The Prince of Ilios

Three

"I cannot stand for this!" Nicola punched the letter with the King's seal into his makeshift desk. Never mind his rain soaked hair or clothes, dripping from the intense downpour this afternoon.

His attendant following him into the canvas tent, did his best to calm him, "My Prince, surely the letter from the King is not that bad."

Nicola's crested ring left an imprint in the stained oak, "Not that bad? He is deciding my whole life for me! I want to conquer all of the provinces. I cannot do that if I am stuck in the capital getting married! Those Island provinces must come under the monarchy." He straightened his military coat, it was a dark grey wool, just like the storm outside with gold trimmings and buttons. He was at an encampment on the boarder of the light province. The capital palace was two days ride. His troops were getting ready for dinner when the mail arrived. A letter was delivered post haste to the Prince, and the messenger stood just inside the tent to await a reply.

"Get married?" Jude took a step forward, his face covered in shock. Nicola handed him the letter.

Jude had been more than an attendant for some time. Nicola now considered the man a mentor and a good friend. After many years of testing, Jude seemed to see some good somewhere inside Nicola and would not give up on him. Throughout all of his younger more wayward years, Nicola saw Jude as more of a father than the King and truly appreciated having him at his side, while he was leading the military.

Jude skimmed over the letter, set it back on the desk and pulled at his gloves to tighten them to his hands. He only fidgeted this way when he was truly irritated.

Nicola raised a brow, "Well?"

"He has arranged a marriage between you and another woman from Ilios, Light Province." Jude gestured for the Prince to sit.

Instead, Nicola paced frantically, "We are so close, Jude. Only the Northern and Southern Isles are left. Those silly water-bearers won't know what hit them. That is, if we strike now." He shook his head at the ridiculous thought of stopping the conquest just to get married. He was so close to being finished, being able to claim the crown, and be done with his father's petty whims.

Jude nodded, "Your Father, the King, has been alive for many great years. You are a credit to him to continue his work, but if it is his wish to have you at the capital, who are you to disagree. He is still the King." His words carefully arranged.

"He started this whole mess." Nicola stared out the window. It was raining outside. He watched the tumult as lightning began to strike the ground in rapid succession.

"My Prince, please calm yourself." A tree was struck in the distance. Jude winced. The Prince's power was destructive and terrifying, "Surely, there is something that you have been meaning to do in the capital to accomplish your goals anyway?"

Nicola thought for a moment. The storm subsided, leaving a calm drizzle in its wake, "I have been meaning to confirm some plans with the King in person. And I also ought to check up on my request for supplies and provisions."

"If you bring back more men, it will rally your current troops." Jude offered.

Nicola nodded, "We leave tomorrow... Do you know a Miss Minerva Salvtoire?"

"She is the daughter of Sir and Lady Salvtoire. They are in court. The King is certain that Sir Salvtoire can get him the support of the Malmur Minister. A fine political marriage within the light province." Jude took his time to know all of the Ministers of the different provinces. The metal province, Malmur, was a particular thorn in the King's side right now. They could not afford to lose ground. The King's power was waning and he was often in his room with sickness, not that it was known to the public. He had been making preparations to crown Nicola for three years. For three years, Nicola had been in denial and avoiding anything to do with it. The first year he spent partying, or as he liked to call it "building relations" in the subjugated provinces. For the last two years, Nicola had been earning his rank in the military, convinced that if he claimed the crown, he could finally be in control of his own life. He had climbed his way up the ladder from the lowest rank of foot soldier to the highest. He had fought and conquered four provinces in that time. He was considered the most powerful military mind in all of the provinces, and was unwilling to stop until all of them carried the Ilios inlay on their flagstone.

The King had finally had enough of Nicola and was ready to end this game of cat and mouse with his son.

Nicola looked at the letter one last time. His eyes narrowed at a line, just under the seal that he hadn't seen before, "Jude, get my horse, I am riding back to the capital tonight."

Jude left immediately as Nicola crumpled the letter in his fist. He glared up at the messenger, "You will be lucky if you can make it back before me!"

The messenger bowed as the Prince left the tent first, fuming. His curiosity got the better of him. Hat still in hand, the young man stepped over to the Prince's desk, and discreetly picked up the letter.

The last line read as follows:

Nadia and Noelle have become quite the light-bearers while you are away. It seems that Vatra's Chairman has a son who is accomplished in his fire-bearing. I think he would be an exceptional addition to our family.