The Forlorn Phenomenon

Episode I: First Wind

The drawbridge closed with a creak and a click. The smell of rotting wood and rusting chains hung in the wind.

Lord Alek Hollen of Elevia dropped from his horse and his boots met with the ground of his kingdom for the first time in a year.

"Father!" Edvin Hollen, the prince of Elevia took a knee and forced his gaze to the ground. "You have returned."

"And not a moment later than I said I would." Alek removed his helmet. His hair grew down to his shoulders and was now caught by the wind.

He playfully shoved his son. "Now stand and embrace your ruler." The two laughed as they shared a brief embrace.

"Tell me about your trip.'" Edvin brushed his rough dark hair away from his eyes.

"There's time for that later. First, how is the city? Are my people happy? Alek glanced around the entrance to the kingdom. The large fountain of Elevia's first King and Edvin's great grandfather stood tall.

A curved street sat behind the massive structure and bled into the heart of the city. "It looks just as magnificent as when I left. I appreciate you not spreading the date of my arrival by the way."

"You always did appreciate a good surprise, father." Edvin avoided eye contact. "I'm afraid it's not all good news though."

"It never is". Alek grasped his horse's lead and guided it toward the city. "Let's walk and you can spoil this day with your foul news." He cracked a faint smile.

Edvin followed his father into the city. They turned the corner past the fountain and the long strip of stone structures revealed itself. The city itself was built on either side of the street that split them. The buildings and houses of Elevia were extravagant and sturdy. The Kingdom was known for its success and wealth.

On this day, groups of homeless beggars scattered the sides of streets. Some drank from puddles in the dirt, and others sat with outstretched hands and awaited coin from the passerby.

"What is all of this?" Alek dropped his grip on the lead. "What happened while I was gone?"

Edvin let his father's concerned glare glance off his own. "It's the North. They have ceased any trade with us without any warning or explanation."

"When did this happen?"

"A few weeks after you left. More than a third of our kingdom sold goods across the valley. Without anyone to sell to, we couldn't maintain their salaries."

"Where's Irid?" Alek mounted his steed.

"Father, there's more I need to tell you."

"Not now Edvin." Alek tightened the reigns to his horse and took off.

When Edvin finally reached the keep, he could hear the trails of his father speaking to Irid.

Irid was his father's second in command and was appointed in charge of the kingdom while his father was gone. He was a man of the people and all of the citizens were happy to have him lead them during the absence, but now Edvin had his suspicions.

Edvin approached the King's quarters and stepped through the large wooden door that was already open.

"Who did you send to negotiate?" Alek stood across from Irid in the large bedroom where the king stayed at night. A plentiful bed sat against one wall, while a stone bath was at the opposite side.

Irid stuttered. "We didn't have to send anyone. Someone from their kingdom visited us shortly after it happened."

"Did they explain any of this madness?" Alek began to pace, the clanking of his armor echoed slightly.

"Supposedly they are shifting motives from the South to newer countries further Northeast."

"What do you mean by supposedly?" Alek's tone remained level. It was quite rare for anyone to hear his voice raised. Part of what made him a great leader was his level head, especially in desperate times.

"They do not believe we are supplying them with enough resources anymore."

"Did you not negotiate, or at the very least question the reasoning?"

"They were very firm." Irid stood completely still aside from his index finger, which tapped rapidly against his thigh.

"And what about our people, Irid? How did you let so many lose homes?"

"There was nothing I could do my Lord. We have tried negotiating with every surrounding kingdom and nothing has come of it."

Alek shook his head. "We surely have enough funds to keep anyone from sleeping in the streets until we find another solution."

"My Lord, not many of the people have turned homeless." Irid fiddled with the sword on his hip. "It's really only the lower peasants."

"I do not care who, Irid. What about the funds?"

"We had to use them, my Lord."

"Use them how?" Alek clenched and opened his fist, a sign that anger was infiltrating him. Edvin learned of that tell when he was a boy and was trying to avoid beatings.

Irid pursed his lips. "For investments, my Lord."

"Irid, you didn't."

"I had to think quickly my Lord. There were no other options, I had to reach out to the Order. Not to mention you not being here to guide me." It was evident that Irid regretted what he spoke as soon as he spoke it.

"You know that I was gone to find my brother. The same brother that saved you and me so many years ago. Need I remind you of the story?"

"No my Lord." Irid half bowed.

"What story?" Edvin made himself known for the first time.

Alek ignored his son. "Irid, I'll deal with you later. If you have any suggestions on how to get our money back from those cultists, I'm free to listen anytime." He motioned for Irid to leave.

"Father, what do mean your brother saved you and Irid?"

Alek freed himself from his armor and splashed his face using a nearby bowl of water. "This isn't how I wanted you to find out."

"That you and Irid are brothers?"

Alek leaned against the wall and nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me, father?"

"My past is one that I prefer to forget, my brothers are the only good things to come from it."

"Did you find him? Your brother?"

"Not exactly."

"What does that mean?"

A slight breeze drifted from a nearby window, and extinguished the only candle in the room. "This is not how imagined my day of return."