A Barstool Fairytale

Chapter 2: When the Castle is Asleep

"An arranged marriage?" Kravitz asked. "That's what they're asking for?" His voice was calm, but his eyes searched his mother's, looking for the hidden laughter that was there when she told him jokes. There was none.

They were seated in the dining room, just after lunch. Kravitz's long hair was loose after his recent shower, and most of it had swung over his shoulder when he'd turned to look at his mother when she had told him what was happening. Luckily, the plates had already been cleared, so there was no risk of anything getting into it.

"It is what I offered them," the queen of Faerun replied. "Our kingdom has been at odds with Vonia for some time. The people may not appreciate a sudden shift in that relationship with no warning. A marriage between you and the crown prince of Vonia will be a physical representation of the new union between the two countries."

"I just didn't think it would come to this," he admitted. "It seems a little extreme. Shouldn't we build our relationship with Vonia before entering into an alliance with them? How do we know they're not just trying to take over?"

"I don't think it's extreme," she stated. "After all, it's how I met your father. Besides, the Vonian queen wants this alliance just as much as I do. Vonia lacks the diversity of Faerun and all the benefits that brings, and we simply do not have the technological advancements that Vonia does. An alliance between us, without a power struggle, would be ideal for both kingdoms. I know marriage may not be ideal for you, but sometimes, for the good of the people-"

"-sacrifices must be made," Kravitz finished. He'd been repeating the mantra since he was old enough to talk, and he'd been living it since he'd had things to sacrifice. He wouldn't fight Queen Morior, though. "I understand, Mother. Without the threat of war, I'm sure the peoples' lives will improve much, as well."

She nodded. "I certainly hope so." She smiled at him, just a small one. It still made him feel better about the enormous responsibility that had just been dropped on him.

"When will I meet the prince?" he asked.

"The royal family of Vonia will arrive tomorrow morning. We will greet them then," the queen replied, her face falling back to its usual indiscernible expression.

"Very well," Kravitz said, and because he felt he had to, he added, "I look forward to it. May I be excused?"

"You may. I will see you at dinner, Kravitz."

He nodded once and left the dining room, moving through the stone hallways calmly. The situation he was in was for the good of the country, which meant how he felt about it did not matter. Still, Kravitz had rather hoped he'd meet his suitor before the prospect of marriage even came up.

Even if he did have to enter into an arranged marriage, why did it have to be with someone he'd never met? There were plenty of other eligible princes in nearby kingdoms, and he'd met quite a few of them. Maybe he hadn't fallen in love with any of them, but he at least knew something about each of them. Prince Heanrer of Aelaitha liked to dance. Prince Fennorin of Cairal enjoyed hunting. Kravitz didn't know anything about the crown prince of Vonia. He knew about the country, of course. It was made up of only humans, and it had a very impressive textile industry. It was well known for its invention of denim (although Kravitz wasn't actually sure what that was) and he knew there were incredible mountain ranges and breathtaking waterfalls. But Faerun and Vonia had been at odds for so long he wasn't sure he remembered why, and he had never had the opportunity to meet the royal family of the country. He didn't even know their names. He hadn't been lying when he'd told his mother he was looking forward to meeting them, but there was a difference between meeting someone for the first time and wanting to marry them. Maybe, underneath all his education and upbringing, he still had the desire to marry for love, but he wouldn't admit that to anyone, including himself.

Kravitz continued down the halls, turning a few times until he approached a closed wooden door. To many in the castle, it looked like any other door, and they'd probably just walk past it. To Kravitz, though, it was a portal to some of his favorite memories. He opened the door and looked around the room full of musical instruments. There were horns hanging on the walls, woodwinds laid neatly on shelves, violins sitting patiently on the other side of the room, a cello standing tall to the left, and in the middle of it all, a beautiful grand piano. Everything had a thin layer of dust laying on it, but it didn't matter right now. Kravitz relaxed slightly as he walked into the music room - his music room. He hadn't been inside in years, had been too busy training with the knights. It was one of the sacrifices he'd had to make along the way. He did have a violin in his room, to practice when he had time. He'd always been partial to strings.

He circled the room slowly, not reaching for any one instrument just yet. His fingers drifted over the edge of the piano, leaving streaks in the dust where they touched. He touched the shelves that held the oboes and recorders. They weren't his favorite instruments, but they certainly had their place, and he'd learned how to play them long ago. He touched the tops of a few violins, not ready to touch the strings quite yet. He laid his hand on the cello - his second instrument, too tall for him when he'd first started learning, but one of his favorites nonetheless. He smiled softly, and walked another slow lap, playing a short scale on the piano as he passed it this time, removing more dust from the shelves of woodwinds, and finally picking up a violin. He tuned it carefully, years of disuse slackening the strings.

It was disappointing that no one else used this room, but no one else needed to. His instructor had left years ago, when he'd begun his physical training and had less and less time for music.

The violin tuned beautifully, and he started playing slow scales, working his way up and down different keys. Slowly, the scales worked themselves into something new, and he was playing music. Music that was angry and fast and hard, music that represented the frustration at his situation that he tried so hard to mask, to ignore. It wasn't useful. It wouldn't change the outcome any. But the music helped release that anger he couldn't use anywhere else, and the angry notes shifted to something softer, slower, and sadder as he continued to play. He continued on for a few minutes before holding a long, final note and setting the violin back where he had found it. He exhaled heavily, not a huff of indignance or a sigh of displeasure, but a release of all the emotions from before, and an acceptance of his situation.

Acceptance, however, did not mean that he had to be happy about it.

He left the music room calmer than he was before, closing the door behind him and heading to his bedroom. Sunlight filled his room - the sun was no longer at its zenith, but it wasn't starting to set yet, either. He opened the trunk at the foot of his bed and removed his violin, setting it to the side. He had just played, he wasn't looking to practice right now. He took out a few other items: some scraps of ribbon, a few books he'd taken from the castle library and hadn't put back yet, and finally a pile of much plain fabric hidden from the view of anyone who wasn't looking for it. It was odd for a prince to have such common clothes, but he liked to interact with the people when he had the time. Usually, he would sneak out at night and go to different establishments in the city to hear the local gossip. It was amazing what you could learn by sitting and listening. Of course, that was how he got through most of his mother's meetings, so he had plenty of practice.

Kravitz was particularly fond of a small bar not far from the palace, The Sanguine Raven, and he had plans to go visit. His pending engagement wasn't going to stop him from going. In fact, if he wanted to be cantankerous about it, it gave him an excuse.

Still, he had several hours before he could even think about leaving. He refolded the clothes and tucked them back in the trunk, then replaced everything else he had taken out before heading down to the library to read for a while before dinner.