"An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end."

King Igor looked down on the bowed head of his second son, his heart heavy. The task before him was a most unpleasant one, but it had to be done. The real problem was how he should approach the topic at hand.

Prince Ivan was the second crowned prince of Assyria. He stood at a relatively short six foot, King Igor and Prince Ivan's older brother, Prince Petar both standing at six foot four. Where both King Igor and Prince Petar had blond hair that fell only to the nape of their neck, Prince Ivan's was dark, dark as a starless night in winter and kept in a braid, well past his shoulders.

King Igor frowned as he noticed the length of his hair. He would have to cut it when he joined the order at the temple on his eighteenth birthday in a year. No, King Igor mused, that was no longer the case for his second son. This caused King Igor to let out a sigh. He was about to turn Prince Ivan's world on its head and it was not going to be a pleasant experience for either of them.

"Did you need something father?" Ivan's baritone voice spoke, softly, carrying the clear tone all the way to the doors of the hushed throne room. Prince Ivan had been kneeling for the better part of five minutes and the fencing master, Bruno, would be most displeased if he was late for his daily fencing lesson and Master Bruno was not one that he wanted upset with him. Prince Ivan prayed for his father to get to the point soon. It was not that he rambled on, he just always seemed to take his time whenever he spoke.

"Yes. So I do." King Igor's rumbling bass voice responded. Unlike his son's a moment ago, his voice rolled in waves in the large space, breaking the silence as it echoed through the room. He leaned back on his throne, his lanky frame still struggling to fold into the uncomfortable chair. He was not a large man, some even said he was too thin, but he was tall and most things were not made to accommodate his height, not even his throne.

That was another thing that he and his son did not have in common, he thought. Where he was tall and thin, almost sickly in appearance thanks to the cares that running a kingdom laid upon a person, his second son had been given broad shoulders, muscles in abundance and a trim waist, made from hours of the fencing and riding the young man did when he was not at his studies. He really was a wonderful specimen and it came as no surprise that the women of the kingdom took notice of him when he entered a room. Of course, having been destined for the temple his entire life, Prince Ivan had never taken notice of a woman. It was just as well that he had not or this would have been an impossible decision to make.

King Igor roused himself from his thoughts and stifled a second sigh, not at all happy at the task that had been placed before him. However, do it he must and it was to be done sooner rather than later.

"Yes father?" Ivan prompted him.

He had continued to wait patiently, and although he loved the man before him dearly, he had things that needed to be done. Of course, there was no hurrying his father. The man did tend to either be long-winded, or completely pensive. The man could make a saint impatient sometimes and it seemed that this was going to be one of those times.

"I am naming you heir to the throne upon my death." King Igor finally spoke, getting straight to the heart of the matter. He had never been one to ramble around a topic, but even he knew that he was being quite blunt.

"What!?"

Ivan's head shot up and steel-grey eyes met sky-blue eyes for a moment before the steel-grey ones dropped to their proper place.

Even though he was a crowned prince of Assyria, even he was not allowed to look upon the King or Queen without permission and that was rarely ever bestowed upon anyone. In fact, it had been years since he had seen his father's face and in those few seconds of contact, he had noticed that it had appeared to have greatly aged since he had last gazed upon it. Deep creases had settled in around his mouth and eyes and his shoulders seemed to have stooped even more through the years. He appeared tired and old, as if he carried too many burdens for one man. Of course, he had just named Ivan his heir, which most certainly would be a burden for anyone.

Ivan had never been intended for the throne. He had known that one fact his entire life. The temple had always been his path and as such, he had prepared to take holy orders for the last seventeen years of his life. To be told otherwise at this late date? What was going on? Where was Petar in all of this? He should have been here, next to Ivan, to stop this nonsense from happening!

"Do you have an objection then, my son?" King Igor asked.

He might have made a mistake by just announcing it like that, but how do you tell someone that they are an heir to your throne when they have taken a different path in their life? It was not something that you could hint at or subtly throw into a casual conversation. If only Petar had chosen differently, he would never have had to put Ivan into this situation.

"Yes, yes I do father." Prince Ivan took a deep breath. One did not contradict the king, yet here he was, about to do just that. "It is not my place to rule after you have passed on. That honor belongs to my elder brother, Prince Petar. He has been groomed for that honor, not I. My place is in the temple, as we are all well aware of."

King Igor had known that Ivan would baulk at his announcement, however, few if any contradicted what he decided. Though Ivan did have the right, it would be for the best that he bring the boy around and quickly. He did not need both of his sons rebelling at the same time.

"That is not a valid objection."

No, it would be best to attack this conversation head on before Ivan could find a legitimate argument against his decision. It was time to remind his son of a few things.

"It is well-known that I may choose my successor from any of my children. If I am a good ruler, I will choose my successor on their merits, not on the order of their birth."

"But he is more qualified for this position than I!"

Ivan could feel his emotions rising and he struggled to keep his composure. It was well known that his brother would one day take the throne after their father was no longer on this earth. What was his father thinking? To choose him over his brother was absurd, unthinkable, and a complete and utter failure waiting to happen. The nobility, and even the peasants, of this kingdom would not allow this to happen, he was sure of it.

"Says who?" King Igor asked softly.

He was not pleased with his younger son's attitude. Had his son just questioned his reasoning for his decision a second time? Once was understandable, but a second time was not. King Igor certainly hoped that this was not the case. He was not used to anyone, other than his wife, questioning his decisions, ever, and his son had done just that... twice.

"Just put us next to each other and it is obvious." Ivan continued as he rose without permission, his own frustration making him forget, for a moment, his place.

He gestured with his right hand as he started to make his point. "Petar may be slight in built, lanky in some people's eyes even, but he is undefeatable with a sword in his hand. When there is trouble with a village or even another kingdom, you send him to mediate. He sits next to you and helps pass judgment when you hold audience with the local peasants. Father, you have groomed him to take your place. The entire Kingdom of Assyria expects him to take your place."

Ivan took a deep breath and continued on as his Father had not interrupted him yet.

"I, on the other hand," Ivan gestured to his left hand. "have spent the better part of my life studying with Master Jonathan, to become head of the temple one day. Yes, I have also studied Fencing with Master, Bruno, but I have not seen combat as Petar has. Yes, I have been present when you or Petar have mediated with other kingdoms, but I take no part in the conversation. Instead, I merely record what was said for future reference and yes, I have sat next to you when you have held audience, but I have never passed judgment on anyone. The entire kingdom and I expect Petar to succeed you. I am not suited for a throne, any throne, and you are well aware of that!" Ivan finished, clenching his hands closed and letting them fall to his sides, drooping his head in frustration.

"You have just stated yourself that you have all of the necessary training to rule this kingdom and even more as you have also had the finest tutor in several kingdoms these past 17 years."

"Father!" Ivan stopped as his father held up a hand.

"My word is law and there is nothing that you may say, or do, that will change the fact that you will become king after I am gone." King Igor's sky-blue eyes turned frosty as he made this statement.

"What happens if I chose to refuse this... honor?" Ivan was careful to keep his head down as his eyes flashed, anger rising in him. For the first time in his life, he took a stand against his father. He prayed that his Heavenly Father would forgive him for his conduct at this time, but it was for the greater good of the kingdom.

"There is no refusal. You will be king." King Igor sat up tall on his throne. It seemed that both of his sons had a defiant streak in them that would need to be stamped out, immediately.

"I may do as..."

"Are you quite finished with your little tantrum?" A lilting voice spoke up and both men turned with trepidation at the figure sitting quietly next to King Igor.

Ivan and King Igor stared at the imposing figure of Queen Jelena, the true ruler of Assyria. She stood at a somewhat lowly 5' 8" and was even thinner than her husband. Her flaming red hair was pulled back into a tight bun and her knitting sat on the table next to her. It never bode well for anyone when the quiet Queen set down her knitting and both men paled slightly as they waited for her next words.

"Is it common practice now for men of the cloth to be disrespectful to their rulers or a son to be disrespectful to their parent?" She asked quietly

"Mother." Ivan dropped back to his knee, fear coursing through him. "Forgive me?"

"There is nothing to forgive if you understand and repent from your sin."

Ivan flinched at her words.

It was a well guarded secret between the royalties that she ruled Assyria, not her husband. She could frighten even the toughest of men with a look and she had an iron-grip on all that went on in her kingdom. Her word was law and she was the law. What she said happened and if you did not approve, she had no need of you and that was something to be feared. If she was interrupting a conversation between him and his father, it would not bode well for either of them.

She turned her own icy blue eyes towards her husband and with a smile that did not reach her eyes, spoke with a calmness that could freeze a man's blood.

She dismissed him with her next words. "I think you have done your part, my dear, you may go."

King Igor flinched. He had not handled the situation as she had wished him to handle it and he would not be looking forward to the conversation that they would be having tonight.

"Of course, my love, I will just leave you to it then."

King Igor unfolded his lanky frame from the throne and despite his age and appearance, moved briskly to a hidden side door that lead straight to the stables.

"Please take the guards with you. I would hate to have anything happen to you on your ride." Queen Jelena spoke, her voice still using same lilting tone, but cutting through the air like a dagger heading for its mark and as was always the case, she did not miss her mark.

"Of course, my love. I am forever grateful for your attentiveness towards my health." King Igor motioned to the guards that stood next to the pair of thrones and the men moved silently after him along with his own personal bodyguard that never left his side, leaving Queen Jelena, her serving maid, Prince Ivan and his personal bodyguard, Andre alone in the hall.

"Please stay, Andre. This will pertain to you as well." Queen Jelena called Andre back from where he was starting to follow the men.

Ivan watched as his personal bodyguard stepped out of the shadows and gave Queen Jelena a formal bow.