{"id":2682,"date":"2024-06-15T15:26:53","date_gmt":"2024-06-15T22:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/?p=2682"},"modified":"2024-06-15T15:26:53","modified_gmt":"2024-06-15T22:26:53","slug":"the-first-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/2024\/06\/15\/the-first-stage\/","title":{"rendered":"The First Stage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

prompt: Write a story about a someone who’s in denial.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

available at Reedsy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fenrik\u2019s world had turned upside down in a heartbeat; his hand had been forced. With devastated armies, his generals began to field adolescent children and any elderly person that could hold a rifle. Had he not signed the terms of surrender, his people would continue to be slaughtered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They had let him keep his title, at least in name. What true king answers to a higher authority, and what true elf answers to the authority of barbarous humans?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The humans had taken away all his generals that led the troops of children to stand trial for \u201cwar crimes.\u201d Fenrik wished they\u2019d left it to him. Every last one of them would be executed for failing him so totally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From his throne, he couldn\u2019t see the remnants of the King\u2019s Guard barracks; the only part of the palace complex that had been hit by drone strikes. He knew the damage outside the palace was worse. Every factory, shipping yard, rail yard, and the most key bridges into the capital lay in ruins. It wouldn\u2019t, however, be like that for long. He didn\u2019t notice the aide entering from the side door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour Majesty, the human advisors<\/em>,\u201d she spat out the word, \u201care waiting in the conference room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked at the bowing woman. Second child of a lesser Duke and Duchess, in service as an aide in hopes to increase her family\u2019s influence. \u201cThank you, Lisbet of Nordfen. Fret not, child, this is temporary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course, sir. Does Your Majesty require anything further?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, Lisbet. I should go deal with these barbarians.\u201d She backed three steps before turning around and standing upright, then exited the same door she\u2019d come in. The king stood from his throne and kept his gaze locked on the main door where guards waited for him. He knew that a glance out the window to his left would show the destroyed barracks while a glance at his guards would show him they were unarmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His nose wrinkled at the stink of the conference room. The odor of the foul, black beverage the humans drank filled the room and seeped into the carpet and drapes and furnishings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you are finally defeated, I\u2019ll have to burn this room back to the stone walls and floor and rebuild to get rid of your stink,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dun-skinned human woman with black hair and nearly as dark eyes stepped forward. \u201cA pleasure to meet you, too, King Fenrik. Fresh coffee is over there, along with pastries. I\u2019m\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He interrupted her. \u201cMadame Secretary Alexandra Silva, the human Secretary of State from Westermarch. I know who you are. Do you not know how to address\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA king?\u201d she interrupted back. \u201cOf course I would, if our positions were different. In our role as advisors, it behooves us to become comfortable with each other. That isn\u2019t going to happen if we\u2019re busy tripping over \u2018Your Majesty this\u2019 and \u2018Madame Secretary that\u2019 and other nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fenrik\u2019s eyes narrowed. If he\u2019d had his sword, he would kill her where she stood for her insolence. She smiled at him, unfazed by the glare he threw at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind her stood General Howard Mackenzie, leader of the combined human forces that had finally defeated the elves. Shorter than both Alexandra and Fenrik, slight of build and with a sun-darkened mahogany complexion under close-cropped dark brown hair, his bright brown eyes were framed by large, square glasses that were incongruous with his dress uniform. He hid a wealth of tactical know-how behind his sun-lined face and renowned strength in his unassuming frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKing Fenrik, I\u2019m General Mackenzie, but everyone here just calls me \u2018Howie.\u2019\u201d He pulled a chair out for the king at the head of the conference table. \u201cPlease do have a seat, so we can get started.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stepping past the General, Fenrik saw a small woman already seated at the table. She looked like a pale human with pink cheeks and grey eyes under lank, blonde hair, out of which he saw the tips of half-pointed ears poking out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPleased to meet you, King Fenrik. I\u2019m Maddison Ostfern, assigned legal representative from the International Court. I would\u2019ve stood, but\u2026,\u201d she motioned to the wheelchair in which she sat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fenrik sat, noting that his chair was no higher than the others. His personal chair had been removed from the room. All to the better, as it would\u2019ve been ruined by the odor of the coffee. He muttered under his breath, \u201cA half-breed \u2026 impure enough to be a cripple.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maddison smiled at him. \u201cI\u2019ll have you know that I\u2019m a \u2018half-breed\u2019 because my father was smart enough to defect decades ago, and I\u2019m crippled because one of your soldiers put a bullet in my spine while trying to assassinate my father twelve years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The general sat and leaned forward on the desk. \u201cIn here, you are not<\/em> the king. You\u2019re just Fenrik, and if you\u2019re smart, you\u2019ll do what needs to be done to help your people recover. A good first step would be to not<\/em> insult the representative of the International Court. Apologize to the lady.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fenrik wasn\u2019t sure whether it was fear of the general or just being out-of-sorts, but he said, \u201cMy apologies, Madame Representative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nodded. \u201cAccepted. Howie, why don\u2019t you start us off with the security agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fenrik sat in a state of fugue while the general talked about the security zone on the borders with Westermarch and Cantonia, the deployment of troops from Westermarch, Cantonia, and Umberland to bases within his own kingdom, something about dismantling their artillery and air defenses and handing over the airports to private interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Secretary General spoke at length about an upcoming referendum, wherein the people of his kingdom could choose the form of government they preferred. Not that it mattered, he was king by right of birth and the gods. That didn\u2019t worry him in the least. The elves of Oskela would never turn their back on their beloved royals. Even if Fenrik was made to step down, his daughter Ferin would take over as queen \u2014 she was old enough now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was pulled back into the moment by the silence around the table. All eyes were on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Maddison said. \u201cI think a break is called for.\u201d She wheeled away from the table and carried her mug in her lap to the coffee pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The general stood and stretched before refilling his cup and Alexandra had somehow filled her cup, plus another, and set a pastry in front of Fenrik before he noticed. He watched as she mixed sugar and cream into both cups and sat down next to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOskela really does have the best pastries in the world,\u201d she said, taking a bite of her own. \u201cIt was the thing that I remembered most from doing my student exchange thirty years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t get too used to it,\u201d Fenrik said. \u201cMy brother\u2019s on his way back with the northern army to retake the capital and drive you all out. He\u2019ll select new generals that won\u2019t let me down, and Oskela will make good on her promise to reclaim the stolen lands along our borders.\u201d He chewed on the pastry without tasting it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour brother\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPrince Edrik<\/em> will be here any day now!\u201d he thundered. He choked down the pastry with a throat gone dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexandra put a gentle hand on his. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Fenrik. I know how hard it is to lose someone. Edrik was killed three days ago, and the northern army is in shambles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wanted to lash out at her for touching him but couldn\u2019t bring himself to do it. He took a sip of the coffee in front of him without thinking. It was better than he expected, in fact, it was good, but he wasn\u2019t going to give her the satisfaction. \u201cI need some wine. Why is there no wine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlexandra, if you like, I can go get some,\u201d Maddison said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexandra shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fenrik pulled his hand away from hers. \u201cMy brother\u2019s coming back any day, and your lies won\u2019t fool me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cListen here\u2014\u201d the general began before Alexandra cut him off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHowie, let him be. He\u2019s just lost his brother and<\/em> his country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fenrik drank more of the coffee, trying to hide his like for the bittersweet drink. \u201cMy daughter should come home to greet her uncle on his triumphant return.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexandra sighed. \u201cThe princess is already flying back from the tropics. She should be here this evening. Why don\u2019t we call it here for the day, and pick up tomorrow afternoon, after you\u2019ve had some family time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fenrik finished his coffee before leaving the conference room without saying another word. Once the doors shut, he listened in to the conversation on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you think he\u2019s cracked?\u201d the general asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, Howie, he\u2019s in denial but he hasn\u2019t gone nuts. Grief is weird like that,\u201d Maddison said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRight. Denial first, then anger, bargaining, despair, and finally acceptance. I hope he\u2019ll let us help him through that,\u201d Alexandra said. \u201cAlthough, his daughter may need some support to deal with her father through this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about the royal physicians?\u201d Howie asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood idea. I\u2019ll have them assign a couple therapists for the king and the princess,\u201d Alexandra said, \u201cand you make sure they\u2019re protected and sequestered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d the general said, \u201cwouldn\u2019t do to have someone influence one of the royal therapists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorried about hardliners?\u201d Maddison asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, more worried about the anti-royalist faction that might convince them to do something\u2026.\u201d The general let his statement trail off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fenrik stormed back to his throne, his guards rushing to keep up. He kept his eyes fixed on the throne lest he look out the window and see \u2026 he shook his head and continued to his throne. First stage<\/em>, he thought, nonsense! I\u2019m not in denial, Edrik is on his way, right? He\u2019ll be here soon, right? Yeah, he\u2019ll be here soon.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

prompt: Write a story about a someone who’s in denial. available at Reedsy Fenrik\u2019s world had turned upside down in a heartbeat; his hand had been forced. With devastated armies, his generals began to field …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[208],"tags":[216,210,209],"class_list":["post-2682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-trunk-stories","tag-fantasy","tag-fiction","tag-short-story"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pxT7i-Hg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2682","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2682"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2682\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2683,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2682\/revisions\/2683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}