Royal Coil

Once Upon A Time, I gazed upon a boundless sky, full of endless possibilities. It’s colorful and vast in contrast to what I observe around me, a barren, impoverished landscape, all thanks to that horrid war… This is the land I am to rule one day, and it is a day I have been preparing for the past two years of my life. But I am not fit to rule this kingdom, it’s not my desire to lead these people. I am meant to be a scholar! I am meant to uncover the lost history of this land, but it seems fate will be pulling me in the other direction.

Today there will be a council between the kings of Marconia, Dowell, Parmania, Valpervia, and Sarsonia. There was a recent war between the kingdoms which has caused all this suffering. There’s famine, disease, and death lurking all around here, and it is a truly horrific site. The kingdoms must find a way to put an end to this, which is why my father, King Mallory, has called this council. I must attend in order to meet my betrothed, Lady Crystalia of Sarsonia. We are to be wed three months from this date in order to attain peace between Sarsonia and Marconia. I have never understood the politics behind it all, or how I’m going to turn it around. Most of the royal court despise me, most don’t even believe I’m worthy of the legendary sword Dracon.  

I return to the castle and greet my father. The council was about to begin and I was to go to my chamber to meet lady Crystalia. I had met her when I tried to win her hand in marriage, and her father, King Zarkon, was the one who chose me. I don’t believe this is the way we should go about  this, it would be better to let both choose. It would lead to stronger relationships between the new husband and wife. But the traditional way allows for kingdoms to secure peace. I thought when I first talked with lady Crystalia she would be resentful, but complicit. I was mistaken

Crystalia was sitting on my bed, her blue hair glowing in the sunlight, her pale skin lighting up the room,her deep, blue eyes twinkling. She was wearing a short, blue dress with white highlights. When I walked in, she smiled and kindly greeted me, “Greetings, Zakiah! It’s a pleasure to see you again!” I was dumbfounded. Crystalia seemed concerned, “What’s wrong, Lord Zakiah?”

“N-no! It’s nothing...It’s lovely to see you again.” She giggled, “You haven’t changed at all, have you?”

“I presume not.”

“I guess this is my home now. In three months we are to be wed. I’m excited!” I fell silent, and it seemed she noticed, “What’s wrong, my dear? Is something the matter?”

“No, it’s just how you’re acting about our wedding.” My noble façade had been broken down. She had really confused me. “Oh, I guess it is strange. But you really made me laugh when you were trying to court me, and it was a nice distraction from every other suitor I had. All of them were so dull.” She definitely wasn’t your typical princess. I sighed, “I can’t keep up this noble acy. I’m sorry, Lady Crystalia, I’m not a noble prince. I’m a scholar at heart.”

“Scholar? That sounds very intriguing. Would you mind telling me more?” This princess is starting to really throw me off, “You don’t mind how un-noble like I am?” She gently smiled at me, “It doesn’t really matter. All that I care about is where your heart and morals lie. You are a very kind person, and I was truly happy when my father picked you.”

“I appreciate that Crystalia. I thought you were so gorgeous, but I knew, and still know, that you are way out of my league.”

“Says who? We really have a lot in common. We have many of the same beliefs, and we’re both outcasts.” I was visibly confused, and asked, “Outcasts?”

“You’re an outcast of Marconia’s royal court, are you not?”

“That fact is true, but yo-”

“I am loved by my people and by Sarsonia’s royal court, that is true, but I'm hardly like my peers. I’ve been called “eccentric” and “un-lady like” before, but  I’ve learned to fit in while retaining that personality that makes me unique. It is very hard, but has allowed me to express who I am while fitting in among nobles. It is something you could greatly benefit from, and I’ll even help you along. Marconia is my home now, so we’ll have plenty of time to learn.”

“Crystalia, I don’t think that will hel-”

“I’ll give you a few pointers at the ball tonight, ok?” I gave in. I reluctantly accepted the offer before me and Lady Crystalia began preparing for the ball.

That night there was a grand ball to celebrate peace between the 5 kingdoms. There were nobles conversing all over, many dancing, all of them having a glamorous time. Then there was me standing to the side. I was watching Crystalia chat with other nobles, seeing how she does it. She acted very noble, while still retaining her bubbly personality. She walked over to me and said, "See? Zakiah, you can be noble while retaining what makes you unique. Yes, you must be refined, but you can't be uptight. You have to let loose a little. You also have to socialize with others. It's the only way to develop these skills. So...get out there!" She pushed me into a group of nobles. I took a deep breath and said, "G-Greetings!" They looked at me and said, "Greetings, lord Zakiah. Quite the spritely ball, is it not?" 

"Quite. The decor is splendid." I was dying on the inside. This noble talk was beneath me, but I need to put that past me.

"Indeed. It is truly splendid that the kingdom's attained peace. Do you intend to keep that peace?"

            "Of course. This famine is truly terrible, and it would be a travesty to make it worse." 

          "Forget the famine, our lives could very well be at stake!" We can't just focus on ourselves, but no point in contesting him now.

           I walked back towards Crystalia, and she told me, “Let’s dance, Zakiah!”

“I don’t know about tha-” Crystalia grabbed me and we began to dance. We glided across the ballroom floor, and I honestly quite enjoyed it. It was a superb experience, and it was honestly a glamorous night, and I was glad I could spend it with Crystalia. We just danced the night away…

That night, me and Crystalia were laying in bed. Crystalia and I were trying to get to know each other better. She told me about her life, and when she was finished, she asked me, “I must know...Why doesn’t the royal court accept you?”

“Well it’s a long story. I must confess… I am not of royal blood..”

“What?”

“Yeah...King Mallory’s queen was unable to bear children, and eventually passed away. He went into a deep depression and refused to wed ever again.”

“Where do you come in?”

“I lived in a village in Marconia. My father was a scholar, and I would constantly study with him. That’s where my passion for history came from. All the nobles seem to disregard history, and I just don’t  understand them…” 

“Well why do you study history, Zakiah?”

“...I don’t want history to repeat itself. My village was sacked by barbarians...led by Bargol” Crystalia gasped, “Oh my lord. Zakiah…Bargol is one of the most evil human beings alive. It’s a miracle that you’re here now.”

“Indeed. All of the men were killed, all the women and girls were captured, and most of the boys were killed. Only five of us survived, and all of us made our way to the capital. I had to live on the streets, scrounging for anything I could find. I can’t fight at all, and I barely survived. King Mallory stumbled upon me, and decided to take me in.”

“So they don’t want a peasant taking the throne?”

“Correct. Most even assume that I won’t be able to pull Dracon…”

“Dracon?”

“It’s the legendary sword of Marconia. Legend has it that only one who is worthy to be king can pull it. One week before my coronation, a ceremony will be held at the Dragon’s pillar. There, King Mallory will thrust Dracon into the top of the pillar. Then after my coronation, I will have to travel to the pillar and attempt to pull the sword. That will show whether or not I’m worthy to be king. No king has ever failed this before…”

“And I’m sure you won’t either. You have a kind heart, gentle soul, and I know you’ll be a great leader!”

“I’m no leader. I tend to follow other people’s lead. I just couldn’t…”

“You are doubting yourself. You mustn't. You have to believe in yourself, believe that you are a leader. I ponder about what she said, and she was right. I must step up, I have no other choice. “Thanks, Crystalia.”

“Zakiah...please just call me Crystal.”

“Oh, o-ok. You can just call me Zak I guess.” We embraced, then Crystal gave me a passionate kiss.This was the woman who was to be my queen, and I was happy for it. Before long, we both began to slumber…

In the following weeks, Crystal helped me be more social and proper. She would host "parties”and make me pretend like I was interacting with people. She made me talk properly, but voice my opinions in a respectful way. I really got the hang of it. I was starting to feel more confident...but my coronation was fastly approaching, and I really wasn’t ready for it. The day before would be mine and Crystal’s wedding, and that was a week from today. Tomorrow would be the ceremony at the pillar. Everything was already in place, and when the ceremony finally came, I knew it was my chance to start applying these skills. I had conversations with a few of the nobles there, and they went surprisingly well. I even talked to a few members of the royal court, and they seemed surprised with  how I was acting. It was the first step in fitting in. King Mallory plunged Dracon into the pillar, and the ceremony concluded. Now all that was left now was to see if I was truly worthy of this blade, and of the title of king.

The next day, Crystal was helping me with my etiquette, when we suddenly heard some guards screaming, “Attack! Attack!” Crystal looked at me concerned, “Zak, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know. Let’s go find out at once!” Me and Crystal rushed to see what was going on, and we came across King Mallory and all of the royal court. I approached King Mallory and said, “My lord, what’s going on, pray tell?” 

“Barbarians are attacking the capital.” I heard Crystal say, “WHAT!” I was in disbelief, “Who’s leading them?”

“Bargol.” It couldn’t be. That Bastard! How much looting and pillaging will it take before he’s satisfied? King Mallory continued, “We are to remain here until further notice. We will be safe in the castle.” 

“I can’t just let the citizens die out there! What are the knights doing?”

“Retreating. We have to cut our losses, Zakiah.”

“But fathe-”

“Go back to your chamber, Zakiah! If the court and us die, no one can lead the kingdom. We can’t risk it.”

“I understand…” Me and Crystal proceed to leave, “Zak, we can’t just stand by and let this happen, what will we do?”

“We’re going to the Dragon’s Pillar. It may be too early, but I need it now.” We arrived at the Dragon’s pillar, and I knew what I had to do. I walked right up to Dracon and yanked it up from the ground. I began my march to the town, but Crystal was frozen, “what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, let’s go.” Me and Crystal began our trip to the town with Dracon. We were going to save this town!

We had to dodge guards in order to escape the castle, but we managed. The town was in disarray. It was hard to look at. Some knights saw me and Crystal and said, “Lord Zakiah, Lady Crystalia, you two should be in the castle!”

“I am here to command you, brave knights!”

“Command us? We’re escorting you back to the castl-'' They glance down at Dracon and kneel. A few other knights around also did the same. We were in the town square, and there were a few citizens around, and unfortunately some were deceased. We needed to get all the living townsfolk into town square, but first we needed to round up all the knights still here. I announced, “Brave knights, we must defend this town and its people. Bring the townsfolk right here to the square, and round up any knights you come across! It’s now or never!” The knights shouted and went off. Some stayed behind and defended the square, meanwhile me and Crystal began to plan our counterattack, “Zak, what should we do?”

“We have to lure Bargol out. If we kill him, we can surely cause confusion for his goons. But how will we draw him out?”

“Me”

“Crystal, no! I won’t allow you to do this!”

“I’m a tough girl, Zak. Besides, the best chance to draw him out is with me. I’m a princess, he could have a number of uses with me, it’s the perfect plan Zak.” I fell silent, but I reluctantly agreed. I put a few knights in place to jump Bargol before he could even get his hands on Crystal, and the plan was good to go.

I had sent Crystal out, making her pretend that she was lost in order to gain the attention of Bargol and his cronies. Meanwhile, the knights returned with some reinforcements, and with a few citizens. Crystal also came back with some good news, ‘I’m fairly certain that one of the brigands saw me, hopefully Bargol will be out here soon.” I sent most of the knights off and only kept a few here. Before long, we saw a group of Brigands, and along with them was Bargol. We all got into place. The knights pretended to be busy, I hid, and Crystal stood out in the open. Bargol noticed Crystal and said, “My, my, don’t you look fine, lady Crystallia.” Crystallia gasped, according to plan. Before he grabbed her, I yelled, “Now!” But the knights didn’t come out, only two of Bargol’s goons. Bargol grabbed Crystalia and held his axe towards her neck. His bulging muscles restrained her as she squirmed, trying to escape. I had also just revealed myself, “Ah, prince Zakiah, seems you thought you could get a leg up on me. Fool. Now your precious Crystalia is mine.  I wonder what I’ll do with her first?”

“Bastard! I won’t let you do anything to her!” All the knights stood at attention. Bargol replied, “What will you do, prince?” He laughed, but I decided to challenge him, “Bargol, fight me, one verses one!”

“To the death?”

“Yes.”

“Zak, no! Please don’t!” I could see Crystal tearing up, but I had no choice. Bargol laughed and gave Crystal to one of his goons. I readied myself with Dracon, and we prepared to fight. As we rushed towards each other, I swung as hard as I could, but he deflected it. He began swinging hard at me, and I just couldn’t take it. He had me on the ground before I knew, and with Dracon out of my reach. I thought it was over, and I realized that I truly wasn’t meant to be king. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw Crystal kick the goon in the shin, and before the other brigands could get to her, the knights charged. Crystal then picked up Dracon, and Bargol looked at her, “Aww princess, what are you gonna do with that sword?” He began to laugh before Crystal swung at him, cutting his shoulder. He got angry, and began to swing back, but Crystal dodged and took a jab at him, piercing Bargol’s side. He wallowed in pain, and he took another swing. Crystal backed up and swung, their blades clashing. Bargol tried to swing again, but Crystal ducked, and impaled him straight through the heart. Bargol dropped dead, and after some cleaning up and rounding up of brigands, the battle was over at last.

Crystal walked over to me and handed me back Dracon. Then she said, “I was honestly stunned that you were able to pull Dracon. You really are the rightful king.

“No I’m not, I should be dead right now. The plan failed, and I almost lost you…

“But we still won in the end! The town has been saved, and you led that counterattack. All we can do now is honor the dead.”

“Yeah…” Just then, King Mallory and the royal court walked up, and the king said “Zakiah…”

“Father, I must apologize for taking the sword. It was wrong of me, and I am willing to return it and forfeit my right as king…”

“Zakiah, you did a truly honorable thing. You and Crystalia risked your lives in order to save the townsfolk. Not only that, but you managed to lead the knights valiantly, and with honor. You also pulled Dracon, meaning you are truly worthy of the throne.”A member of the royal court followed up, “Yes, you were truly noble, Zakiah. You are worthy of the throne.” I smiled at Crystal and took her hand, “We will rule this kingdom together, my love.”