Prince Of Shadows.
By princemajora
Chapter 2
The War Is Coming
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The large wooden door of the Shiekah royal throne room burst open with great speed as well as force. And a very angry and, deep down rather terrified, King Nesar burst through. Before his ruby eyes he saw every member of the royal court, the most important people who made up the head of state and governed every aspect of Shiekah affairs. From the defense minister, right down to the peoples representative. All were present, with the acceptation of his heavily pregnant wife. He took not of the two obviously Hylian messengers leaning against the side wall, a look of sorrow on there face.
"So..." the king muttered, to the guard beside him "It is as you said" he said quietly with a look of sadness on his face. He heard loud shouting so he raised is head sharply and looked around the room for the source. The room was large, as far as rooms in the castle go, second only to the grand hall were the functions were held. A set of three windows on the either side of the hall gave it ample light, and a long red and purple carpet stretched from the heavy, dark wooden doors, that went right to the ceiling, to the pedestal that had sitting atop it the two elaborately decorated thrones, on for the king as well as the queen, not one was larger than the other, as in all things, they were equal. To the sides of the room, were two long desks stretching a bit longer than half the room, starting from the same level as the thrones. And behind each were ten or so desks, for the various court members. But today, all seats were vacated. A highly loud and panicked debate was already underway. Right before the thrones, were they were all huddled and yelling there opinion.
"We must go to war! We have no choice!" Hollered a rather obnoxious man by the name of Munara, Who was the leader of the Intelligence department, getting a bit on in years, and older then the king even, he stubbornly refused to retire, always saying that "These young people know nothing! Give them positions of power, and all they do is screw it up!" Nobody dared to inform him that EVERYBODY in the royal court was young compared to him. "If we do not go to war alongside the Hylians, and defeat the Gerudo now, they will only come for us next!!" His face starting to become an interesting shade of reddish purple.
"Are you mad?! Or just getting senile!" Shouted a voice from the back, the small crowed all turned to see the voice had come from the newly appointed representative of the people, a slim, short, and strangely, blue eyed, which was rather rare for Shiekah, younger man of no more than twenty five. But for the life of him, Nesar could not remember the boy's name. "If we go to war, think of how many will die an early death, we have no clue the numbers the Gerudo have in that infinite desert of theirs! For all we know, they may outnumber us ten to one! It's to big a risk! We should stay out of the way, and let the Hylians sort there own problems, and if the Gerudo go for us next, then we should defend ourselves, but all out war is pointless. That's all there is to it." He said with a slight huff at the end, and crossed his arms while the rest of the members looked at him like his nose had fallen from his face. The Rep of the people was just a way to keep the people happy, so they have a say, they did not usually attended these kind of urgent meetings, let alone speck up!
Munara's face went an even stranger mix of shock and intense rage as he spluttered in disbelief at what he saw as a young naive fool who dared speck against him. He stalked right up to the young man and stood right in his face and screamed only an inch from his face.
"Listen here you little runt! I have been in the service of the royal family since I was your age! How dare you think that your opinion is more important than mine!! I am your senior! You should go back to you little hut down there with the other peasants and leave this to people who opinion actually matter! At this the mans eyes took on a look of pure fury that could of killed even the strongest warrior if they looked long enough. And was about to say something back when a loud, booming voice was heard from the other side of the throne room, and coming closer.
"Enough!!" Shouted Nesar as he stalked up to the group. "You are the men and women who make up the Shiekah government, the people look to you for guidance, and here you all are, bickering like spoiled infants!" The king gave the group a withering glare that made them all feel ashamed. From behind the king came voice, that was so full of falsity, it could make one sick.
"Oh I so agree with you my lord, far too much bickering, that nobody even noticed there great kings entrance" Munara looked up at Nesar with a smug grin on his face and his gray eyes dancing with glee. Confident that he had just gotten away with his little outburst.
The king looked at Munara with a tired sigh. "Munara, and I've told you many times in the past, I care not and choose to ignore your pointless kissing up to me, It will not get you anywhere, I know very well what a stubborn, selfish, and oh so mean man you are. So give it up and just do your damn job, it's what you're paid for, now sit down for goddesses sake, we have far more important things to discuss." Neasar moved to go to the throne, while all the other members went to there seat, every last one of them smiling, that the king had finally put the old whiner in his place. Munara on the other hand was stunned, and had a look on his face that resembled a child's when they get caught with there hand in the jar of sweets, so, sulking, he went to his seat.
With a weary sigh, the king rested himself on the throne, and looked out at the governing body of his people, and was about to begin the meeting when he paused, noticing out of the corner of his eye, that his head adviser was missing.... again. She was a brilliant thinker, and yes, was rumored to have rare abilities that told of coming events. Or gave warnings of bad things coming, truly a remarkable woman. A bit of a character yes, but an over all pleasant person. But however many times she tried, or was told, even threatened, she could never keep an appointment. Not even one as urgent as this it would seem.
And then as if by magic, that very person opened the throne room doors, and shuffled in. Vesan was in a terrible state, her midnight hair slightly matted, her smoky gray eyes drooping and red around the rims. Her posture slightly slouched. She shuffled, feet dragging, to her seat. Grumbling under her breath about her seat being so damn far from the door. And, realizing the whole room had there eyes on her, collapsed into her seat and put her face into her hands, looking down at the table, and gave a sigh. Then just stayed put. No apology, No excuse, nothing. Which was most unheard of usually, but was always expected of Vesan. Many put it to her being so high up there in the government, just below the king and queen, she could do as she pleased and get away with it. Pure laziness, or that she was just the King's favorite.
But to a select few, the king and queen mostly, the real reason for these times was all to clear, Vesan had dreams on occasion. Some good some bad. And what she saw in these dreams usually came true. Yes, they were few and far between, but prophetic nonetheless. And by the look of her today, it was a doozey of a nightmare! Which worried Nesar, considering the topic of the meeting. After a minute, the debate started flying across the tables again, and the silent Vesan all but forgotten, to almost all.
The king leaned over in the direction of Vesan's seat. Looking at the other people for a moment before continuing. To make sure nobody was eavesdropping. Then, satisfied that they were all to catch up in there own arguments, he turned back to raven's seat and said in a loud whisper.
"Rough night?" was all he said, knowing that Vesan knew what he was asking. They wanted nobody to know exactly what Vesan's rumored "Power" was. So it was all kept hush-hush.
Vesan looked up at her king, and friend, with a weary glare "What the hell do you think!" she almost yelled, "I look like something that came out of a horses bloody ass!"
Noting the degree of just how upset Vesar must be to use such profanity, He decided he should talk to her in private. Nesar turned to the room full of quarrelling men and women, all wanting there opinions on the mater to be heard, So the king stood from his chair and cleared his throat loudly to get the room's attention.
"Enough of this foolishness! This meeting is pointless without some organization. All you are doing is arguing. And all trying to be heard at once. I won't stand for this kind of childishness. This is a serious issue, and you should all act it."
The room went silent, as the delegates looked down at thee desks like a room of scolded school children. "Well what do you want us to do!" Yelled Munara, jumping up from his seat three down from the throne. "Erm.... my lord.." He added in a quieter, and much meeker tone, sitting back down again.
Frowning slightly at the outburst, Nesar took a deep breath then spoke. "Now I relies you are all very worried, and yes, maybe rather scared about this prospect of another war." He gave Munara a glare, as the man was about to protest, he decided not to speak. "We all have loved ones who could come to harm in the event of a war, even myself am scared by it, I have a child to be born any day now, do any of you think I want him or her growing up in a world of war? That is the fate that befell so of us older people. Something I'm guessing, none of us enjoyed." He noticed some of the elder members of the court, Munara and Vesan included, nodding their heads as they remembered those times.
The king continued his speech, "Now I want all of you, to go back to your homes, offices, rooms, or barracks, and truly think about were you stand on this issue. Think about what effects war may have on your government or military departments, your family and friends, and even yourself, most of you are not to young to be called into service, If the solder numbers become low. You may all go now we shall reconvene after dinner this evening" The court members began to hastily vacate the throne room, each with allot of thinking to do. "Oh, and Vesan, meet me in the tea room upstairs when you're ready please. As my head adviser, I'd like have a talk with you."
Vesan nodded and gave a quick bow then hastily left the room, She had been woken by a maid to be told about this meeting, and had come straight over from her chambers without even pausing by the mirror! And assumed by the odd glances, she must of looked quite dreadful, still wearing the outfit from last night that she had fallen asleep in, a long flowing silver a black gown the queen had given her for her birthday the past year.
After her exit, the king slowly made his way over to the two hyilian's who still stood in the corner, they really showed the Hylians how childish the Shiekah court could be, He put on a somber half smile and motioned for them to follow him. "So sorry about all the shouting, tensions have been running a bit high lately, even more now with this dreadful war business." The two Hylian's look at one another while following the king from the throne room to the tea room he often spent his small amount of free time.
"Why? Have your people already gotten threats from other races?" said the taller and obviously older of the two men, with a slight tone of worry apparent in his voice, and his green eyes darting to the younger of the too, who looked stunned. The Gerudo went to the Shiekah first? Surely they would of told them! Or is there another threat that has not been made apparent to the Hylians?
"Oh sorry, no, nothing like that. A I said before, Queen Renee is pregnant with out first child, as I'm sure you have heard, she has been really keeping all the people here in the castle on there toes, me especially, everyone will be most glad when she finally has the child, and becomes normal again." Nesar said with slight laugh. A relived look passed across the features of the older Hylian. While the younger one had a knowing smirk.
"I know of what you speak my lord, My wife is also in that state, and it is most trying I must agree, she was begging for salted fish before I left, almost killed the poor fishmonger when he said he was out of stock" The young man smiled at the memory. While the older on jabbed him in the ribs, you don't have "chit-chat" or "create small talk" with a king, it just was not done. The younger realized his blunder just as the king turned around, and prepared to face an angry royal, but instead found a laughing face.
"Oh yes, that's it for sure, Renee almost killed a Royal guard when he came back empty handed from his quest for eyeball frogs" Nesar said with a deep chuckle. Other noble men man refuse to knowledge people who happened to be lower on the social ladder, but King Nesar of the Shiekah, treated every person as an equal, which needless to say, surprised the to Hylian men.
"Ok, please come in, we can discus the situation in here" the king said as they reached the tearoom down the hall from the royal bedroom. "But this meeting must be short, I have other appointments to keep" He walked into the room, which was lavishly decorated with fine wooden furniture and beautiful tapestries. A lush blue rug covering the floor. This is were the king entertained his guests and other people of importance. The sky outside the window was beginning to darken, so a servant had stoked a lovely fire in the room, knowing the king was coming up here.
Nesar motioned for the men to sit down. "Please gentlemen, make yourself comfortable." He himself sat down in his favorite chair. The two Hylian's seated themselves. The younger looking around nervously while the older got right to business.
"I shall be blunt your majesty, Hyrule will be going to war, our king has decided there is no choice. If the Gerudo want war, we will not hold back. We only ask for your peoples support." The man did not mess around, Nesar saw that quite clearly.
"Well, as you saw earlier, my court is quite conflicted on the matter. We are meeting to discus the final decision tonight; in the mean time you are most welcome to join us for dinner. I will also get the servants to prepare some rooms for you if you wish."
"We understand your highness, and yes, we would most like to partake in your greatly rumored hospitality. Until then, we would like to know if it is fine for us to look around a bit. Your courtyard looks quite pleasant, and my young partner would most enjoy your library." The man said while standing, and motioning for the younger to stand up also.
"Very well, If you need anything just ask a servant, they are all instructed to take care of any guests. Please enjoy yourself" The king also stood and shook both there hands while specking. "Dinner will be in roughly an hour and a half in the grand hall downstairs" He said as a knock cam from the door. "Well if you please gentlemen, my head advisor has arrived."
The two men bowed quickly and left the room just as fast. And at the door stood Vesan, Looking much better than she had in the throne room. Her long flowing hair brushed back and placed into a long ponytail. Her face washed but still carrying a sad expression. She was wearing a gown of red and black, flowing all the way to the floor. With the Shiekah symbol on her chest in the form of a jeweled broach. Which held securely the cape draped over her shoulders, also reaching her feet. She was carrying herself with the posture and air of a well brought up lady of nobility. She closed the door behind her and walked into the room and without delay, collapsed into the chair opposite the king. The king looked at her warily.
"Goddesses it must have been a real humdinger of a dream.."
"Oh It was Nesar, And it was indeed a vision of the future given to me by the sprits. And I tell you know. You are not going to like it." Vesar exclaimed, looking straight into her friends eyes and with particular emphases on the words not and like.
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Well...there it is.... The second chapter.... Only four days after the prologs release. Yay! I hope you all like it! This is were I would tell you to review, but....
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THEY are watching, And I don't want to get bricks thrown at me again..
(Whisper) so review when there not lookingBRICK
Itai...x.x
Oh, and thanks to Snowsilver for the review, and for his review, Chibi-kun gets one extra hug per review when I see him next XD.
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