A Crown of Blood.

The air within the hall hung heavy with the lingering scent of blood and the residue of fear. 

Selene's lifeless body had been swiftly removed, her severed head taken as a stark reminder of the Emperor's swift justice. 

But the tension remained strong, an undercurrent of unease that even the most seasoned courtiers couldn't quite mask. The message was clear: treason would be met with swift and brutal retribution, and the "Ash Prince" was, perhaps, a little more than the drunken buffoon they had all assumed.

Despite the grim spectacle, ambition still burned bright within some hearts. 

Power, like water, always seeks the lowest point, and the perceived weakness of Caldris at the start of the report now drew the attention of those seeking to expand their own influence.

King Erric of Xarnis, a man whose youthful features couldn't quite mask the avarice in his eyes, seized the opportunity. He rose from his seat, his movements abrupt and deliberate, his voice cutting through the tense silence. 

The move felt almost rehearsed, as if he had been waiting to seize this moment. 

"Your Majesty," he called out, his gaze fixed on the Emperor on his elevated throne, "If I may…"

All eyes turned towards Erric, drawn by the audacity of his interruption. He did not take into consideration what had been said and continued to move regardless.

Erric launched into a carefully prepared speech, his voice ringing with feigned concern and thinly veiled ambition. 

"Your Grace, it is with a heavy heart that I must address the… consistent failures of the kingdom of Caldris." He gestured expansively, taking in the assembled nobles, playing for the crowd. "It is no secret that Caldris, despite the fertility of its lands and the bounty of its rivers, has consistently underperformed, contributing little to the prosperity of the Dominion."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in, letting the murmurs of agreement and disapproval ripple through the hall. "Such consistent failure cannot be attributed to mere circumstance," he continued, his voice laced with accusation. "It can only be the fault of its rulers—their mismanagement, their incompetence, their lack of vision."

He gestured towards Kaelen, his smile patronizing. "We must acknowledge the Prince's recent, brave deed in bringing treason to light. However, one good deed every decade is hardly enough to justify their continued failures."

The Emperor stroked his chin, his expression thoughtful, his eyes betraying nothing of his true intentions. He did not scold the interruption of authority, nor even seemed surprised by it. 

This action was expected, like all that had come before and the Emperor just remained on his throne and waited to decide whatever came next. 

"And what, King Erric, are you suggesting we do about this… situation?"

Erric puffed out his chest, his ambition now laid bare for all to see. 

"I am suggesting, Your Majesty, that you permit me, the kingdom of Xarnis, to assume rulership over Caldris," he declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "I pledge to you that, by the next Grand Conclave, Caldris will be a hundred times more profitable to the Empire than it is now. It will know no betrayal and become all that it was truly worth. Give me that chance and the empire will thrive."

The Emperor steepled his fingers, his gaze thoughtful. "There is… a certain… sense in your words, King Erric," he murmured, his voice carefully neutral, a snake to the ear. The fate of Caldris, and perhaps Kaelen's own life, hung precariously in the balance.

Then, a loud, unrestrained laughter erupted through the hall, echoing off the marble walls and silencing the expectant murmurs. All heads turned towards the source of the sound, towards Kaelen. 

The Prince, holding a goblet of wine, his face contorted with amusement.

"I've heard the Xarnis king was a fool," Kaelen said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "but to think that he is a coward as well…" He took a long swig of his wine, his eyes mocking. 

"I must admit, that's truly exceeding expectations."

Erric's face flushed crimson, his hand clenching into a fist. "You dare, boy?" he snarled, his voice laced with fury. "Are you challenging me?"

"Oh, save the theatrics, Erric," Kaelen dismissed him with a wave of his hand, his expression bored. "You plan to appeal to the Emperor, to use his authority as a means to seize control of Caldris. What is that if not cowardice? If you want my father's crown, then come and take it from our cold, bloodied hands. There's no other way, now is there?"

Erric rose from his seat, his body trembling with barely suppressed rage. 

He turned to The Emperor to respond but the Emperor simply motioned him back. It was now a test. What were all these games if not mere tests that were handed out across each of them.

"What are you saying, boy?" Erric ground out, his voice shaking with fury. 

Kaelen stood tall, his gaze sweeping the room. "The same thing I say to everyone gathered here, at this Conclave." he exclaimed, his voice ringing with defiance. "For those who try to claim the Ash Crown, there is only one way to sit upon it - by blood and by war. And I swear by the gods," he thundered, his eyes blazing, 

"You will die trying."