Father watched him amused eyes, "Careful my squire, that thou doth not drop my lord's blade." his teasing tone only spurred Owain on.

He scowled up at his sire in angry determination. He had been quested to deliver Lord Godfrey's dagger and he would complete his quest. Even if the blade was heavy enough to force his steps to stuttering wobbles. "I am fine, father! Do not slow your pace for me!"

Owain had no idea why the elden lord had given him such a task. What was he, with all his eleven summers, supposed to do that the lord's many attendants and soldiers could not? He was smart enough to realize this was likely something ceremonial, but not smart enough to understand what, and it irked him.

He dodged a bowing woman, one of the scores of citizens that had stopped so far to show their respect to his father, the Highlord. His dodge almost toppled him over before father's guiding hand righted him. He said nothing, but knew his blush was visible by the glint in his sire's eye.

Alas! They were only just through the main gates and Owain thought his arms might fall off entirely. The elden lord truly used such a blade as a parrying tool? Owain could barely hold the thing up! "I am sure thou'rt curious child, about thy task."

"...no, father." he looked away.

"The prince has asked for a companion." Father's voice was smooth and low, Owain hoped he might sound so lordly when he grew older. "Thou'rt only a year his junior, and already hath thee been acquainted. T'is good sense."

Owain stumbled over a raised cobblestone when he at last realized what his father said, "Me father? But I am a bluntstone! The other children-"

Father's golden eyes flashed in light warning, "Thou'rt not a bluntstone. Thou'rt mine sterling boy, scion of our house. I care not about the other children nor their thoughts. Their blood is not fit to stand beside the golden prince." The Highlord nodded to a group of passing perfumers.

Owain cast his face down, "Aye, father."

Father's hand was gentle as it ruffled his hair, "Let not thy mother hear thee doubting thyself, child." he smiled, "Thou art my heir, Owain. Mine mantle shall be yours to bear ere long. I ready a force for thee, to be shield to the queen whilst I am spear to mine lord. This is not idle whim, boy, canst I trust thee to bear this duty?"

Owain smiled back, "Aye, father!"

Their entry to the palace was greeted with much fanfare, with many heralds calling out their names and countless nobles rushing to reverent bows at his father's passing. Owain had never been in the palace proper before and it was all quite overwhelming. Its golden walls held golden ceilings, under which golden servants scurried. He was dazzled.

The long staircase to the throne pavilion was almost his undoing. Owain distantly thought he might die before ever completing his quest, such was the weight of the blade in his hands. He and father at last crested the top and it was all Owain could do to not keel over.

To his front, nobles lined the sides of the platform in glittering rows, the Erd Tree rose as a splendid monument, but it was the eternal queen that captured his wonder. She sat atop the elden throne, a goddess in every right, and Owain almost began to weep at her mere presence. In all his short life, he'd never seen anyone look so…perfect.

He at last noted the hulking elden lord sat beside her in his own throne, with the golden prince to his right, also seated.

Father knelt at his shoulder, hand giving him a soft push, "Go my son. Complete the task thou hast been given."

Owain nodded, hefting the blade in his arms before starting his way forward. Father and mother both had coached him thoroughly on proper etiquette, he must greet the queen first! Her sharp eyes watched him closely as he bumbled to stand before the throne. He knelt precariously, keeping the gleaming scabbard from the ground. "Great goddess, I, Owain of house Turonus, greet you with reverence!" He squeaked, voice too loud to his ears.

"And why hast thou cometh afore me, Owain of house Turonus?" Her voice was magical! A musical lilt with power enough to entrance him with but a few words.

"I-I have been quested to deliver this blade to the elden lord, Your Majesty!" He tried to lift the blade aloft but it was too heavy and he clasped it to his chest instead.

"Complete thy quest then, my lord." She said softly, urging him to her husband with a smile. Owain's nerves were nigh overwhelming him, he thought he might pass out.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." he croaked out before struggling to his feet only to once more kneel before the throne of the elden lord.

"Mighty elden lord, I, Owain of house Turonus, greet you with r-reverence! I have come to deliver your blade, Your Majesty!" Owain had actually met the elden lord a few times. The lord oft journeyed to house Turonus. Owain did not understand why the king would ever leave the palace instead of having his knights come to him. When Owain had asked his father, his sire had only laughed.

The elden lord rose with a booming laugh. Owain had never felt quite so small as he looked up at his liege. Not even his lord father was so massive! "I greet thee in turn, young lord! And take my blade with joy and pride!"

He plucked the parrying sword from Owain's arms like one might pick up a piece of parchment. The weapon had been nigh half Owain's height, but it looked as a dagger in the elden lord's grip. Owain cautiously rose as the lord waved him up. "Rise lord, for a task so deftly done I wouldst seest thee rewarded." Lord Godfrey motioned for his son to stand beside him, who watched Owain with amusement. "I name thee royal companion to mine son. Just as thy father hast done me good service, I ask thee give such service to my prince." The lord nudged the prince forward.

Owain knelt once more, though it was much easier now that he did not hold the blade, "I pledge my service and companionship to you, Your Highness."

Prince Godwyn offered a hand, and Owain pressed his lips to his lord's knuckles. "I accept thy pledge, Lord Owain." The prince laughed before yanking Owain into a hug. Owain sputtered in indignance and terror, Godwyn was always teasing him like this!

Owain gasped as he once more became aware of his surroundings. Osgalath had borne him safely through the city, the great gates of the palace now but a stone's throw away. His king and a retinue of nobles waited to greet him. Reginald was at King Morgott's shoulder, unhelmed; Owain had never seen his dark skin so pale. The commander waved his host to the royal barracks, it was high time for them to rest. Ranni of course remained at his side, he could feel her worried eyes through both their helms.

Morgott spread his arms widely, a smile on his tired face, "Lord Commander, I welcome thee once more unto the golden capitol." Owain could scarce believe how similar Morgott looked to Godwyn in this form.

He dismounted, kneeling swiftly, "I receive your greetings in reverence and honor, my king." Not even the knowledge of the weight of his coming efforts could steal his joy.

Morgott bid him rise with a small smile, "I am sure thy journey was arduous, we shall hold a grand dinner this evening. Rest, Wain."

"Aye, my lord." he grinned as he rose, it was wonderful to see Morgott be the king he had known he could be.

Owain took Ranni's hand to his elbow, raising his visor to smile at her. His lord led the way back up the stairs, the long entourage of nobles and sentinels following. Reginald settled at Owain's free shoulder. "Wain, we've much to discuss. Might I come to your quarter's afore tonight's meal?" Reginald was not usually one to whisper and it made Owain frown. What was it now?

"Aye, Reg. Just give me an hour's time." He cast a look at the lowering sun, he would not be resting any time soon, Owain sighed.

His quarters within the palace were exactly as he had left them. They had been thoroughly cleaned before his arrival, he was sure, but many things had not shifted over the course of a century. Books in the same spot, documents undisturbed, his spare cloak thrown over the chair at his writing desk. It looked as if he had only just left it. Owain's heart twinged in grief, the demigods had been frozen for too long.

"Much the same as mine rooms within Caria, it seemeth. Thy passin' was not one we couldst move from, husband." Ranni's arms came to wrap around his middle, her brow to his back.

"I live, I breathe." he said softly, smiling as one of her hands moved to rest over his heart.

"I fear for this world, shouldst I lose thee again." she murmured.

He frowned, eyes locked to his desk still piled high with ancient paperwork, "A needless fear."

"It is-" her arms tightened around him before she sighed, "Come Wain, let us rest afore, Reginald arrives." He maneuvered in her grip enough to sweep her into his arms and carried her to their bed.

"A needless fear." he affirmed as he settled her beside him. Ranni did not respond, only burying her face into the crook of his shoulder.

Reginald's knock came an almost an hour later, for ever was his vice-commander an adherent to timeliness. Ranni had fallen asleep in the interim, so Owain moved carefully to extract himself before going to the door.

"Come Reginald, to my sitting room. Ranni is resting."

His vice commander bowed at the waist almost as soon as Owain shut his sitting room doors. "Wain I…I am sorry, my commander. I failed! The golden order fractured despite my efforts, so many millions dead from my incompetence, such terrible years of war. I can not ask forgiveness, but I would ask for a chance to atone." Reginald's voice, usually a similar husky baritone to Owain's own, was strained with emotion. Owain frowned.

"Stand straight, Reginald. We both know the blame for this entire…disaster, rests upon my shoulders." Reginald stood indignantly, opening his mouth to retort but Owain raised a hand, "It was my duty to carry our order through such chaos, but I was too weak to see my lord through the night, too blind to see the treachery that brewed under my very nose. You were never meant to bear my burdens brother, and for that, I apologize."

Reginald scowled at him, "You can not be serious, Wain! I saw the state of Lord Godwyn's rooms! How could any save the great lion or black blade have prevailed against such a foe? You can not steal the guilt that is mine to bear! If I had acted more decisively, if I had handled the mess with Oswald better, if I had been sterner with the nobles…"

Owain matched his vice-commander's scowl. Os had told him of the unrest within the sentinels, of Reginald's unwillingness to allow Oswald leave to command. Owain knew it was because he had not felt Oswald was ready for such responsibility, a thing Owain and he had agreed upon privately. It was Owain's own fault for not writing clearer instructions, his arrogance had never pictured him dying in such a way. He sighed, snatching Reginald by the nape and bringing him into his embrace, "We are both too self-sacrificial. Enough of this. I am returned, Reg. I will right these lands."

Reginald began to cry softly, face to Owain's shoulder. Such a display was rare for the surly man, but Owain knew it was needed. He patted his friend's back gently. "When you retire to Caria, I too would like to cede my post. I am so tired, Wain."

Owain nodded, humming his affirmation. "As you wish, Reg."

They spoke until they were called to dinner and almost none of the tidings Reginald brought forth were glad.

The next few days were a frantic whirlwind of tasks for Owain. Such an unending number of problems to handle, it boggled his mind. The citizenry needed food first and foremost, so supply lines to verdant Liurnia and Limgrave were established. Owain's preparedness had begun to repay itself. Altus had been seeded, and his people had food enough to survive winter.

Industries of all types require reinvigoration, which Owain set to doggedly. Such logistics were a nightmare for him, but Ranni's cunning was ever aidful and she had always been much quicker with arithmetics than he was. It would have been better to delegate these things, but he did not allow the nobles to meet with him yet, as there would be a great council at the end of the week.

He had expected Lady Fortissax to kick down his door as soon as he arrived in the capital, but she and her sister had ranged north with a force of his sentinels to search for Lord Vyke. Mother Rennala was still resting within Caria after the ritual with Rykard, and Ranni had yet to finish her portal stone. It was a good thing as Owain had yet to prepare himself to go to Godwyn's resting place. He would push their reunion off for just a little longer.

Owain also received a letter from his father stating he would be awaiting him at mother's homestead. Owain wished he could go forth to his family, but there was simply too much to do.

The great council snuck up on him and it was with annoyance that he was dragged from his study to attend it. Owain stood beside the elden throne once more and fought to keep his feet from the rush of memories. When at last it seemed he could focus, he frowned in anger. Things were proceeding…poorly.

The lords and ladies would dare interrupt his king? Would dare question him at nigh every statement? Owain's eyes sought out Reginald, who was shifting nervously at the other side of the throne. So, this was typical then? When yet another lord interjected as King Morgott spoke, Owain slammed his spear butt upon the flagstones. The boom of it set the nobles to nervous silence.

"Silence!" he thundered. He strode forward to the haughty lord, not remembering his name, but the way he stood irked Owain for some reason. The man and his neighbors looked up at him fearfully. "Is such disrespect commonplace in this court now? Such disregard for courtesy?"

"Pray-" the man began but Owain silenced him with an angry growl. His blood was up, such disgraceful behavior could not stand.

"Do not speak unless I bid it, lord." he warned, raising his visor that the man might see his wrath. "It is no wonder our lands fell to chaos if this is how you all would treat your rightful king." He must correct this abhorrent behavior swiftly, "All of you, kneel!" The many watching nobles shuffled anxiously, watching the man before Owain for a cue. They would hesitate to follow the command of their highlord? Owain understood now, the issues Reginald had faced.

"My-"

He slammed his spear butt once more into the stone, this time hard enough to see it crack. "I bade you silent. Kneel!" he snarled, "Swear your fealty anew to our king, all of you. Now." It was only a moment before the court knelt, somewhat begrudgingly. A moment more before they began a unison shout of the traditional oath of fealty to the elden throne and King Morgott.

Owain stood scowling, meeting the eyes of his captains, who waited around the perimeter of the royal pavilion. They had much work to do to restore the order of rule. This would not be a problem so easily mended. Owain lowered his gaze to the fearful nobles, meeting the eyes of the sycophants one at a time, "Should any more of you forget your courtly manners, I shall not suffer it. I shall strip you of your peerage, I will erase your houses from the royal register. I would see you dead before I see any more disrespect to our king. Am I understood?" At their panicked chorus of affirmation, he once more came to stand beside the throne. His words gave him an odd sense of deja vu but he tried to shake off the feeling.

Morgott smiled at him gleefully, "It is wonderful to have thee home, Wain." he said with a laugh. Owain smiled in return, nodding. He closed his visor, that his king would not see his forming frown. The court was a mess. If such a thing had happened under his queen Marika…when had the nobility lost their respect for the elden throne?

Owain remained vigilant as the nobles prattled and was, of course, blindsided by another memory, hand gripping spear in desperate support.

"How might I aid you, lords? I am told this is matter of some urgency." It took all he hand not to glower at these men that had stolen away his luncheon plans with Tiche but he was sure it must be important, so he willed away his frown.

The middle of the three, Haldaf Fohi if he recalled correctly, stepped forward. He wrung his hands nervously and his eyes would not meet Owain's, "Forgive our excitement, we simply had to meet with you as swiftly as possible."

"Need you the aid of the sentinels? Is there some unrest that yet boils?" These types never got to the point, did they?

He clapped, "Unrest, yes! Many of the high houses are…uneasy at the continued sight of an empty elden throne. We thought we might prepare a few candidates and, with our lord's blessing, present them to the queen. For the stability of the lands, of course." he finally met Owain's eye and it filled the sentinel with annoyance.

Owain laid his hands flat on his desk, worried he might break the arms of his chair again by accident, "You called this meeting by way of emergency channels…to discuss a potential marriage of the queen?" at his frosted tone, the men edged away slightly.

The leftmost man, Lord Orlo, gestured grandly. The way he stood irritated Owain, it was too haughty, "You are only so… difficult to gain audience with my lord, as this is an urgent matter, we thought it best to-"

Owain held up a hand, "You would misuse a system I have placed in case of great danger to the realm, to circumvent the proper channels and steal my time? For an issue that would be better brought before Lord Kuno? He is her majesty's seneschal." What foolishness always seemed to find him, when would it be someone else's turn?

The rightmost man, Lord Derant, stuttered forward, "We-we meant no disrespect, Highlord. The nobility is uneasy, truly, this is urgent. Lord Kuno has not the ear of the queen as you do, oh burnished one. We thought it best to see you personally, as swiftly as possible." Owain sighed as he stood. He'd expected something like this eventually, which was why he had made himself so hard for these mawkish pests to reach. Their mutterings burdened the queen and she…she was burdened enough already.

His fist slammed to his desk with too much force and he cringed when he felt the wood crack, "My lord Godfrey has been departed scarcely a year and already you would seek to fill the throne? My queen-" Owain sucked in a breath, he did not wish to give them any information they might take advantage of. "This is a momentous decision for the queen, one that will likely take years if it happens at all. You would seek to curry my favor to sway her for your own agendas?"

Lord Fohi gathered his courage, harrumphing in the same irksome manner as his father did in court, "Lord Owain, there is no need to become hostile, you would do well to remember the influence our three families hold and treat us with matching respect." Owain froze. Was that… a threat?

"House Orlo had supplied the capital's grain for centuries, but should we be so boldly insulted…" Lord Orlo sneered at him.

"The same could be said of House Derant and our management of Leyndell's steel." Lord Derant waved spindly fingers.

"Need I even mention House Fohi and our timber? Please Lord Owain, we have been pleasant and you should not treat us so. Now, there must be an elden lord, so we nobility should be proactive in selecting a-"

"Be silent." He'd endured more than enough of this treason. They would jeopardize millions of innocents for their avarice? Such greed enraged him, "You who have imperiled the stability you claim to protect. I have slain men for lesser threats to the throne. Did you truly think the reputations of your houses would shield you from my wrath? I see to the safety of Leyndell, to The Golden Order in its entirety, to…collude thusly would break my oaths and sully my title."

Lord Orlo did not seem to take him seriously, "Well, I-"

"Your gamble has failed, Lord Orlo. Mind your tongue." Owain snarled, rounding his desk to leer over the men. All three cowered as they beheld him in dawning fear. Too late for that, simpering dolts. "This-I am genuinely so furious I can scare form the words. You sniveling little shitstains, skulking in the shadows of my lady's turmoil. I would see you stripped of those titles you hold so dear." He stepped forward, lords Orlo and Fohi falling to their knees, "I would see your houses struck from royal record, I would see your heirs banished and the three of you put to death. This is treason, high and clear."

Lord Derant at least had not collapsed, he bowed deeply instead, "Prithee, noble and just Lord Commander, verily, we meant not to insult nor threaten. Really, it was your great wisdom and fair nature we sought! We see now that we have unintentionally brought you irritation. Pray, we will leave now and trouble you no further." Fohi and Orlo scrambled to their feet, the trio edging away from him towards his study doors.

"I did not grant you such leave." he warned as they froze in their tracks, "My fair nature, you say. I have not the mind for secret words and hidden meanings. I leave such things to those that hold much greater intellect than I." Owain breathed through his anger, he would not unilaterally slay these three, his queen should decide.

"Surely not my lord! You are cunning beyond any other! Your-"

"Nay, Lord Derant. In the spirit of true fairness, I would have my lady hear you out herself. That I might not…disrespect nor misinterpret your intentions." Owain smiled rapaciously, calling out to the closed door, "Oswald!"

His squire entered swiftly with a salute, "Aye, my lord?"

"Run ahead to the queen's chamber, relay to Alecto I am coming hence with esteemed lords of the high houses. That I might avail them of the queen's unfailing council." Owain watched the panicked faces of the lords with rising amusement.

One of the rats squeaked, "L-Lord Commander, truly, there is no need to trouble our holy goddess! Prithee, we shall go in peace, never to pass before your sight again!"

Owain laid a heavy hand on the spindly lord's shoulder, heavy enough to leave him sprawled on his back, "But Lord Fohi, you praised me, saying I hold the queen's ear. I seek only to aid you in your original endeavor." he smiled down at the cravens, "Rise. Sentinel Friso will escort you in but a few minutes time. I must explain the situation to our queen."

"Wain." his lady greeted him with a small wave as he entered her sitting room, "I must thank thee for the distraction, this nonsense soundest preferable to mine dithering. The doddering fools really art so bold. What say thee, my compass?"

Owain scowled at his feet, his anger rekindling, "If they would threaten such easy treason to my face, I worry what their houses have wrought where our eyes do not see. I would see the three lords dead and their houses investigated. The flow of that which they control can not be disrupted."

She considered his words with a frown, "A fair punishment for such maligned sedition, but I wouldst not have my burnished one issueth such a dark decree. Besides, Wain, it is much more amusing to watch them squirm. A warning today, one they shalt not forget." she waved at her handmaiden to open the doors, "Alecto."

The three men edged into the room nervously, never taking their eyes from the polished stone floors. His queen smiled, but it was not a kind thing, "I am told all of thee worry for our land's stability, a noble consideration." The three looked up hopefully and Owain held back a laugh. His lady would not let this go so easily, "This once shall I grant mercy, thy lives are thineown to keep."

Lord Orlo fell to a worshipful bow, head to stone. "Oh, thank you, goddess! Th-thank you magnificent goddess! You-"

The queen laughed and Owain matched smiles with a watching Alecto for it was not a forgiving laugh, "Ah, one stipulation. Shouldst any of thee wish to attend court, it shall have to be in thine small clothes."

Lord Fohi spoke up tentatively after his co-conspirators would not, "I do not understand, Your Majesty."

The queen leaned forward from the chaise she lounged upon, "Honest and earnest were the intentions of thee three, aye? Then it should be a mark of high honor to do as I hath bid. Let the rest of my court see thy… honest natures. A decade of this shouldst suffice." She let slip some of the true anger Owain knew raged within her, the shine of her eyes turning scalding. Owain was almost glad these three had bubbled into his study, this was the most spirited he had seen his queen in many months. Anything to rouse her from her all consuming grief.

He blinked away the past. Of course those three had all survived the shattering, such cockroaches. The rest of the high council passed slowly and little was decided. The first of many such meetings, Owain knew. He took supper with Morgott once more and it settled his heart only a little.

That night, after telling Ranni he needed some time to brood, Owain went unto the antechamber of the Erd Tree. The spiraling magic that sealed the sanctuary shut did not surprise him. He'd known it would never be so straightforward as him simply walking through. He laid a hand upon the shining magic with a frown, "Be not afeard my lady, Marika. I shall see you safe soon."

He would see to Godwyn, to the children. He would slay this mother of fingers and her children. He would free his queen, that he might demand answers from she who had apparently hidden so much from him for so many uncounted years. When all was done, he would rest.