[hr][hr][center][color=0076a3][b][h2]HOUSE VALIAN[/h2][/b][b]William Valian[/b][/color] [b]Ebon Keep, Ebonheart, Xandria[/b] [sub][b]6th of Gerna | 1200 AU[/b][/sub][/center] [hr][hr] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/cv74IaB.jpg[/img][/center] It felt strange, sitting in the royal throne. Even after five days of being appointed as “Lord Regent” he still felt it an uncomfort that he wasn’t sure how to feel about. His brother had gone off to the imperial capital, Lalrial, with his father in a silent rush. No words had been spoken to him by his father or his brother or by the council about the decision; as if it was “how things should be” and that it was completely acceptable. He wondered if the same reaction was met well when Duncan Cragmore prepared to do the same. Then again William saw King Kenten Cragmore as a bit of a drunken oaf and equally as psychotic as his heir. William had once heard that the King of Erayis fornicated with goats in front of guests to assert dominance over them. He was sure it was a lie, but the fact those kind of words were said made him look at the Cragmore’s twice— and his sister, Imara, was marrying into that lot. Benjamin Cragmore had been educated in Ebonheart some years back, but something bothered him about him. He was too [i]different[/i] than his family to the point of surrealism and on top of that it reminded him of his brother, Rodan, who was sort of a problem when they were younger. Not the abrasive type of problem Alexander was, but more of the “I just had a druid cast a spell on you and you should stay away from water.” problem. He had been too scared to bathe for four weeks after that happened and when it rained… he didn’t even want to remember it. But Rodan did change from his darker temperament and the word was that he was a more kinder and honorable sort. But then again, Rodan was now promised to marry Avalia Talurian; a fact that William couldn’t ignore especially considering Rodan had only been Xandria’s royal ambassador for a whole two years now and had specifically requested Tellaria as his post to “make sure Ethias & Alexia have someone close to home near them”. Rodan had never cared about Imara let alone those younger than her so the whole “family matters” schtick wasn’t even close to feeling right. It was a bunch of pigeon shit as far as he was concerned; but father had accepted both the marriage and the post, so he left out of it. If Rodan was honorable now then he had become especially more cunning and ambitious— a fact that bothered him. He sighed as he looked over to his wife who seemed to look equally as awkward sitting in the long empty seat of the Queen of Xandria. “You look how I feel.” William said with a nervous chuckle. “Not sure how anybody can get used to this.” Aristal looked over, “it wouldn’t be so bad.” She paused and looked around before hushing her voice. “But the queen’s seat is a little dented inward around the bum.” His brother would’ve scolded her for that comment, he was certain. But really, this was one of the reasons why he loved Aristal Valarien. It wasn’t that it lacked manners or tact, but really straddled the line of appropriate and the right kind of humor to make a room more breathable. He was biased, of course, considering his title of “The Jester Prince” as bestowed to him early in life. But it was here, in the throne room, she didn’t even bat an eyelash to say such a thing albeit at a hushed volume. Him in the same position probably wouldn’t have the same confidence and nerve. But then again, “The Jester Prince” had been absent from William’s voice for reasons that were due to his mother’s death twelve or so years ago. But meeting Aristal and falling in with her had brought it back out, like it never was gone in the first place. She was like a fuel that reignited a dying flame. William blinked, his brow raised at the remark. “You just said that. Out loud.” A look of horror crossed Aristal’s face, her eyes in a slight panic. Her voice softened even more into a whisper, “Should I not have?” William laughed as he witnessed her expression. “I wouldn’t worry about, there’s nobody here to hear it. Well, outside of me, the guards… and the [i]ghosts.[/i]” Aristal made a face and swung a fist into the air playfully, mock hitting William, “I’m not that gullible! It’s just something I’m not used to is all. At the very least, these ghosts could fix the seats of our chairs. What are we even sitting for, waiting on visitors? I feel like a grandmother who doesn’t get any visits from her children but remains doubtfully hopeful.” “You’re right.” He paused for a moment as he stood up from the throne. “Well, I suppose the only answer I can give you is that I’m not sure what else to do. I’m [i]Lord Regent[/i], and I have nothing to… well, regent. Xandria’s dukes do a lot of the ‘heavy pulling’ which leaves only one fourth of the nation needing the King unless circumstances warrant it. I mean I can set in ordinances and decrees. I could knight you if you’d like, that’d be a riot.” Aristal looked around again, as if there was a sudden secret audience she was wary of. A smile crept over her face. “Can you really?” A loud audible groan came from one of the others in the throne room as William averted his attention to the source of the discontent. “Lord-Regent William can indeed, do such a thing. But I would not advise such frivolous mockeries of knighthood and I would remind him of his [i]duty[/i].” The comment came from William’s personal guardian, Ser Irdana Qwynt, a member of House Valian’s royal guard. William frowned, “Oh come on, Irdana, don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud.” “I will continue being a stick-in-the-mud until one of us is gone and buried as is my oath.” She sighed, shaking her head. “I know you are trying to find entertainment out of your boredom, but believe me you should be doing something far more [i]kingly[/i].” “Like what?” Aristal interjected, “I think we are doing great so far. We’ve sat down, we complained, we almost ordained a knight.” She looked over to William, perhaps for reassurance of her statement, or perhaps waiting for a smile from her joke; either way she smiled contentedly with her rebuttal. “From my ears? He could do something about the vilespawn nest that was detected downriver, the sandseed infestation in our ports… there are more than a handful of options, my lady.” “We could probably figure something out.” Aristal looked intently at William, “Right?” William nodded as he reached for the goblet of wine that was to his left. “Well I g—” The throne room’s doors suddenly opened, effectively stopping William dead in his sentence, to see a young page. “My apologies Lord-Regent, but Princess Emilia Valian requests an audience.” It was a strange thing to hear in the midst of the discussion, but he was now distracted by his curiosity. Emilia was his [i]youngest[/i] sister, albeit the fiercest of the three daughters of his father. The fact she wanted an [i]official audience[/i] with him as Lord-Regent was odd indeed. What had she been waiting the last few days to address to him in official capacity? What was she unable to tell their father? He thought for a moment before looking to the courtier who had announced such to him. “My sister? Right, weird, I approve of course. Let her in.” Few moments passed as Emilia Valian [i]marched[/i] in with her guardian at her side. She looked as determined as Alexander had when they discussed his plans only a few days prior… a fact that set him in unease. Emilia already had a reputation of a militant ranger who was cut from the same cloth as Alexander, though with more talent in archery than the entire current Valian line [i]combined[/i]; William was skilled in archery and he didn’t even come close to her ability and he was twice her age. It almost made a man sinfully envious. Almost. He kept his mouth shut as he waited for her to go through the courtesies and then speak her case. “Lord-Regent.” She spoke calmly and clearly. “Right. Well, so you have your audience, Emilia. Is there something on your mind?” As William spoke, Aristal seemed to sink back into her chair, eager to not get in the way of family matters. “Yes. As you know I am [i]fourteen[/i] years past my nameday now. With our elder brother’s intentions to travel north I wish to join a honorable expedition of interest to me. I ask you this as Lord-Regent to know that I am an [i]adult[/i] now and should be allowed to make my own decisions. I have no interest staying in Ebonheart when there is a whole world out there. So in full, I wish to be allowed to do this quest and pursue my freedom. If you could respect my wishes and support me I will be eternally grateful.” Emilia’s declaration had a bite to it as her presence from her march inward into the throne room had only suggested beforehand. “I see. This is quite the thing you are asking.” William took a breath to clear his mind as he took a drink from the goblet. “Father will most certainly be unhappy. Were you afraid to tell him?” It was a bit of a trick of changing the conversation but William wasn’t quite sure how to address the situation. His sister was the least flowey of the Valian women and this was her being clear. He still remembered when she was asked what she wanted to do in life and she said “ranger” without battling an eye. She was [i]seven[/i] at that time. He didn’t even find archery interesting until he was [i]eleven[/i] and that was quite the years of difference. But she had been compared to their mother’s sister, Rymira, on many occasion— probably a reason why she had been educated by the experienced knight-ranger. It really came to no surprise that she wanted to adventure and not be thrown into a political marriage at this point their house didn’t need in the present considering their Taullruian, Valarien, Amrothan, and Duvard ties. Honestly, if he didn’t have his father and perhaps the royal council to worry about he would’ve just said yes right out of the door. “Father has been sullen and depressed for the entirety of my life. Endangering myself would risk breaking him.” “So you leave it to me to be the one who does.” William retorted, a bit more abrasive then he would’ve liked. “While I can accept your request, I [i]won’t.[/i] The way I see it is if you are truly an [i]adult[/i] as you say, you will be direct and honest with father when he returns; just as Alexander was. You can be patient until then.” Emilia’s demeanor took a step back as she choked on her own words. “I… I understand, Lord-Regent.” “Good girl. You are dismissed.” As Emilia a bit sullen from his remarks began to make for the door he spoke one more time. “And Emilia? I completely understand. I will support you when you ask father.” Her frown returned to a smile and she nodded as she left the throne room. “Thank you, Will.” The Lord-Regent waved his hand in a shooing motion, “Yeah, yeah. Go shoot a kobold or something.” It was with that the younger Valian departed from the throne room, William eyed Ser Irdana who had the biggest and smuggest grin on her face that he had seen in sometime; and he had looked in the mirror this morning! With [i]that[/i] done with he looked around at the throne room wondering if he was done bearing this boring and frustrating activity for the day. He placed the goblet back down and let out a slight chuckle. “Father’s not going to be thrilled when we talk about this. But then again, maybe he’ll accept it. It’s been a long time since me and Alex were playing with wood swords in the courtyard. The oaf always beat me, it was totally [i]unfair[/i].” “I bet I could beat you, and it’d be fair.” Aristal challenged lightly, plucking at her fingers and cleaning underneath her nail. “That’s not fair, I’m a pretty mundane swordsman! I prefer the bow, really.” “Well so do I!” Aristal smirked, continuing her endeavor. “And my sister could outshoot us [i]both[/i], [b][i]blindfolded[/i][/b]. Now, that’s unfair.” “Can’t win them all I suppose.” Aristal turned to William, her back popping in her seat. “Ahhh… the restlessness.” She complained. “Yeah, I’m about done with sitting on a throne for the day. Let’s find us something more productive to do.” William said as he stood up from his seat. [hider=Mentions]Duncan Cragmore Lord Kenten Cragmore Benjamin Cragmore Avalia Talurian[/hider]