They always say rebellion is possible when you rule, but I never thought that I’d be leading a rebellion against myself. But let me start from the beginning: Once Upon A Time…

“Prince Raelynd Bishop of Archdale,” the announcer declared. I stood there for a moment, allowing the people to assess me as I assessed them. They judged me thoroughly and after a moment the chatter resumed, their attention averting back to the party. I walked down the stairs and began mingling amongst the people.

I admired the diversity. It looked as if the people came from different times. The heathens and us, more sophisticated people. Straightening my tail coat, I meandered up to the chief of the Kinsley tribe. He looked me over, a look of disgust crossing his features.

“Your father has thrown a nice… celebration,” he spoke carefully. He looked past me, I followed his gaze to a slender, graying man a few feet from the marble steps. I frowned, he hardly socialized with his subjects, let alone neighboring rulers.

“Indeed, I am pleased to see you made it,” I offered him a smile.

“I nearly decided not to,” he grumbled. “I would’ve enjoyed to speak to him, but it seems he is… distracted.” The words seemed foreign on his tongue. I watched my father, he was speaking urgently with our steward. Probably discussing if it going as planned. The only reason he threw this ball was to make amends and avoid an unnecessary war.

“I will speak to him if you wish?” I offered. I didn’t desire a war, with a war, there is possibility I would not rule.

“No, I will speak with you, you will be the new king soon,” he nodded. “Will you not?”

“I believe I will be, my twenty first is in just a few days,” I confirmed.

“Good,” the chief grunted.

“If we shall be discussing business, then I shall introduce myself formally,” I bowed to him. “I am Prince Raelynd Bishop, I wish to discuss political matters with you.”

“I, Chief Ridjke, accept your offer. Follow me and we will discuss important matters,” the Chief bowed his head.

He turned around, I was hardly able to see his dark hair over his fur coat. I followed him as he weaved through the crowd, heading for the stained glass doors at the other end of the hall. The Chief didn’t bother apologizing to people as he shouldered past them, I mumbled repeated apologies as they were shoved from his path. He wasn’t even courteous to his own people, who happened to eye me wearily. The heathens were so paranoid, they only believed we’d bring them harm.

We walked out into the cold night, the snow fell steadily covering our gargoyles in an icy blanket. He moved towards one of them and observed the fang of the beast quietly. I didn’t say anything, I just let him observe it, but soon the chill crept into my bones and I was eager to get this meeting along with. My father would notice if I was gone too long.

“I would like to pursue an alliance with you,” the Chief announced. Turning away from the gargoyle.

“That would be outstanding,” I moved forward. He held up his rough looking hand.

“I have terms,” he barked the warning. He said it as if they’d be detrimental terms.

“And your terms are?” I inquired.

“I do wish to seek an alliance with you, but it is under the agreement that your people must stay out of my land. And when you call upon the alliance,” he assessed me carefully. “We will come to your aid.”

“Thank you, in order to keep our alliance, I promise you my people will never step foot on my land.” I stuck out my hand in agreement, he regarded it with caution. After a minute he firmly wrapped his hand around my forearm. His face was grim and firm.

“I will hold you to it,” the Chief grumbled.

“Enjoy the ball,” I urged. He nodded, his aged eyes shielded as he turned around to rejoin the party.

I waited outside for a bit, going over my options as to how I would rule. I had already made my first decision before I was king. I made an alliance with our most dangerous neighbor. Something my father could never do.

“Son, you should be inside,” my father’s voice snaked around me like a rope.

“While you were confirming this celebration is going as planned, I was busy making an alliance with the Kinsley Clan.” I turned around to face him, he looked unimpressed. His grey eyes dead.

“You are a dense child,” he cursed in disgust. “They are freaks. You simply just assured my decision.”

“Your decision?” I frowned. He couldn’t.

“I will not be advocating the throne when your birthday comes around,” he nodded. “You are nowhere near ready to rule. I will continue my kingship as long as I feel necessary.”

“You can’t!” I defended.

“I can and I will,” he said, his mouth in a hard line.