THE REIGN OF WOMEN

S1 EP9: Siege of Fallen City

502 AD, Nightfall, Eternos

  Like all mornings, Aleksander would wake up the Prince early in the day. Late wake-up calls decreased at age ten and every year, they became earlier.

It was a difficult transition, but one he was willing to do to prove himself to his father,
"A Messenger has arrived for you."

His sleep was not all he had to sacrifice, decreasing his time spent with his Sister and Mother, he would go on to spend most days with the Imperial Council. "The Blackbeards have taken the Castle."

And from having solely imperial council meetings, along, came physical training, political training, school, learning how to read and write, and much more. "Ser Bellamy Madden seeks protection for his family."

"You see what happens when you do not act in time," Remus says. Having ignored the opportunity for peace, the Blackbeards have escalated to the point of no return.

Now, it was far too late to seek protection and peace. All that the Blackbeards have committed could not be forgotten or forgiven, and would only result in one thing; death.
"Have my Kaftan ready, I sense a long day ahead."

With a full platter, Sapphira curtsied to the Prince and set it on his Tea table. "Your Royal Highness,"

"I have brought your meal," she says.

"Set it aside, I have no time to eat this morning." Uninterested and unbothered the Prince touches up his Kaftan, readying himself for the day.

Visibly noticing the stress on his face, Sapphira asks, "What has happened?"

"The Blackbeards have taken House Madden. They have caused riots all over and destabilized the Lorddom." The news of the taking of the city was not new information, but it seemed the castle was well protected, until now.

Destabilizing the Lorddom was problematic and hard to resolve. The People of the City no longer trusted their Lord destabilizing whatever balance they had. "Does that mean we are at war?"

War was bound to happen. Allowing false believers to take what is rightfully not theirs would only cause trouble, and have the people believe they could break the law and live without consequences. They would be used as an example. "Yes,"

"I will have the borders closed as long as we can keep them out of Eternos, we will protect our people." Closing the borders would allow the people to feel safe in their homes, but along came great difficulties.

In the closing of borders, trading would no longer be possible...meaning the people would eventually run out of food, and the Imperial treasury would lose millions.

The questions still stood. How long would this War take? How many people would die? And could the balance be restored?

In no long, Prince Remus visited the Imperial Council for a meeting. He expected he could change the minds of others and force them to close the Borders to protect the People of the City.

Outside the Imperial Council stood, his brother, Prince Rollo. "Rollo—"

"Remus,"

"What is he doing here?" he asked.

"I am sitting in on a meeting." This revelation shook the prince. Why would the second-born son sit in on an Imperial Meeting?

"Since when?" Ever before had Prince Rollo been allowed to sit in, so what had changed the mind of the King?

"Since I decided to allow it. I want my sons strong and pure." His fear of losing his Father's trust became greater.

Since he was a child, all he had done, all the bad and all the good, was for his Father. He was required to prove himself to be worthy of the Throne and lead the greatest Country when the time came.