Setting
The Prince tower was a desolate place, impregnated with the despair of the various brother of the king as they were unjustly imprisoned on ground of being a threat to their much older brother's throne. The cells containing the prince were well furnished in earthly pleasures and golden surface but were inadequate to dampen the sweet call of freedom. That freedom laid beyond the window of each cell, calling the occupants with it's sweet call every day and whispering promise of grandeur every night. It was on the dawn of such a day that everything changed for those poor princes.
The first ray of dawn peeked through the sole narrow window in Roland's golden cell when he was awakened by guards. Those guard approached the barred door and unlocked it, swiftly entering only to bow deeply to the young man.
“First Prince Roland, we are honoured to announce your royal self that you are free of this cell. Your brother the King is dead by the end of the filthy Goulashians, leaving the throne empty. We beseech you to fill it once more with your glorious self but urge you to be careful of your brothers as they hold similar ambitions for the throne. The path will be arduous until your crowning, as we need one hundred days to prepare for this glorious day. Please accept this circlet as a proof of your royal lineage.”
As the first guard said this last sentence, another presented the prince with an elegant circlet carved by the Windsor's Family Crest. It was truly a masterful piece of jewelry. As the young man examined his new circlet, the first guard continued his speech.
“Please also accept this hooded cloak until you are properly announced in two days. You have access to the entirety of the castle but we urge you to stay withing it's borders until then, unless you wear that cloak. I also suggest that you visit the library to aquaint yourself with the going on of the world.”
As the prince was presented with an heavy cloak, the guard intoned something the prince have always dreamed of hearing.
“What do you want to do this morning, your Highness?”
This bed, it's so cold. The numbness filled his body like some sort of disease, so long had he lived in this prison cell. His bed was large and full of expensive textiles, his walls plated with gold, luxury everywhere he looked. But it was still a prison. This bed, it's... He lay there, staring at the barred window, the first rays of light began to pierce through the window and into his cell. Then he heard footsteps, strange, who would visit him? He was well supplied with food, so who would venture into the tower to meet with him? He sat himself up on the bed and gazed at the cell door. He watched as the guards entered, showing their respects by bowing before him, he simply stared at them with a bored look on his face.
you are free of this cell
Your brother the King is dead
His eyes widened. He was free at last, and his bastard brother was dead. But, something flashed into his mind, What of the kingdom? Who shall become the next king? It was true that Roland had other siblings, would they race against him for the throne? Nay, he could not allow it, among all of them he was most fit for kingship, he would not allow anyone else to keep him from the throne. It was his, and his alone. It felt all so surreal, he took the circlet and donned it with pride. He then took the cloak and draped it over his back, he didn't plan on leaving to enter the city just yet, he needed to refresh his memory of the Goulashians, and more specifically how politics in Alder worked. A wide smile appeared on his face. "Surely we must have a library in the palace, take me there." He would learn of the Goulash kingdom. It has been so long since he was free, he had completely forgotten how politics, religion and the military worked in Alder. Was there a councill? Would they be a threat? Who were the nobles and which internal factions had influence in Alder? He would attempt to learn all of it, afterall he couldn't bask in his newfound freedom and expect to claim the throne, no, his days from now on would be even more taxing. He would take note not to push himself for at least the first few days, living in the cell had made him weak, he would most definatly need more rest than usual.
>Go to the royal library, if there is no royal library then wear the cloak and visit a public one. Learn about the Goulash kingdom, Alder nobles and influencial factions, political systems etc.
Dawn was peeking through Aleph's barred window as guard quite suddenly intruded upon his quiet world. Bowing, they greeted him with a slight reverence born for the deeds of his late grandfather.
“Your Highness!” They said in unison, straightening from their bows to salute. After a moment, the guard who seemed to be the leader of the group took it upon himself to explain what in hell was going on.
“Prince Aleph, your brother King Ferdinand have passed away in the war against the filthy Goulashians, leaving the throne empty for the taking and letting you free. We came here as soon as we could to warn you against your brother, as they will surely try to assassinate you to secure their claim to the throne. Be careful, and take this circlet as a proof of your royal status!” Said the man, gesturing to another guard holding a velvet cushion holding a magnificent circled holding the royal crest on it's bejewelled centre.
As Aleph accepted the circlet and tried to come to term to the various life changing facts being thrown his way, he was also presented with a hooded cloak. 'To leave your identity a mystery if you so wish' said the guard that handed him the garment.
“What do you wish do do this morning, Your Highness?” Said the first guard with admiration and worry in his dark eyes.
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