Scene: road to Valdemar via the comb

Kethry: Jad, I just realized this-

Jadrek: (abruptly) yes...

Kethry: You never told me your last name.

Jadrek: And?

Kethry: Would you mind telling me your last name? After all we are supposed to be married and I have a right to know what my name will be.

Jadrek: (thoughtfully) um well, It's a long story...

Tarma: Your name's Jadrek Itzalongstory?

Jadrek: Actually my name is Prince Jadrek Jadrevalyn.

Warrl: You're royalty?

Jadrek: Yes.

Tarma: How? Why are you supporting Stefansen than? Wouldn't you prefer the throne to yourself?

Jadrek: My father, Archivist Jadiodid was King Destillion's twin brother, making Idra, Stefan and Char my cousins. Of the four of us, the entire court agreed that I would be the best candidate for King. But see Destillion didn't like the idea of my being crowned because he was very certain that my father Jadiodid was going to have him assassinated and he also would've preferred that one of his one children be named Monarch. Then, when I was 15, Idra left, making me third in line. Later that year somebody some how snuck in on one of my father's secret meetings, he was planning an assassination, the assassination of my best friend, Stefan and baby cousin, Raschar. He reasoning was that even if he was caught and executed, so long as both Stef and Char were dead, that Destillion would have to name me heir.

Kethry: Where was your mother?

Jadrek: My mother, Elzabes had died when I was 11, she had caught my fever while tending me and died.

Kethry: I'm sorry.

Jadrek: Don't bother. I didn't see much of her anyway; she was my aunt's chief lady in waiting and spent most of her time with the queen. She was asleep when I'd get up and she'd go to bed before I got home or after I was asleep. She was more like a distant aunt then a mother to me. Come to think of it, I rarely so my father, save for the second lunch.

Anyway, when I was 15, Destillion was informed of my father's plotting and had him assassinated, right in front of my eyes, (pales and whispers) I saw my father's assassination... I saw the knife plunge into his back again and again. I saw the assassin's eyes glitter in the moonlight. I heard my father begging for a healer and was to frozen to move. I-I failed him. (Weeps)

Kethry: (moves to comfort him, but is shaken off)

Jadrek: (still weeping) I became frightened for my life and abdicated my right to the throne. Then, right before he passed away, Destillion called me to his bedside. I was reinstated as Prince and told to watch out for the good of the country. I was named with the healers and Seneschal as witnesses, Gaurdian of the People. My job was to protect the people's rights and. if necessary lead a revolt against the King. Apparently in his later years Destillion regretted the way he had taxed the peasantry. So, I am just doing my job and I am going to inform Stef as soon as I get the chance.

Warrl: Didn't Stefansen have that same position, or something similar to that?

Jadrek: Yes, he did. My Uncle thought I'd do a better job, after spending most of my life as one of the people.

All: Oh.

Tarma: Do I have to bow?

Jadrek: No. Nobody knows that I was reinstated, those that do are most likely long dead. Even before I abdicated, I personally wasn't too strict about people showing deference to me. That probably helped me survive once I abdicated.