It had been a long and restless night-Though his bed was soft, and large enough to hold half his normal entourage, Richard had tossed and turned relentlessly. Sleep having successfully evaded him, he rose and stepped to the window. Sare was peaceful at night; there were only a few lamps lit along the shore of the lake and the streets of town at this hour. The moon was full, shining gently on the lake amidst the clouds. His mark seemed to reflect the moon’s light. Richard leaned his head against the stone frame of the window, rubbing his hand.

I can’t hide this forever.

He felt lost. Lost and confused and with nowhere to turn. I can’t run from this. I can’t hide. But facing it head on means...

He looked out at the quiet lake. It means the death of my people.

He closed his eyes, fighting off tears. I can’t face this alone. But who can I turn to?

Seek Me.

\*\*\*

The war room of Cardinal Castle was lit with Ekyltric lighting - Blackwood had insisted on it here over other more useful places such as the dining hall or personal quarters. Richard had overheard several complaints from the servants about the extra contractors-overheard, that is. No one rarely told him anything directly. 

Since Ruben wasn’t directly at war with anyone, there was only one guard posted outside the door. Richard was allowed in with no issue. His gloves were white today, white to match the dark red waistcoat he’d decided to wear. He’d felt the need to be at least a little formal. He was calling upon General Conley, after all. 

The man was standing at the table, looking over a map that had once depicted Dalreme, now the Twin Kingdoms. A rather crude red line was hastily drawn over the Begoria mountain range, which served as the natural divide between the two. He shared Nate’s fiery red hair, although his was cropped close and short, in contrast to his son’s unkempt curls. They also shared broad shoulders, although Richard suspected that General Conley would wear a uniform far better than Nate ever could. 

“Ah, Prince Richard.” The General looked up, then bowed as the young man entered. “What brings you to the war room today? Aside from further prodding from Lord Blackwood, that is?”

“I’m afraid you’ve seen right through me.” Richard offered a congenial laugh. “I spoke with him yesterday-He mentioned plans for a new military training camp?”

“Hm?” General Conley raised an eyebrow. “Yes, it has been discussed a couple of times. But no more than the most fundamental of planning-You don’t build up your military unless you’re planning to go to war, or think you’ll be invaded.” He looked back down at the map. “Did he perchance say where this ‘camp’ would be?”

Richard stepped forward to match him. “Here, in Gorey.”

“Gorey?” Now both of Conley’s eyebrows were raised. “I was speaking with the Commander Hayes-Our peacekeeper division, if you recall-and he said a farm was burnt down not two days ago in Gorey. Thankfully a band of riders happened to pass through and kept the family there from harm, but he said they’ll be hard pressed to get anything planted or salvaged this year.” His brow furrowed. “Funny that little village should come up twice in such short order.”

He looked up. “Why does this bring you here, though?”

“I had suggested Lorha as an alternative.” Richard pointed to the village in the northwest corner. “I know it’s futile to dissuade Lord Blackwood from military pursuits, but I had hoped an alternative that more suited our current needs would satisfy him.” Richard looked at the general. “I think he was hoping you would talk me out of it.”

General Conley laughed. “He would! No, Lorha is a fine choice.” The man looked at him with a smile. “The camp may not be built as fast as he wants-but it will be built. I’m glad you found a place that might actually be of use other than antagonizing our neighbors.”

Richard relaxed, “Thank you.” 

“Is there anything else I can help you with today?” The General asked, writing a note down on a pad of paper that was close at hand. “We’re at peace, thankfully, but it never takes much to tip that balance.”

“Ah- Actually, there is one other thing.” Richard had turned his attention to a portrait of King Ruben that hung on the wall. Why are there never any portraits of the Queen? “Ki-My father, when he first took the throne...” Richard paused, trying to find the right words. “How... how did he go about choosing his council?” He looked up at the General, fighting to keep the desperation out of his eyes. “How did he find the men he could trust?”

General Conley leaned back on his heels, let out a long sigh, and closed his eyes as he thought. “That’s not an easy question to answer, I’m afraid. It really depends on the person. While I was considered close to the King, it was only after he had taken the throne and I was elected to the council. The King of Mira, on the other hand, was thick as thieves with him while they were in college. I hope you two will be able to speak on equal terms one day.”

The General opened his eyes and looked at the young prince. “Ultimately, it will be up to you to find people that you trust. Though I hope you aren’t eager to be rid of the old council as soon as you take the throne.” He added with a jovial glint in his eye. 

“What-No, of course not!” Richard protested, shaking his head. “I-Have no intention of the sort. The people of Ruben are familiar with the Council, and I have no intention of causing upheaval when that day comes.”

“Even Lord Blackwood?”

“Ah-“ Richard’s eyes widened as he bit his lip. “Lord Blackwood... may need to be encouraged to take a long holiday after his many years of service to the crown.” He gulped, perhaps a bit too quickly. “Not that I’m not grateful to him, you understand, but-“

General Conley held up a hand. “You will need to be able to guide this kingdom under your own wings, not his.” He said softly. “I understand.”

“Thank you.” Richard relaxed. “Well, I would hate to trouble you any further-“

“Actually.” The General cut him off. “There is, forgive my presumptuous, Your Highness, perhaps something that you can do for me.”

“Oh?”

“There is a fort down in Upton that I have been due to make an inspection on-desperately overdue, that is. Unfortunately Blackwood’s kept me here talking about strategies and mobilization and everything else. Perhaps you would be willing to go in my stead?”

“Me?” Richard panicked. “I don’t remember the first thing about inspecting troops!”

“Oh, you wouldn’t have to do much-I’ll send my aide along to do the actual work, he knows what to look for.” The General waved his hand, jotting down another note. “But the reports coming from Upton have been, well, sloppy as of late and I’m starting to become concerned. An unexpected visit from the Crown Prince would be just what’s needed to, well...” The General looked up with a weak smile. “Encourage them to straighten up and fly right. Just show up in a good coat and clean hair and they’ll be falling all over themselves. “

“I... don’t see why not.” Richard said slowly. “Anything to be out of doors-the weather’s too fine to stay inside.”

“Tell me about it!” General Conley laughed. “My wife’s been begging me to take the family away for a weekend. Thank you, Your Highness. Is tomorrow too short a notice, you think?”

“For a surprise inspection?” For them or for me? Richard thought to himself. “I wouldn’t think so-Theoretically they would need to be ready to react at any time.” It’s a half-day’s ride to Upton from here... He looked at the map. So long as I ride myself and don’t take half a motorcade with me. He looked up at the General. “Would tomorrow afternoon suffice?”

“I believe it would.” The General nodded, turning to look at the map. “I’ll give them, oh... an hour’s notice. My aide Cyril will meet you at the Emerald Stoat at noon tomorrow.” He looked up. “Does that give you time to make your own arrangements?”

“That will be plenty.” Richard replied. “I had best go make my arrangements.”

“Thank you for this, your Highness. This is a huge weight off my mind.” General Conley smiled. “Let me know your own impressions when you return.”

“I will.” Richard nodded with a smile. 

It wasn’t until he had left the war room and was walking down one of the corridors near the courtyard that Richard stopped to think. *I can’t believe I did that. Why did I do that?*

“Lord Blackwood, surely you understand...”

Richard instinctively ducked against a pillar as a small crowd walked through the hallway at the end of the corridor. Lord Blackwood was surrounded by council members and aides, all vying for his attention. There was one of his signature perpetual scowls on his face. Richard waited until the crowd had vanished before he stepped out behind the pillar.

Ah... right. 

Well, if I’m going, I’m going to need a guard. Richard thought, turning towards the barracks. It’s Joseph’s day off, but Benji should be free.

The barracks weren’t far; just behind the gardens, hidden by a large hedge. Richard found Benji and surprisingly, Nate at the shooting range that had been set up at the furthest corner of the Barracks. Benji was focused on one of the targets at the end of the range. Nate had a pistol broken down and laid out on a table in front of him, a rag in his hand as he cleaned the barrel. Richard politely waited until Benji had discharged his pistol before he stepped forward. “Your aim’s improved.”

“Mm? Oh, Hey, Your Highness.” Benji turned around, carefully lowering his pistol. “Yeah, still can’t match Joseph though.” 

“I’ve yet to see anyone match Joseph.” Nate said from the table, inspecting the barrel closely. “Most don’t take care of their gear as well as he does, though.”

“Is that so?” Richard asked. 

“Yeah. Captain Howlett asked me to look over this one for him.” Nate held up the barrel he was working on. “Someone jammed it and refused to clear it.”

“Anyway, what brings you by?” Benji asked, setting the safety on his own weapon. “You never come down to the shooting range for a social call.”

“General Conley has asked me to make a surprise inspection of the fort down in Upton. It’s tomorrow afternoon, so I’d have to leave either today or early tomorrow to make it.” Richard explained. “And I can’t take the motorcade if I want to make it in any reasonable amount of time.”

“You just don’t want to take the motorcade.”

“And that. Are you free for the next couple of days?”

“I’ll have to check the roster, but I’m fairly certain I’m free.” Benji set his pistol on the table for Nate to clean.

“You’re headed to Upton?” Nate asked, looking up. “That’s odd, my dad just asked me to take my sister down to Upton tomorrow. We’ve got a gift to take to the Grotto of the Holy Virgin and my sister’s been trusted with delivering it.”

“Do you want to ride with us? The more the merrier, after all.” Richard offered.

“When do you want to leave?” Nate asked.

“...this afternoon, if at all possible.” Richard decided. “I’d like a bit of time in Upton to settle before calling upon the fort.”

“My sister will be mad, but she’ll live.” Nate shrugged. “It’s not like she doesn’t pack for a trip until the last minute anyway.” He stood up from the table, tossing a cloth over the unassembled weapons. “I’ll give her a call real quick and let her know.”

“I’ll check in with Captain Howlett about the roster and check on the bikes.” Benji said. “I’ll make sure Joseph knows to meet us in Upton tomorrow.”

“I had better pack as well.” Richard said. He was fairly certain his good coat was clean. “Thank you both, truly.”

“Meet you at the front gates after lunch?”

“Sounds like a plan.”