Page 12 of King of Flames and Shadows

Let him try.

Chapter 5 - Arvoren

In the memory, I find myself in a grand chamber, sunlight streaming through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the polished marble floor. The castle is beautiful, bright and full of life. The air is heavy with the scent of polished wood and ancient tomes, a rich tapestry of history that seems to whisper secrets from the past.

I stand before my father, King of Kaldoria, head of House Szallitás, an imposing figure wrapped in the regal garments of his station. His presence fills the room, a force of nature that makes me feel small yet awestruck.

“Father,” I say, my voice a mixture of excitement and reverence, “are we really the greatest house in all of Kaldoria?”

He turns to me, his deep-set eyes piercing but softened with a hint of amusement. “A bold claim from a boy, Arvoren. But yes, we are. Our family has ruled this Kingdom for centuries, against all odds.” His tone shifts, becoming more serious, the weight of his words pressing down on me like a heavy crown. “And it will be your duty one day to ensure that House Szallitás remains at the helm of Kaldoria.”

I swallow hard, the gravity of his statement settling in my chest like a warm ember. “I will, Father. I promise!”

The thrill of his expectations ignites something within me, a flame of ambition that makes my heart race.

Sometimes, Mother takes us to Dornath's shrine while Father is with his council, seeking the Gods’ wisdom in strategy. Being from the human settlements in the north, Mother grew up knowing few of the Gods, but she has taken pains to familiarise herself with them all. We pray for a longtime on those days. Ulric always fidgets through those prayers, but I find comfort in their rhythm.

He moves closer, leaning against the great wooden desk adorned with maps of the kingdom, each mark telling tales of victories and betrayals. “Our family has always fought fiercely to maintain our position. The other houses have been relentless, always seeking to unseat us. But time and again, we have prevailed.”

I nod, my mind racing with visions of knights clashing, banners waving in the wind, warrior-dragons battling in the sky, and the pride of our house standing tall above all others.

“I want to be just like you!” I declare, almost breathless with admiration. “I’ll lead our armies and protect our people!”

A rare smile breaks across his face, and he lets out a small, genuine laugh that resonates like music through the chamber. “Oh, my son, if only it were that simple. You may find that your role as king will be easier than mine.”

“Easier?” I echo, confusion crossing my brow. “How can it be easier? You’re the king!”

He straightens, the light shifting over his sharp features. “Right now, your mother and I are working to foster better relations with the other houses and lords. We seek peace, Arvoren. We don’t want to do what our ancestors have always done—we want to find some way to be better. Strength, but unity, too. We want to build alliances instead of just fortifying walls.”

His voice is rich with ambition, yet I catch a hint of weariness beneath the surface, a burden that feels far too heavy for my young shoulders.

I furrow my brow, intrigued. “You think that will work? That they’ll listen?”

He shrugs, the weight of a King’s responsibility showing in the slight sag of his shoulders. “It’s a risky path. Many will doubt us, and the history between our houses is stained with blood and betrayal. But if we can bring them to the negotiating table, perhaps we can change the fate of this place, which has known such death and bloodshed.”

“Do you think they’ll ever love us like the humans love the Lords of House Caddell?” I ask, my voice small.

He pauses, considering, then shakes his head. “Love is a luxury, Arvoren. Respect and cooperation are what keep a kingdom together. Humans love because they are afraid. It is our duty to ensure that respect is never lost.”

I look up at him, eyes wide. “Then I’ll make them respect me! I’ll be the greatest king!”

He kneels, bringing his face level with mine, his expression serious yet proud. “You must remember, my son, that above all else, maintaining our good name is paramount. It will take all of your strength and wisdom to keep our house secure. And when the time comes, you must be ready to act. Someday, you, too, will have a son. And you will teach him precisely the same lesson.”

The weight of his words sits heavy in my chest, yet I feel exhilarated by the prospect. I nod vigorously, my heart swelling with ambition. “I will be ready. I won’t let you down.”

“Good,” he says, his voice warm and filled with a pride that fills the air like a comforting blanket. “And remember, you are not just my son; you are a Szallitás. The blood of rulers flows through you.”

As he rises, I feel a surge of determination welling within me, igniting a spark of ambition that promises to illuminate my future. I cannot yet see the shadows lurking beyond the bright promise of this moment—the betrayals, the challenges, the inevitable darkness that will threaten to engulf us. I cannot see what will happen next. All I can feel is the light of his faith, guiding me like a beacon, and the thrill of a destiny that lies just beyond the horizon.

***

The great hearth in my study—the very study my father once frequented—spits and crackles, casting shadows that leap and flicker across the high stone walls like restless spirits. I stand before it, staring into the heart of the flames, my thoughts a maelstrom of frustration and rage. My fingers tighten around the crystal decanter, knuckles turning white. The other hand hovers near the small glass I’ve yet to fill.

The girl.Calliope. Calliope Windward of Essenborn.

Her face rises unbidden in my mind: eyes like pieces of polished silver, bright with defiance. Lips curved in a smirk that borders on insolence. She’d looked at me like I was the one brought low. Like I was nothing.

I drag in a slow breath through gritted teeth, but it doesn’t help. The taste of tonight’s humiliation lingers like bitter ash on my tongue. I’ve fought battles and crushed armies—subjugated this entire land through sheer force of will—yet somehow, I let her get under my skin. A girl who should have been trembling at my feet, cowed and afraid.

---