Prolog
“Peace. An age of peace.” This was the idea held by many if not all in the borders that marked the kingdom of ‘-----’. The people had long enjoyed a life without conflict, without major conflict. A few generations had come and gone since anyone ever spoke of war. None spoke of the possibility and there where none then who could accurately speak of the events of wars past. They did not speak of how or why the borders stretched so far or how it was so unified under one crown. The history of that sacrifice and mayhem lay in some unkempt archive that none cared to disturb or protect against the thick sheets of dust covering them over. This was not from lack of appreciation, rather the result of the means by which the people of the kingdom chose to show that appreciation, by forgetting. After all, how could the people soil there good fortune with such sad depressing memories. All the better that those who gave all be unknowingly honored by the pursuit of complete content as their tattered banners and tabards hung invisible from every tall tower .
As one could expect, the most practiced portrayers of this ritualistic, blissful ignorance was the kingdom’s royalty. Sheltered from unneeded aspects of hardship or strain, they were pure. The king, of course, had his duties. This may not have darkened the jewels of his crown, but was enough to deepen the lines of his face. As such, he left it to his children, all sons, to hold on that meaningful nothing. It unfailingly come closer to the day they could no longer enjoy that carelessness either though. They were of a strange, and yet convenient, number. There were five princes in all, one for each of the grand cities of the kingdom. One for the North, the same for East, South and West. Finally, there would be the one that would retire the circlet that weighed on the current kings head and have one of their own forged . That son would be made to rule over the capital in the center of it all and at the height of the “-----’s” power.
It was the another of king “-----’s” misfortunes that he would have to chose from which of his offspring would succeed him, just as his father chose him from his many brothers and sisters who held the forts scattered about the compass. Understanding their father’s hardship, the children, rather then squabbling in attempts to outdo one another, they obeyed when he presented his choice of contest. Rather then have them prove themselves by some singular act, they would show their worth through the qualities they lived and would likely rule by if given the chance. When each son came of age he would be sent along with several tutors and items they had need of to their uncles and aunt’s to learn. If they learned their lessons well they would, for a time, be permitted to take the reigns of their relations land. The king held a subtle bit of pride over his idea, confident that it would produce a competent ruler from one of his sons and better the others for their roles in the kingdom.
By the time several of the princes had began their journeys, returned home for a time to show their progress, and then leave again , it was prince “----” moment. Though it was not obvious that he saw that day as significant as he ignored the traveling cloak sent to his room, or the servants that entered it as he left with several chest’s for the transport of his wardrobe, but is must have certainly been looming in his mind as he joined his younger brother in the courtyard. The trees hung their branches high in steep angles from where they were planted. Beneath one of the smaller trees sat the youngest of the kings sons as he held a mock skirmish between two wooden figures in clean woven tabards, wielding blunt swords that could no more harm each other or the boy then a falling chestnut could harm the bricks it‘s tree was bordered by. Young --- regarded his brother with a grin of less then white teeth as he spoke.
“ Still playing with those facades.”
“ And why shouldn’t I be. It’s all I’ve had to do since all our brothers have been gone.” The youngest replied.
“ And what of me?”
“You are no fun. All you do is talk about what you want to do with the castle.”
“ Maybe if you knew what ruling was about you’d listen better.”
“ You’re on to talk. Never a single class that you aren’t either asleep or being bad.”
“ Class is boring, and I’m only having fun.”
“ I wish Darne was back. He knew how to have fun. Remember when he played swords with us. Always knocked you on yours.”
“ Darne is an idiot. A noble doesn’t have to fight. He’s likely to just get himself killed. That’s why he’s not fit to be king.”
“ And you are? “ The youngest replied with a practiced roll of his eyes. His gesture of apathy was not met in the same fashion however. His brother, taking offense was on him in a moment, his greater weight bringing him down to his back.
“ I’m more prime for kingship then you’ll ever be you runt. You are nothing but a nuisance.” The princes scuffled as the younger tried to shake himself from the weight of the elder, the fallen chestnuts digging uncomfortable into his back. The struggles were noticed by the prince’s teacher, a slightly portly man by the name of Austig. He cast a shadow over the two boys and they both came to a halt, looking up to meet Austig’s eyes that gave the impression of great anger behind them at all times.
“ There is no end to what you boys will do to infuriate me is there. Aaron, You were supposed to be readying yourself for your trip west and yet here I find you, tussling in the dirt. It’s no great help that you feel it right to leave with an impression of violence.” The teacher let his gaze continue unwavering as it burned into the two boys. Aaron, the elder brother had a moments hesitation before he took his knees from his brothers sides /
“ I..I didn’t know that was today?” Aaron responded.
“ Oh, you didn’t? And I suppose that the many servant sent to you quarters were not some great hint of a happening today.”
“ I didn’t see any. I left early.”
“ Without your escort, it would seem. Where is that boy? BOY!” The teacher did not feel the need to remember the true name of the young lad who was to accompany prince Aaron to all his classes, appointments, or any other general whereabouts. Austig was on the verge of impatience when a guard arrived, holding the shoulder of a small boy to the front of him. Austig addressed him with little pageantry.
“ Why was the prince Aaron not advised of today’s significance.”
The boy’s confusion marked his face with a contortion, but not plainly enough for Austig to notice. “ I was left to advise the servant on what should be packed for the journey sir. That was the request of master Aaron.”
“You lie!” Aaron responded quickly as he noticed the tutor’s head craning to place his heavy sight on the him.
“ He lies, Likely he just slept in rather then do what he was supposed to.” Aaron stood there, nervousness coming with his breath. Austig would have spent the time to suspect who was the liar, but the prince, in his position, was immune from suspicion. By default, the young escort was guilty.
“ You must learn the importance of your responsibility.” Austig began. The servant began to shake his head in fearful rebuttal, but he was apprehended by the guard. The guard took the boys arm in hand with a force that jolted him, making it easy to shove him in Austig’s direction. This was not a strange sequence of events for anyone present in the courtyard. Neither was Austig producing a wooden baton from his robes. He had carried that polished wood instrument wherever he went, for the very purpose he used it now. He raised it high enough to brush the low branches of the tree as he held the boy still. When it came down against his rear and back, it had the force to redden his skin. The boy was unable to suppress any cries of anguish, but he said no curses or words of any sort. Silence in moments of discomfort was impressed on him some time ago. With the exception of the fact that today was the day of the fourth princes journey, things within the castle were carrying on in a familiar fashion.
Once Austig had seen to the matter of justice he ordered Aaron to see to his packing. The servant had already packed the obvious necessities of the young master’s many cloths and finery’s. Next to the case that held them were several books and materials of a scholar’s want.
“You may take but one particular possession beyond what you need prince.” Austig laid down the condition with an assertiveness that quickly removed the question of taking any more from Aaron’s mind. With little thought he pointed to the youngster who was still nursing the sore area’s of his backside.
“ I wish to take him.” The prince answered only to be met with an angry stare.
“ I believe I used the word possession your highness, The boy will come regardless, but you would do well to be wary of your wild tongue.” Austig tipped his finger in a chopping motion to shame the prince,
“What’s it matter what I say. You know what I mean.’
“ Oh, I am aware what you intend young prince, but with such un-tempered speech you also reveal your ignorance and foolishness. I am the one who trained you in words, trained your brothers as well. If you can not managed the simplest bit of tact or subtlety it would be a failing on the part of us both. I have resolved myself never to accustom myself to failing Aaron the third and neither would I advise it of you.” Austig leaned deep, shortening the distance each word needed to travel as he spoke until he was starring the prince, who was reeled slightly back, in the eye.
“ Now. Choose a possession. Do it quickly.” Austig retracted himself to stand above Aaron once again. “ Or do you wish to declare like your brother Darne that you ‘need only the heart with which to rule this country’.” Austig quoted to the successful effect of making Aaron wince in disgust. Austig had to admit in his mind that Darne’s altruistic notions where something of a bore, but the ambitions the first prince had were solid.
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