seen his son in about two months. Quite frankly he misses him, so he is anxious to see him first. While he waits for them to get back, King Astaroth prepares his room for the night. He also sets out everything he has received about the Lamia incident, to discuss with Rowland, and then with General Andrew when he arrives.

It isn't long before Rowland and Sam return. As soon as Rowland enters the room, he runs up and gives his dad a hug.

"Dad! I have missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too, Rowland. How have the Duke and his family been treating you?"

"Pretty good, actually. And, I've made a friend. She's King Avery's daughter. She is really funny and sweet, honestly."

"Oh yeah? That is good to hear, son! I am glad that you are getting along pretty well."

"Me too, honestly I was kinda nervous about this whole set up, but everyone is really nice. Oh! I almost forgot," he flattens the top of his hair, and little black nub horn poke through. "I've finally got my horns in dad! Aren't they awesome and manly?"

Astaroth pokes at one, "Well, I'm not sure about manly yet, they have to get bigger first." He lets out a robust laugh.

"Hey! They are big enough for just sprouting two days ago! I didn't think they'd be this big already."

"Oh! Well, if they are only two days old, they are pretty big for that. They look like you've had them for about a month in size. I wonder just how big they are going to get!"

"Me too, Dad. I bet they will even be bigger than yours!"

"That would be something to see," he laughs again. "It's going to take a few years for them to grow in fully, should stop before you are 25. They develop along with your body over puberty, and men do not stop growing until about 25 or so. But, if they are this big already, hopefully you will still be able to hold your head up when they are fully in. Otherwise we might have to shave them down," He laughs while he tickles Rowland's side.

"I'm not shaving them down dad. My neck muscles will grow with them so it should be ok."

"Yeah, you're right. Well, let's get down to business. I am going to meet General Andrew tomorrow and then 'arrive' in Desmond the next morning. Just, make sure no one sees your horns. You should be able to keep them hidden for at least two years before they will be noticeable."

"Two years, Dad? I thought I was only going to be here for a few months, tops!"

"Well, I am just trying to prepare you, in case you are stuck here longer than we plan for. If we don't find anything, and King Avery doesn't have another episode like this again, you can probably come home after six more months. Unless, of course, if you find a reason to stay, like, say, Princess Constance."

"Why would I stay for Princess Constance? Sure, we get along and everything, but it isn't like I'm in love with her or something. She is just a really good friend. Besides, she doesn't know who I really am, what if it would freak her out that I am a half demon, or something?"

"If she is like her father, that shouldn't even matter. We are all equals to him, and I would hope that he would pass that on to his children."

"Yeah, you're probably right, I just get a little nervous about her finding out. I don't know why."

"I can think of a couple reasons, son, but it's something you will have to figure out for yourself. For now, though, lets go over what we've got so far, okay?" Astaroth gestures towards the paperwork on the desk in the corner. It is a decent size pile, really.

"Alright, Dad. Let's get this done."

They go over what Rowland has learned in the castle. It isn't much, really, but there is enough to prove that King Avery doesn't usually act without reason on a normal basis. And, there is enough to prove that someone definitely tampered with something, putting Avery under some sort of control spell or something to that effect. Every single citizen that Rowland had talked to, well, all they can say about Avery is that normally he is extremely understanding and strives to prevent violence of any sort and to handle each problem with care and even offers solutions to mundane issues, like marital problems. Not a single person, that Rowland has talked to, is afraid to talk to King Avery about any sort of issue they have, be it problems with the crops, or problems with a cheating husband. If he was a terrible King, no one would ask him for anything like that. Most even told Rowland that they even stop by just to visit, when they don't even have an issue. They just really like King Avery's company, honestly. They find the King very admirable and loving to everyone in the kingdom. He even ensures that the orphans find good stable homes with other families, and anyone in need of anything knows that they can go to him and he will help the best he can.

Rowland, true to his promise to himself the first day he met Constance, then suggested to his father that they start treating the people of their own Kingdom better and with more compassion. Two months away, and Rowland has already changed for the better. He vows that he will no longer be disrespectful to people of different status' that himself. King Astaroth agrees, promising to make changes when he returns home.

After going over everything, and having a long discussion about treating people better, father and son sit down to a nice meal prepared by the Inn's hostess, Gwen. The meal wasn't as good as their cooks back at home, but it was pretty tasty none the less. After they finished eating, Astaroth asked Rowland if he wants to stay the night with him, he brought some games to play just in case. Rowland agrees, sending word to his other parents that he is staying at a friends house, which he sometimes does anyway. They spend the night playing games and catching up. They also talk about Rowlands friends he has made while here. Astaroth notices that when Rowland talks about John or Alex, he talks normally, but when he mentions Constance, Rowland gets a light blush on his cheeks and his demeaner changes. He gets giddy, almost, and a little bit bashful. Astaroth is pretty sure that his son is developing his first crush, which, him being 13, he really isn't all that surprised. The boys head to bed, Astaroth taking the bed and Rowland taking the Daybed along the opposite wall. Astaroth looks at his sleeping son, hoping and praying that this situation doesn't keep him away from home too much longer, especially with how fast his horns a growing, and because he would rather have him home. Astaroth covers up the glowing torch along the wall and turns over to find some sleep, slipping into the first bit of restful sleep he has gotten since Rowland left home.