Aetherian(Part 1): A War Begins

Roderick

 When Prince Roderick had received word that Ser Darien and Lord Damien had been captured by Edward Ingram, he was pacing around his solar when Belle found him. She had heard of his half-brothers' capture, too, and feared for their lives when they were suspected of the murder of Lord Dedric Ingram.

"How many times are you going to read one report?" she asked, sitting in an armchair.

"Until my brothers return, probably," Roderick answered. "How could Lord Edward do this? He shouldn't be suspecting them, he should be suspecting the Lysanders. I mean, it's no coincidence that they started threatening your family when your father started investigating, is it? What am I saying, they attack everyone that spits on them."

"Roderick, Darien, and Damien are two of the most talented warriors in this entire country," said Belle. "If they could be captured, they must not have had a chance against the Ingrams."

"What's worse is that in the past few days, my uncle has summoned his army and marched on the Swamplands. He means to lay siege to Riverford," Roderick added.

"That's my mother's homeland," said Belle.

"I know," said Roderick. "Why is my father not telling Lord Semil to back off?"

"Could it be that the Lysanders are the Queen's family?" Belle suggested.

"I can't believe this," Roderick whispered. "He's not a good King, Belle."

"He's your father," Belle reminded.

"I know, but he's doing nothing while a war is starting in his own country," said Roderick. "I don't know what's happened to him." Suddenly, there was a knock on Roderick's door.

"Come in," he called. The Dragon Guard Knight, Ser Colton came through the door.

"Prince Roderick," he said. "It's your father."

"What's happened?" Roderick asked. "Is he alright?"

"No, he's contracted a fatal sickness," Colton answered. Belle and Roderick rushed to King Robar's solar. The King was lying on his bed, with Princess Andrella's arms around him, and Prince Vorian holding his hand. Queen Alicent was sitting in a chair beside his bed, and Commander Vestarr sat next to her, holding a wooden cane.

"What happened?" Roderick asked.

"They seem to think I was poisoned," said King Robar.

"You were poisoned," Vestarr corrected.

"It doesn't matter," said the King. "I'm going to meet the gods, now."

"Don't say that," Andrella sobbed.

"Roderick," Robar wheezed. "I'd like to speak with you alone."

"Robar," Queen Alicent wept.

"Ally," said the King. "Please." Everyone in the solar reluctantly left, but Prince Roderick lingered behind, sitting in a chair at his father's side. A tear left Roderick's eye as he gripped the King's hand with both of his.

"Who do you think it was?" he asked.

"The entire time I've been King, all I've done is gain more enemies, Roderick," King Robar answered. "It could have been anyone. Why?"

"So I can find them and kill them," Roderick snapped.

"Don't," the King begged. "Just listen." Roderick leaned in closer to his father.

"You were right," King Robar said.

"About what?"

"Valeria Karvine," the King answered. "I've been so concerned with her that I wasn't paying attention to my own country. Darien and Damien getting captured, and the Lysander army marching to Riverford. It's all going to hell."

"You tried your best, at least," said Roderick, trying to give him one last moment of comfort.

"Vorian is going to be King, Roderick," Robar added. "He's young and untrained in the ways of war. He needs your guidance."

"My guidance?" asked Roderick. "But I have no more experience than him."

"You and Lord Karlon smashed the Redwald army in the Bronze Mountains," the King reminded. "You, Commander Vestarr, and everyone else need to teach your brother to defend Aetherian from the ones who would make her theirs."

"Now, you're talking about Valeria Karvine," said Roderick.

"Now, you're reading my mind," said Robar, and they both chuckled. "She's coming, Roderick, and if she hurries, she'll be here within weeks. No one knows her intentions, but we know that she means to kill the one who calls themselves King, and that's your brother, now." King Robar tightened his grip on his son's hands, and his last words were "I love you all."