The Liar's Reign

Prologue

       Not that long ago, there was a kingdom with a beautiful Queen and a benevolent King. Together, they ruled their country fairly and happily. Everyone knew that the rulers of Balavaria just wanted peace for their people. Balavaria was a beautiful land with every single type of environment; snowy mountains, dense forests, deserts, lakelands, and grasslands. Villages were spread all across the continent with only four other cities. Hylan, the capital, held people of every profession. The country flourished with happiness and prosperity.
Five years into their rule, word spread quickly, Queen Priya and her husband, King Drystan Sathorian were about to have an heir. A couple weeks later, even more joyous news came. Not only an heir, but two. Twin princes were to be born. They prepared everything for their heirs to the throne. Glorious celebrations, feasts, music, materials, and everything for their future, all dedicated to the first born and his brother.
The castle was filled with vibrant energy as the days were counting down to the princes' birth. Finally, on the day of the summer solstice, they were born.
The first-born and heir to the throne was named Flynn Christopher Sathorian. He was a beautiful boy from the start, his hair was the perfect mix of a brunette and midnight shaded hair. The perfect blend of his parents, but his eyes were sapphire blue, just like his mother's. Flynn was going to grow up to become a warrior, everyone had said. He was built for it.
       Flynn's twin brother, was named Axton Will Sathorian. He was just like his brother, long limbs and the very same colored hair. His eyes were the only difference between them. Unlike his mother and twin brother's beautifully blue eyes, he had his father's harsh, almond brown eyes.
The kingdom was lit with a warm glow after the sweet princes' arrival. People from all over the country watched the young boys grow. They were adorable little boys, the public came to see the sparkle in their eyes and the gentle nature of their family. Balavaria seemed to flourish even more within only three years of the twins' lives. Finally, the king and queen allowed the boys to go on trips outside of their safe environment.
Queen Priya needed to go on a tour for the lower part of their territory. Having just turned three years old, Flynn wanted to go with his mother on a trip but Axton wanted to see one of the forgotten wings of the castle. So, she and her husband agreed to have Priya take Flynn with her while Axton got to stay with their dad. Queen Priya and Prince Flynn were supposed to be escorted by the finest set of guards and come right back after they visited the major villages in the south.
The travels went smoothly, but when they went to make the final stop their convoy was attacked. Only two guards and Flynn survived that attack. Queen Priya was assassinated by a group of soldiers from their warring country, Lytharius. Word spread faster than the three survivors did on their way back to the capital. By the time Prince Flynn returned to the kingdom, the warm, glowing castle was submerged almost entirely in black. Every person in the city wore black clothes, a frown, and tears.
King Drystan didn't even greet his son when he came back. Flynn and Axton played silently with each other, their once joyous laughs muted. Maids watched them for weeks while their King stayed in his rooms with no other communication to his kingly duties. He grew cold and harsh, he threatened their allies, snapped at his guards, and rarely finished his paperwork.
About 3 months after Queen Priya's death, the king finally went into the twins' room. They were sitting on the bed with little horse figurines, the door clicked shut behind him, and both Flynn and Axton ran for their father. Drystan didn't move despite his children hugging his legs. Finally, he pushed them off and kneeled in front of them. He took a long look at Axton, a smile tugged on his lips. Then he took a deep breath and dragged his gaze to Flynn. His eyes grew cold as he stared into his eyes- Priya's eyes. Flynn's smile faded as his father scowled coldly at him.
"Prepare my horse. There will be no guards escorting my sons and I." His order boomed.
He took the boys but did not answer their questions as they rode, deep into the woods. King Drystan went to a field just south of the Brayzen River. He left the horse on the edge of the trees and took Flynn by the hand roughly. Axton called out to his brother to wait up for him but the King kept walking.
Drystan told the boys, "We're going to play a game. Axton, close your eyes and plug your ears. I will tell you when to stop, okay?"
Axton listened to his father, he turned around and put his hands over his ears. Drystan dragged Flynn towards the river, the water cold and roaring around the banks. "Let's go for a swim." King Drystan told Flynn.
Flynn stumbled to the bank, his father finally released his hand as he carefully bent down to his son again. Flynn only reached out to touch the water, until his father said deathly quiet, "Look at me." Flynn obeyed. King Drystan put his hand on his cheek and gazed into the sapphire eyes his late wife passed down. Then, he threw Flynn into the cold river. He spun on his heel and grabbed Axton's hand. They returned to the kingdom with only one heir.