...

Everyone stops speaking at once to watch the tall women stride across the room with the lightness of a bird. She bows as gracefully as a queen when she stands before my father.

“Your Majesty,” the Healer says, holding a paper in her left bony hand. “I deeply apologize for this disturbance but if I may I could not help but to hear of your predicament from down the hall.” She smiles at me. “If you will allow it, may I voice my opinion on behalf of the Mountain Realm.”

Every person in the room glances to the empty Councilor and General chairs of the Mountain Realm. They are a rather secluded society who has not contributed a General or a Councilor in the last two hundred years. We did not even know if they had a Queen or a King to lead them.

My father raises a single eyebrow and looks back to the Healer. “Of course.” My father says, nodding to the woman who is as dear of a friend as she was to my mother. 

The Healer elegantly folds her hands and speaks with sureness I strive for. “The Prince will need a new set of guards seeing as these ones were overcome. So I propose that he has one personal guard chosen through a tournament that is open to every Realm and every citizen of the Empire.” 

The Councilors watch the Healer with speculation while the Generals lean forward intrigued.

“We must find a loyal warrior who has all the requirements to protect the Prince with their life.” She smiles and gestures to me. “Once the winner is chosen the Emperor can investigate that person even further.”

The Healer turns to me and I hold her gaze with apparent suspicion. She is planning something for sure otherwise she would have never spoke in front of all the Councilor and Generals. It just didn't make sense for her to put herself in the eyes of such powerful people without anything in return.

“Is this not also a dangerous idea,” the Desert Councilor asks. “What if his attacker takes this opportunity to place one of their own beside the Prince.”

The Healer turns to him and he shrinks just an inch. “Obviously they are already in the castle and if they truly had the greatest warrior the Prince would no longer be here, now would he?”

They no longer object and instead look at my father for his opinion.

My father’s face is rather listless as he looks at the Healer but I know by the way his eyes crescented ever so slightly he was intrigued and wanted to execute the Healer’s idea.

He places a hand to his mouth to cover the small grin that is forming as he nods his head.

“I would like to proceed with this idea.” He nods.

I smile knowing the whole vision is already made up in his mind down to the last detail of where I would be in the event of it all. He did not need the permission of the Councilors of the Generals but in the long run it was indeed beneficial with upholding their respect and approval.

I place my hands in my lap and sat straighter.

Two Councilors lean back in defeat and every General except for Lida lean forward.

“It could work wonderfully.” An old Councilor says, slowly envisioning the idea. “We can send a message to all the Realms,” he says, nodding to himself. “Stating that we will be holding a Warrior Tournament.”

A general adds on to the idea. “We can tell the competitors that if they win they will have the honor of being the greatest warrior in all of the land.”

The Desert Councilor leans forward “Yes,” he says, gesturing a hand to the Healer. “We will have it to the death-” 

“No!” Everyone says at once.

I sit up straight and speak calmly to remind everyone I still have an input in this . “Generals will referee the matches and determine when someone is defeated.” I raise an eyebrow leaning forward. “But only end a match if the warrior is being too prideful to forfeit. Let them fight until one is thrown out of the ring, or if someone is in a lethal situation.” 

It seems a majority of them are surprised I will let a fight continue until the competitors are unable to compete even if one is to be disarmed. 

Yes I can be cruel and it appears that many people are forgetting, especially because of my pretty face and below average height.

My father nods slowly in agreement. “We will also give a small reward to whoever participates.”

“Splendid idea!” A General smiles knowing we will have a better turnout if we were the ones to give money as prizes. 

My father nods in approval. “Councilors send the word to every one of your messengers.” they nod, writing the messages down with colorful quills on spare pieces of paper that they always hid in their cloaks. “Generals tell your armies.” They nod standing up in unison as they prepare to leave.

“And the Mountain Realm?” I ask with a gulp.

Everyone in the room falls silent as they stare at the Healer. Then look to me, their eyes glancing between my father and I almost sympathetic. I feel shame climb in my stomach as silence fills the air making me wonder if I overstepped my opinion. Even my father was speechless by my desire to invite the people who he could not control but still affiliate themselves as a Realm of his Empire. 

In the silence I question just what would they think of me now? Was their Crown Prince still a boy asking questions of the Mountain Realm and why we never interacted with them. Did they see a broken child who had lost his mother at a young age and tried to fill the wound with legends and lore of his culture? Maybe they saw a naive brat who couldn’t understand the basic politics of why the Mountain Realm is not associated with the Empire like the other Realms.

I take in a shallow breath reminding myself I am the Crown Prince of the Seven Realms. “Send a messenger to the Mountain Realm,” it is not a request but a demand that they will have to follow. “I want every person to hear about this tournament by all means.” My voice holds confident authority.

“Of course,” the Healer starts. “I will personally deliver the message to them if it is your command, Prince Veran.” She bows and I am grateful for the gesture that further proves my authority over the Empire. 

I was always unsure of my place in this monarchy especially now that I was transitioning from a child into an adult. These small commands, elegant bows from high standing people bolstered my image of power. These were far more than necessary for when I would be Emperor. Hopefully not anytime soon.

I look toward my father for approval and he nods in return. “Go” He commands and everyone scurries out of the throne room in a rush to organize a tournament they had never anticipated.