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[h2]GM Post - [color=0072bc]Gaelnesh[/color][/h2]
[sub]Interacting with [color=f4a460]Ehkota[/color] [@Ellion] and [color=5ec4b3]Kagan[/color] [@ghastlyInc][/sub]
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Gaelnesh sat at the head of the royal’s main dining hall, tapping his finger with a great deal of irritation. The daughter sitting beside him consumed her food in silence sensing that words spoken would only add to the man’s foul mood. With his two elder children seeing to the front lines the table was usually empty aside from the High Prince and Evienne with Ehkota making sporadic appearances. It wasn’t uncommon for the younger prince to skip out on family time, however there was something bothering the man about this particular absence.

Shifting her glance sideways, Evienne glanced around the room before choosing to speak up.

“[color=f49ac2]Is there something bothering you father? It isn’t like you to be so… on edge.[/color]” She said, eyes flicking down to his tapping finger before returning to her own plate before her.

“[color=0072bc]Where is your uncle?[/color]” Gaelnesh barked out, eyes glued to the entrance used most often by his youngest sibling.

“[color=0072bc]He is supposed to be reporting back to me about those ridiculous rumors. How long could it possibly take him?[/color]” Evienne raised an eyebrow at this, remembering a snippet of a conversation she overheard between a couple of guards earlier in the day.

“[color=f49ac2]If I’m not mistaken, uncle Ehkota has requested dinner in a private chamber this evening. You either pissed him off by giving him such a pointless job to do or he has guests.[/color]” Gaelnesh sighed, his posture relaxing some as he did so.

“[color=0072bc]So it’s come to this has it, brother?[/color]” He growled, though his words were directed to no one in particular, at least no one present. Another look of confusion swept over the princess’ features although this time, a small amount of concern was etched into the surface.

“[color=f49ac2]Is everything alright? I can have the guards summon him or if you’d rather I-[/color]”

“[color=0072bc]No. It’s alright, I will handle this. You just see to your evening obligations while I have a word with your uncle. I’m not sure how long this will take so don’t wait up tonight.[/color]” The woman opened her mouth to speak however found nothing she could say as her father stood from the table.

Making his way from the dining hall Gaelnesh made his way down the corridors, guards standing to attention and servants bowing their heads respectfully along the way. None dared to stop the stop the man who walked with such purpose, the High Prince clearly having a destination in mind.

For as long as he knew his little brother, Gaelnesh was rarely surprised by the boy’s antics. It didn’t take Ehkota very long to come to the realization that outright confrontation was not a thing that favored him. After all, such confrontation was how the young prince lost his horns in the first place. Instead he turned to tricks and manipulation to achieve his goals, growing ever more troublesome the older he got.

Gaelnesh allowed Ehkota his space over the years, picking and choosing which of his schemes would be allowed to succeed and which ones would be shut down. It hadn’t been until recently that the younger prince’s antics had become more than just tedious to deal with, things were becoming increasingly more dangerous. If his assumptions about his younger brother were correct, Gaelnesh would find his brother consulting someone that could potentially upset the stability of the royal house. While it was something he knew would happen eventually, Gaelnesh still couldn’t help but to think that there was more he could have done to prevent such events from coming to fruition.

Eventually the eldest prince arrived before a distinct set of doors that remained closed at all times, shifting only to allow entrance to a particular set of people. Allowing himself into the room, Galenesh shut the doors behind him and waited for his eyes to adjust to the hazy darkness. After several moments, he was greeted by the sight of a handful of Gem servants kneeling before him.

The girls surrounding the bed would ignore him as they were instructed to do, their only obligations being to the king when ‘on-duty’. 

“[color=0072bc]How are things?[/color]” The four girls bowing before the prince stirred as he addressed them, the front most girl stepping forward while the other three returned to their cots to rest. No words were spoken by the young Gem, instead she simply closed her dull eyes and shook her head from side to side. 

No details would follow her silent response though it wasn’t as if Gaelnesh had been expecting any in the first place. Aside from the predictable deterioration of the king’s body, none of the girls were capable of proper speech any longer. Upon their entrance to his service each one of the girls by his side had their tongues cut from their mouths, sworn to secrecy and eternal bondage to the king.

“[color=0072bc]I thought as much. You may return to your cot now as well.[/color]” The girl bowed her head once more before shuffling over to the empty cot and laying down.

Surveying the room, Gaelnesh chose a corner of the room to retreat to while he awaited his brother’s inevitable arrival. It was unlikely he would be seen from his position allowing him to observe Ehkota without his knowledge prior to interrupting his plans. He wasn’t sure what exactly he was expecting to see or hear, but it was likely they would just be affirmations to the prince’s suspicions.

~~~

WIthin the walls of the king’s chamber time was non-existent, progression marked only by the breathy gasps and shifting stones from the bed. Gaelnesh had begun to wonder if he had overreacted or miscalculated his brother’s timeline, but eventually the younger prince showed his face.

It took the older man a moment to place the recognition he felt for the young man standing beside his brother, coming to remember him from the list of bride recipients. A kinner paid for the stellar work he had done easing an old warrior on to the after life. Gaelnesh had little doubts about what was happening now, a hidden smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Ehkota had all but sealed his fate.

Sitting back in silence, the prince watched as the Gems greeted the unsuspecting pair, unable to alert them to the trap closing in around them.

 “[color=f4a460]May I formally introduce you to Drakka’s greatest warrior, conqueror, and leader… I present to you King Toran.[/color]” Even from his place in the shadows he could tell that the young prince had his eyes fixed on his father.

“[color=f4a460]Or what’s left of him. I don’t suppose you would argue that a little dignity is long overdue. Is it even really considered killing at this point[/color]?” Stepping forward, Gaelnesh revealed himself to the two newcomers by speaking up.

“[color=0072bc]Hello, brother.[/color]” Ehkota’s eyes immediately snapped up to meet his, fighting to keep his composure despite what was clearly an alarming set back.

“[color=0072bc]We missed you at dinner, thought I would come to see what was keeping you. Looks like you’ve been rather busy.[/color]” Gaelnesh’s voice was commanding in the darkened space, his words feigning ignorance while his tone revealed his understanding of the situation at hand. 

“[color=0072bc]I do hope that Ehkota here hasn’t been giving you too much trouble. I know how… persuasive he can be. If my memory is correct, you’re the kinner from the ceremony. Not many of you guys take brides so I guess you’re rather memorable.[/color]” He said, this time addressing the young man standing beside the young prince.

“[color=0072bc]It’s a good thing my brother brought you when he did though, your presence here is most welcome.[/color]” Gaelnesh could sense his brother tensing at his words, no doubt mind reeling in an attempt to figure out what his brother had meant. Approaching the bedside, Gaelnesh slide a knife from a sheath tied to his belt.

“[color=0072bc]I am the High Prince Gaelnesh, first born to the first king Toran and contender to the throne. With an official witness from the kinner’s Order, I hereby exercise my right as eldest son to challenge the king for his position as Drakka’s ruler. For the glory of Drakka.[/color]” The prince spoke before plunging the blade deep into the exposed heart, shredding the weakened muscles as he did so.

The girls surrounding the bed collapsed in near unison, their battered and malnourished bodies succumbing to the exhaustion as their duties were relieved. By the end of the night it was more than likely several of the girls would have passed away, having spent years of their lives dedicated to sharing their lifeforce with a dying king. He wasn’t sure what he would do with the survivors, thinking he might keep them around or give them to his daughter but he had time to decide such matters. There were far more important things to tend to.

Removing the blade from the king’s chest, he watched as all signs of life left the man for good. What was left behind was a completely empty shell, though arguably it had been empty for quite some time. Knife in hand, Gaelnesh approached the pair and locked eyes with a cross looking Ehkota.

“[color=0072bc]Are there any present who challenge my claim?[/color]” He growled, a fire burning behind his brother’s eyes. Gaelnesh knew Ehkota would not act out against him, even if the opportunity was indeed legitimate. It wasn’t his style, and he had been trained far better than that.

After waiting in silence for several moments, Gaelnesh puffed air through his nose before turning his attention back toward Kagan.

“[color=0072bc]Whatever Ehkota has paid you is yours to keep, but your services are no longer required here. Oh, and Ehkota?[/color]” The prince said, turning his gaze over his shoulder to peer at his brother with an expression Ehkota would know all too well.

“[color=0072bc]It’s such a shame about your cute bride… She almost made it to full term this time.[/color]” 

[hider=Summary]
High Prince Gaelnesh is being an ass to his brother. Predicts the tricky moves and does one better. High Prince is no longer High Prince… High Prince is now kiiiiing!

Should have kept a better eye on your girl Ehkota.
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