The Castle Guard

08)Prince Walren

Music coming from the royal ball was only but whispers from Prince Walren’s room located in the castle’s west wing joined to the throne room by large red stairs that connected to the east wing to the main stairs that intersected forming a single staircase in the middle leading the main ballroom where most feasts are held, it adjoined with the throne room ‘Designed by some party loving king who wanted to observe his guests like a hawk’ Walren sneered “Like the paints don’t do that by themselves” he loved business and hated history it seemed useless, senseless and just a plain waste of time so he never bothered to listen to history lessons taught by his teacher in fact he didn’t know any king before his grandfather and didn’t care in the least. But history wasn’t the reason he sat alone in his chambers wearing a golden green immaculately embroidered blazer buttoned down over a cream shirt that cost more than a peasant’s pay for a whole year. His troubles lay in a whole different matter directly related to the banquet being held, the matter being “Love” he’d never felt it he’d never understood it at the age of 23 he of course had certain urges and slept with many women. It felt glorious each time however either “Connection” ever felt like love since the feeling always ended after a release.

In Karistan the prince is required to marry by the age of 24 officially it was he who chose his bride though more often than not under the influence of the king and queen.

The system of power was arranged in hierarchy where the king and queen sat at the top followed by the nobles who were divided into arch-nobles and other nobles; they were appropriated a portion of land over the normal people mostly peasants and merchants. The arch-nobles oversaw the other lesser nobles’ work and reported to the king, the mages were divided into another faction both similar and dissimilar to the nobles. Being scarce in numbers any potentially well off mage would be assimilated by the crown and given a title of noble though not necessarily with lands. They were given a seat at court to ensure their loyalty or just to keep them at arm’s length if they became enemies to the kingdom an easy execution be enacted and hence strengthened the kingdom through magical discoveries that helped in defense, expansionism and of course farther control of the Kingdom whether by fear or brainless loyalty to the crown.

And even so complete loyalty was never really assured therefore direct marriage to the crown was the most secure way to attain loyalty of the nobles, mages never seemed interested in political matters or marriage as long as they had their personal space without interruption they would remain quietly working and researching sharing knowledge and discoveries whenever it suited them, only the arch-mage was directly involved in politics with direct influence on both sides, to become an arch-mage though one had to be well adept in magic and chosen by the current arch-mage or the king.

Prince Walren thought he’d have already at least met his ‘beloved’ now but the girls he’d been with were just flakes getting bored after a few “encounters” he thought he’d at least get to choose until the day before when his father summoned him into his private chambers. He recalled clearly the heavy conversation he had with the king that ended with him banging the door loudly angry as he left, knowing that his wife had already been chosen for him. That it didn’t matter whomever he fancied not that he did, the illusion that he had any control over the matter quickly faded into a far off dream.

The sounds of laughter and music of the banquet below angered him even more “then what is the point of having such a feast?” he exclaimed feeling dejected, a knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.

A young dark eyed guard with an oval face consisting of smooth facial features ,wearing a dark blue tunic with a helmet, probably between 19 or 20 years of age stood in attention arms clasped on his sides staring straight but not into Walren’s eyes as he opened the door. “The King requests your presence at the ball at once.” He spoke aloud, Walren sneered ‘Requests’ just meant that if he didn’t get down there now other unconventional means would be used even if he had to drag him down to the ball himself. Anger clouded the prince’s eyes, he imagined slicing the guard’s head off with his sword taking it down all bloody and throwing it at his father’s feet smiling “Yes your majesty did you send for me?” he’d ask condescendingly, seeing anger flare within the king’s face was enough enjoyment for him. ‘Would the guests be appalled? Or would their lust for power overlook such a monstrous act?’ Walren suspected the latter is more likely he closed the door and followed the guard feeling even more tempted to enact the deed.

When Prince Walren reached the crowded ball his presence was announced before hand as he came down the red carpeted stairs, he immediately hid the glare he was wearing replacing it with a wide smile everyone’s head turned in his direction. People whispering at the prince’s lack of presence became quiet staring at the Mickan crown prince offering slight bows and curtsies as the prince made his way towards King Aydra.

Upon the arrival of the prince the king loosened a bit knowing his son’s nature, he didn’t want to cause a scene in front of his guests. He forced a smile hiding his annoyance at his son’s lateness. Prince Walren went and stood beside the king “glad you could make it!” King Aydra mouthed silently to the prince

“Let the ball begin.” The king announced, the music immediately grew louder the guests left their drinks and began dancing. The floor was littered with beautiful dresses and black suits, they performed a traditional dance where a man and a lady held their right hand up at each other in midair at close proximity without touching, the other arm held at their backs exchanging hands after turning 180 degrees to the right and left at an elegant pace at which point they had to exchange partners. Prince Walren was asked to dance almost immediately by a lady wearing a blue dress with dirty blonde curly hair, he didn’t know who she was or cared really he accepted only because it would get him away from his father’s abominable glare. He’s fake smile must have been really good as the girl he danced with never ceased smiling, ‘No matter how good your smile is lady “Us” isn’t gonna happen!’ he thought amused at her efforts which were similar to the other ladies he danced with. After sometime it started to bore him all of them were the same just in different dresses, ‘I am seriously pondering cutting someone’s head just for the sake of it.’ Even the façade he put on started to wear off.

It was time for a change in partners “Prince Walren” he turned to the voice, he hadn’t noticed who he had changed to, she had round dark brown eyes, small nose wide lips and dark hair tied leaving some strands on both sides of her face; she wore a long sleeved elegant dark blue dress. Walren felt a sudden familiarity with her yet her name evaded his mind, “Yes my lady?” he asked casually she smiled affectionately at him the dance was over all partners did a slight bow to each other, Prince Walren stayed with the lady in blue not that she was more interesting than the rest just that he didn’t feel like talking to his parents and greeting old weird smelly people he didn’t care about. “Have we met somewhere?” he spoke in his charming tone well he thought it was. The lady laughed at him playfully as if amused at his ignorance, Walren’s interest was quickly turning into annoyance ‘what is wrong with her?’ he’s patience begun to falter.

“I am Lady Germaine of Rainier!” she exclaimed slightly bowing placing her left hand behind her, Walren wasn’t any closer to figuring out who she was he only knew Rainier was a province somewhere in the kingdom ‘Must have seen her when I visited’ he sighed feeling bored his interest in the lady disappeared as soon he knew her name.

“Well nice to meet you, please continue enjoying the ball.” it was his cue to leave, “Don’t you really remember me?” she asked again her smile disappeared, the prince started to leave when she grabbed his arm Walren turned perplexed ‘Who dares touch me his eyes landed on Germaine her eyes flashed with unbridled anger She held a dagger in her left hand. “You promised marriage then left!” she shouted angrily her eyes teary “ I spent days, weeks, months waiting but you never came back.” All eyes in the room were watching them moving away at the sight of the dagger in Germaine’s hand forming a circle around them.

“Excuse me?” Walren felt more confused than worried staring at Germaine whose cheeks were now lined with black streams of tears rolling down her face, “ No!” she exclaimed “You Don’t get to talk!”

“So I came to the castle only to find you in another woman’s arms!” she spat the words like they were poison Prince Walren just stared at her feeling appalled , the king looked worried. “You deserve to die!” she rose the dagger aiming for Walren’s heart ‘die you cold hearted bastard’

She was surprised when another hand grabbed her hand midair forcefully; she turned her gaze to the person standing behind her

“LETARGHYT-LEXIDIA”

A strong wave pressed against her chest carrying her throwing her away , her body whilst being thrown pushed the prince making him fall down, more angry than relieved his eyes searched for the perpetrator of such an embarrassing act, his eyes fell on the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, wearing a dark green dress…