It's Good to Be the King

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It is the middle of the 14th century. Warlords and claimants to royalty battle throughout Europe, clashing over lands which are won and lost and won again in a matter of weeks. Most of the common people want nothing more than peace, and some who are more determined than others to find it follow rumors of a glorious but abandoned castle in the Alps where the roads are too narrow for armies and the war cannot reach.

Unlike most such rumors, this one turned out to have basis in truth. Those who made the journey found a veritable paradise, and within two generations, the settlement had grown to warrant status as a Kingdom in and of itself. The elders determined that the best way to choose a king was to leave it to chance, and so they filled a giant cauldron with a thousand copper coins... and one made of gold, otherwise identical in every way. Each citizen would approach the cauldron blindfolded and select a coin, and the one who chose the gold would be crowned king.

As it came to be your turn to select a coin, you realized that the gold coin would be heavier than the copper ones, and so you were able to sift through the cauldron and select the one which won you the throne. Afterward, it seemed best to confess to the elders that you won due to this trick, but they simply smiled at you and explained that they had hoped someone would be clever enough to think of it. "A smarter man makes a better king," they told you. And just like that, you went from Xavier, apprentice to the blacksmith, to King Xavier, First of that Name, Ruler of Elyssia and Defender of its People.

Ten years later, you have proven a popular and well-loved monarch. The Kingdom of Elyssia, as the people have chosen to call it, has gained a reputation as a gathering place of artisans, scholars, performers, and simple lovers of peace; but since few actually make the perilous journey, the population remains stable. The kingdom prepares to commemorate its anniversary with a grand celebration.

As the Sun rises upon the day the festival is to begin, you are observing the pavilions and flags going up along the Grand Avenue from your balcony. The castle, a monastery stronghold in a state of disrepair when the first settlers found it, has been restored to well beyond its former glory by the talented craftsmen and engineers who have come to Elyssia; there are many larger castles in the world, but none so impressive to behold. Your thoughts are interrupted by a soft cough from behind you; it is Lord Duncan, your most trusted advisor.

"May I have a word, Sire?" he says as you turn and indicate that he may speak. "There are rumors among the people that you intend to choose a Queen during the upcoming celebrations. I know that you had no such intentions, but do consider that it might place the kingdom in turmoil should you die without an heir. Perhaps we should lend truth to these rumors?"

Duncan's words are wise, as always; it is something you've put off long enough. And it's not like you don't have plenty of options. Unlike most rulers, you don't need to worry overly much about forging alliances through arranged marriage; the natural defenses surrounding Elyssia make it all-but invulnerable, and there are many eligible maidens among your own subjects. Often, it's necessary for the Kingsguard to gently intervene when you visit the marketplace and the young, unmarried girls crowd about you. You could just about have your pick of any available woman in the kingdom.

Still, there is something to be said for marriage into the family of one of your noble guests to the celebration. Since you were once a commoner yourself, you know what a shock to the system it can be to be thrust into the life of royalty, and it might be best to choose a queen who was raised with those expectations in mind; and for that matter, can advise you on the parts of the job that you're not as prepared for as you'd like to be.

You have also received word that Alayna, the Warrior Queen, will be arriving this very afternoon. There’s no telling what her intentions are toward you or Elyssia, but she DID leave the bulk of her army behind so it is unlikely she has come to do battle. Although she has resisted offers of marriage from other men, including several kings, it has occurred to you that she might make an excellent Queen of Elyssia. Not only is she said to be of remarkable beauty, her armies would be a great asset; the natural barriers and narrow mountain passes won't keep invaders out forever, and your own army is small.

Of course, the word of your paradise Kingdom have spread far and wide; visitors have been arriving from faraway lands, performers and bards and merchants alike, and the women among them are exotic and intriguing. Elyssia was built on those who gathered from distant lands, bringing with them the best of their culture, and it would be fitting for your queen to come from some faraway place. The encampments of the visitors, both noble and otherwise, lie just outside the city walls.

Perhaps it would help you to clear your mind if you paid a visit to Valerie's chambers. Your mistress for the past eight years, Valerie has always been a great comfort, and might even have some advice on how you could choose a queen. Of course, Valerie herself could never be queen; she has always been the first to say that she's simply not the sort of woman who makes a queen, and is perfectly content to remain your mistress or even step aside should the new queen object to her. But, even though she's not royal material, she knows the ways of women better than any of your advisors.

Truth be told, as much as you’ve been looking forward to the festival, a large part of you will be glad when it is over. There have been so many details to attend to, so many decisions which really feel as though they could be made a bit lower down the chain of command… in their efforts to ensure that their King is pleased with the celebrations, your advisors and servants and subjects have essentially seen to it that you’ve barely had a moment’s peace! It is the usual time of day for your morning ride on Steelheart, your magnificent Arabian stallion who was a coronation gift. Today might even be a good day to outrun the Kingsguard and have some time to yourself in the forest, a last few moments of quiet and solitude before the festival begins.