| |
Fifteen-year-old Prince Neo Skyehawk met his best friend Seneca LaSalle on the landing of the spiral staircase leading to a corridor which took one to the Great Hall in The Palace at Radyr.
His eyes widened. “Whoa, you look—like I’ve never seen you before.”
Seneca smiled. “First time I’d ever worn such a long skirt.” She looked to her shoulders and arms. “Weird not seeing my tattoos, either.”
“I think purple’s your color. Brings out your blue-green eyes.”
She strode past him. “You’re such a kiss up.”
He tore after her. “No, really.”
In the Great Hall Neo’s father, King Irvin, sat at the far end of a sleek table, chin resting on his fingertips.
Neo leaned into Seneca. “He’s stressed over something.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I’ve come to know his expression some over the past few months. Should we—”
Neo held up his hand. “I’ll do it.” He walked over to the other side of the table, Seneca in his tracks. “What’s up?”
Irvin looked from Seneca to Neo. “Ruslan.” He indicated a roll of parchment.
Seneca glanced at Neo and nodded.
Neo placed his hand atop the parchment. “Can I have a look?”
Irvin inclined his head.
Neo opened the roll and Seneca looked over his shoulder.
To the House of Skyehawk:
Have you any idea what your systemic withdrawal of military support has done? Arkaanaman is invading many Eurean lands and is marching over onto the Western Shore of the Atlantean. Your son’s sheer recent recklessness has cost us the following:
1) A Permanent, foreseeable military alliance.
2) The Untouchable Caste has received word one of their own has fled to prosperity and are quarreling with military reserves.
His influence in your geopolitics is now causing the terrorist Arkaanaman Empire to expand their evil influences to the Western Shoreline. Would they take Atlantis next? Or go as far as Beyond the Western End of the World?
If the sheer latter is the case, have you any idea of the imperialism that will result?
Send me the right answer or there will be consequences.
Sincerely Yours,
King Ruslan
House of Romanoff.
Seneca bit her lip. “I’m every bit as guilty here. Had I not broken into Ruslan’s Palace that day, turmoil wouldn’t be developing.”
Irvin ran a hand down his face. “Ah, if it wasn’t happening now, I’m sure Neo here would’ve seen to it. Right, Boy?”
“Had you not forced a wedding between Princess Kia and me.”
Irvin shook his head. “I’m sure the events would’ve played out. They call it fate.”
Queen Zina entered the hall. “What he’s saying, Seneca, is you’re with us for a reason and a good one as well. If you were still meant to be in Tamuria, you’d be there. Aggie has always said.”
Seneca blushed.
Irvin sat up and clapped. “Speaking of Aggie, she and her crowd should be here momentarily and we can get this Feast up and running. Always a good holiday in all Ddraigoch.”
Three hours later, Neo excused himself and bade Seneca to follow him outside the Palace and into the town of Llandaff, but not before she insisted on changing back into casual clothes. The streets were bare at this hour due to the Autumn Feast with the exception of innkeepers opening their bars for the partiers invading the streets within an hour or so.
Once out of range of the innkeepers and their workers, Neo whipped around. “The Untouchables are quarreling with the Tamurian Army. I know it had an effect on you.”
Seneca nodded. “Ruslan’s panicking. The Tamurian Empire’s getting threatened before his eyes.”
“Trade-client by force empire. The Arkaans are nomadic traders and no word has reached us of them doing wrong. For one, the Atlanteans wouldn’t stand for it; they’ve by far the strongest military of any of us and would thwart them in two seconds.”
Seneca nodded. “Ruslan’s calling a false flag here. He’s trying to fearmonger your dad into reneging on his reform proposals.”
“But think for a minute; the Untouchables are rising up. Sen, you told me your one condition of staying here.”
“And I haven’t forgotten. I think about it nightly. We need to—before it’s too late.”
Neo shuffled his boots. “Wait, that’s why he sent the letter today. The whole diplomatic summit thing. It’s always after the Autumn Feast. In Tamuria. It’s our ticket over. Dad would let us come, too. I mean, if he plans on stepping down soon and all.”
“Oh, Ruslan sure was spot-on his timing. But I’m sure your dad wouldn’t let us go with him. There’s no reason.”
Neo turned back toward the Palace while townspeople flocked to the streets once more as the sun set. “Yeah, but I’ll be the one making the trips soon. Come on. We need to at least see if he’ll let us hitch a ride to Tamuria.”
****
SENECA CROSSED HER arms and cast Neo an incredulous look. “What were you expecting? A sure, Son, how many are coming aboard?”
Neo bounced on the bed. “Well, I had legitimate concerns regarding the current state of affairs and like I said, he did say I’d be King sooner than later.”
Seneca craned her neck.
Neo narrowed his eyes. “What?”
“I don’t see a crown on your head.”
“Thank you for pointing out the obvious.”
She walked to the window and gazed out at the Strait. “I could’ve told you the second you burst into the Throne Room it was going to be a ‘no.’ I felt the vibes.”
Neo strode to the window beside her. “And I just want to get your parents back so you’ll stay here and not return to turmoil in Tamuria.”
“It’s my only condition. And my sister. She doesn’t need to end up like the state they’re in.”
Neo pointed to the boats in the harbor. “It’s not like we’re not still trading with the Tamurians.”
Seneca scoffed. “For now. What if Ruslan gets so frustrated at your dad he expels everyone with Ddraigoch ties?”
“Or worse.”
Seneca turned to him. “War?”
“Trade wars, economic wars, actual wars. Who knows?”
“At this point is anyone backing Ruslan? Does he have the firepower to war with Ddraigoch while setting up what he calls defense bases in other Eurean nations?”
Neo set his hands on the windowsill. “Tamuria has a lot of power, Sen.”