Chapter 2: The High Chancellor

As the word 'dragon' echoed in Charles' mind, his heart began to race with fear and excitement. He had heard stories of dragons, creatures of myth and legend, feared and revered in equal measure. He couldn't believe that such a creature could exist in their world, but he couldn't deny the shiver that ran down his spine at the mere mention of it.

'But there are no eggs left,' the chancellor thought, reflecting on his studies both as a young man and later as a vassal of the crown. How many times he read about the death of those creatures, he couldn't remember but one thing was written in every book. No eggs were found.

With a furrowed brow and a troubled expression, William approached the man, repeating the king's urgent message. "Hi-hi chancellor, please hurry. Hi-his majesty requires your immediate presence. It's a matter of utmost importance."

With a deep breath, Charles composed himself and followed the young servant, his mind racing with possibilities of the existence of a dragon. As they hurried through the shadowy halls, Charles couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking towards something monumental, something that would change the course of history.

Upon reaching the door to the king's study, William stopped abruptly, making way for the old man to reach the door in a way to show that only he is to enter. He approached it, still in shock, but not really believing the boy's story.

After all, dragons had not been seen for over 500 years.

The chancellor barely touched the wooden door when a grave voice from the other side ordered him to enter. The room beyond was familiar to Charles, having served and assisted two kings there.

Yet, that night it felt different. The flickering light of a single candle cast deep shadows across the room, making it difficult to see anything clearly. The torn sheets of paper on the desk caught his eye, evidence of the turmoil that must have taken place here.

Standing rigidly by the window was king Darian, the master whom Charles swore allegiance to for more than twenty years ago when the old king's days came to an end. He didn't face the door, yet his rigid posture and silence were enough for the chancellor to know the gravity of the situation.

Charles took a few hesitant steps towards the king, trying to make out any signs of what was troubling him. As he drew closer, he could see his master' face was etched with lines of worry and his hands were clasped tightly in front of him.

"Is it true, you highness?" he hesitated. "About the dragon?"

For a moment it seemed the man behind the desk would not respond and when he did, his voice was a little more than a whisper. "An egg, Charles. They found an egg in the east."

The old man let out a long breath upon hearing those words and approached the desk. It seemed that his earlier suspicions were true after all. "A dragon from Walchia, my lord?" he repeated, unable to keep the excitement from his voice.

"Just an egg, but it will hatch." There was no joy in his tone.

"And when it does it will be the greatest creature in this world."

"A dragon… never thought it would happen during my reign", he paused for a second and the scholar waited. " I suppose I should rejoice. The king who brought back the dragons."

"It'll be a mighty accomplishment, my king."

"But it's not mine."

"Are you not the king right now, when the dragon will be born? And think of all the mages who will come to serve you, with all their magic alive again after so much time."

"Magic is the last thing on my mind. How could they even use it if it nearly disappeared with the last dragon, hundred of years ago?"

"The mages still practice daily as they always hoped…"

His king interrupted him. "The mages are merely a shadow of their for-fathers. They can barely light a candle and they rely more on each other than on magic."

The chancellor didn't want to give up. Afterall, the magic from before was said to be able to do great things. "But now that the dragon will be born, their magic will surely bloom."

Suddenly turning from the windows, the furrowed brows of the king formed deep creases between them, looking at his servant with a hint of worry. "Enough with this nonsense! The real problem is who will tame the dragon. Which of the dukes will be able to stir its flames and wings and how can I bring it to my side."

"All the dukes and their families swore loyalty to you, your highness. They must obey." The scholar was stern and fixed in his position, but knew his king had many enemies. He always tried to take a little of his highness' burden from his shoulders, but the king had broad and strong shoulders that could endure much more. His advisor knew this.

"Send messages to all the duchies," the authority of the ruler resonated in the room. "They must send one of their children to the palace and be prepared on this matter. One of them will ride a dragon some day."

The high chancellor bowed deeply before answering. "Should I even message Lord Everglow? His disapproval of the royal family is, of course, well known. Might I suggest letting him in the dark about the matter?"

His highness looked at him with narrow eyes pondering on the suggestion. "Impossible! He is not someone who can be left in the dark and, besides, if his child will be the only one to tame the dragon…"

"But his schemes and his immoral ways, my king", the old man shivered at the thought of such power in that man's hands. "They are inappropriate…"

"Are they really? Maybe he could actually help with another problem, one nearer home."

"You mean the crown prince?" Charles asked, without knowing what such a depraved man could help the heir as he already has the open support of the other four dukes. If not marriage.

"Yes… the prince…" The king paused for a long time before continuing. "Charles, you are like a father to me. Sometimes I think you were more of a father than the old king and I hope you will still be beside me until the end."

"Of course, your majesty. Your highness' words moved me deeply and I am grateful to be able to serve you until the end of my days. Nothing will make me move my position anywhere else."

"Have I ever failed you, Charles? Or the kingdom?" he asked without waiting for an answer. "Only once maybe, but it turned out right in the end."

The chancellor's thoughts went to that wrong path his highness was about to take so many years ago.

When the king was a young man he was betrothed to duke Hastings' daughter, a woman most noble in the kingdom. But he initially refused, trying to get his father to acknowledge his mistress. A whore, really, of low birth who knew nothing of the noble world and had no interest in educating herself. She was brought in by his cousin, Lady Elaine, as a painter to make a grand portrait of the royal family and remained for a time as the prince's toy.

The chancellor had no idea how that bitch captivated the heir, but he declared himself in love with this little painter. He visited his cousin while she stayed at the castle so many times and called for her to have tea together at least twice a week. All just to see that whore whom the lady always brought with her.

Daily did Charles pray to the heavens to make the girl disappear and one day she did. All thanks to the one who initially brought her in, Lady Elaine who left taking the woman with her. Unfortunately, both died after a carriage accident, shortly after they left the capital but the chancellor still prayed for the lady every night.

All the advisers were relieved and the prince married his bride who was chosen carefully. They seemed to come together nicely and everyone was glad for their union which was sadly short. Despite her noble background and vigour, she died too early but not before giving birth to a son, prince Magnus. He became the new hope of the country and the pain of his teachers as he did all he could to have everything his way. But despite all that, he grew up into a fine man and a frightful warrior who stopped the three decades war, becoming a hero.

So, the answer would be no in the end. His highness had never let down his subjects. Not even once.

"The people of Thrakia had never seen injustice or were let down in any way, your highness. My trust in you had never been shaken, not even in those dark hours," the old man proclaimed.

The king finally moved from the windows and reached for something inside his desk. "I'm glad you feel this way." He took out a letter and gave it to his chancellor. "This is only for your eyes as it contains my most dangerous secret and my most hidden desire. Read it alone in your chambers and burn it afterwards. I put my trust in you that even after learning about everything you will still feel the same. The time to act has come."

"But my king, what does..?"

"Read it. Alone. Go now! They should get here as soon as possible."