Medieval Fantasy Adult Only RP

The kingdom of Camelot was a powerful force that dominated throughout the lands and various realms of Albion. It was rivalled only by the neighboring kingdom of Mercia, a mostly arid desert kingdom which Camelot's armies were ill prepared for. Such a terrain suffered from harsh conditions, scorching heat by noon and freezing temperatures by night, this had always granted Cenrid and his armies, who were accustomed to such brusque changes, the upper hand in every battle they fought the border.

It had been quite a few years of uneasy peace between the two realms, mostly because king Conrad who ruled over Camelot with an iron fist had been preoccupied persecuting magic and its wielders and raising his son and heir, Ubel, after the death in childbirth of his queen Eleanor.

Now that the young prince had come of age, Conrad turned his sights to the borders and expanding the kingdom further.

With pride blinding his sight and never learning from his past mistakes, Conrad organized and personally lead a raid party to infiltrate Mercia's bordering towns after sending his son away to a bogus task of protecting the southern city walls from a bandit attack, to keep Ubel occupied and away from battle.

Needless to say when new dawn arrived, after the failed raid, Taff, the royal manservant rubbed his hands nervously unsure how to break the bad news to the crown prince and now regent king in his father's absence. How to tell a young spoiled brat that his father had tricked him to keep him from battlefield and its glories and paid the price by falling captive?

Unwilling to bear the brunt of the prince's anger he broke the news as gently and subtly as he could. When rousing the prince from his sleep, he addressed the youth as... your majesty... rather than your highness. A subtle change in commoner's ears that bore the full weight of the crown and protocol within the palace walls and kingdom's borders.

Taff came into the room and pulled the curtains wide open to let the sunlight in, noisily placing the breakfast tray on the table to let the scent assist the task of waking the interim king.

"Good morning... your grace.... breakfast is served.... your majesty" saluted Taff dutifully and loyal to a boot

At the moment, Ubel was sleeping peacefully in the bed. Not having to think about any of the ongoing conflicts around them, the changing pressure that has come with his new age. Having to perform duties and expectations in a new way and to achieve new heights. It caused a deep sense of dread for him. The change in normalcy was hard for him to get over sometimes, the rules and structure of life had changed almost overnight for him. And adapting was something he was not very good at.

He enjoyed this moment of peace and quiet, it was the only time he truly got to quiet his busy mind. All the thoughts that raced around we're very loud and noisy, it was very distracting for him. Having been raised by somebody like Conrad was not an easy existence. There was always some high expectation, with an ingrained desire to not disappoint... That anxiety truly had found a way to harbor a deep paranoid lump inside of his body, it felt so deep like it tainted his soul but.. he'd always felt that pressure.

When things with the war were getting a bit overwhelming and intense, he was a little relieved to be put on a less demanding role. He didn't like to get his hands dirty, at least not in front of others. So a lay low task was perfect for the day. But he hadn't expected to have been tricked into accepting that position. Being completely unaware of what was going on behind the scenes.

So when the curtains drew back and the smell of food ripped him from his peaceful existence. He was already starting out to be a bad day.. he heard the man servent starting to speak and he was already rolling over, planning to ignore it for a little bit and go back to resting. But then he heard that keyword. 'majesty'..

He frozen place, his barely awake mind was already starting to make some sort of connection. It made enough of a connection that it caused him to sit up abruptly and grab the man by the collar of his shirt.

" You better explain why you referred to me like that. And don't you dare miss one detail" he said that he stared into the man's eyes with a deep demanding intent. His eyes were a bright icy blue that felt completely unnatural... That appeared between strands of messy bright blonde hair, just as warm and golden as it always had been. The softness in his features did not take the edge off of the deep scowl on his face and the on edged look in his eye.

He never seemed to relaxed, anything and everything almost agitated him. And this was agitating him. His mouth had curled into a bit of a snarl, he wasn't exactly happy at this moment. Still drowsy from just waking up and his body jumping with adrenaline and alert. He wanted answers and he wanted them now.. and he didn't exactly look very patient for them either.

"Sire, sire... please. Let us not get too hasty here. Seems that yesterday, while you were sent to oversee the guards' parade and the watch over the southern gates for altercations that were mostly minor inconvenience. Your father... king Conrad the Great... made haste to the east, to raid the neighboring kingdom's villages by the border with Mercia. Perhaps he did not bring enough soldiers with him, perhaps there was a traitorous spy or perhaps the ever changing weather are partly to blame for his downfall. He did not fare well in battle and was taken prisoner, he is now a captive into enemy land. He hopes that you will rule these lands with the same firm hand in his stead, your majesty. You are clearly the regent king until his execution is confirmed" explained Taff, giving as much information as he had managed to get from the few survivors that had made it back with the king's signet ring to be delivered to Ubel that he might rule.

He remained quiet as he listened to the story being shared to him. He wasn't going to lie that it didn't surprise him that it happened. In fact it was almost expected.. he was surprised that the king had fallen. The King was so many plans that almost nothing failed.. he almost look like he didn't believe it for a second. Like there was a seed of doubt in his mind that this was a dream or some cruel joke from somebody else. He just couldn't quite wrap his head around how everything had changed literally overnight, well he was asleep and unaware of it all.

Afterwards he relaxed and let go the man's collar. He leans back a little bit and sits a little bit better. He was silent for a couple seconds, as if he was stunned into it. His eyes kind of looking around the room, as if he was trying to form thoughts or recollections. He let out a deep sigh before looking back at the man finally.

" If the king is not dead, what efforts are being made to retrieve. Yes one party might have fallen but that does not mean that the whole Army has. You still have a job to serve him to your utmost ability aren't you? And if he's not dead we don't stop. " He said as he leaned forward a little bit, unsure of what the answer was going to be to that.

Taff took a deep breath having expected that much of a question from the new monarch

"His majesty king Conrad commanded we return to the castle and inform your majesty are to rule over the kingdom until his return. As to rescue measures taken, I am afraid, there are no search parties sent because any amount of armed presence in Mercia would be perceived as an act of war and we are currently ill prepared for war... clearly. It would also endanger your father's already precarious position.

If... there were to be any efforts to find the fallen king... it would have to be extremely low profile, one or two spies to investigate his whereabouts and condition, anything larger than two or three travelers would start off a war we are likely to lose altogether." explained Taff clearing his throat trying to think of solutions that would appease both kings with opposite orders one to stay and the other to go

"Would you like me to assemble two or three of our finest informants for this delicate matter at hand?" asked Taff

Ubel remained quiet as he listened to Taff ramble on. He was getting more irritated by the minute. He sighed as the man finished, he moves over and stood up off the bed. " No need for a whole team, find one or two of the very best. I will join as well, there is nothing to rule as long as his body and soul is left to rot. We will try rescue, if that fails. Then it's a retrieval.." he said walking to the dresser in the room. He silently pushed his hair back a bit and looked at the man through the reflection.

" Is this an understandable order? I don't care how much you need to offer to get the best skill, you just secure what I need. And the rest will up be up to me" he said as his stare remained on the man through the mirror. His gaze sharp and demanding.

Taff almost choked in dismay, looking wide eyed at Ubel

"Have you lost your mind sire? What if you perish or get taken as well? Who shall rule the kingdom in your absence? You are not even betrothed yet, forget married" gasped Taff ever so alarmed at the idea of the prince wandering off with little to no escort into enemy lands to find his missing father.

"Your majesty ought to know the most skilled assassins loathe the crown, you are in much danger in their company as if you were sitting by sultan Cenrid of Mercia's side" spluttered Taff trying to in vain to talk him out of the absurd idea

" and what exactly do you expect me too do? Ruling this kingdom requires more then a passage of words from one person to another. Where is the proof this is the new world order? And how willl this go over with the people? Near by kingdoms will know we are weakened. I can't.. pretend things are fine when they arent. I'm supposed to dance around and keep things running smoothly when it's not possible? If I'm not useful here, I'm better off fixing this mess" he muttered under as he turned around, crossing his arms along his chest.

" Do you have a better idea how to realistically handle the public outcry and actually getting orders and directions pushed through? If you do, please. Advise me because clearly you know better" he hissed out slightly

"A commoner, no matter how educated or skilled, can never aspire to wield the crown or sit on the throne, that would be... it would be... outright treason" gasped Taff all the more alarmed at the suggestion he knew better than his superiors.

"If your majesty insists on departing in this absurd quest, I am in no position to dare oppose or refuse. I am but a servant after all. I can inform your majesty that the finest assassins are known to visit Morgan's tavern, by the docks, at the further end of the slums. No decent guard or righteous knight would ever set foot there though, the lowest of the riff raff are in attendance" muttered Taff

He smirked softly as he turned away. " That rough riff raff are the most skilled hands. I trust you will be able to find a few that would be whiling to help with the promise of good pay... There labour will not be cheap but also not over priced. A good killer will be quiet with his head down, not wanting to attract unwanted attention.. there is good service there, be careful who you snub your nose at"

He said as he started to walk towards the washroom, wanting to clean up and get ready for his awfully long long day.. " the slums have created a need to be craftery. More cunning and whiling to take risks. And, someone with a death wish too... You need someone who has accepted a possible death before he even goes. Sounds clear?"

"If you want the most skilled hands that are not overpriced. I would summon The Slayer. The man is death itself but his younger brother lingers in the highest tower awaiting execution for royal theft. The promise of a pardon would surely put his services to good use at your feet." mused Taff looking at the tall, dark, gloomy tower that loomed over the buildings tainting the otherwise bright and lavish skyline.

Ubel looked at him before back into the mirror. " Then why don't you present the good offer to the man. If he accepts, set his brother free. If he rejects it, push the execution to this afternoon. Light a fire under him to accept.." he said as he started to washed his face quietly. He was prepared to have to do a lot of work to even attempt to fix such a mess. He felt the pressure in his chest a bit but he had to ignore it and push through it.