The Princes of Versutia

chapter one

The cobblestone streets and narrow buildings of the kingdom of Versutia, amplified the echo of the raindrops, sloshing peacefully as they fell. The sky was deeply filled with thick rain clouds, pouring out onto the land below. The precipitation, though normally welcomed, seemed to encapsulate the eerily empty feeling that was soaking through the kingdom.

It was the thirteenth anniversary of the late queen's passing. It was tradition for the townsfolk to dress in their darkest garments and postpone any celebration to a later time. The king was not expected to be seen. The beloved thick head of blond hair that heavily carried his emerald crown was tucked away, deep in his castle, with only his sons by his side.

The spring was a melancholy time for the people. They loved their king, but this time of silence had been a tradition that they had all dutifully followed for over a decade. All life was expected to resume within the coming week, but the air of absolute misery lay thick in the hearts of the pitiful kingdom for the time being.

Their former queen had been a beautiful and kind woman. She had been raised in the castle all of her life, being taught the ways of which she was destined to rule. At her coronation, she was unveiled and the people of the town wept. She was elegant and alluring to all those that were blessed with the gift of seeing her. Although her voice was entrancing and her face alone inspired the musicians, it was her ability to see and bring out the good in all of those around her that won the hearts of the people. She was treasured and obeyed, loved by the kingdom that she, in turn, loved so dearly.

Shortly after her father's passing, she assumed the role of queen. It was revealed that she had been secretly engaged to a man whom she had been in love with since childhood, a carpenter's son. He had little to his name, but his family was well respected within the kingdom and the people accepted him as their king.

They had three wonderful sons, each being skilled with a different ability than the last. The oldest was the most private out of the bunch, but the legend of his swordsmanship was told throughout kingdoms. The second son was a twin to the first, only born two minutes after. He held the same ability as his mother, very gifted in the art of music and writing. The last son took after his father and was debatably the most clever. He was seen as a menace to the community but with the guidance of his brothers, he was slowly transforming into an intuitive young man. His innovations were beginning to evolve from elaborate pranks into useful inventions.

The passing of their mother had been sudden. Their father had been away for business when she had caught ill. She had been rushed to the medic, who desperately tried every type of remedy available to save the dying queen. The oldest son, despite only being 8, had gone after his father, unable to see his mother like this. The youngest had only been three years old. The only prince by his mother's side had been the second eldest. He had wept for days after her passing, refusing food and never sleeping. The king had locked himself away, only accepting the presence of his eldest son.

This was the darkest time for the people, the remembrance of their beloved ruler was a sharp pain in everyone's mind, yet it would pass. They would see their weary king emerge once again and deliver the news to return to normalcy.

He did just so within the next week.

King Philza of Versutia ordered for his castle doors to be open and welcomed his people with bright eyes, his emerald cloak swirling around him and his sons standing proudly at his side.

Prince Wilbur of Versutia stood on his left, dressed properly in a white shirt whose sleeves billowed out. His familiar golden cloak was draped over his soldiers and his small dagger was secured on the outer thigh of his dark brown trousers. He had an arm around the youngest, his fist tightly grasped on the blond's shoulder. Prince Tommy of Versutia lazily ruffled his golden hair, shooting an exasperated look at his older brother before adjusting his vivid red cloak so it fit more securely around him. His soft cream shirt was more fitted than Wilburs, and his dark blue trousers had light stains of grass and dirt that the servants had most likely spent hours trying to scrub away. A shorter brunet was seen trying to hide his laugh at the look of Prince Tommy's annoyed expression. Tommy's squire, the brunet, was a boy named Toby of the Mollis family, nick-named Tubbo by the arrogant young prince. He was dressed modestly in a light green shirt tucked neatly into his dark trousers. His sky blue cloak, most likely being one of Prince Tommy's old ones, dragging on the ground.