THE LEGEND OF MORGHAEN ZHAE

THE BANE OF TEARS(29 AGR-36 AGR)

     In the twenty-ninth year after Ghaeleon I's revolution, there was stability and peace within the realm of Qharys. Having recently defeated the threat of Konferides, a new confidence had risen amongst the common folk and nobility alike in their rulers. Tales of Morghaen's actions in what would come to be known as the Battle of The Wood, had reached every corner of Qharys. Many had taken to calling , Ghaeleon reborn, and these bestowments of praises swelled the fifteen-year old with pride. However, not all were pleased to hear of such accomplishments. Prince Ghaeleon Zhae was the crown prince of Qharys, and heir to King Ghaeleon. The prince was a man of thirty, who wore weight around his middle, with his carmine ringlets thin & had taken to falling out as of late. The prince was unskilled with a sword and could often be found drowning in a river of wine and women. The prince's own wife, Dersephone Iayades, could hardly stand to be around him, let alone share his bed. Even though their union was unhappy, she had given him a daughter called Alexia & and a son Alexios. Tales of the prince's decadence had caused some to suggest that Morghaen Zhae should be named heir rather than he, and Ghaeleon would not accept such a slight. Where prince Ghaeleon was rotund and homely, Morghaen was handsome and fit. Ghaeleon was regarded as being weak-willed and lacking confidence, while his brother exuded majesty with every step. The praises showered upon Morghaen never fell to him, and his jealousy towards his younger brother festered within his being. Morghaen held no disdain for his elder however, and rebuked any notion of becoming king.
"Some are meant to rule over others and command them in the grace of God, though I am not included amongst such their number. My home is on the battlefield, not at court. I do not wish to be subject to the machinations of this Doukhan or that mayor. The game of politics is not one in which I wish to be a player."
Morghaen had never been particularly close to Ghaeleon, having a much fonder relationship with Jhayson, whom did not find Morghaen's martial nature to be an affront to himself. Rather than with jealousy, Jhayson looked to his little brother with pride.
"We are all sons of Ghaeleon the Great, is it truly any great surprise one of us would be the greatest warrior in a generation?"
Once word had reached Ghaeleon of his brother's rejection of any notion of usurpation , he eased his jealous tendencies towards the boy. This was aided in part by King Ghaeleon's threatening of disinheritance if he took any action towards Morghaen. Though he would deny it if asked, Morghaen had become the king's favorite out of his three sons. He would not allow any harm to come to his person, if he could help it.
This favored status would become strained in 30 AGR, when King Ghaeleon arranged a marriage between the sixteen-year old Morghaen & Qytella Qyler, daughter of Qadanis Qyler, the Doukhan of Titan's Cradle. The Doukhan, whose realm sat between the northern banks of the Stoza river and the Arioke Mountains was a proud and stubborn man. Built into a canyon, Titan's Cradel was an impregnable fortress ,built millennia before by a people unknown. Like the Apraznas and the Tysheres, the House of Qyler had aided Ghaeleon in his revolution and conquests. Initially wanting to marry off his sister to the king, Qadanis begrudgingly accepted a marriage between his daughter Qartemis, and the famed warrior-prince.
When informed of the betrothal, Morghaen grew wroth, then rushed to find his father.
"Father, as my king I understand that it is treason to go against your wishes, though I fear I cannot set myself to my waiting bride. I have sworn vows to my sword and The One Above All, that I shall take no wife, nor even sully my soul by laying with a woman. I have become intoxicated by battle, and no maiden could hope to replace the joy I gain from that. I have no desire to continue my line, and yours will not be threatened by my departure from tradition. The crown prince has sired two children already, and Jhayson's wife is with child. What need of me is there to marry? I know this will upset you, but I must remain true to myself and God above."
Although he attempted to change his son's mind, the King could not make Ghaeleon budge from his position. Thus, he wrote with a heavy hand to the Doukhan, of his son's refusal to marry his daughter. The Doukhan replied with threats of war, if a suitable compromise could not be made. It was decided, an alternate marriage could be made, thus the princess Io was wed to Qharim Qyler, the heir to Titan's Cradel. With salty tears in her eyes, Io was sent away to her new groom. She would write often to her sisters, of her husband's poor quality.
"He doesn't bathe, so he stinks like a swamp. He is dour, and spends all of his time at the ponds. He prefers the company of ducks over me. He visits my apartments only when his father commands him to. I am quite surprised he has somehow begotten me with child three times. My babes are my joy and comfort, where Qharim is neglectful. I am beginning to be of mind, that perhaps a marriage to his brother, Qyton ,would have been easier."
       In 31 AGR, princess Io sent word to Qharria, of her yearning for the company of family. Sympathizing with his daughter's plight, Ghaeleon commands Morghaen to make haste to Titan's Cradle, alongside several noblewomen who had grown up alongside the princess.
    Two days ride from Qharria, Morghaen's company stopped at the sleepy town called Shadeza. They were welcomed here, by mayor Amiriana Daphinos. A pious woman of fifty-three, the mayor was beloved by her constituents, for her dedication to public services and generous treatment of the common people. She banned slavery within her walls, and declared that ill treatment of a wife by her husband was to be  punishable by death.   In 27 AGR, Amiriana had decreed that no one, regardless of station, was to work three days out of the week, as those days had been ordained as holy. While she had won the hearts of her people, many of the town nobles were greatly offended by her actions. There were whispers that the mayor was too radical, and thus needed to have her flame extinguished.
      As the mayor had no living children, and was unlike to marry again and produce heirs, the question of who would become mayor upon Amiriana's death loomed over Skadeza. The mayor had succeeded her brother ,Hectyr, whom had been slain during The Battle of The Stazon in 6 AGR, by an Alenvaari blade. Since then, she had outlived two husbands and borne six stillborn babes. The mayor refused to name an official successor, and by 31 AGR many distant relatives had grown quite frustrated.
     "What good would come of me naming an heir? My kin would likely hasten my death in furtherance of their own power. I will not give them that satisfaction."
Upon the prince's arrival, he was granted a sword forged from a meteor. The onyx blade was long as an arm, with the hilt being embedded with sapphires and rubies. Morghaen graciously accepted the gift, naming the sword BEASTKILLER. The prince would wet the blade much sooner than he anticipated.
The mayor elected to throw a feast in prince Morghaen's honor, and in such the town nobility filled her halls. There was the grizzled Tamarko Kijun, master of the town guard, Loravexo Adrianakos, the mayor's treasury minister, and Uhanos Dherma, the minister of faith. Around forty guardsmen were in position to secure the event, each draped in bronze cuirasses fashioned in the style of crocodilian hide.
Accounts agree upon the fact that Morghaen Zhae was seated to the mayor's right during the feast. The festivities began without incident, those in attendance beginning with prayer. Uhanos Dherma led them in praising of The One Above All, then the mayor rose to give a toast.
"To my most honored guest, Prince Morghaen Zhae, I lift my cup! The son of the great Ghaeleon has found his way here. He that is the Beastslayer, he that is the brave! He carries a blade forged from a fallen star! May our God bless Morghaen Zhae!"
Once she had finished, Tamarko Kujin lunged at the mayor, with a previously unseen dagger in hand. He was the first to die.
Before he could reach Amiriana, Tamarko's head was removed from his shoulders. His corpse sunk to the floor. Those witnessing could not move. Their curious eyes watched on, while Morghaen cut down a treacherous guardsmen attempting to slay the mayor amidst the chaos. Some panicked guests attempted to flee the scene, though the mayor's great doors refused to open. The last conspirator, Loravexo, threw down his blade thence fell into the mayor's custody. After relentless torture, Loravexo revealed that the thwarted assassination had been an attempt to make her great uncle, Iago, the new mayor. Many held sympathy with the traditionalist Iago. He had made great insults upon his niece's mayoral performance. Iago, whom attended the feast, was quickly apprehended and unceremoniously executed. In death, he joined two score guardsmen, servants, and nobles who had a hand in the failed assassination. For his leal service, Morghaen was offered to be Shadeza's heir, but he politely declined. The mayor commissioned a seventeen-foot tall statue of the prince, crafted of marble and jade. Once Iago's threat had subsided, Morghaen continued on to Titan's Cradle.
    The prince's retinue was initially ill-received, by the Doukhan. He had held a grudge against Morghaen for spurning his daughter, though he did allow him to enter his fortress.
    The red-rock fortress of Titan's Cradle was built into a canyon overlooking a meandering tributary, called the Moraestahon. Legends documented, that the Vimorike, a long-extinct, race of Worm Men, carved the cradle, though there is at present no archaeological or paleontological evidence to suggest they existed. As it stood in that time, Titan's Cradle was the proud home to the House of Qyler.
    The princess Io wept at her brother's appearance. The two had been close in youth, and it is regarded by those close to him Morghaen felt an immense amount of guilt, for his  sister's loveless marriage. He remained close at her side, serving as her official protector.  He would remain at his sister's side, until tragedy struck in 36 AGR.
    While he had been out hunting with his companions, the King Ghaeleon had been struck by a tick. He did not think much of it, pulling the parasite from his hand then crushing the foul creature between his fingers. Over the next few weeks, his body deteriorated. Bulbous, yellow sores covered his skin, which leaked a heinous ,black goo. His throat and eyes swelled double their size. The goo next came leaking from those areas. After four days of suffering, King Ghaeleon I Zhae took his last breaths. The greatest conqueror the world had yet seen was dead at fifty-four.
      It is recorded the entire kingdom mourned their beloved king for three months. He that had come from Star Isle, to rule the universe. No one could be certain how this new Ghaeleon would rule. His indulgence ridden lifestyle left most without hope he could walk in his father's steps.
    During the three months of mourning, a great mausoleum was constructed to house Ghaeleon's body. Morghaen and Io had traveled from Titan's Cradle, upon being informed. Morghaen did not openly weep, when the king's funeral was held, though he did feel immense grief. The writer Ananias Muvela, stated the following on the king's funeral(C. 78 AGR):
     "Many hymns were sang, in accordance with the king's wishes. He had stated that his death on earth would simply be the birth of him in another realm. King Ghaeleon had spoken much on the subject of paradise & how the One Above All anticipated his return.
      'His three sons all spoke loving words for their father, as did his four daughters. Even the eldest amongst the king's five grandchildren spoke of how he'd miss king grandfather. Prince Morghaen consoled the grieving women present, leading some to dub him the Bane of Tears. Those women wept not just for the king, but also for what would come. '