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forehead. He had never been religious to any large
degree, though he knew his wife was. She had taught Darius God’s words and the
right way to act. Through the years he himself had drifted away from religion.
“Tell me what the answer is!” he bellowed.
    Richard had never in fact taken the time before to think
much about love. He remembered meeting his wife, Elizabeth, at a city function.
She was the daughter of a rich city merchant. He had been infatuated with her
beauty and sense of loyalty. Richard had felt more alive around her and pursued
her from the first moment.
    But his role now required so much from him. Maybe it was
time to turn his attention back to his family. Maybe it wasn’t too late. He
left the field and headed towards the castle with new determination.
    He couldn't stay away too long. He never could. The King
would be waiting. The King was always waiting for something. He was a good king
and Richard had served him long. He would understand what Richard needed. He
must understand!
     
    * * * *
     
    “Richard, where have you been?” asked King Edward as Richard
entered the large private study of the King. “There is important business to
wrap up with the trouble in Belor. Seems as if some fanatic is preaching that
the Belorians are the chosen people and we are their enemy. It’s rumored he has
used wizard powers.”
    Richard nodded his head, only partially listening to the
King.
    “Can you believe that?” King Edward continued. He absently
rubbed his light brown beard with his hand. “A wizard in the Realm again, like
in the days of the old kings. Like those who caused us so much trouble before.
They want, or he wants, independence. Don't they understand they would be lost
without us to protect them?”
    The King stood up and stepped away from his red-velvet and
gold-covered chair, which sat behind his mahogany desk. He began to walk the
twenty or so steps toward Richard across the long marbled floor. This was his
private working chamber. His favorite paintings and tapestries adorned the walls
on the east side and a large polished-stone fireplace on the west side. The
white marble flooring had been brought across the blue sea from one of the
eastern empires by his great grandfather. The adjoining room was where the
people in the Realm brought petitions or other business for him; the throne
room. This room was where the actual work and decisions of the Realm occurred.
    The King had not changed his royal clothes since the
competition, except to take off his purple cloak. His footsteps echoed throughout
the room as he walked toward Richard.
    “There were some things on my mind, Your Highness.”
    The King, showing little compassion, but curious over his
senior councilor’s depressed spirits, asked, “What is bothering you, Richard?”
    “It’s my son. I’m afraid I have lost him.”
    “What do you mean?” The King jumped with sudden interest.
“He didn’t go somewhere, did he?”
    “No. No. We just don’t understand each other. He doesn't
even care to be around me anymore. It wasn’t always this way.”
    “That's what boys do, Richard. He'll come around.” The King
looked relieved. “He will learn. He must!
    “Oh yes. I will make sure of that, much to his dismay I am
sure.” Richard paused a moment as if he was thinking carefully about what to
say next. “But I need to spend more time with him and my wife.”
    “Richard, you are invaluable to me. I need you here.”
    “Edward, I have served you for many years. I do everything
you ask of me. My wife and son, I am sure, think horrible things of me because
I can’t tell them most of what I do for you. I haven’t told them I was staying
such late hours to help you on negotiations for peace or trade, or meeting
informants to stop rebellions and plottings. I have given you more than a
normal man would.”
    “Richard, you are not a normal man.”
    A look of confusion spread across Richards face. This was
not a normal reaction for his