As the ambush of the 2nd prince spread like wildfire, we head into the capital city of valence, where the news of it was just announce by the royal family, and with those news, came dark intent brewing within the capital.
A bird circles above the City Nairon, as it eventually descends to the Cathedral, entering its high halls, gliding through each column, and weaving as if it was natural, then the next second the bird became a man, this person is a shapeshifter, capable of shifting into animals as he please, He places his hands on the door, and as he opens it he is greeted by the Tribunal of Faith, consisting of 5 members, they are charged with the overall decisions of the faith and its people, they follow the Doctrines of the church which has been around for well over a Millenia, but through the passage of time, the Tribunal of Faith has somewhat lost its purpose and have been filled with the corrupt. An old, stern priest stands before the gathering, his weathered face etched with the wisdom and burden of decades. His deep-set eyes, cold and unyielding, scan the room, demanding silence with their mere presence. His voice, though aged, carries the weight of authority, each word spoken with deliberate precision. "Yosef, What news of the royal family?, have they followed through our plan?" this was none other than the 1st High priest Tilbur. As his voice echoed through the room, Yosef knelt as he spoke, "The royal family intends to do nothing with the attack on the south, their troops are stretched too thin, even sending a single brigade would weaken the border." with the decline of power from the Valence family, its neighbors have become greedy and at anytime invade its border, one mistake and its a full blown invasion. "Those vile creatures from the south are in need of cleansing, they attack the prince and yet the royal family does nothing!" said 5th High priest Wyland, a young priest among the tribunal, "Watch your mouth Wyland, you are new here and we do not allow foolish young men like you to run their mouth." He was rebuked by the 3rd High priest Bogarth, as Wyland was embarrassed among his peers he was staring daggers at Bogarth, before he could say anything Tilbur with clenched fist intervened and slammed at the table. "Enough!, we are short on time and we bicker amongst ourselves!, Yosef send word to the east, tell them to begins their preparations now, go and fly with haste." Yosef nodded and made his way out without looking back. As the door closes, Yosef was gone, only a feather remains on the ground.
With the politics of the church going on, we head into the streets of Nairon, where we see the people and their day to day lives.
As news of the attack on the south spread through the busy streets of Nairon, the people wore looks of fear and anxiety, knowing that an invasion is imminent. but that information seems to take no effect on one woman, as she pick pockets on the rich people on the streets, she was spotted by the city guards. "Hey you! we saw that!, come here you!." with the Guards on her tail she ran on the streets weaving through the waves of people passing by, and eventually hiding in an alley where the guards lost her. and she is called as Shera, A girl near her twenties with a scarlette hair and eyes of green. an orphaned girl, struggling to make ends meet, stealing was her way of living, she finds no satisfaction from it, but she has no choice but to do so to live. Shera was laughing as she got away once more, "Those guards really don't know how to catch someone." as she walked through the alley she looked up, as she could see the ever impressive castle of the Royal family. Shera disdains the royal family seeing them only as corrupt nobles, doing nothing for its people. "One could wonder what's going on inside those castle, might be another party for nobles."
At the same time, in the bed chambers of Prince Claude, Clenching his fist as he was looking down curiously at the streets of his city. wondering what life could be down there, what life could be were he not a prince. A knock can be heard from the door. "Come in, it's open". As the door opens, Claude turns to look, surprised that it was his father standing by the door. "Father?, what are you doing here?, I thought you were busy attending meetings?" asked Claude eagerly. "I had some spare time, are you busy? we have to talk about something son." said the king hesitantly, "Of course, what is it father?" asked the prince. "It appears that dark tidings bid our kingdom and our family, With your brother injured, the south is under the threat of an invasion, Your older brother Eric will ride out soon along with a brigade to reinforce the southern border, leaving only you. your mother and I decided it would be best for you to be married, seeing as you are now of age." before Claude could utter a word his father raised his hand, "I will not have you argue with me son. you will learn to love your wife as I did to your mother, Its for the best, the capital is not safe for you any longer, I'm doing this for you son." as his father gently placed his hand on his shoulder, Claude wanted to argue, but he couldn't. no, he feels that this is the least he could do. as both his brothers are fighting on the frontline, this is the very least he could do. Claude looks up the ceiling and back to his father and reluctantly says "If it is your wish father". as his father put a smile, he said "Good, now the details will be given soon, for now just do what you will". as his father walked out the room leaving the door shut, Claude waited for a while before punching the wall and yelling, "Why!?, Am I not good enough like my brothers?, he sends me away to be married off, is that all I'm worth? a mere political pawn?". Claude grabbed a chair and threw it at the door, with his frustration he sat at his bed and cried desperately, asking why must his life be this way?.