The Fallen Prince

One Day in the Open Month

"Lord Executioner," mused the Sovereign, "I remember my son, Elias, at a young age. All my focus was fixed on ruling the kingdom and I had no interest in the affairs of my sons. According to tradition, a Sovereign calls for his sons every 75 years. He has no need to call for them in between that period of time because of the magical bond."
7th Lord Eron took a sip of his tea as he sat at table with the Sovereign in the royal parlor. "It was the 3rd Prince who taught you to care for your sons."
"Yes. The second time I saw him was when he was a young boy (the first time I saw him was when he was born, to create the magical bond, but that does not count). The throne-room was open on its month, or the Open Month, as it is called, and my son was playing around in the royal palace, having escaped from his caretakers. By chance he stumbled upon the entrance to the throne-room and he entered in. I did not sense him, for his magical power had not awakened yet, nor did I notice him because I was reading a book. I looked up and saw a protrusion in the curtain and was curious, so I laid my book on a nearby table, arose, and lifted the curtain up."
Eron nodded, having heard the story once before.
•••••
"Peek-a-boo!" shouted little Elias, as soon as the curtain was lifted. He laughed and clung to his father, the Sovereign. "Hello, Father!"
Elias' mop of messy auburn hair fell about his head, but did not dip below his eyebrows, framing his smiling face that beamed with the light of the sun. He knew this man was his father, having heard of him and seen him a few times before. Kadriel's stony gaze fell upon the Prince,  whose tiny, chubby hand clung onto one of his long, slender fingers. He withdrew his hand, and returned to his throne to resume his reading.
Elias did not know such behaviour, for he had received only love during his little life, and tottered clumsily after his father, who paid him no heed. He clambered up the side of the throne, the intricate carving of which providing him the footing, and peered into the book his father was reading.
"A mountain!" the child cried in delight, looking at a picture.
"Sovereign, do forgive this disturbance!" It was Eron, kneeling so low in front of the throne, his nose almost touching the ground.
Elias, who received a little fright, lost his foothold on the throne and fell forward into Kadriel's lap. An uneasy silence filled the room.
"3rd Prince! It is a disrespect to your forefathers to climb on the throne, and a disrespect to your father to come here uncalled for," scolded Eron.
Elias, still sitting on the throne, stuck his tongue out defiantly at the 7th Lord. To his father, he said, "It is my naptime soon, Father, may I come back tomorrow?"
"3rd Prince! You must have a valid issue to bring to the Sovereign in the Open Month!"
Kadriel said nothing as he scooped Elias from his lap and held him to Eron as he came forward to collect him.
"Forgive me, Sovereign, and your son," apologized the 7th Lord.
"Do not worry, he is just a child," replied Kadriel. "And you have done no wrong, but see to it Elias is taken care or properly."
It was the first time Elias heard his father speak. His face glowed with admiration and happiness, and as he was carried out of the throne-room, he smiled and waved at Kadriel, who lifted a finger in acknowledgment.
"3rd Prince, reflect on your actions!" chided Lord Eron, placing little Elias on a stool and kneeling down to face him.
"I am bored, Lord Eron. I have finished my daily duties and studies, and there is no one to play with! Raefir and Darwin are with their teachers, and you do not know many games for us to play. If I play 'Name 2000 Living Things' one more time my head will ache with boredom because I beat you all the time!"
"Th-That's not fair! You studied Zoology and Botany more than me. I have only learned politics, magical studies, martial arts, and combat!"
Elias stood in front of Lord Eron, straightened his posture, and locked eyes with him. "A former Sovereign, Serdin Knolt, said, 'An excuse is the card of the fool.' You must make no excuse. This is a rule of the nobles."
Eron repressed a grin and took Elias' little hand. After a few seconds, he spoke, "I am very sorry, Your Highness, but your father is the Sovereign of this land and he must help solve its issues."
"After the Open Month, the throne-room will be closed," whined Elias despondently. "I will have to wait for him to call for me or make an appointment, which I cannot do unless I am of age."
"3rd Prince, the best you can do is grow and be a well-behaved prince to put your father's mind at ease. I shall take my leave, as I have a matter to attend to." Eron stood up, bowed, and retired from the room quietly.
Elias was a prince! He could go almost anywhere in Faervalon he wished with many attendants at his call, and do anything his little heart desired within the bounds of reason and decency. Why, of all things to do, would he want to see his Sovereign father, who displayed no interest in him at all? Eron knew the importance of a father figure, and Elias had many relatives, uncles on his mother's side, namely, that incessantly contested for that role, pampering him royally, showering him with gifts that every boy Elias' age could possible wish for, and paying him the attention, love, and care he needed. The mind of the 3rd Prince baffled Lord Eron's own as he rubbed his temples, trying to devise a solution to appease the restless child. From experience he knew that it was never easy, for he had also been appointed to the care of the other two Princes when they were little boys around Elias' age.
The next day, the fleet-footed, crafty little boy escaped his caretakers once again and made his way to the throne-room.
"Hello, Papa!" he greeted merrily, approaching Kadriel.
For the first time, Kadriel looked upon his son and felt something warm in his heart. The only other warmth was one he felt in the company of his wife.
"Elias, my son," he said firmly. "Do you not know how to greet the Sovereign?"
The child thought for a few seconds, and knelt just as the 7th Lord had done.
"Sovereign," he greeted with a bow.
"No, I am not your Sovereign, I am your Papa, Elias. Try again." Kadriel stifled a laugh at the seriousness of his son.
Elias bowed again. "Hello, Papa."
"Arise, Elias."
Elias stood up and immediately ran to Kadriel, and sat on his lap.
Just then, Lord Eron entered the room and bowed. Upon seeing the 3rd Prince, Eron trembled in fear.
"Please forgive me, Sovereign, I am not paying proper attention to his care."
Kadriel ignored him and said, "Whenever Elias is done with his studies and duties, he shall visit me if he wishes."
Eron was about to protest that it was against tradition, but stopped himself as he saw Kadriel smile as he opened a colourful picture book to show Elias. The smile of a Sovereign  was so rare that one would be most blessed to see it in his lifetime.
"What about the other Princes, Sovereign?" asked Eron.
"Yes, Papa, call my brothers. They shall come and play as well."
"Eron, tell Raefir and Darwen that I shall call for them often." Kadriel laughed at Elias' boldness.
And from that day on, the Princes visited the throne-room as oft as they would, and would happily spend time with the Sovereign. When Luca was born, their joy was increased greatly. It was noted that since the day Elias entered the throne-room, the corner's of Rishaak's mouth turned slightly upwards into a little smile.
•••••
"How long has it been since Prince Elias first left Faervalon to journey through the earth?" asked Eron.
"89 years. We communicated through our connection. I am grieved that it is severed."
•••••
One year later...
The ceremony to welcome the new 2nd and 6th Lords took place. Niyus was the new 2nd Lord, and Yervin was the new 6th Lord, and they were accepted with respect and appreciation.
Unfortunately, there was no news of the missing Prince. The traces of his power was very difficult to track, however, they had narrowed the location down, although it was very vast. Lords Feion and Ithenai returned to the mortal realm once again to continue their search.