Ten years had passed since the announcement of Giehl's future ascension and Zager's banishment from Lazader when the good Nhoj and Adnil both died peacefully in their sleep. The land was filled with immense sorrow over the loss of their loving monarchs. A week of mourning filled the kingdom. Afterward, the people's hearts filled with anticipation over the ascension of Giehl to the throne. The day of the coronation was heavy with merriment. Drinking, singing, dancing, and merrymaking overflowed the taverns and houses, spilling into the streets. As the time of the coronation approached the citizens of the kingdom made their way to the castle to pay homage to their new king.

The ceremony was the grandest ever seen in the land. The royal court was assembled in the throne room as the Archbishop led the procession from the royal quarters through the castle to the throne room. It began with Giehl receiving his father�s sword, Kubata, as a symbol of power, strength, and faith. Kubata was to be used in battles of religious consent and where the royal court saw fit to send the king into battle. Giehl was adorned with the armor of his father, re-forged to fit as was the kingdom he was about to rule. He was next given the royal shield to protect him and his kingdom from the flaming arrows and clashing swords of evil. He was last given the crown to be worn with pride and humility to show his position of leadership and servent hood to the people.

Just as the Archbishop finished his prayer for God�s help and guidance for Giehl to be a just and fair king, a loud crashing and clanging of metal was heard from behind the great doors of the throne room. The entire assembly turned, shocked and dismayed as the doors flew open and three armed guards dragged an armored figure toward the throne.

"We caught him sneaking into the castle, sire." Explained one of the guards.

"He claims he is supposed to be here." Offered another guard.

The three guards held the armor-clad man in front of the new king. Giehl thought about what he was going to do and say, knowing that everyone in the place would scrutinize his every word and action.

"Why are you here?" asked Giehl calmly.

"My father made me promise that I would come." replied the knight.

"Then why sneak into my castle? Why did you not come through the front gate?"

"The guards would not let me through your main gate. So I snuck into your castle and found two of your men so they could bring me to you." Confessed the stranger.

"Interesting, but why did you come? Aside from the fact that you promised your father you would come." Inquired the coolly collected king.

"There is no other reason. I was made to promise I would come, so I came. I snuck in because I am a man of my word. I promised to see you on the day of your coronation. I am here to fulfill that promise."

This confession touched the new king. He sat down upon his throne and thought deeply for several minutes. He looked to his advisors for any help that they may have been able to provide. They talked it over amongst themselves and told the new king that the stranger should be thrown out of the castle and escorted to the border to be sure he didn't return.

"But, if he has already snuck into my castle once, would it not stand that he could sneak in again? And, if I keep him from returning to this place, will I not be going against the will of this man's father? I do not know how you feel, advisors, but I do not wish to make his father angry. He might come himself and seek an audience with me. What am I to say to him? That I threw out his son only because he did what was asked of him?"

"My father will not come to this place."

"And why is that?"

"He is dead."

"Ah! I see. So you see, dear advisors, I cannot turn this man away. I cannot go against the will of his dead father. It just is not something that I can do."

The advisors once again talked among themselves.

"Then perhaps just send him away for now and allow him come back again to fulfill his promise on a later day."

"Perhaps, but he promised to be here this day, no other. I have an idea." Giehl turned away from his advisors to the stranger. "Sir, if you remove your helm and show your face, I will excuse your methods and allow you to fulfill your promise to your father."

The new king's statement shocked the whole assembly. A murmur ran through the crowd. The Royal Court knew the king was kind and just, but this intrusion into the castle and bursting into the throne room was seen as inexcusable.

"Have you lost your mind?! Throw him in the dungeon and be done with it!" bellowed an agitated onlooker.

"Arrest that man!" Commanded Giehl, pointing into the crowd where the outburst had come from.

Two of the guards holding the stranger ran into the crowd and grabbed the man who had spoken out against the new king.

After the guards had dragged the man away all eyes returned to the king and the stranger, who now had his helmet on the ground next to his feet. No one but the new king had noticed the helm�s removal and the man�s kneeling. The man�s face was concealed behind his long black hair. The glitter from a golden chain and the ring it held could barely be seen though the locks. Everyone who saw this knew that it meant this knight had a lady somewhere waiting for his return.

"Now, arise and state your name," urged Giehl.

"I will stand," the stranger lifted his head then stood. "But you, dear brother, already know my name."

The stranger turned to face the crowd of assembled spectators. The entire mass of people gasped as one when they saw the stranger�s face. It was same face as their new king.

"This is my brother, Zager," proclaimed Giehl. "He is my twin, banished ten years past."

Zager turned to Giehl and bowed slightly. Giehl motioned for Zager to join him. Zager ascended the stairs and stood on the left side of his brother�s throne.

The ceremony being complete, and the assembly dismissed, Giehl and Zager retired to the king's chambers. It was richly furnished with fine oak chairs, a couch, and a large bed. An immense silk curtain was suspended over the bed supported by the highly decorated and carved posters at each corner

"You have a nice bed chamber brother," commented Zager. "Better than your father�s."

"Thank you," returned Giehl, "Why did you come back brother? Even if you promised our father to return, why would you? You were never a man of your word and never a man of honor."

"What you say was true brother, but I have changed since you last saw me."

"How is that, brother?" Giehl held up a goblet of wine, offering it to his brother. "Drink?"

"No, thank you. When I left Lazader I traveled for months and finally wandered into a forest. I came upon an old man cutting trees. I commanded him to tell me which kingdom I was in."

"And where were you?" Giehl asked, between sips of his wine.

"He said the 'kingdom' had no name and no king. It was a wilderness, which people came to when banished."

"How appropriate for you. Did you stay in this place?"

"I did. I lived with the old man for some time. Him and his daughter. She and I grew close during my stay. Closer than I would have ever thought possible. She had a strong heart and sharp wit, I knew I could not do better."

"Congratulations, Zager!" Giehl said, obviously surprised. "I never thought any woman could ever want you. I suppose hers is the ring you wear?"

"It is. She and I have been married nine years this coming spring. We moved out of her father's house and set out on our own." Zager's eyes seemed to waver at the thought of his wife. He shook his though and continued with his tale. "I was never one who wanted anything less than everything."

"This is true." Giehl finished off his wine and placed the goblet on the table next to him. "So, did you go out fortune hunting then?"

"Something like that." Zager snickered. His eyes lit up and his posture and demeanor both perked up.

"With my new wife, I gathered the people of that wilderness and together we forged a kingdom. I became their ruler and she their queen."

"You? A king of men?!" Giehl's eyes grew large and his jaw dropped at the news his brother was telling him. "If these people knew of your black heart they would surely not have chosen you."

"In that you are wrong, brother. You forget that this was a land of outcasts. A land filled with those banished because of their treachery and wrongdoings."

"A treacherous land filled with treacherous people."

"Yes, brother. A land ripe for my leadership. I told them of my deeds against you, your parents, and their people."

"They were your parents and people as well."

"NO! They stopped being my parents the moment they banished me. These people were never mine! They were always your father's people. And when he died they became yours. My people listened to my story, of my upbringing and my treachery. They saw that I was truly their superior. The people of that land eagerly agreed to become the citizens of a kingdom, a kingdom that I myself would rule. I rule my kingdom with this iron fist backed by this steel sword."

With those words, Zager drew his large black broadsword from its sheath and shook it in his gauntleted fist for his brother to see.

"You are the king to a kingdom of treacherous and treasonous outlaws and castoffs? How fitting."

"No, brother. I am the king to a land of loyal subjects; all willing to obey whatever commands I give them. Not four years past my men and I invaded and conquered a neighboring land. I slew the king and enslaved his people. My land grows larger every year, Giehl. We raid, we plunder, and we kill anyone who ventures too close to our borders."

"I had heard of a crazed madman crushing innocents and taking lands not his own. That was you?! You're that madman?!" Giehl roared.

"No, brother, I am not mad. In fact the logic is quite sane. Since I was not allowed to rule your father's kingdom, I will rule my own."

"You do know that as the king of Lazader, the lands bordering my own will come to me for help. It is my duty to help them, one that I cannot forsake. Even though we are brothers, Zager, I must stop you."

"I know this, brother. That is why I am here today. I promised your father to return on your coronation. I made one more promise to that old man you call father. He made me promise that I would return to this wretched kingdom when you died. Who would have guessed that would be today as well?"