Daughters, Swords &Dragons

"Your majesty, I have come to confess, something that has troubled me so." Roriath spoke softly to vastus while they strolled through the royal gardens.

Vastus was busy enjoying the breeze of summer, the smell of leaves, the brightness of the sun and blue of the cloudless sky. "What troubles you so?"

Gathering a courage like no other, roriath dared speak his mind against the knots in his stomach and the pounding of blood in his ears "I fear one of the princes devises to overthrow you."

The gravel crunched, the breeze halted and birds stopped their singing sensing the change in the atmosphere "which one?"

Getting on his knees roriath spoke "The crown prince your majesty. I fear for the safety of my family."

Clouds darkened the sky threatening the beginning of a storm. "Your family will be fine, do you have proof?"

Bowing roriath confessed "Yes your majesty I saw his courtier Regar leave the underground prison during my evening stroll around the palace."

"Do you know the gravity of the accusation you just made, Roriath?" vastus growled.

Roriath gritted his teeth "I swear by my life your majesty, the prince is plotting to overthrow you."

Hostile winds took over from the gentle breeze that had once been "Talos" he called on his courtier.

A tall scrawny man with red hair ran over" Yes your majesty."

"Call on the eight Princes with their mothers, they must all attend dinner."

"Yes your majesty."

His nostrils flared with suppressed anger "Is there anything else you wish to tell me?"

A doubtful look crossed roriath's features "Your majesty he is concluding with the black knights."

Vastus shut his eyes feeling the pound of a headache in his temples "Forget dinner"

"Talos fetch the royal family to the dining room immediately!" he barked at his

Taking angry strides he marched back into the castle, sitting at the dinner table.

The maids set the food on the table and the prince's trooped in one after the other. "Your majesty."

They all greeted each other as they entered the dining room. Ara and Myth were yet to arrive.

He knew myth would be late since he was out in the army encampment but why was Ara not here.

Speaking of the devil, the two of them walked in Myth still in armor and Ara dressed in royal attire. "Your majesty." they bowed, taking their seats.

The empress Laifeyar with a fluidity of movement and an elegance adapted by all queens in Silverston walked in dressed in the finest of golden dresses.

She curtsied her face covered with a thin veil, she was still so young but not to his taste anymore.

Taking her seat perpendicular to his she said "Your majesty, I haven't seen you in two years. What do you do for me with this honor?"

Everyone chartered loudly. It had been awhile since they sat as a family.

Years probably two or more if they were thinking correctly "Myth you look amazing." Ara complimented.

"Not as much as you brother, your looks never cease to intrigue us all." he said tapping his shoulder.

Helios scoffed, spinning his soup "Oh come on he can't even wear his shoes right."

Lir laughed along with Tyr "That's the price for being born with such abominable looks."

With a snort Kael added "You can't be smart and gorgeous it would be unfair."

"Heaven would be jealous." Lael grinned, dragging a drink from his cup. "I mean he is a bit dense."

Fox hooted with laughter "That's giving big bro too much credit, his a more than a bit. His left shoe is on his right foot."

Their laughter shook the table. "It was a mistake, come on." Ara winced.

Myth howled "It's a mistake if it happens once big brother not everyday, but it's cute to see you try."

Vastus' gaze lingered on her Laifeyar's covered face staring into her eyes before looking at each and everyone of his son's as they dissolved in laughter.

"I can see your manners have eluded you all after many years without dining together." The stillness that followed vastus words were palpable as he spoke between bites of his meal.

Silverware made dull noises, afraid to be the cause of attention. "What is the penalty for betrayal of the Emperor?"

Reticence was the atmosphere of the room thick and chilling, of course there was no way the Emperor could have called for a family dinner for no reason.

They knew better and they hoped for "Death by beheading." Ara answered.

All eyes fell on him with a halfwit smile on his lips, myth could tell that the ninny was oblivious to the atmosphere of the room.

"Indeed." Vastus wiped his mouth with a napkin "Ara is it so that you conspire to overthrow me."

Ara fell on his face to the cool marble floor shaking from the gravity of the accusation made so casually "I dare not your majesty it is a lie, I have been set up!"

Instantly, a sword was drawn by a guard and placed by Ara's neck.

The tension in the room was enough to choke ten men. "That's preposterous, Ara isn't capable of something as smart as a coup father, the idea is ridiculous." Myth protested.

Unwillingly, Kirin joined in and he rarely spoke "I agree father."

The frescos on the ceilings almost sweat their paints, the thick brocaded curtains refused to flap even with the threat of rain and the wind held its breath for fear of what the sword might cut.

Vastus circled the rim of his goblet with his forefinger "There shall be a banquet held in by the next moon. All the eight princes, it shall take place in three days and three nights. Ara shall remain imprisoned until the banquet is over."

"Father!" Myth exclaimed

"Your majesty!" Laifeyar dared to protest as well.

The look vastus cast her almost melted her veil and made her withdraw her protest "Prepare yourself Ara you will only be allowed during the opening ceremony after that you will be locked up until after the banquet when I shall banish you."

Ara pleaded, "Father, I have done no such thing, please prove my innocence."

Anger made vastus grit his teeth "Would you rather I behead you?"

Ara sobbed, shaking on the ground "As you wish, your majesty."

Arising from his seat he headed towards the door "You were meant for great things Ara. What a fool, how low you've fallen. Guard him day and night to make sure no one sees him."

The guards seized Ara as the emperor stepped out the door roriath stood at the door "Invite Regasus to the banquet if black knights are coming we need an army."

"The day you set for the banquet your majesty?" Roriath hastened his footsteps alongside him.

Vastus sighed exhausted and desperately needing some good wine "What about it?"

Gambling whether now was a good time or not he took a step back "It's a holy day your grace."

Biting back a curse is harder than one thinks as a royal "Send the knights to represent me, I don't have time for that." he said walking away from a bowing roriath.

Ara's eyes met roriath's as he was being led away whispering words that one would tremble to hear "Pray that I am banished roriath... or so dragon help you..."

"Even the vultures won't be able to feast on your carcass."