The rising dayblaze glares through the window, light that used to be a joyous start to the day now seems harsh in my eyes, momentarily blinding me.
Though still weary from the previous night's sleep, I force myself awake and clamber out of bed. Starting to dress myself I look in the mirror, goddess I look like a carriage ran over me. Now, it is custom for maids to dress nobles but I had made my stance clear: I am a prince, not an invalid. If anyone has a problem with my hair then they can take it up with me.
After one last look in the mirror to tweak a couple stray strands into place I leave my room. Thankfully the dull ache of my stomach seems to overwrite the dull ache in my heart and I wander in the direction of the hall, completely bereft of the dignity of a prince.
Rubbing the last of the sleep from my eyes, I enter the food hall, made huge by its sparse occupation. Only a couple maids scurry about, completing their daily duties while serving the handful of early diners; mostly pages about to start their daily training .
I quickly spot a familiar figure: Garth, seated alone in one corner of the hall. Catching my gaze he signals me to take a seat. The grey haired sorcerer barely waits until I am seated before beginning to speak in a low voice, almost urgent.
"I'm sorry to do this so soon but there are a few things I must say before we are joined by others. You must be aware of your current situation, and I wish to talk about your father."
At the mention of my father I perk up, leaning forward and listening intently; my growling stomach going ignored.
"Contrary to the church's claims, your father had not been corrupted by black magic, not yet at least."
I let out a shocked gurgle, quickly quieting down as I notice the odd looks it drew.
"I know" Garth continues. "I myself disagreed with your father's execution; I still could have stopped him, found another way... but once the church leaked the news I had no choice. The people would have been out of control had they not received an answer."
I could no longer hold my words back and they tumbled out of my mouth with hushed distress. "But why would they do that, surely they would know how to help him."
"Power." The reply was simple. "With the king 'corrupted' and the young prince new to the throne, where do you think the people will turn to."
Realisation dawning on me, Causing my eyebrows to furrow. "Surely we... I, should do something."
"There is nothing you can do, not yet at least. The church has too much influence, to go against them would only cause you trouble. No, you must wait and grow your power, create your own faction. Be wary, there are many who would seek to turn you into a puppet king."
Loud, booming laughter interrupts Garth'a monologue, drawing the entire hall's attention. "What are two of the most prominent figures in the kingdom doing in the corner?"
Immediately recognising the voice, I can hardly help the grin that begins to creep onto my face. Turning around, the rotund body of the king's hand, Gordon, filled my view.
Although we were not technically related, Gordon might as well have been my uncle. He raised me just as much as my father, perhaps more so after my mother died. The thought made me wince. The familiar face in front of me is the only person I still have that I count as family; wizard's warning or not.
Laughing heartily, Gordon pats my shoulder affectionately, though it feels more like a sledgehammer. "Look at you boy, you need to eat more or you are going to be all skin and bones."
The all too familiar phrase widens my already large grin, though my mind is whirring to think of a response to his question.
In a flash of brilliance I thought of one that would get two birds with one stone. "We, uh... we were thinking that Garth should teach me magic." This shocked both of the others, though to his credit Garth recovered before he gave away that I had just thought up the idea on the spot. I had just said the first thing that came to mind but the more I thought about it the more the idea made sense, there was no rule against royalty practising magic (legal magic that is).
But still, I had to justify it somehow or neither of them would let me go ahead with it. "I was thinking, maybe if I know more about magic I won't make the mistake my father did. Plus as a ruler I must be at least somewhat knowledgeable about the arcane, I can't have Garth here to advise me all the time."
Brows furrowed, Gordon contemplates his next words. "It could, or it could lead you down the same path..." he wipes his forehead with the back of his hand. "But you might be right, and I doubt I could stop you anyway, you've never been one to take no for an answer."
I give myself a mental high five and try (unsuccessfully I suspect) to keep the smug look off of my face. I was going to learn magic! Turning to Garth, I ask expectantly. "When can we start?"