Tale of the two Thrones

CHAPTER THREE

            Prince Alford returned to Eldrador, his heart still aglow with the warmth of his encounter with King Thai. He dismounted his horse and handed the reins to a waiting groom, his mind replaying the events of the day. As he entered the palace, he was greeted by the familiar sight of bustling servants and guards. He nodded to them in passing, his eyes fixed on the stairs leading to his chambers. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his responsibilities slowly lifting from his shoulders. He had accomplished what he set out to do, and the future looked brighter than ever. With a sense of relief, he ascended the stairs, his footsteps echoing off the stone walls. He entered his chambers, the door closing softly behind him. He took a moment to rest, his eyes closing in exhaustion. But his mind remained active, replaying the events of the day, and thinking about the meeting with his father that evening. After a short while, he rose from the bed, his body refreshed and his mind clear. He made his way to the throne room, where his father, the king, awaited him. The doors opened, and Prince Alford entered the throne room. He was met with the familiar sight of his father, King Sham, seated on the throne. But today, he was not alone. Two of his brothers, Prince Theo and Prince Axal, stood on either side of the throne, their eyes fixed on Alford with varying degrees of interest and amusement. Alford bowed deeply, his head lowered in respect. "Father, brothers," he said, his voice clear and strong. King Sham's face softened, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Come, son, come. Tell us about your stay in Nefaria. We've heard rumors of a surrender, but we want to hear it from your own lips." Alford straightened, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Nefaria is a beautiful kingdom, Father. The people are kind and welcoming, and their king... King Thai is a wise and just ruler. He has a heart of gold." Prince Axal snorted, his eyes rolling in mock disbelief. "Oh wow, brother! Did they use some sort of sorcery on you? You're speaking of them as if they're some magical beings!" Alford smiled, his expression unperturbed. "No sorcery, brother. Just the truth. Nefaria is a wonderful place, and its people have much to teach us."
Prince Theo chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I think Axal has a point, Alford. You're not exactly known for your... diplomacy. What's gotten into you?" Alford's smile never wavered. "Maybe I've just seen the light, brothers. Maybe I've realized that there's more to life than conquest and victory." King Sham's eyes narrowed, his expression thoughtful. "Enough, boys. Let Alford finish his tale. I want to hear more about this... surrender." Alford continued, his voice filled with conviction. "I know it's hard to believe, Father, brothers. I too was skeptical at first. But King Thai's kindness and wisdom are genuine. He is a true leader, and his people love him for it. I've seen it with my own eyes, the way he cares for his people, the way he listens to their problems and solves them with a fair and just hand." Prince Axal raised an eyebrow, his expression still doubtful. "And what of their military strength? I'm sure they didn't surrender without a fight." Alford smiled, his eyes shining with excitement. "Ah, but that's the best part, brother! King Thai saw the futility of resistance and chose to spare his people the bloodshed. He is a true statesman, and his wisdom has earned him a place in my highest esteem." King Sham leaned forward, his eyes fixed intently on Alford. "And what of their resources? What do they bring to the table?" Alford's smile grew wider. "Ah, Father, that's the crowning jewel! Nefaria is rich in resources, riches that will benefit our kingdom greatly. Their lands are fertile, their mines are deep, and their trade routes are extensive. By joining forces, we will become unstoppable!"
Prince Theo whistled, his eyes wide with excitement. "By the gods, Alford, you've done it again! You've brought us a prize worth fighting for!" King Sham nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face. King Sham's smile grew wider. "Well done, son. Well done. It seems we have a new conquest, and a valuable one at that. Nefaria will make a great addition to our kingdom." Prince Axal grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Yes, and with their resources, we'll be unstoppable! We'll be the greatest empire the world has ever known!" King Sham continued, his expression thoughtful, "Very well, Alford. If King Thai is as wise and just as you say, I'm willing to give him a place in our court. He can serve as a advisor, and we can benefit from his counsel."
Alford's face lit up with a smile. "Thank you, Father! I knew you would see the value in this. King Thai will be a great asset to our court, and I'm sure he will be honored to serve alongside you." Prince Axal snorted, his eyes rolling in disbelief. "An advisor? You mean a puppet, don't you, Father? Someone to rubber-stamp our decisions and make us look good?" King Sham's expression turned stern. "Enough, Axal. We will give King Thai the respect he deserves. He has surrendered to us, and we will treat him with the dignity and honor he deserves." Alford nodded, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Father. I promise you, King Thai will prove himself worthy of your trust." With a spring in his step and a sense of accomplishment in his heart, Prince Alford left the throne room, feeling proud of himself for successfully negotiating a place for King Thai in their court. He went about his normal day, attending to his duties and responsibilities with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm. As he walked through the palace corridors, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future. He knew that with King Thai by their side, their kingdom would flourish and prosper, and he was eager to see the positive changes that would come. With a smile still on his face, Alford continued on his way, ready to tackle whatever tasks lay ahead, knowing that he had made a real difference in the fate of their kingdom.