The Last Son of Vinterstaden (boyxboy)

Chapter One

 "So where were you injured?"

The question was one which had come up time and time again since Olani had left the field hospital. It hadn't got any less annoying over the following weeks. Folding his hands in his lap he found himself immediately fiddling with the huge silver ring on his index finger. The family crest engraved on the metal was intricate in it's design, a slight variation of the very crest behind the chair of the King. It reminded him that he was essentially here begging for charity from his long estranged family. Looking up from his hand Olani found himself staring into the cold blue eyes of the King of Ukonsaari.

"I can't tell you I'm afraid." He ran his hand through his his shoulder length blonde hair and glanced over at his cousin Brendt out of the corner of his eye. The elderly man gave him an encouraging nod, and Olani tried to calm his nerves. After all it was Brendt's fault he was here in the first place.

"No of course not." The deep baritone of the King's voice remained the same, but something dark flashed in his eyes. "The military secrets of Estonia are classified."

It was in that moment that Olani remembered the rumors that King Teuvo was mad. So dangerously insane that the rest of Europe had abandoned the tiny island nation. Now however Olani found himself at the end of that icy glare, and he was beginning to think that maybe they were right.

"I'm sorry your Majesty," he said.

The King simply steepled his fingers beneath his chin and gave him a small smile. "Of course, loyalty is always a good show of a man's character."

There was an uncomfortable silence then which filled the enormous study. After a few moments, in which Olani seriously considered jumping out of the window, Brendt stepped forwards and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Maybe you should explain to the boy why he's here your Majesty."

The King looked up at his chief advisor with a widening smile and nodded his head. "Of course." He looked back at Olani. "It has come to my attention that you are without a home or a job, and as you are family it's the least I could do to offer you a place here in Vinterstaden."

"Our families have been estranged for twenty years your Majesty." Olani folded his arms across his chest.

"That fight was between my father and your grandfather, not between us," said the King. "And as it was I had a position here that came up that could use your particular set of skills."

"What skills?" Olani glanced up at Brendt. "I wasn't aware of any skills I had that might be of use to the Royal family of Ukonsaari."

With a deep sigh the King sat back in his leather chair. "I am well aware of what you did in the army, and it is those skills that are of use."

Olani fought to keep his face straight, not wanting the King to see him grimace at those words. It wasn't exactly a secret that he had spent three years as a sniper, but he had hoped to leave that life behind him. "I don't think I quite understand."

"My grandson is now just about to turn eighteen and will therefore be accompanying me on more Royal business." The King picked up his cut crystal glass of brandy and took a sip. "He also has the annoying habit of evading the protection of the Royal Guard. Its therefore been brought to my attention that he is in need of a personal guard."

That made sense, and the young Prince wouldn't be the first nor the last to have a personal guard.

"And that's why I'm here?" asked Olani.

Brendt's hand dropped onto his shoulder, causing Olani to look up at him in surprise to see the much older man give him a quick nod.

"That's correct," said the King. "That is of course if you accept the position."