The Sworn Crown Of Allegiance

Prologue Corporal of Swords

It snowed the day his father had thrown him out. That winter was when Elio told him he was meant to leave in three weeks to join the King's Guard. That meant he would relinquish his title as heir, leaving it to his unborn kin. Elio knew that relinquishing his title would be difficult - not only would it mean giving up his fortune and prestige, but it would also mean disappointing his father and letting down the people who depended on him. Despite this, Elio couldn't shake off his desire for a life free from the expectations and obligations that came with his title.

When Elio finally mustered up the courage to speak to his father about his decision, the man was furious and refused to entertain the idea that all the years of instruction and training spent maintaining the dukedom were in vain; his father cursed, telling him to leave their manner immediately. Elio had barely even taken a step before being dragged through the halls he grew up in. The place was light and elegant, the walls and ceilings adorned with great rosettes, vines, and palmettes. He felt the presence of people's eyes; they had seen his father dragging him away as so many maids, knights, and servants alike had been watching. Naturally, none had assisted; how else could they? There was dead silence as the poor boy froze upon hearing his mother scream after seeing the Duke and his son fighting that way. He could just make out her pleas and the faint sound of a door, but the obvious terror on his mother's face struck him.

Then he fell. The wind swirled around him and the world went black, violently crashing down the front stairs of the building. His teeth went through his top lip as he banged his temple on what appeared to be a large grey stone, with his shoulder striking the last step. He was unaware of the pain in his head, that is until he saw the blood-covered ice stone freezing over. Elio didn't know how long it had been; he just stared as the freshly fallen snow and red liquid pooled over the rock. When he finally realized what was happening, he stood up and flinched at the sharp pain of the ice against his bear palms, which then caused his torn pants to rip open at the knees. A wave of alertness washed over him when he looked up. The grey and white in the sky caused by the wind pushed stray snowflakes to crash into his face. While observing the crystal-like figures he had realized during the fall, he slid across the ice landing near the garden's entrance. The frozen leaves left only lonely branches and dirt. Not lifting his gaze, he continued to stare at the bushes, or at least what was left of them, while he stood there in the storm.