By Decree Of Strength

Aurora gave an order to the headless winged spawn, and in an instant, they vanished. Aurora turned to Zale and released him from his restraints.

Zale collapsed to the ground, unable to stand on his quivering legs, and took several deep breaths to calm his racing emotions. 

....

Zale was born from the affair of a common maid who once served under the master of one of the Tidal Depths Kingdom's influential noble houses. The man was powerful and deeply respected, but he recklessly sowed his seed among many of his servants.

Their affair was a secret she kept hidden, clutching it to her heart even when she was cast out of the household after he learned of her pregnancy. Zale grew up with his mother alone, and she spun stories of his father's honour, influence, and strength. 

She called him noble, but he was anything but.