Coming of Age Part 2 - The Regents Plan.

The castle that doubled as the royal palace at the heart of Falbrein was an impressive building. High walls protected a complex building of towers and high ceilings made from grey and black stones. Rumour had it that the palace used to be decorated with gold back before the Great War as well but that eventually got ripped down. Officially to show humbleness in front of Alxer but everyone with a brain agreed that the gold was used in order to attract the foreign experts that now helped to rebuild the economy.

“I have never been so close to the palace before.” Reiline said as she took in the sight. “I had no time after coming from the farm of my parents.” “Same.” Lacos said as they started to slowly catch up to Stef, who was waiting in front of a crowd. At the heart of the crows stood Saline, already surrounded by nobles of all kind. “No, Lord Belarutz, I can’t tell you right now. I am sure that a land noble such as yourself is patient enough to wait with the rest of these esteemed ladies and lords.” Saline said with a calm, strong smile. Her eyes darted over to Lacos. “Ah, my servants have arrived. If you will excuse me.” She said with a slight bow of her head and the crowd dissipated, they knew they could ask more questions inside. They revealed Sarine wearing a dress as crimson as her hair. Besides that and the similarly red eyeliner she was looking as usual.

“I already wondered what took you so long.” Sarine said a bit annoyed, a glimmer of anxiety showing through now that she was alone with people she knew. “You are Reiline then?” “Yes, Princess.” The maid humbly said and bowed. “It is an honour to visit the ball with you.” “I don’t know if that is the correct choice of words, I will soon be sieged by people that want me gone after all…. You know about the risks?” “I have recently been informed.” Sarine opened her mouth, closed it again, thought for a bit, and then spoke again. “And you are sure you still want to come.” Reiline raised her head, a small breach of etiquette, smiling. “Nothing could stop me, Princess Sarine.”

Sarine stood a bit taller after that reassurance. “Let’s get inside then.” They walked the remaining distance to the gate which was pulled open for them by two guardsmen. The room they entered was enormous, the ceiling so far up one had to wonder how they painted the symbol of a crown up there. The walls mounted all kinds of trophies, painting, exotic animals, weapons, but many more lighter spots on the paint showed where pieces of art had once been, things that had been sold to cover the expenses of that last years.

The many tables decked with unbelievable amounts of luxurious food and drink quickly turned the attention away from the slightly sorry display. The middle of the hall left empty for a small orchestra that played quiet background music for the moment that would change into something to dance later on. The room was buzzing with activity from the over two houndred nobles who had turned up for this event. Was being the operative word as the noise quickly died down, all eyes resting on Sarine Crowslaw, heiress to the throne who stood in the door.

Tolfin Crowslaw raised from his place across the hall, in the middle of the biggest table of them all. Holding his silver chalice he waited until the doors closed behind the four newcomers before talking. The Regent of Falbrein and brother to the former king, Sarine’s father, was a man in his mid forties. A pure Crowslaw he had the same crimson red hair and blue eyes that his niece had. Although the hair had receded quite a bit already his eyes still glinted wide awake and wise. “Blessed be Alxer, my niece has arrived.” He said. “Everyone, raise your cups with me. For the safe arrival of Sarine. A toast to the princess.” “To the princess!” it echoed through the room and people raised their cups towards Sarine. Seconds later they were put back down on the table and Tolfin continued. “This is the first of three times that we shall raise our cups today. The second one when the sun kisses the horizon and my niece comes of age, as you all know she was born at sun set.”

Lacos watched Sarine’s fingers twitch, the princess barely able to supress the urge to clench her fist. Tolfin let the words simmer in for a moment as he put down his own chalice and raised his arms.

“Thirdly we will drink when my niece proclaims her decision regarding her claim to throne.” Tolfin said. “Which will also be when this fest of ours ends. For now though let the ball commence.” He clapped his hand together and people picked up their conversations again, others searched for new ones and a few walked towards Sarine.

“We will be other there, Princess.” Lacos whispered and pointed at a table with fresh vegetables. It was a relatively secluded and left alone area in front of the eastern wall. Sarine just nodded and walked towards the nobles that were coming to greet her. “Stef are you joining us?” Lacos asked in an innocent voice. “You would need a Dragon for that to happen.” “Technically, I am.” Stef shook his head and walked away.

“Just us two then.” Lacos said, “Better that way.” Reiline mumbled and they walked over to the relatively secluded area. They sat down on their own, back to the wall and Sarine in sight. Reiline quickly started to load the food in front of her on her plate and Lacos quickly did the same. Between bites Reiline said, “That was pretty rude of her Uncle.” “Indeed it was.”

They were talking about the mention of the time of Sarine’s birth. It was a long time rumour within the people of Falbrein that it was a sign of Alxer that Sarine was born at the exact time when the world changes into darkness. That, should she ever sit on the throne, she would bring a second time of darkness.

“Why did he do it? Politicians never do anything without reason.” Reiline carefully looked around before whispering, “Slimy creatures.” Lacos laughed and choked a bit on the food he was chewing on. A servant quickly brought water and he cleaned his throat. “Was it that funny?” “Just reminded me of a saying we had at the academy. To answer your question though I think he did it to shake her up. Raise her doubts a bit, you noticed how he postponed her stance towards the crown until the very end of the festivities?”

Reiline nodded, “I was wondering about that, why forcefully invite her and then push it as far back as possible.” Lacos pointed at the politicians. “The three that arrived to talk to Sarine first are Lord Tatzeh, Lady Meltu and Lady Hazurg. They are three of Tolfins biggest supporters.” “What does that have to do with anything?” “Is it not wonderful that exactly these three arrived first?” Reiline wrinkled her eyebrows, “Lacos, you remember when I said I wasn’t dumb? I take it back okay, so just tell me.” Lacos giggled, “Nope. You will have to figure it out for yourself. Here is another hint: Tolfin has yet to even stand up again.”

Reiline pressed her lips together and stared at Lacos angrily. “Fine.” They ate for a bit in silence. Lacos relishing the good food as Reiline kept watching intensely. “You can’t see it.” Lacos finally gave her another hint. “Don’t think about the now, think about the third toast. Try to think from Tolfin’s perspective.”

That did barely help her so Lacos started listing things. “He is the Regent. He wants to stay in the position. Sarine has a way to take it away. Unless she renounces her claim. His relationship with her is not good enough to suggest such a thing.” Reiline looked over to Lacos and back to Sarine, who was laughing at some joke. “I think I get it. Tolfin can’t talk to her himself but he can send his loyalists to make the thought more appealing.” Lacos pointed at his date with a carrot. “Exactly. The hastily set up ball, the short but demeaning speech, all meant to shake her up and hopefully make her susceptible to his people.”

“You figured that out pretty quickly.” Lacos shaked his head. “I didn’t.” He pointed at Sarine. “She did, a day after she got the letter she had this whole plan unravelled.” Reiline looked at the Princess, who was wearing a nonchalant expression as she listened to another noble. For a moment she looked over, her eyes betraying her slight anxiety to the two of them but masked by layer of cool determination.

“She might not be long in this game, but I think it’s safe to say she is a natural.” Lacos said and grabbed another carrot.