E
EquinoxSol
Guest
Original poster
Astoria sighed as the carriage trundled along the path. Outside, the scenery was lush with trees and shrubs, the early summer weather prime for what he was traveling for. Ahead of him, in his own carriage, was his father, the ruler of the elven kingdom of Alintia, while behind him, in four separate carriages was his brothers.
Wishing that he and his father were the only ones in the royal family attending the peace summit, Astoria fiddled with the hem of his jacket, an intense boredom filling him. It felt like forever until the driver stopped and opened the door.
Silently, Astoria got out, smoothing down his jacket. They stood in a large clearing, the royal caravan wrapping around a large grouping of tents. The largest stood in the center, resplendent in the noontime sun. The trees were lush with reds and yellows and oranges, and a full-blown autumn breeze blew through them. A truly great day for a peace summit, if ever there was one. Astoria watched his father get out of his own carriage, and approached him.
"Father, did we have to bring my brothers?" he asked, gesturing towards them. Their ages ranged from five to sixteen, and Astoria felt that none of them were mature enough to attend the peace summit. Besides, he was the crown prince, he was the only one who needed to know how to act at a peace summit. Still, if it hadn't been for his father, there would be no need for this peace summit.
For a quarter of a century, Alintia had been at war with a country that shared its southern border, and after the death of millions, the two rulers were finally attending a peace summit. Hopefully, peace could be attained, and, as Astoria's father hoped, perhaps he could arrange a marriage between one of his younger sons and one of the other king's children to further strengthen the peace.
His father patted Astoria's shoulder before saying, "Of course. Perhaps they will learn some decorum and some bravery. Or a marriage could be arranged, and they will learn compassion."
Sighing, Astoria walked away, deciding to take a walk. He walked around the grand tent, brushing back his long, black hair. On the other side, the other country's men were setting up, and Astoria, not wanting to cause a scene, hung away from them, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched them work. They were a curious sort, and Astoria thought it odd to be looking at people he had been taught were enemies since he could read. Here, no one had weapons, in order to preserve the peace, and it made Astoria feel very vulnerable. He was used to always having an armed guard nearby, to protect him, and now, he was being allowed to walk alone amongst strangers, former enemies of Alantia.
It was curious, to say the least, and Astoria was excited to finally interact with people and explore without a guard always within three feet of him.
Wishing that he and his father were the only ones in the royal family attending the peace summit, Astoria fiddled with the hem of his jacket, an intense boredom filling him. It felt like forever until the driver stopped and opened the door.
Silently, Astoria got out, smoothing down his jacket. They stood in a large clearing, the royal caravan wrapping around a large grouping of tents. The largest stood in the center, resplendent in the noontime sun. The trees were lush with reds and yellows and oranges, and a full-blown autumn breeze blew through them. A truly great day for a peace summit, if ever there was one. Astoria watched his father get out of his own carriage, and approached him.
"Father, did we have to bring my brothers?" he asked, gesturing towards them. Their ages ranged from five to sixteen, and Astoria felt that none of them were mature enough to attend the peace summit. Besides, he was the crown prince, he was the only one who needed to know how to act at a peace summit. Still, if it hadn't been for his father, there would be no need for this peace summit.
For a quarter of a century, Alintia had been at war with a country that shared its southern border, and after the death of millions, the two rulers were finally attending a peace summit. Hopefully, peace could be attained, and, as Astoria's father hoped, perhaps he could arrange a marriage between one of his younger sons and one of the other king's children to further strengthen the peace.
His father patted Astoria's shoulder before saying, "Of course. Perhaps they will learn some decorum and some bravery. Or a marriage could be arranged, and they will learn compassion."
Sighing, Astoria walked away, deciding to take a walk. He walked around the grand tent, brushing back his long, black hair. On the other side, the other country's men were setting up, and Astoria, not wanting to cause a scene, hung away from them, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched them work. They were a curious sort, and Astoria thought it odd to be looking at people he had been taught were enemies since he could read. Here, no one had weapons, in order to preserve the peace, and it made Astoria feel very vulnerable. He was used to always having an armed guard nearby, to protect him, and now, he was being allowed to walk alone amongst strangers, former enemies of Alantia.
It was curious, to say the least, and Astoria was excited to finally interact with people and explore without a guard always within three feet of him.