As I was saying. I remember it as if it were yesterday.
~~~
King Marco was suddenly struck by a mysterious illness that only affected him. This was a stark contrast from him being the bastion of health, he was known for. Despite the chronic back pain he gained from a riding accident the previous spring.
His sudden sickness left the Court Magician, Aster, who was also the King's personal physician, at a loss.
And please don't ask me about his last name; he never gave it anyway.
It was as if the King's own body was fighting against him...and it was winning.
With the foreseeable outcome fast approaching, word was sent to the Dragons.
Prince Alkanos was summoned. It was time for him to claim his birthright. >
~~~
The Palace, Eldorian Capital City
The day of Prince Alkanos's arrival was a warm day in late summer. Even though it was close to midday, the overcast skies made it appear as if it were fast approaching nightfall.
Because I tire of adding context, the story will officially begin here, with King Marco's most loyal vassals putting their heads together.
Cordelia, the King's favorite Bard, and his friend, had just left his chambers. She had been playing the lute for him. Her magical songs of healing hadn't healed him, but they did aid him in resting.
I don't doubt my ability, but why hasn't the song worked? She wondered, crossing her arms, as she continued to walk, her slippered steps soft on the corridor's carpet runner.
She stopped in front of a stained-glass window that showed the signing of The Pax Draconis. The orange from the Dragon's scales and the blue from King Marco's armor bathed the corridor in a pale light.
King Marco was shown with shaggy, dirty blond hair, and was clean-shaven, emanating some sort of divine providence. When in reality everyone knew that once the king could grow a beard, he always wore one, it was just always worn close and meticulously shaped.
I wish you were better...I also just wish we knew what was hurting you. She thought, turning around to continue on to her room, but instead collided into Volsair, the Captain of the King's guard, and Eldoria's Champion.
Volsair wore his armor. He removed his helmet, his black curls falling into place. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you there." He said, his voice pleasantly deep-sounding, like rain falling on the tiles of the palace balcony.
"Oh. Hi, Volsair," she replied, "Heading out?"
"I am," He said, before dropping his voice into a whisper. "Marco needs me to deliver messages to the Providences."
He was able to call the King by his first name in private, since they had been friends for the past fifteen years.
Cordelia, on the other hand, had been friends since before Marco and Queen Kassia even met. This just meant that they had been in the same friend circle for years, and didn't have to use titles unless in public.
"Transition of power?" Cordelia whispered back. "What about the Royal Couriers?"
"Not sure, with the first," he replied, "For the second, I'm positive he suspects treachery."
She nodded.
The prospect of treachery had been the main gossip among the palace staff for almost a fortnight.
"I hope he doesn't suspect us." She replied.
"I don't think he does, but he has said he wouldn't put it past his brother. Everyone and their cousin's dog groomer knows he's wanted the throne for over a Dragon's age. So he's sending me to make the deliveries. If I get brushed aside, they'll have to deal with his wrath."
"Well," Cordelia said, her voice at its regular volume now. "Best not keep his Royal Highness waiting."
~~~
Meanwhile, at the City gates, Prince Alkanos had arrived.
He wore nondescript clothes with a molted green cloak; he kept the hood up, obscuring his face in the shadow. Keeping his face hidden helped with the mission of the caliber, but he was unable to change the fact his unaturally pale blue eyes glowed in the dark.
The horse he rode was a courier's horse that was bred for speed and endurance. He carried no weapon, because the emblem emblazoned on the saddlebags was enough to give safe passage.
The emblem was that of the Royal Family. The emblem was a silver circlet of sapphires, intersecting with the blade of a naked sword. The sword had a leather-wrapped hilt, and a circular-cut sapphire was set in the pommel.
"Good boy, we're almost there." Alkanos said, patting the horse's shoulder as it walked, its hooves clipping on the dusty cobblestones. The horse whickered happily, flicking its dark tail.
His stomach clenched from nervousness. It's my first time meeting my father. What if he doesn't like me? He wondered.
The smells of the city, both alluring and repulsive, agitated Alkanos's acute sense of smell. He gripped the reins to stop himself from covering his face with his hand. He lightly touched his heels to the horse's flanks, urging the horse on to get away from the oppressive smells.
As they made their way to the palace gates, Alkanos attempted to discern one person's voice from another in the crowd that parted before him and the horse.
They probably think I'm a messenger, Alkanos thought as he maneuvered the horse around a cart carrying barrels of juicy apples. If this means fewer people bothering me, then let them.
The Prince was stopped by the guards at the palace gate. Pulling the horse to a halt, he pulled a folded piece of parchment out of his saddlebag.
The guard unfolded the parchment and read it.
Alkanos knew what the document said.
The document gave him permission from the king himself to stay in whatever inn he wanted to, and pass unhindered by any soldiers. The document also permitted him to enter the palace, unhindered as well.
The order was signed and bore the royal seal of the King, in red wax.
The horse swayed uneasily; he had been Alkanos's mount since the beginning of his journey and needed some much-needed rest.
Alkanos stroked the horse's shoulder and praised him.
The horse wickered his agreement.
The guard handed Alkanos back his pass and yelled, "OPEN THE GATES! THE PRINCE HAS RETURNED!" This call was passed along until it reached the guardhouse, and the portcullis was raised.
The guards saluted the Prince, touching a gauntlet to their helmet visor. Alkanos returned the gesture and nudged the horse forward.
His breath quickened when the horse stepped through the opened gate.
Now's a good time as any. He thought as he removed his hood.
The hood fell away to reveal a clean-shaven young man with piercing blue eyes and shaggy black hair.
Alkanos attempted to smile, but he didn't feel sure about it, himself.
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