A Worthless Crown

The Voice of Lord Vista:

It was midnight, I was in my study. The ball had ended many hours ago. A man came bringing a message. A royal message.

"Did you send the boy to the capital?"

"Soon..." I cackled. "Don't you tire of harrasing an old man, and burdening him with your requests. You can have my son, leave me alone."

I could only sit stiffly upon my carved oak chair, fingers drumming along the armrest as I listened to the emissary from the capital.

The man wore velvet robes embroidered with the sigil of the High Seat—a golden sun eclipsed by a black tower. His voice, though smooth as ice, carried the weight of steel beneath each syllable.

"You understand, my lord, that this is not a request. The Council has decreed that you and your son shall appear with a champion for the inheritance race. The capital grows restless. The war with the Eastern Reach drains coffers and blood alike. There is talk of a new order, a reshuffling of those who hold power. You would not wish to be absent when such decisions are made. At the very least we need your son."

My jaw tightened. I had heard whispers already—the unraveling of the old ways, reversing the new history, the rising influence of the merchant lords and guilds, and the rumors that the King's health was failing. These changes, like dark clouds, had long gathered over the realm.

Still, I chose my words carefully. "I am loyal, as I have ever been. Yet bringing my son into this... arena of politics and blades... is it wise? He is young. Not yet tempered. There is time."

The emissary's eyes gleamed with practiced patience. "Wisdom often bends to necessity, my lord. You know this better than most. Young or not, he must be seen. He must stand alongside those who will shape the kingdom's future. And you must bring a champion worthy of your house, or the whispers will turn to accusations. Absent houses are often found traitorous."

The threat lay bare now, like a dagger on the table. I leaned forward."That champion has already been chosen, you can relax. I am not blind to the ways of the capital. I know the price of refusal. But I need more information. Speak plainly. What stirs in the shadows of the Council? What dangers await beyond the inheritance race?"

The emissary allowed a thin smile. "You ask the right questions. The King's heir is contested. Prince Ardyn grows bold, but his rivals are many. House Drelthorn courts the Eastern emissaries, and there are those who whisper that the Reach might soon sit at our table not as foes, but as partners. Such alliances will break the old guards. Your name, my lord, is often spoken in these discussions. With admiration. And caution. You are seen as a man of influence because they know the power of the mines, but influence can shift. So it would be good if you continued to follow orders."

I felt the weight settle upon my chest. The capital's games were turning bloodier. I knew well that admiration could swiftly sour into fear and evny, and envious fear led to daggers in the night.

"So, I must send my son to prove my loyalty once more. And if I do not?" My voice was calm, though my heart pounded. This was where I tread the ice rope.

The emissary rose, adjusting his robes with measured grace. His eyes met mine, cold and final. There was something inhuman about him, something that made him feel murderous despite his nonchalant attitude.

"As always, my lord, refusal means death. Not only for you. Your house will be struck from history. Your lands salted. Your son's head will adorn the gate of the High Seat, he will be in the capital one way or another. You know this. You have always known this. The Crown await. Prepare your son well. And may the gods favor you."

The door closed softly behind the emissary, but the echoes of his words hung heavy in the air. I remained seated, gazing into the fireplace, lost in my idleness. Firelight danced over my clenched fists. I had survived these games before. I would survive them again. But now my son was in the balance, and I had no more power, I would not be able to save him.

He would have to play in the royals' game.