Story #347 - Unexpected Rule

Unexpected Rule

“Your brother is to be King – you do understand that, yes? You do know that your actions require a certain delicacy?” Prestor Rin’s voice was like a rockslide comprised entirely of pebbles – unstoppable and incredibly annoying.

“Do not forget your place, Prestor!” Prince Nelan used the man’s title to show who was truly in charge. They had been friends for two decades, but Rin couldn’t be allowed to step too far over the line. “I give you more leeway than most, but you are not my equal!”

“And you are not your brother’s!” Regret was plain on Rin’s face as soon as the words came out, but once spoken they could not be erased. Nelan made an effort to control himself, limiting his response to one less furious.

“Your opinion is your own, Rin, but you will not air it in my presence. Take back your words or leave my sight.”

The Prestor raised his chin in defiance, silver robes and hair to match giving him an air of power and inscrutability. His position as the community’s spiritual leader meant he lay beyond the reach of common justice but still ultimately answered to the King – that Nelan’s father was in ill health let Rin get away with more than he should.

“I will not,” the tall man said, narrowing his eyes. “You are brilliant, Nelan, but you spend too much time in your wine cup and not enough in the library – or the sanctum. You could be a great man, but for the moment act as a spoiled little boy.”

“Guards!” Nelan bellowed. His friend left no other choice. Two burly men came crashing through the doors, swords and shields at the ready. “Take Prestor Rin to his quarters,” he went on, “and confine him there for the next two days.”

Both men shifted uneasily on their feet, eyes darting from Prince to Prestor. Technically, they were not to lay hands on the clergy, but the word of royalty was absolute.

“Do not worry,” he said with a smile. “I will explain the situation to my brother. You will not be held responsible.”

The guards nodded and then moved in unison to take Rin’s arms. He did not resist, and merely frowned as they led him away.

“You must be better, Prince – you may be called upon sooner than you think.”

Nelan turned his back. His friend could stew for a few days – perhaps that would improve his temper.

…

Presiding over two simultaneous state funerals was nothing Rin had expected. His words suddenly seemed almost prophetic, though the young prince wisely did not blame what had befallen his family on angry speech. Nelan was a true son of the line – under pressure, his true colors emerged.

That both the King and his first son had died within days of each other was shocking enough – that their deaths did not appear to be natural was something the common citizens could not know.

Rin had never expected the oaths he made with the Shadow-Lords to be called into effect – it had all seemed a game when he and Nelan first discovered the cave. The Prince had not felt the connection as Rin had, not been able to sense the dark power emanating out from rock and dirt. He had returned later, desperate to uncover secrets that lay buried.

Of course, unleashing the darkness had come with a price, not the least of which was renunciation of the vows he had taken to protect all those of the Kingdom. Dark voices assured him that the power he received would not only equal but surpass that of the light, and that he would never be required to harm any of those he loved. For fifteen years he had labored in false silence, preaching the words of light while harboring darkness in his heart.

The voices had gone quiet after a time, but began raging weeks ago, leading to his confrontation with Nelan and subsequent punishment. That the King and heir would die was never mentioned, nor the involvement of a Griss. Arcane scholars were already piecing together the clues necessary to determine the creature’s origins, and so far Rin had been given no instructions to halt their progress.

Days of mourning and sermons passed in a blur, until finally he found himself alone again with Nelan. The young King’s face was drawn but his eyes were sharp – he had a great deal to learn in a short period of time.

“I am sorry, your Majesty.” Rin repeated what Nelan had surely heard thousands of times over, but could think of nothing else to say.

“I know, Rin, and thank you. They both held you in the highest regard.” There was a pause. “As do I.”

“My Lord?” Rin said with a frown. It almost sounded as though the King was considering an apology – unheard of for both monarch and man alike.

“I need you, old friend,” Nelan went on. “I can’t run this place without you. Let’s call our former disagreements an even score and move on; this is no time for petty bickering.”

Rin bowed low, robes gliding along the floor and balance almost toppled. He had a great deal of respect for his friend, despite the man’s predilection for unexpected action. “Of course, your Majesty. I have already forgotten them.”

The young King gave a wan smile and then took a seat behind his father’s oak desk. “We have much to do, Prestor,” he said softly. “Please, sit.”

Rin bowed again before slipping into a chair, but even as his friend began to speak the voices of darkness swarmed, threading through his mind and digging black claws into his thoughts.

“The time of your service has begun, Prestor.” He tried not to flinch at the pressure in head. “You have enjoyed our power but paid no price. You will advise King Nelan, and advise him well – he will be our entry into this land. His rule will mark the beginning of our own.”



- D