Two years after Prince Heiko witnessed the death of his father during the 91st Battle of Tyton, and subsequently, the defeat of his kingdom, he was sent to the gates of the victor, armed with nothing but empty words and a command from his elder brother to form a treaty of peace. 

Two years after General Celestino Adesso released the arrow that felled the great king of Simo, he is presented with the youngest of his sons. Though barely a man at seventeen summers, the prince was far from wet behind the ears. In fact, his tactful yet brazen form of statecraft vaulted him far beyond his years. Coupled with his draconian mannerisms, and a knack for callous pleasure, it was only a matter of time before Celestino caught a whiff of something sinister. 

But Prince Heiko was no fool. He was betting heavily on that sharp nose. He wanted a sense of dubiety to gnaw at the general. He needed to create mistrust in his elder brother in order to build credence in himself. Because he knew of Celestino Adesso, and of the illustrious king he served. He knew they wouldn't trust him over his elder brother any more than they would trust a raincloud to bring sun. He knew that to those men, he wasn't honorable, and because of that, he was forced to play the games he was known for. The ones that conspired in the dead of night, the ones that spoke no words but shifted kingdoms. The ones that could obtain the allegiance of General Celestino. Little did the young prince know, however, allegiance was not all he would obtain. But no matter how much Heiko wanted to offer the man what he desired, he could not - not while bound to the gods. 

Check out my Discord:

Hallowed Be

Rudolf’s voice was so faint, Baptist doubted the queen and queen dowager upon the dais could hear it. To him, though, it was jarring. It made his heart hammer. He looked over to the captain of the guard in shock, wondering what could possibly be pressing enough to interrupt him. 


But rather than echoing in that sentiment, the king simply released Prince Heiko’s hair, as if he had intended to the entire time. 


“You were bored by men grappling at each other, but not by the whorish perfumes, it seems.” The king tutted, remaining only whispers away from the prince. “What a child, you still are. I would find it endearing if it wasn’t accompanied by your rotten insubordination. My advisors suggest a harsh punishment for you.” 


Baptist watched as his master turned a cold, sadistic gaze to his mother, to which she only raised her chin in response. 


The Lull Before - Part 9