A Struggle of Power

The Kings

King Nikolav felt worried. His daughter, Asterin, was having trouble getting along with her fiance, Dietrich. He had agreed to the marriage, but only after he had talked to Dietrich. Dietrich had agreed to protect his daughter, and their throne. He had agreed to shut down all the rumors about her being a heretic.

"I promise I will protect your daughter. I will keep her out of danger, and I will protect her with my life." Was what he had said. Though it still never set right. He wanted his daughter to be happy, and hoped that one day Dietrich would be the one to make her happy.

Now he knew. There was a lot of work to bring the two together. They had rejected each other time after time, and he only saw failure in the future for them both if they didn't resolve it soon. He had to figure it out. Had to understand what they both enjoyed. What they could bond over.

He had no clue what Dietrich was even into. He barely talked to the young prince. Now he had no choice. For his daughter's sake he had to understand the prince to bring them both together.

Leaving his cozy quarters, and with a wave of guards behind him he marched to the throne room. He knew Dietrich would be there, as it was the most common place anyone of importance was at all times. Walking into the room he met the bows of many lords and ladies.

"Prince Dietrich." He smiled. "Tell me, would you like to join me for a quick hunt this evening?" He had no idea if the prince even enjoyed that sort of thing, but many men did and Dietrich was far from being less than one.

"Of course your majesty. What time are you thinking of?" He smiled.

"In just a few hours. Meet me at the stables and we can hunt through the woods together."

At the time of their next meeting the king had dressed down to simple hunting gear. He waited for the prince and when the prince arrived wearing a leather over shirt and a white tunic underneath he smiled.

At first they were quiet. Just riding silently in the tension that hung between them. The king was unsure how to approach the young man, but was even more unsure as to how to tell him he knew he didn't like his daughter. The two came to an abrupt stop as the king whistled. He raised his hand and then let it fall. The wolves rushed in front of them and Dietrich grip on the reins of the horse tightened.

"No need to be afraid son. They are pets of the crown." The king looked over.

"How? They are wild beasts and yet you have tamed them?" He asked. His bewilderment is far from a secret.

"It's a Nikolov legacy I suppose." He shrugged.

"Dietrich, we need to talk about my daughter."

"Is she ok?" He asked quickly.

"I noticed you and her have this hard relationship that neither of you are willing to move past. Now I don't know the whole story, my daughter is secretive and I only get the stories from the maids and servants. I need to know you are going to keep your word."

"I would never break my word. Believe me I want to move past the quarrel the Princess and I have, but everytime I think we take a step forward one of us pulls back." The Prince looked at him. "I hoped that my new friendship with Princess Oriana would play in favor of Princess Asterin and I moving onto a friendship of our own. However, it seems as though it hasn't done much. Maybe she doesn't know that Oriana had put the past behind her. I don't know, but right now she needs space to understand who she is."

"What do you mean?"

He thought about telling him of the guard, but he shook his head. "Sometimes it's hard for us to believe that we are living as royals with a kingdom on our shoulders. During these times we want to run away and be someone else. Sometimes it's even for the best and now is her time." He smiled. "I think I need to be there when she needs it, and that I will be, but I also think I need to keep my distance until she comes to me."

"You do as you need to. Just make sure she is safe." He looked over at the young man. DIetrich just nodded.

The two finished their ride and continued their day together. It was pleasant for the king. He was finally able to understand Dietrich on a personal level. He felt positive Dietrich would keep his word. He even felt proud to have agreed to the marriage. Even if it meant Asterin's hatred.

The two walked through the halls as he explained traditions of his people. How they plan the ball for winter months before. It was to ensure it was perfect. It had been a tradition to celebrate the winter, as the beginning of new things. He explained how the coldness had to always come before the heat. It was something that had to happen. It ensured the life to come. Dietrich seemed interested in the lore, but he knew it wasn't the most interesting.

"You see the coldness wrings out dry heat." He smiled. "We celebrate the death, and the living. It is a tradition to dance at the balls, and make new commitments. A start of something new." He shrugged.

"It's also your favorite season." The familiar voice in his ears made the King turn quickly. His smile grew brighter. "King Nikolav."

"King Gallo!" The two hug it out. Smiling and laughing.

"Prince Dietrich it is good to see you again." Gallo looked at him. The two shook hands. "How are you today."

"I am well." He smiled. "How about yourself?" Dietrich smiled.

"Well."

"Where is Princess Oriana?" DIetrich looked around noticing the absence of the young woman.

"She went to Oshor." She responded. "We have some business there that she is attending to." She smiled.

"Well I am sure she will get it all done beyond expectation." Dietrich added.

"Indeed. However, I need your help." His attention turned to King Nikolov. The man tensed as he watched carefully. "You and I go far back, but something has come up. I am afraid for my daughter's life." He spoke wearily. "I do not want her home until the war is blown over, or until the time is dire."

"You want me to take her in?" The king looked at his friend as he pondered his words. "What's going on?" He asked.

"Othia wants my kingdom and they are looking for my daughter. I need to keep her somewhere safe."

"Here you mean?"

"Not particularly. I am asking for you to help find a place that will ensure her safety."

"Well here she would be safe and I am more than willing to take her in." Nikolov looked at his friend. "Oriana will always have a place here."

"Thank you. I can't express my gratitude enough. We will always be in your debt." King Gallo bowed his head.

"There is no debt." Nikolov waved his hand. "The importance of family will never be little. I would only hope you would do the same for my daughter."

"In a heartbeat." Gallo smiled. "Princess Asterin is always welcomed in my home and there will never be any doubt of it."