The Warlord's Prince

Chapter One

The small kingdom of Dalfon was a place of humble prosperity settled at the edge of the vast Westward Forest and the lazy Thedri River. Though not rich in coin, Her people never went hungry as resources remained steady from healthy amounts of rain and wide open fields fit for farming and livestock. Unfortunately the trade routes to the rich Northern Kingdoms were arduous with no safe path through the forest, and trade with the southern war tribes was an impossibility due to their violence. Thus, Dalfon remained ever stagnant as a healthy, yet poor, kingdom.

Though none these facts had been of issue until King Ronald VI, who claimed he would "see Dalfon rise to greater glory" before his days were done, and it was because of that very dream that Prince Shane sat with a hollow smile across the polished oak-wood table, set in fine white cloth and fake silver utensils, from Princess Dhani. She was the third daughter of King Harven, from the Kingdom of Something...he couldn't be bothered tto recall, honestly. He had more interest in the contents of his meal, and the Princess seemed to be of equal thought.

Their private banquet hall felt too large despite being so small, with high vaulted ceilings and stone walls draped in the colors of Dalfon, and on their table were complex dishes only made when attempting to impress guests. Honestly, Shane preferred their regular meals, they had more flavor. Without thinking, he voiced as much, "You know, our cook makes a wonderful stew... When served over a bed of rice, I think it would be much preferable to this." He used his fork to point out the thinly sliced fillets decorating the cold rice noodles and vegetables.

The woman across from him lifted a finely manicured brow. By every standard she was aesthetically pleasing, with a lovely olive-toned face and full lips painted a vivid red, her hair a pitch black that hung in ringlets past her shoulders. "But stew is a commoner's food," she said, her voice half scoffing. Shane was about to deflate when her painted lips curled in a smile and her voice lowered, "Do you think we could have some? I haven't had a real meal in weeks."

Shane smiled, brightening at the idea, "Follow my lead." He stood from the finely draped table and held out his hand, announcing loudly for the servants at the door to hear, "Come, My Lady, let's walk the gardens. I would show you a truly lovely spot." She settled a slim, manicured hand in his own and stood with him, standing at Shane's side and looping her arm around his as they made their way towards one of the doors leading onto the balcony.

Once outside in the warm afternoon air, Shane took them down the stone steps leading to the garden below, a pleasant space overlooking the river behind the palace, framed in blooming flowers and trees. A hard right had them following the modest palace walls where he knocked on a wooden door tucked away beneath the stairs.

It opened shortly after to a short man with all round features and a red face. He donned simple clothes and what was once a white apron, now stained in various colors from years of use. He smiled wide at the sight of the pair outside of his door, "Ah, Shane! And our dear guest..." His features fell a moment later, "Was your meal not satisfactory?"

Shane lifted his hand in a placating manner, "It was delicious for what it was," he assured, "But I was bragging to the lovely Dhani here about your stew! She said she must try some."

The cook looked the woman over and frowned, "My girl, you're so skinny!" he exclaimed, "Come in, I have stew and bread freshly baked. You get an extra helping. Good man, Shane, to recognize a woman in need of real food!"

Dhani stepped inside without being led, laughing softly, "Oh my! Well, it certainly smells amazing."

The cook gestured towards the island in the middle of his kitchen, overlooking the wood-burning stoves and oven. The space was dark and warm, with a low ceiling and cooking utensils and spices were strewn about every available surface. There was a kitchen boy elbow-deep in the washbasin, scrubbing at a never ending pile of dishes that constantly built up throughout the day. Shane felt at home in the room, having spent so many days watching people coming and going as he learned the inner workings of the palace.