Clash of Kings

Chapter 6: The Fall of a King

(mentions of extreme injury, viewer discretion advised.)

It was three days before Mandara's coronation when Deutsche arrived in Mandoria, it had taken him that long because he didn't have wings and had to travel a little over a hundred miles on horseback.  When he made it to the castle gates the knights recognized him as a German and he was immediately stopped.

"Fear not Mandorians, for I have come with peaceful intentions and only wish to speak with your king," Deutsche explained. 

The knights were very suspicious of the prince and didn't know what to do, eventually, one made his way to the castle to inform Mandoria of the visitor.

After about fifteen minutes and a quick disarming, Deutsche was finally escorted into the throne room where King Mandoria was sitting on his throne, Mandara and Derogan were standing on either side of him.  Deutsche's mouth was slightly agape as he gazed at Mandoria, he had never met him before and was rendered speechless at the size of the kingdom's wings.  

The German quickly shook off his amazement before his gawking became rude, he knelt at the base of the throne's stairs and said, "oh great King Mandoria, I come to you as but a servant to the crown and wish to have an audience with you."

Mandoria appeared utterly shocked at the words Deutsche was saying, the princes also had dumbfounded looks on their faces.  Despite his surprise, Mandoria kept his composure, "thou has traveled a great distance to seek an audience with us, we are very curious as to what thou has to say, Prince Deutsche."

"Thank you, your Highness," Deutsche said, he straitened up before continuing, "your Majesty, I have traveled for days to tell you that you are in grave danger.  The Kingdom of Prussia has learned of your retirement and is on his way here, as we speak, to challenge you for your title before Prince Mandara is crowned the new king."

The throne room fell dead silent, you could have heard a pin drop from across it and the tension could have been sliced with a sword.  Mandara and Derogan glanced at each other nervously as they awaited their father's response.

"Prince Deutsche, thou are the son of King Prussia are thy not, so tell us why we should believe thee?" Mandoria said at last.

"He is not my father," Deutsche said firmly, which shocked the Mandorians, "we may be related by blood, but he has done nothing to me to deserve the title of father.  I have been nothing but a disappointment to him simply for being born without wings, and he made sure to treat me as such my whole life.  That is why I have come to warn you, your Majesty-" the German gazed up at the brothers, "-I do not want your sons to lose the one thing I could never have." 

Mandoria contemplated Deutsche's tale for a moment, he wasn't sure how he should feel about the German Prince, he was skeptical about the truthfulness of a German, especially the son of his rival.  Mandoria then stood up from his throne and drew closer to Deutsche, who in turn took a step back and kelt again.

"Rise, Prince Deutsche," Mandoria said, the German did as told, "we are terribly sorry to hear of thy misfortune and we can only imagine the risk thou ist taking to warn us, so we are willing to heed thy warning."

"What?" the Mandorian princes said in unison, while Deutsche looked completely astonished. Mandoria continued, "thou says he is on his way here?"

Deutsche nodded, "y-yes your Majesty, he is approaching with a dozen troops, though I suspect he will challenge you to an aerial duel."

Mandoria hummed then turned to his sons, "well my sons, the day we have been dreading for years is upon us, do you remember what I have taught you?"