The Wrath of the King by Danielle Bourdon Read Free Book Online Page A

him the document. “An urgent matter.” A murmur rippled through the crowd of councilmen. “As sitting King, his Majesty's first order of business is a decree to divide the country into regions, as previously recommended by his Majesty some months back.”
    Half the men in the seats surged to their feet. An uproar of protest commenced, turning into confusion when the blackmailed members remained seated and silent.
    “This is absurd! What's the meaning of putting a decree that's already been shot down in front of us while his Majesty is incapacitated?” one man shouted.
    “It cannot happen. Moreover, it will not happen.”
    “What's this? There has never been support for this decree and you will find no support here now.”
    Paavo regarded the councilmen, calm in the face of their red-faced fury. He met the eyes of several, not cowed by their rant. Before three minutes passed, the councilmen turned on each other.
    “Why are you silent? Where is the outrage?”
    “You can't tell me you think this is a good idea!”
    “Something is absolutely wrong here!”
    Andersen lifted his hands, speaking loud enough to quell the dissenters. “Sit down. Sit down! Now then. As with every other official decree, it will be put to a vote. You have all seen the dividing maps before, so you already know where the lines are drawn. Fresh copies will be distributed after the meeting. We are only looking for a majority, here.”
    The words sparked a new round of shouting. It took Andersen fully ten minutes to calm the men enough to proceed. Paavo said nothing, allowing Andersen to press forward to the vote.
    “Those in favor of separate regions in Latvala, say aye,” Andersen said.
    “Aye!” Exactly one more member than half voted in favor of the decree.
    Paavo understood by the tone and expressions on the men's faces that they did this under duress. Those who were not subjects of blackmail or bribery jumped to their feet, pointing accusing fingers at the other members. One or two speared suspicious glances his way.
    Fifteen minutes into the raging argument, Paavo called for order. Andersen's voice had become lost in the mix and no one paid him any attention. The councilmen, all on their feet now, faces red with indignation, gave the sitting King their direct attention.
    “We all know that the majority rules. By my count, more than half of you voted yes to the decree, which is what we needed to pass it into law.” Paavo waited through another shouting match before bringing order to the room once more. “Some of you may not agree but the vote stands. Latvala will be sectioned into regions, effective immediately. I have already appointed leaders and council for each region, military and other semantics that Andersen will explain after I depart. You are each cautioned not to say anything to anyone until I am ready to make a formal announcement a couple days from now. Trust that you have done what's in the best interest of the country.”
    “What if those of us who do not agree refuse to sign the decree?” one man demanded.
    Paavo stared him down. “Considering the majority voted for the decree, I'll take anyone refusing to sign as an act of treason. I need not point out what happens to traitors.”
    Blustering, the councilman sat down and conferred with another man in whispers. Outrage and thinly veiled accusations flew through the room in the aftermath of Paavo's declaration, some louder than others. The councilmen appeared on the verge of mutiny, yet after the furor calmed to a rumble rather than a roar, Paavo saw that no man among them was willing to challenge his intent. Few were happy, one way or another, and Paavo cared little.
    Andersen mopped his brow with a linen handkerchief that he stuffed back into his pocket. “That went a little rougher than I expected,” he said.
    Paavo half turned to block his words from the council. “I want the second decree signed before they leave this room. Should any refuse, have them