Demon King: Awakening

Chapter 8

Kobel sat down with a big huff. Speaking to Areana had helped to clear some of his thoughts. However, his advisors would not listen to such opinions. They would more likely turn away from the idea and think he was mad. He took the few moments he had left before the advisors would arrive to gather his thoughts. This time, they had called for the meeting in the war room. He had sensed their disdain for his peaceful opinions and knew it would only be a matter of time before they would try to take the throne from him. Rubbing his temples, he was already exhausted from the fight that would surely come within these four walls.

He sat at the head of the table as the advisors trickled into the room, bowing as they entered. Although they appeared to be respectful, he understood their actions and expressions for what they really were, distrust. Once they had all taken their seats, he stood, taking more of an authoritative stance.

“Has your majesty come to his senses on what needs to be done?” An advisor with curled mountain goat horns and the face of a goat with a long white beard spoke up. His eyes were dark as they gazed at him, daring him to continue with his nonsense.

“I have.” He responded.

The goat-like advisor smiled at the king, “We are glad to hear that you have come back to your senses.”

Kobel cleared his throat, preparing himself with what he wanted to say and their inevitable uproar from his words. “What I understand is that my judgment is being questioned. That my crown and throne are also being questioned because my opinion does not align with yours.” He nearly growled, nearing his eyes as they shifted from his sky blue eyes to blood red.

He watched as all the advisors shifted in their seats, clearly uncomfortable with his rage. “That's not...” Another advisor tried to speak up but was quickly quieted.

“Silence!” He stopped all their murmurs at once. “I have called for the demons to come within our walls. I wish for those with room to welcome those demons in. If I am informed a demon with room in his home has not offered another to stay there, they will spend the coming war on the front lines. Am I understood?” He growled.

The advisors quickly nodded in agreement, but their expressions gave away their true feelings. “Next, we will build up our supplies to last more than a month's time. We then will make the call for volunteers to join the army. We will take those who wish to join only, we will not be forcing any demon. Am I clear?” His voice was hard. No one dared to speak, but they nodded to show they were listening. “Good, we shall prepare for war but we will start with defending our kingdom. I will not be caught without defences and we will not instigate.” He paused to take a breath, daring an advisor to speak up. “According to reports we have two or more weeks to make preparations and train new recruits.” He paused again, now giving time for advisors to raise questions or make remarks about his plan of action.

“Your majesty, we really must insist on a more direct approach.” A large cat-like demon with weathered fur and a scarred body spoke up.

Kobel took a deep breath. “Let me make myself clear, I am not asking for approval. I'm telling you my plan. If you have a problem then there will be a dungeon cell with your name on it, your choice.” He glanced around the room, “You may have had more of a say in the last few years, but I am no longer leaving the run of the kingdom to you. Here is the new regime. Listen, abide or die. The choice is yours, am I clear?”

The advisors glanced around the room, looking at one another before responding, “Yes, your majesty.” Showing their clear disdain for his verbal treatment and his threats toward them, but no one would stand against him at this moment.

“Now, I suggest that you follow my instructions.” He reiterated, making sure not only that they understood, but that he was quite serious. Then he motioned them away with the sway of his hand. This meeting was over, whether they wished it to be or not.

“Your Majesty, I really must advise against your plans of peace. If we take action as you have asked of us, we will appear weak. It may be seen as a good opportunity for the demons of Cadorac,” An advisor said, timidly.

“Are you questioning me?!” He roared, standing suddenly. His chair flew back a few feet as he did.

“N...n...no, no,” he stuttered, trying to put coherent thoughts together, “No, your majesty, I was... I was just... I'm sorry, your majesty.” He exclaimed, trying to back out of the terrible mistake he knew he had just made.

Kobel thought for a moment before speaking, “All is forgiven,” he said, starting to sit back down. As he lowered himself a servant quickly pushed the chair under him as he took his seat. “ But I would rather you spend time in the dungeons. You could either escort yourself or the guards outside the door can do it for you. I leave the choice up to you.” He spoke as he narrowed his gaze at the demon.

The advisor looked shocked, but soon understood it was in his best interest to listen and even to remove himself and head down to the dungeons. “I will walk, my king.” He said, standing and making his way out the door.

“Would anyone like to join him?” Kobel questioned, eyeing the advisors around the table. They shifted uncomfortably but remained silent. “Good, now go!” They all quickly shot out of their seats, bowing as they exited the war room.

As the door closed, he slumped into his seat with a sigh. He began rubbing his temples once again, trying to ease the tension he felt. Ruling over a kingdom was wearing on a soul, even a demon's soul. Just as he was beginning to feel calm and relaxed, the door swung open, crashing into the wall behind it.

“Your majesty!” A medium-sized cat-like demon huffed as he tried to straighten himself while trying to catch his breath.

“What is it?” Kobel asked with a sigh, not a moment's peace for the king.

“The citizens are beginning an uprising,” he panted.

Kobel rubbed his temples one last time before responding, “Have the guards gather those leading the revolts in the city.” He instructed.

“Yes, your majesty.” He bowed and quickly retreated from the room.

Before he could completely exit, Kobel drew the demon's attention back to him, “One more thing, have them rallied together and thrown into the dungeons, they will be dealt with tomorrow at noon. We will have them in the square to allow for all demons to bear witness. Make an announcement of this, once those leading have been captured.” He commanded the demon.

“Yes, of course, your majesty.” He reached for the door but paused uncertain as to whether the king was finished or not.

“You may go,” He motioned him away. The demon quickly bowed, racing out of the room.

Kobel struck the table, anger filling him. What more could possibly go wrong? He thought to himself. He looked down at the table, removing his hand, seeing he had left an imprint of his hand on the table.

He stood and walked over to a map on the wall. It was one of the most recent maps of all the kingdoms and their territories. He looked it over, he knew the humans were banding together, he just couldn't understand why they suddenly wanted a war. There were two great human kingdoms, Pristra and Zendora. From what he had learned, they were not exactly on friendly terms. However, he suspected that they would try to fight this war together, dragging in the surrounding villages of Aquenta, Zinta, Sinesta, Farmeta, and Xerex. He surmised that they would not be able to enlist help from those residing in the mountains or those from Vinalor. Those villages tended to remain on their own and away from war. He sighed thinking of the size of the army they could gather to attack his kingdom. Demons were stronger, faster, and far more heartless than man, but there was a limit to it all if their numbers were far fewer than the humans'.

His eyes wandered down to the bottom of the map, where a kingdom also stood, however it was unknown to him. The people or creatures of that kingdom had never ventured far enough to be seen and those who entered the territory had never returned alive to tell of what they saw. He didn't stare too long at this unknown place, it was only taking his precious time away to think of what might reside there.

Instead, he turned his mind to things that were more important. As much as he didn't want to have a war on his hands, he knew it was best to at least devise a strategy. He looked over the map, trying to find the most optimal path the humans would inevitably take. There really was only one way into the kingdom, that would allow for an army to come and attack with their full strength. It would be easy for an army to enter the Black Forest, just a few miles to the north of Zendora. That is where he believed the humans would enter from, however, there were many paths throughout the forest that could give them access to the sides of his kingdom's walls with little detection due to lack of visibility.

He looked over the map for a few more moments before devising what he would do. He needed to make sure that all the walls were covered, but he would need to keep the east wall more heavily guarded presuming the human army would keep the majority of their knights there. He decided to also send out small squads to thin out the human forces from all sides. He sighed, war is pointless. What am I thinking? What is wrong with me? He thought shaking his head. I'm a demon king and yet I am showing mercy to humans, to the advisors. What has happened to me? Why do I not agree with them? He groaned to himself. He decided it was best to leave the war room and attend to other matters at hand. This war wasn't his only problem.

Leaving the war room he traveled down the hallway towards her room, stopping himself as soon as he realized where he was going. “What am I doing?” he mumbled to himself, turning around and heading toward his office instead. He quickened his pace to make sure he didn't subconsciously turn back. He entered his office within a few minutes, closed the door, and went to sit behind his desk, which was unfortunately piled with documents. He looked at the pile, willing it to disappear. He knew it wouldn't, but it was a beautiful wish.

He took a document off the top, another form about executing a particular demon due to their grievances against another. The next form was requesting passage to a human village that they wanted to cause chaos in. These forms were mostly requests, some he did allow for, but only allowing for a particular body count. He knew better than to allow for too much chaos as it would upset the balance, however, he also didn't care who died.

As he looked over the documents, he laughed to himself, thinking of what Areana would think. This would appear strange to a human, no doubt. Demons submitting forms to do something considered evil. Most humans believed that we run our kingdom without rules. Glancing over the pile, he decided that at this time all would need to be rejected. He needed all fighters at the ready, here and not out causing chaos that would not help with the coming chaos.