The early morning light streamed through the high windows of Valion Keep, casting long shadows across the stone floor. The air carried the aroma of freshly baked bread, spices, and roasted meats, as breakfast was being prepared in the kitchen. But, Akin Valion had little interest in eating. He had retired to the training field, swinging his sword with the ferocity of a young warrior determined to prove himself.
Since childhood, his father had taught him that discipline and practice were the foundation of strength. Thus, Akin woke up early, every morning practicing with the guards and training under the watchful eye of his father's sword master-at-arms Sir Aldred.
"Akin!" Aldred yelled from the side of the yard. "Focus your strikes! You're swinging too wide."
Akin, drenched in sweat, gritted his teeth and narrowed his stance. He adjusted his grip on the sword and began again, this time executing a series of precise strikes against the wooden training dummy. The muscles in his arms and back burned, but he welcomed the pain. It was a reminder that he was getting stronger.
After several more hours of grueling training, Aldred called for a stop. "That is all for now", the grizzled knight ordered feebly on his way toward Akin. "You're improving, lad. Unfortunately, physical strength does not automatically equate to victory in fights. You have to become more intelligent, you need to read your opponent and take advantage of their weak points."
Akin panted, wiping sweat off his forehead. "I understand, Sir Aldred. My father says the same."
"Aye, your father is a wise man, " Aldred said it, more as a statement than an answer. "You'll do well to heed his lessons."
Akin sheathed his sword, he felt the weight of that expectation pressing in on him. The provinces of Elaris were still freshly restored thanks to nearly two decades of war, enemies, and traitors seeing the power in an endless campaign against one another rather than against their common rivals on other continents; General Thorian Valion had united fractured provinces of Elaris through sheer will and battlefield brilliance. The populace idolized him, and Akin was considered his rightful heir who was next in line.
Akin, however, was not sure if he was ready. He possessed the physical strength, sure, but leadership was more than wielding a blade. It took wisdom, patience, and tough decision-making. This often came with great sacrifice.
He shook off the doubts as best as he could. There would be time to prove himself when the moment came.
Akin headed to the stables after training, where his father was readying for a trip. Thorian was inspecting his horse, a powerful black stallion warhorse, by the name Valor while his retainers loaded supplies onto a second mount.
"Father, you're leaving?" Surprised to find his father seemingly readying for departure, Akin inquired. He had expected him to stay in Valion for at least a few more days after the feast.
Thorian glanced at his son "Yes, I've been summoned to the capital. There are matters of state that require my attention."
Akin frowned. "Is everything alright?"
Then Thorian hesitated for a moment weighing his words. "Nothing to worry about, son. It's just some political affairs that require my attention and I have to be there to ensure things don't spiral out of control."
Akin didn't fully believe him.
His father was rarely so vague. "Should I come with you?"
Thorian smiled, placing a hand on Akin's shoulder. "Not this time. There is work here for you at Valion Keep. Besides, this is a quick journey. I'll be back before you know it."
Akin wished to probe for more details, but that was something his father would not allow. Thorian was good with the complex politics of court life and Akin knew that he could manage them once more.
"I'll make sure things stay in line here," Akin said with a nod.
"I know you will," Thorian replied. He gave his son's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Remember what I've taught you. Be vigilant. And train hard—you are going to need every bit of strength and skill for the challenges ahead."
With that, Thorian mounted his horse and rode out of the keep with a small retinue of trusted soldiers. Akin watched them disappear down the road, feeling a strange sense of foreboding settled over him.
The day passed slowly after his father left. Akin sparred with the guards that afternoon, trying not to be distracted by the conversation he and Thorian had shared in their tent last night. His father had talked about enemies, of betrayal in the shadows. Even if Elaris was at peace, it did not feel safe – the kingdom rested on fragile ground and Akin knew all who lived within its borders were not loyal to the Valion family.
Late that night Akin sat alone in the library of his keep as warm light from an orange dying sun drifted through shadow and quietly fell across the book shelves. The room was grandly open, with row upon rows of old tomes and scrolls — many telling Elaris' history in the crumbling leaves of wars before his father's unification. Akin found his solace and serenity in the library- a place he had always been comfortable behind its thick walls.
Seated at a massive oak table with the map of Elaris spread out before him, he examined the edges of his father's empire, identifying critical provinces and cities that had been annexed under his father's rule. Finally, the southern provinces, and once rebellious ones at that, had been the last to fall…but then again rumors of unrest persisted there.
The kingdom is united, but unity can be fragile. Akin mused as he ran his fingers over the map's edges. One misstep, one betrayal, and everything could fall apart.
Lost in thought, he hardly noticed the sound of soft footsteps coming up behind him.
"Akin?" He was startled by the sudden interruption and looked up to see his mother, Lady Elara by the doorway. Her long black hair was twisted into an intricate braid and dripped from the side of her head in soft curls, and she wore a deep green gown that shimmered in the flickering torchlight. She was as graceful and composed as ever, but there was a tightness around her eyes that Akin hadn't noticed before.
"Mother," Akin said, rising from his seat. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to find you." Elara replied, walking over to the table "You've been in here for hours.".
Akin glanced at the map before looking back at her. "I was studying the provinces. Father departed for the capital this morning and… I wanted to familiarize myself with the land. In case—"
"In case something happens?" Elara finished for him, her voice soft and knowing.
Akin nodded. "Father spoke of betrayal. He said nothing much, but I could see that he was bothered."
Elara released a sigh and sat next to her son, running her fingers delicately over the edges of the map. "Your father is a warrior, Akin. But even he cannot be everywhere at once. There are those who would seek to take advantage of his absence, those hungry and jealous of his power and influence."
"Do you think there is danger in the capital?" Akin asked, his brow furrowed.
Elara hesitated for a moment before answering. "There is always danger, my son. The court is a place of whispers and schemes, and your father has many enemies, both known and hidden. But he is no fool. He will not be caught off guard."
Akin felt a knot tighten in his stomach. His father was strong, but the thought of him walking into a trap gnawed at him.
"Do you feel he is in danger right now? Akin asked, his voice lower.
When Elara's eyes met the boy's eyes, for a second, her composed facade wavered and revealed the worry that lay beneath. "I don't know," she admitted. "Still, we must remain vigilant to be prepared for all possibilities."
The room fell quiet and the light of the flickering torches began to cast long shadows against the stone walls. Akin felt the weight of responsibility settling more heavily on his shoulders. His father's words echoed in his mind: 'Enemies will come from within and without.'
Akin was beginning to suspect that the peace Elaris had enjoyed in recent years had been fragile, and Akin was beginning to understand just how tenuous that peace truly was.