Chapter 142: King Wyvenul

Chapter 142: King Wyvenul

Chapter 142

King Wyvenul

Where to begin? Valen mumbled, taking a sip of wine and having a hard think for a moment before continuing. Truth be told, most of what I know of my father before my time are stories--legends and myths, even, that the servants and guards would whisper when they thought I wasnt listening. How he fought off a herd of bandits all by himself, how he defeated an evil beast the size of a castle tower with his bare hands, how he can fly like birds or shoot fire out of his arms... things like that.

And most of the rest was the formality. As I was taught in the Royal Academy, it wasnt as though the teachers would be critical of him, so it was just more of the same.

Anything stood out? Sylas asked. The two, alongside Ryne, Derrek, and Asha had relocated to quaint chambers, away from the busy castle.

Not really, Valen replied, taking a deep breath. Compared to some other Kingly chapters of the Kingdoms history, Fathers ascension was... fairly uneventful, honestly. There were no assassinations, no purges of familial rivals, nothing. The Court had decided since he was ten or so that hed one day be a King and... nobody protested. From what I heard, he always outpaced everyone else at virtually everything--magic, especially. But even beyond that, he became an Honorary Knight by the time he was twelve, became a Star-suffused Scholar before he was fifteen, and even took the role of the Commander of Army from the Grandfather before he died.

It was as though everyone collectively agreed that hed be the one to lead the Kingdom onward. If there was any opposition, it was very quiet.

Alright, Sylas nodded. What about him as the King? Any controversies?

"Don't think so," Valen said. "He's... always been oddly quiet. Unless absolutely necessary, he simply defers most of the decisions to the Council. I think, in part, it's why he's so loved. Even during the major banquets, everyone would have minutes-long speeches trying to outdo one another, and Father would always only say a word or two--'To Ethernia' or 'In good health'. He's always been a man of few words, in and out of the public. However, if he decided something, nobody ever dared try to convince him otherwise."

... Sylas thought back to the man he met. A few minutes he had were far from enough to form any form of picture about him, but he did remind Sylas of someone confident and self-assured, someone who knew what they wanted and what needed to be done. And men like that... were dangerous. Sylas much preferred angry, bitter lunatics in the positions of power as it was easy to dethrone them from that position--but cautious, well-enough liked men were a different beast.

There was always a sense of disquiet around men like that, but it was purposeful. It was there to keep others on their toes, to keep them dancing and squirming, to have a clear avenue of understanding. People like that were the ones that outlived their showoff counterparts and reigned well into their ending days. Most importantly, however, staging a revolution or rebellion of any kind... would be extremely difficult. Luckily, there was a path there--the Queen.

What about the Queen and his relationship? Valens mood soured slightly at the mention of the Queen, but he collected himself afterward and replied.

I... Im not too sure. Amicable? They always maintained proper decorum in public. They never fought or disagreed. Until recently, neither truly did much in public.

Until the Queen went mad with power?

Something like that, I suppose, Valen shrugged with a chuckle. Why are you interested in her?

He suspected that his greatest obstacle to putting Valen on the throne wouldnt be the King--his intuition told him it wouldnt even be the Queen. Though there was absolutely no evidence for it and it sounded insane, Sylas was marginally convinced that the Queens behavior was pre-planned. After all, everything seemed... Convenient. The whole story, every backdrop of it, felt contrived. If Sylas had stuck to the script and didnt veer off so frequently, he might have glimpsed into the truth already. But he was too busy dealing with the off-shoots of the off-shoots, minor stories that he managed to tangle up with the main one. And yet, even with the unexpected plot of him winding up in the capital through the portal, the King, though surprised, didnt seem particularly bothered.

Alright, lets put my Father and others out of our heads for now, Valen slapped his palms together, drawing attention to himself. We have a whole tournament to organize.

No, you do, Sylas said, finishing off the gourd of ale and standing up. I have some napping and training and drinking to do. Until tomorrow, at least. When you hear cocks sing, Ryne, start expecting me. Unless I sleep through em.

Ill make sure he doesnt, Asha commented. And Ill deliver him to you right at dawn.

Thank you, Ryne chuckled. Its nice to have someone to keep the loose wolf on a proper leash.

Yeah, keep your yapping young lady, Asha and Sylas left the laughing room and departed toward their own.

You held yourself well, she said, grabbing his hand tightly. I was almost ready to cause a scene at some points.

Aah, booze helped a lot, he said. And, even if wee bit, Id like to believe Ive... grown.

You have.

Well, well see, he chuckled. For now, though, Ill just... rest. Everything else can wait. What about you? Will you loiter around with me or help about?

A bit of both, I suppose, she replied. The castle could use me, but youd be lost without me. I am absolutely torn.

Ah, if only we could divide you in two, eh?

... lets get you to bed, she smiled, gently caressing his cheek. You look abysmally tired and drunk.

Aye, aye, he nodded. Nothing like a good nights rest to wash away the booze... directly into your head. God, I miss aspirin. And phones. And free porn. I miss so many things, Asha.

Ah, youre a drunk that makes up words, she chuckled. Always fun. Here we go, careful.

... he wasnt drunk, though; not a lot, anyway. He could drink inordinate amounts before even feeling woozy. But it felt good... to let go of some things hanging on his soul. For now, it was enough. Perhaps, even, forever.