-1 Prologue

A middle aged man sat alone on an ornate gilded throne. His face was cleanly shaven, blonde hair combed back perfectly without a single strand of hair out of place. Looking at him gave the impression that he was a stone sculpture of some ancient king, meticulously carved by a master craftsman. An impression only made deeper by the throne rooms many murals detailing battles from ages past.

A haggard yet satisfied look on his face, as if he had just completed a grueling task and was glad it was finally over. He gazed at his throne room, the sight of the sparkling marble and gold made him feel refreshed and the haggard look was slowly replaced by a smile. The silence was broken by the clacking of steel on stone. A light knock and the middle aged man spoke.

"Come in."

The large golden doors opened and a young man clad in elegant golden armor stepped through. He looked to be in his early twenties with long fiery red hair, short pointed ears, and tired yellow eyes that didn't seem to match his age. He walked slowly to the throne, each step precise as if he was performing a ritual. Once he reached the foot of the throne he prostrated himself.

"It is done, my lord. Alrend and Morai refused to give in and fought to their death, many of the lesser-"

"What about the boy?" The middle aged man interjected.

"Hi.. His uncle killed him, my lord." A bead of sweat fell from the young man's forehead that was still prostrating on the ground.

"His uncle.. Was there anyone else with him when he killed the boy?" The middle aged man's grin faded as he stared at the drop of sweat on his throne room floor.

"No my lord. We saw the aftermath and without a doubt the boy is dead. His uncle has never given us reason to suspect his loyalty, so there-" The young man spoke hurriedly, sensing the agitation from the man on the throne.

"Begone.." The middle age man interrupted with a quiet voice, his eyes still stuck on the drop of sweat.

"My lord?" The young man questioned in a panic.

"BEGONE!" The middle aged man bellowed as he stood up to grab a small bell from a table nearby and began ringing it furiously.

The young man transitioned into a bow, eyes ever on the floor as he quickly backed out of the room almost stumbling into the two women in white robes rushing in. When he finally reached the doorway he stole a glance at the middle aged man who was now pointing his finger at the front of the throne, the location he had been prostrating just a moment before.

"Clean this mess up." The middle aged man said with a voice full of disgust before stammering off through his personal entrance. The young man sighed and with a frown began walking down the empty corridor. As he turned the corner, his eyes met the wide green eyes of a young woman in an alluring black dress. She had a wily smile as she walked up to him and poked his cheek.

"What's the matter golden prince? Did daddy yell at you again?" She asked, playfully mocking him.

"Sigh... I'm not in the mood today Mara." The young prince said coldly.

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"You're never in the mood, what makes today any different?" Mara said putting her hands on her waist and sticking out her tongue.

"I fear there may be war coming. The others aren't going to be happy when they find out what fathers done behind their backs. He's been losing support among the thirteen for years and I fear his actions today may be the final straw. To make matters worse, there have been signs of a new gate opening soon in the Forsaken Lands." The young prince said solemnly, his expression growing dark.

"Ohh~ Have you and father been naughty?" Mara asked with her usual playful tone.

The young prince stared at her for a moment, it was easy to forget that this devious woman standing before him was much older than her youthful persona made her seem.

"Ignorance is bliss little sister. You'll find out at this years gathering, just take care not to cause any trouble until this all blows over." The prince spoke as he walked away ignoring Mara's unsatisfied protests.