Corus, Tortall
End of summer, 458 H.E.
"I'm leaving." Roald said stubbornly. Gary the Elder shook his head, only half listening to the prince. He was going through coded reports from his agents in the desert, and they took most of his concentration. Roald gritted his teeth, his temper boiling. "I said I'm leaving."
"You can't leave." Buri said matter-of-factly. "You're the king."
Roald whirled on her. He was tired of this silly argument. "I am not a king." He said slowly. "Or hadn't you noticed." He yelled. "Did you not realize that the Riders don't even exist anymore. That you and Raoul both are exiles from Corus. That my mother is married to a Gennature."
Gary put his papers aside and resigned himself to the argument. "It's your birth right and your responsibility, highness."
"Don't call me that." Roald spat. "It's not mine anymore. I don't want it anymore. If you don't like the Gennature—fine. Get rid of them. Be my guest. But leave me out of it."
"Now listen, here, Roald." Buri said, standing and resting her fists on the table. "You don't know what you're parents went through to rule Tortall. What people sacrificed in the war. You have no idea what is at stake here. You can't walk away from it."
"I can and I will." Roald said. "I'll never be king."
"Tell us where you're goin' at least." Young Gary said, sitting down on the top step of the basement.
"Stay out of this, Gary." His father ordered, but Roald ignored him. He liked young Gary, and there was something in his eyes now that said maybe he'd help.
"I don't know for sure. Towards the coast, I think, and then maybe further south."
Gary shrugged. "You should at least know where you're headed before you take off." He said, standing up again and leaving.
Roald turned to the older Gary and Buri. "Another week." He said. "I'll stay another week."