Erick's day had started out well enough. It had been one of the best night's sleep he'd had in weeks, perhaps months. And waking up next to Flora had been the icing on the cake. There were no nightmares, no waking up in a balmy sweat, just a comfort he hadn't thought could ever be possible. While their conversation this morning had made him uneasy, he knew it was better to do it now. Springing information on people last minute usually had bad results, as he had already seen. Unfortunately for Erick, his day would only get worse from there.
He had left Flora's room, still in yesterday's clothes, and had just turned down the hallway when he was stopped by a familiar voice. It was a woman calling his name. Erick tried to hold back his fury as he whipped around to face his Aunt, who was currently standing in the doorway of a nondescript guest room. Erick narrowed his eyes, not hiding the disdain from his face as she approached him.
"I thought I told you to leave by morning." He said when she reached him, his voice scathing, a sound like nails on a chalk board. His Aunt frowned at him like one would do when speaking to an errant child. It only made him more incensed.
"I came here to remind you that you're making a mistake." His Aunt spat the last word out like a sour piece of food, something not meant to be eaten. Erick balled his fists, but made sure to put a tight leash on his magic. It was one thing to use it for dramatics - if admittedly a little underhanded - it was another to let it go entirely.
"Was that all?" Erick couldn't stop the sneer in his voice, or his face, as he looked down on his aunt. Even though all dragon shifters were tall, he was still taller than her. Adding his crown of gilded horns, he made an imposing vision to most who stood before him. Most.
His aunt tilted her chin in an arrogant gesture, as if she were the one holding power in their relationship. Erick was still new to being king, untested and untried, and she might never let him live that down.
"I suppose I should also remind you about the faults of humans?" Her question was rhetorical, but sounded sincere all the same. "How humans almost never survive the Rite of Changing? Even if they actually agree to do it?" A flicker of pain darted across her face, an old hurt that Erick knew off but would never speak of. It didn't matter, it was what happened in her life, but wouldn't be what happened in his.
"No, you don't. We're done here." Erick replied, ice coating his voice as he gave his aunt a hard look. There was anger rising from the depths of her eyes, but she held back. She scoffed before turning back into the room. Erick walked over to see that she had placed her luggage in there.
Seeing that she was all packed and leaving, Erick quickly turned on his heel and left. He had no desire to see her any longer than necessary, and this encounter was already too much. Erick hurried down the halls, using his long stride to keep up a fast pace without actually running, until he arrived at his own room. He spent little time in his room, just enough to switch out of his evening clothes and into something more appropriate for morning breakfast. He knew that not only would the court be there, but it was also another day that his extended family would be there too. The thought did little to lighten his mood as he hastily buttoned his jacket and left his chambers for the dining hall.
Erick arrived at the same time as several others. Usually being early, it felt odd to walk into the dining hall alongside several others. He did his best to hide his discomfort behind a polite smile as he greeted his grandmother at the door.
The sight of his grandmother sent a shiver of pain across his heart like a crack in a window. She looked so much like his mother, from her forest green eyes set to a gentle angle, to her deep phthalo green hair braided down the length of her back. If one ignored the growing crow's feet and laugh lines on her face, it held the same rounded face and gentle chin that his mother had. The only difference was that his mother had horns like the white-tailed deer, similar to his own, while his grandmother's horns took after the red deer.
Erick tucked his emotions away as his grandmother sidled up to him, her aged gait more akin to a shuffle than a walk. Despite the aid of her cane, Erick offered her his arm for support when she approached him.
"There's my favorite grandson." The old woman crooned, her voice rough from age, as she patted his arm and let him guide her into the dining hall.
"Is that so?" Erick chuckled, something short and deep. He knew that his grandmother had made her disappointment clear that he was a male, being firstborn and yet not eligible for the Dragon Clan's matriarch. Instead, that duty - and the love that came with it - fell on his sister Esther. Upon reflection, Erick didn't envy her. He had enough to do running his parents' kingdom, let alone an entire clan of both shifter and feral creatures prone to jealousy and rage.
His grandmother made a derisive snort before responding. "You think that log-headed brother of yours is going to win me over any time soon?" She retorted, and Erick couldn't help but snort at her comment.
"Balder isn't that bad." He said in his brother's defense, helping his grandmother into her seat at the table. "He just needs…" Erick struggled to find an appropriate word that wouldn't be found as offensive to anyone listening. "Some guidance. He just needs some guidance." He finished, pushing in the chair. She nodded her head gravely, her golden horns catching the light as she did so.
"Guidance? I need guidance?" Erick turned to find his brother standing a few feet away from him, arms crossed over his wide chest and feet planted firmly as he looked over at Erick. Erick had expected to find his brother's expression to be teasing or mocking, but instead Balder looked… Irritable. Erick didn't want to say enraged per se, but he certainly was beyond upset.
"Ah hush!" Their grandmother broke the stare off before it had even begun. Both brothers turned their attention to her as she continued speaking. "Find your seat, I'm hungry." Her tone was not one to be argued with, and Balder was practically seething at the command as he turned to his seat on the one end of the table. Erick took his on the opposite end with a suppressed sigh of relief.
Balder's gaze was shooting daggers across the table, but Erick was able to block out any thoughts his brother may have directed his way. Instead he pointedly ignored his brother as the servants brought out breakfast to those who had gathered. It was not nearly as full as last night, but there were still more guests than Erick preferred.
It's your duty to entertain them. Erick sternly reminded himself, resuming his polite exterior as he made small talk with his guests. Seated at the table were his relatives from both sides of the family, although the unicorn ones were more distant being aunts, uncles, and cousins at least four times removed. It didn't seem to bother them, least of all his cousin Martin who made the distinction of taking Dante's seat. Since his Captain of the Guard wasn't present at the moment, Erick couldn't exactly tell him to move without insulting the man and his family. Instead, Erick suffered through Martin's conversation that ranged from topics as simple as the weather to his opinion on the development of automatic machines that required little to no magic to sustain them. It wasn't until the conversation turned to one of politics that Balder intervened from across the table.
"Why would a unicorn be asking for the opinion of a dragon?" Balder asked boldly from his end of the table, causing others to pause their conversations around him. Martin flustered at the question, his face heating as he grabbed for an appropriate answer.
"I was simply asking my cousin for his thoughts on the matter. Nothing more." Martin collected himself well enough, putting emphasis on the word cousin to remind those seated that Erick was only half dragon. The thought grated against him but he said nothing as Balder continued.
"Sure." Balder replied, layers of emotions hidden behind his eyes as he leaned back into his seat. "That's why everyone turns to him for guidance, right? Only because he's a relative?" Erick caught his brother's emphasis, and shot him a glare and loud thought.
What is your problem? Erick knew Balder could hear him, Day Magic having similar abilities to night magic, and really preferred to be having this conversation anywhere but in front of their extended family.
"You're my problem." He gritted out through clenched teeth. The people seated around them grew increasingly uncomfortable, especially Alice.
"Balder." Esther hissed from her seat. "Not now." She shot a glare at her brother, who returned it in kind.
"Then when, Esther?" Balder threw up his hands in frustration. "When will we address our dancing around the golden child?" Balder's anger was reaching a boiling point, as evident by the rising heat of the room and the flickering fire in the depths of his eyes.
There were a few coughs and shuffling of feet as guests shifted in their seats. Erick knew that most of them had been called here on the assumption that he had been mortally injured, and tried not to be offended by the fact that many of them were only there for post-death arrangements. What he hadn't considered was that it would affect his brother this way, but upon reflection Erick chided himself for overlooking it.
"Breakfast is hardly the place for this conversation." Erick replied, tamping down his anger in an attempt to control the situation. It only made things worse.
"Fine then." Balder exclaimed, shooting up from his chair in a flurry. "Then I expect to see you this afternoon in the arena." Balder's statement was greeted with several shocked and muffled gasps. It was a bare statement, not a formal challenge, but it was a challenge nonetheless. Not only was Balder challenging Erick's honor - which he's care little for if it weren't for the public opinion - but also his authority. In his own home, during breakfast.
Erick worked the muscles in his jaw before responding. "I'll see you then." He couldn't hide the darkness in his voice, the anger that was brewing inside him at his brother's attempt to humiliate him.
Several of those gathered returned to uneasy conversations as Balder stormed out of the room. His retinue however, looked between each other. Their eyes darted between his empty seat, the door, and Erick as they continued to shift nervously in their seats. Erick sighed in resignation.
"Everybody may be dismissed." Erick said with a wave of his hand before getting up from his seat, signifying the end of the meal. There were disgruntled comments sent around the room, and Erick made sure to give a heavy glare to any he heard before leaving the dinning hall. It wasn't much, but quite frankly he was too tired to deal with anyone at this particular moment. Perhaps I'll do something later. Erick thought darkly as he walked down the halls to his room.
His brother's behaviour and attitude had seemed well enough, but then again Erick had spent little time with Balder since his initial arrival. Erick contemplated this as he walked down the lit halls to his first task of the day. Despite the good weather, lights were almost always on in the castle, save for rooms with decent windows.
Before long Erick arrived at his primary meeting room where he took his usual guests, primarily politicians, nobles, and any other number of political and royal visitors. He suppressed an aggravated sigh as he went in. He had to visit with the Game Master that day for the upcoming Summer Hunt. It was usually the same every year, a far too long discussion on the locations and animals deemed appropriate that year. Erick felt like he hadn't even sat down before the man was let in, and struggled to hide a disgruntled noise as the Game Master walked in.
Game Master Henry Darby was a short and stout man, or as some would say, portly. His tunic and waist coat always looked to be on the verge of snapping off, the buttons straining against the fabric. How does he manage to keep putting on weight? Erick thought distractedly as Master Darby took the suit across the desk from Erick. The seat creaked beneath him, and Erick made a note to have it checked for loose parts later.
Despite the man being much shorter than Erick he still managed an attempt at looking down his nose as if he were speaking of something of great importance. Unfortunately for him, it did not work very well. Master Darby made a great show of shuffling his papers before addressing Erick.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I am grateful to have your time today." Erick did not believe this statement with the arrogant air the man portrayed, and communicated as such through the glare he gave the Game Master. If he can't even pretend to be polite, I might find myself looking to replace him. Erick thought darkly.
Master Darby had the decency to look incredulous before recollecting himself. "Ahem, yes, well, I have provided everything as usual. At least, that is-" Master Darby paused, floundering through his statement, causing a rising irritation to rise in Erick's chest. "Usual for your, well, father." Erick's chest tightened at the mention of his late father, a rather unnecessary mention in his opinion. Erick scowled his disapproval, doing little to hide the snarl lurking beneath.
Master Darby blanched, his face draining of color. His mouth moved as if he had something to say but quickly shut again as he took a nervous swallow. "Ah, forgive me, Your Highness, I did not mean to offend." The man quickly scrabbled for an apology. Part of Erick wanted to believe that the old Game Master really was that incompetent, but he knew better. The portly man had given the other Masters too much trouble not to be doing this intentionally. He's testing me, prodding to see what I will tolerate. Erick analyzed this with a grave expression over his features, and Master Darby continued to flounder under the King's stare.
"That is, I had a slip of the tongue." Henry tried to ease over the slight insult with a simple excuse, but it would not heal the damage that had already been dealt. Erick said nothing as he continued to stare down the Game Master. Henry shifted uneasily in his seat, shuffling his papers once more before setting them down in front of Erick.
"I hope these are to your liking?" Master Darby asked tentatively, his voice wavering with the question. Erick quirked an eyebrow at him, looking down at the papers before looking back at Henry. He proceeded this by leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. If Father had to sit through this man's nonsense every year, then he can manage to sit through my stare and do the same thing he did then. Erick thought bitterly.
A sweat broke on Henry's brow as his throat bobbed with a nervous swallow. With shaking hands Game Master Henry Darby took the papers back and proceeded as usual. And by usual, that meant an over exaggerated explanation of every detail, but at least this time he had the decency to speed up. Unfortunately that did not prevent him from taking so long that it was nearly twelve by the time he was done. Erick barely had any time to rush over to the armory for preparation.
The armory was a large room that held several outfits and uniforms for combat and battle, as well as many racks of weapons. Erick had a smaller version personalized to him, consisting of outfits tailored to his body and its needs. The most important part was the rack of swords hanging on the back wall. On the top was his father's sword, something that resembled a cross between a rapier and a saber, a backsword with an intricate cross-guard. It was delicate in appearance only. Below that was his mother's sword, an aged katana passed down through the generations, its color long faded and chords falling apart at the seams. The last sword on the rack was his own. Erick's sword had been a coming-of-age gift, an intricate design that combined the symbols of both clans in a weapon that wasn't directly one of the other but rather a mix of the katana and backsword in one complex design.
Gift would be putting it lightly. Erick reflected as he took the sword off the rack. Memories pulled him back to the day he had gotten it. Being the first-born was hard enough with the expectations of a kingdom on his shoulders, but being the first-born of two powerful clans was even harder. He had to earn his title, not going through just one but rather three trials put together by the Unicorn and Dragon Clan heads. Nothing but perfection would have been accepted. Erick gripped the sword tighter, stealing his resolution just like he had then.
Erick made his final preparations and swept out of the room, finding Dante had just arrived. Erick said nothing as he arrived, having already informed his Captain of the situation. Instead he let his grim expression convey as much as he needed about his current predicament. The two prowled down the halls of the castle as they made their way to the outside training arena, more beast than man at that moment. It wasn't long before Erick met his brother outside, similarly armed in simple clothing and a single weapon.
Balder held his own coming-of-age gift, a battle axe with a large blade on one side and a wicked spike on the other side, making it a formidable weapon. The head of the weapon was decorated with a knotted pattern of a bear and a dragon, acknowledging his own late father and his subsequent defeat as the dragon curved into the bear with wicked fangs.
Erick walked up to his brother, his body stiff and rigid as he approached Balder. Balder was practically bristling with rage, and a part of Erick hurt to see his brother like this. The other part was pissed that his brother hadn't said anything earlier and let his emotions escalate like this.
Next to his brother stood a bear of a woman, Balder's Captain of the Royal Guard. She was related to Balder's late father, though Erick wasn't exactly sure how. The two bore little resemblance save for the color of their hair, a dark red with amber streaks.
Erick gave a curt nod to his brother, who responded in kind before the two entered the ring. Erick knew the rules well, and was sure Balder did as well, having been drilled in this same arena many times over the years. Only now it was real, no more practice swords and padded armor. They would face off in earnest.
Erick hardly heard the announcer, nor did he pay much attention to those who had gathered, as he focused his attention on Balder, the thrum of battle rising in his veins and quickening his heart. There was barely a breath between the announcement to begin and the clash of steel as the brothers fought. The battle was quick and fierce, the two calling on their dragon enhanced strength to push their limits as far as they would go.
Balder swung heavy and hard, swinging his axe in large arcs that would do considerable damage to most, even a shifter. Erick was forced to either dodge or take the brunt of his brother's force as he shifted on his feet, dancing around his brother's blunt force with graceful arcs of his sword. The two continued well past first blood, fighting until one would inevitably give in.
Erick felt a nagging at the back of his mind, something like fear gnawing at his conscience. He pushed it back, forcing out anything other than his focus on the battle. He drove his sword forward, sending it down his brother's side in a long cut. He didn't come out unscathed, as Balder brought his axe down in a mighty swing that would have hack an arm off if Erick hadn't narrowly avoided it. He escaped with a cut of his own, blood flowing freely down his arm.
The brothers continued like this, and Erick lost sense of time save for the space between the swinging of his sword. He accumulated cuts like a field growing flowers, blood blooming across his now tattered clothes. He was faintly aware of people shifting in the crowd, but paid them no heed as thrust again towards his brother. The two locked as their weapons met.
I won't let you win this time! Balder's thought was loud enough that Erick almost thought he had yelled it. His brother snarled, nearly shocking Erick with its viciousness as he bared his sharp teeth. Erick doubled down, throwing a snarl of his own as he shoved back.
Why didn't you just say something? Erick swiped his blade, catching on Balder's axe and causing sparks to fly. Why is this your solution? He swiped again, catching Balder on the wrist.
How could I? Balder hacked at his brother, barely missing Erick's shoulder and catching the muscle of his arm. You're the golden child, the favorite son. Balder shoved Erick aside, slamming down his axe in Erick's shoulder. Erick rolled out of the way, the slam of his brother's weapon coming just a hair's width away.
Being the oldest doesn't make me the favorite. Erick spun to face Balder, swinging his sword in a long arc that made a long cut in his brother's side. Balder turned with a snarl that shocked Erick. Does he genuinely hate me? Erick thought with a pang to his heart.
Being the oldest gave you plenty of privileges, like all of Father's attention. Balder took another swing at Erick, the head of his axe embedding itself in his hip. Erick bit back the pain with a bitter snarl, growling at his brother as he pulled away.
That attention was nothing but preparation for ruling. Erick ground his heels in as he took a hard swing at Balder, cutting deep into his chest and throwing him off balance. Erick took the moment to rush his brother, pushing him over onto his backside. Before Balder could respond, Erick planted his feet on either side of him and lowered the point of his sword to the dip of his brother's throat. Balder looked up at him with pain and fury laced behind his eyes. Neither said anything for a long moment.
Balder sighed, gently pushing away Erick's blade before slowly pulling himself up. Erick could practically feel Balder's anger receding as his shoulders slouched and he gripped his side with one hand, the other limply hanging on to his weapon. "It's fine." He grumbled before leaving the area.
Erick swallowed hard, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach as he looked around at the group that had gathered. There were several visiting dignitaries, all who applauded but Erick didn't hear them. Instead he noted the healer who approached Balder, a small blond woman of a slight build. It shouldn't have been important, but Erick couldn't shake the scent of her.
Erick shook his head to try and clear his thoughts as he left, but he couldn't. Somehow, the smell of the healer - some sort of cat shifter from what he would tell - invaded his thoughts. Those thoughts quickly turned to Flora, and soon he found himself turning down those who had gathered to go in search of her. I'll be fine. Erick assured himself as he went to the barn in search of her.
He was not surprised to find her there, though he did feel a little silly when he realized just how horrible he must look. His shirt had been rags, but only now did he realize he had taken it off before he left. Something about that smell muddied his mind, and something about Flora had him completely undone. His perfectly trained restraint quickly unraveled little by little the longer he spent with her. So when he was finally so close to having her, all of her, he couldn't hide his irritation at Dante's interruption.
"What is it?" Erick was unable to stop himself from snapping at his friend, silently berating himself for getting so worked up.
"It's Harold." Dante replied, eyes darting to the barn behind them before turning back to Erick. There was a hint of panic in there, but Dante did well to not let it show.
"What about him?" Erick had regained some control over himself once again, but there was still an underlying tone of irritation. Not to mention he was still caught in that haze, his hardened member doing nothing to dispel it.
"Dammit Erick," the Captain started, rubbing a hand through his hair in frustration. "There was a breakout attempt." Dante leveled a serious glare at the King, who sobered up almost immediately. The two quickly headed back towards the castle, and Erick had to ignore the growing ache in his body.
We'll have to move up the execution then. Erick thought quietly, as if there were many here who could listen in. For all he knew, there very well could be someone listening in. Dante gave him an uneasy glance.
She's going to hate you for that. Dante replied after a moment. The two had made their way to a side door into the castle, one that was not often used by the public. It made it easy for the two to slip in unnoticed, bloody and shirtless as he was.
I'll have to deal with that when we get there. Erick grimaced, the sharp knife of regret attempting to carve its way into his heart. There was no room for regret, not when you were the king.
The pair took a longer way around, avoiding the possibility of being seen by visitors. Erick's pain grew with every step, his body finally catching up after the rush of adrenaline. Erick gritted his teeth, pushing through it as he followed Dante down the halls of the castle.
It had been a good few moments before they arrived at the door to the dungeons, and it had felt even longer than that to Erick. There were more guards than usual, and Erick felt the hairs on his neck stiffen as he plunged into the stairwell. It didn't help that the smell of metal hung on the air, and Erick had the sense it wasn't just the drying blood on his skin.
When they arrived at the bottom, Erick's fears were confirmed. Blood splattered the floor and walls in a macabre display. Turning around the corner, Erick saw the bodies that littered the floor.
Guards were bristling up and down the hall, and Erick noted that there were new voices calling from behind the doors of cells that had previously been empty. Erick took a quick survey of the dead, noting those who were guards he knew and those who he suspected were imposters.
There were a total of five dead, causing Erick to become more concerned than he already was. Now I see why Dante was so nervous. Erick thought as he took in the scene. He then stalked over to Harold's cell. Flinging open the cell door, he found the elderly man still in the cell, though now he had chains on him where there hadn't been before. Erick filled with resolve when he turned back to his Captain.
"It looks like there will be more than one execution tomorrow."