A Worthless Crown

The ballroom was alive with splendor. Lord Vista spared no expense to mark both his son's departure to the capital and my own impending journey. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, casting flashing light across the gilded hall. Tables of luxurious local and foreign delicacies were laid out on every side of the room. Ice statues had been brought out, along with a band of bards who wove magic into their tunes.

Swiftly all the laughter and music weaved together, a sweet cacophony of celebration and wealth. Yet, as I sipped from my glass, I couldn't get rid of this feeling...

I, Fraero was the guest of honor. My name had become renowed across the city since the announcment I was the eighth contender. Fraero, the contender. The one who would journey to the capital and vie for the crown. My position as city heir had made me respected, but this was different. This was fate calling. Yet, I was not alone in the spotlight. That distinction was also shared by Alcors, the city's hero. He stood by the dais, his presence commanding respect. It was he who had rescued the city from bankruptcy when the coffers ran dry and desperation crept in. His triumph was etched into the city's heart—and Lord Vista ensured everyone remembered it. 

Around me, nobles and merchants swirled across the marble floor, dancing in practiced elegance. Women in silk gowns of deep burgundy and emerald green twirled with their partners, the rich fabrics catching the light and shimmering as though spun from stars.

Their laughter rose above the music, atleast some people were enjoying the moment. Each dance was as much a display of grace as it was an assertion of status. Those most important danced in the center, whilst others could only hope to dance in the light.

I exchanged pleasantries with merchants and nobles, all congratulating me on my nomination, but my attention kept drifting to a small cluster near the edge of the room. The adventurers. They were not of our city. Their armor bore the scars of travel and battle. Their eyes held that sharpness, that constant readiness. It was clear they had come with a purpose—the mine. They weren't just the four from earlier, their was around ten. More had been called in, just what was happening beneath the mines? I had only a week left in this city, I wished to know immideatly.

Tales had long spread through the city. The mines, once our source of prosperity, had gone silent. Workers vanished, and those who returned spoke of shadows that whispered back, some say there were demons beneath the mines. Others, a secret city. Lord Vista avoided the subject, but fear lingered in the back of people's minds.

One of the adventurers, a tall woman with auburn hair tied back into a tight braid, caught my gaze. Her eyes were twitchy and assessive. She wore a simple breastplate over dark leathers, a sheathed sword resting at her hip. She was thin, almost like a starved slave. Beside her, a burly man with a thick beard leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His armor was battered, but there was a confidence in his stance—the kind that came from surviving more battles than death could count. A third member, younger and leaner, fiddled with a dagger, his gaze darting about the room as though expecting danger at any moment.

I approached Alcors at last. His eyes lit up with recognition. "Fraero, I heard the news" he said, smiling awkwardly. "So you are the eighth contender? Sounds like an honour."

"Indeed. It is truly that... I suppose you will just stay here, living a life of heroism and wealth." I replied, though I knew he saw through my attempt at levity.

His gaze flicked to the adventurers. "Did you notice, they brought more, they seek answers we dare not."

I nodded. "As with all the adventurers who have visited here over the years, they will find nothing."

He sighed. "Perhaps what's under the mines is non-existant or worse undetectable..."

The music swelled. Glasses clinked. Lord Vista raised a toast to his son, and then turned to me. "And to Fraero! May his journey to the capital bring honor to our city!"

The hall erupted in cheers. Yet, in that moment, I knew this was not merely a farewell ball. It was a gathering on the edge of uncertainty—a celebration before the storm. I saw the fear in the most noble figures in the room, those who knew the true details of the crown race. They had funeral looks in their eyes, now that I thought about it. This was something akin to a funeral for me. I would be sent to the capital against far superior foes, I would need all the help I could get just to survive.

I drifted back into the crowd, observing the delicate dance of politics and power. Conversations were laced with hidden meanings. Deals were struck behind fan-covered whispers. A young noblewoman laughed delicately, her hand resting a moment too long on a merchant's arm—a subtle negotiation for future favors. Another man, older and heavyset, spoke in hushed tones to a banker, their faces tight with concern. The prosperity of the city hung by a thread, and everyone knew it, so even this time of joy was used for business.

I found myself near the adventurers. "You don't seem to be enjoying the festivities," I ventured.

The woman with the braid smiled faintly. "We didn't come for wine and dancing."

The bearded man grunted. "We came to find what lurks in that cursed mine."

The younger one chuckled nervously. "But the wine isn't bad."

I raised my gaze to match theirs. "Then what do you expect to find? I tell you, the last group to venture down never returned. It's quite a dangerous task. Perhaps you should be preparing instead of drinking away"

"Sorry, we've recieved strict orders to keep the job under wraps. Even if you are the son of the city lord." The woman chuckled fakely

"It's fine you'll be heading to the capital in a week, surely the higher powers there weren't stomp you out before the race event starts." The younger one cackled away and the three continued drinking.

"Raise your glasses to our mutual destruction then." I proposed.

Their expressions hardened slightly, but they clinked their tankards against my glass.

"Enjoy the rest of the night." I left urgently as I noticed a new figure in the room.

As the night wore on, the dancing grew more fervent. The music slowed and switched genre, and the air filled with the sweet scent of jasmine and spilled wine. Couples stole away to the shadows, while others chuckled too loudly, their masks of propriety slipping. Lord Vista watched it all with a practiced smile, but his eyes, like mine, drifted to the adventurers more than once.

"Askath." I muttered, and he swiftly turned around.

"Sir, your champion is here, for the uhh... For the celeberation of your glory!" His feigned smile went past me.

"I need you to do something for me." I said, getting straight to the point.

"Hmm? It better not be too insane, I'm your champion not your slave, remember that." He began rubbing the dirt off his dragon-slayer.

As he was once again styling his golden hair I let the bomb loose.

"I need you to peform a magic vow, to ensure your loyalty to me. After all, you're a dragon slayer and my powers amount to no more than a mediocre magician. It's only fair."

He looked me up and down and coughed.

"Fine, understandable. But the terms better be appropriate."

"Brilliant." I laughed out loud. The plan was a success. "We'll do it after the ball, at night time."