COS: Royal Rune

Nassir listened in rapt attention as the steward announced his father's new policy. From now on, for all members of the house below the rank of legend, their yearly budget will be determined by their performance in family matters. They will be given points based on what they do and how they do it throughout the year and this will determine the amount of money they have access to the next year. This was already complex but it was even more so for him and his siblings. 

From now every action they take can gain them points. How they perform in planar wars, growing more powerful, the allies they make, and even their political movements were to be judged and points were to be assigned to each action based on a criteria that they were not given. And like the rest of the family the more points they had the more money they will be assigned each year. Though the amount of money they were assigned was far greater than those of the branch. 

This news sent shockwaves through the whole the family it was a total upheaval of their normal way of things. Now those who had been living in relative comfort for being born with the surname Mordain now had lost that privilege. Now, every member of the family had to put work in, not just those who held motivation to succeed. Many in the family had benefited from the current situation for years, but that had been squashed. 

While it was bad for one group it was good for another. Those who had talent but did not have the resources to nurture it would be given just that and would see exponential rise. Nassir was sure that those in the back of the hall -those that were close to being kicked out of the family due to their low bloodline purity- were now ready to prove themselves and gain back the honor that their sections of the family had lost overtime. 

He was not sure it that would actually happen though. Even though there were many wastrels in the front, their bloodlines were still far purer than those in the back. And while bloodlines where not everything in this world, they were certainly a hefty head start in comparison to having none or a weak one. So he was not sure by how much the family would change. Their will certainly be some who rise exponentially and those who fall just as far, but the overall rankings would not change much. 

The happenings of the distant members of the family were not much of his concern though. His focus was mostly towards the new life and death competition his father had just thrown him and his siblings into. While it was not explicitly said to be a life and death competition, it was in practice.

The Emperor had not said it out right, but this was an inheritance competition. While his father couldn't outright declare who his heir was - only the power they held on his death could- he could make it as obvious as possible who should. This point system did just that. The one who gained the most points was more than likely the best candidate in every way to inherit. Whether it be strength, political acumen or some other category. 

They would compete viciously against each other for years from now on. Any chance of familial relations developing were mute; now they were enemies fighting for the same throne. It was bound to be this way as it had been such in every empire in this world, but now the Emperor had made it clear to the world. Pulling back the veil and showing the world the bloody nature of succession. 

While the announcement was only meant for family, only a fool would think that it would stay such. Every notable noble family in the Empire and outside of it had at least one ear within the palace walls. The news will be known to the whole of the world before the sun went down. And within the week the vultures will start arriving, with gifts and promises ready to use the young royals to their advantage. The first would be their own mothers families. Who came next? He did not know; nor did he care. His plans did not involve staying in the Royal Palace for much longer. 

Many wanted to say something or speak up during the dinner, but they were not given the chance as they were all dismissed by the Steward as soon as he was done with the announcement. They were forced to leave under the promise of clarification being given late on. 

Nassir made the short walk to his quarters with his mother, neither one of them were particularly bothered by the news. Not like the other mothers who hurriedly had the maidservants gather their messy and sleepy children and rush out of the room. His mother had even stayed for some extra time to speak with his father about things he was too sleepy to care about.

When they made it to their quarters he did not speak to his mother about the new proposal both of them were far too sleepy to even speak much. Although she was a Legend, even consuming such nutrient filled dishes were a struggle for her too, not to mention his still developing body. With a mutual understanding, they both went to their own beds and slept. Even though it was still morning he slept for the rest of the day, only waking up briefly to release his bladder. That day he dreamed of gathering shinning stars in his hands. 

The next day, he woke to a knock on the door by one of their servants telling him his mother had called him for breakfast. He was up and ready in minutes and soon was in their own personal dining room. The table was modest with only enough seats for six people, two on the side and one on each end. His mother sat on the far end as she normally did, she was currently looking over some papers in her hands. Her wavy brown hair was glistening in the sunlight from the window behind her. She looked regal, refined and beautiful. He was sure that is where he got his good looks. 

She did not acknowledge him when he walked in, her full focus on the papers in her hands. She only looked up when he finally took his seat at the opposite end of the table. She gave him a sweet smile, "Good morning son, I hope you have slept well?"

He nodded as he sat down "I have mother. What are those papers?" 

His mother sat the papers on the table and sighed, "Instructions from your father regarding his, competition. He has set limits on what we as your mothers are able to offer in terms of help towards you all." 

As she spoke the servant brought out food to them, a light breakfast of toast and eggs. He was still mostly full from yesterdays heavy meal so he was thankful. 

"What does it say?" he asked before biting into his toast.