Forging a New Dawn

the sun rose on the day of the funeral, casting a golden hue over the Six Kingdoms as the kingdom prepared to bid farewell to their beloved King Darwin. The air was heavy with grief, and a sense of solemnity enveloped the castle and its surroundings. People from all corners of the kingdom and beyond gathered to pay their respects to the fallen monarch.

The grand funeral procession began with a somber procession through the streets of the capital city. The streets were lined with citizens, dressed in mourning attire, bowing their heads in respect as the funeral cortege passed by. Banners and flags adorned with the royal colors fluttered at half-mast, symbolizing the kingdom's mourning.

As the procession reached the castle, the doors of the grand hall were opened wide to welcome the attendees. Inside, the hall was adorned with black draperies and candles, casting a solemn and dignified ambiance. The scent of incense filled the air, adding a sense of spirituality to the ceremony.

At the heart of the hall, the ornate casket of King Darwin lay in state, surrounded by fresh flowers and wreaths offered by the people and rulers of the Six Kingdoms. The casket was adorned with the royal crest, signifying the king's noble lineage and his significance as the ruler of the realm.

Queen Melissa, draped in black, stood beside her son's casket, her eyes filled with tears. The weight of her grief was palpable, and she held back sobs as she bid her final farewell to her beloved son. The little Prince, heir to the throne, stood solemnly by his mother's side, understanding the weight of the moment even at such a young age.

A grand eulogy was delivered, recounting King Darwin's accomplishments and virtues as a ruler, and a boy. His legacy as a just and compassionate king, who worked tirelessly for the welfare of his people, was honored and celebrated.

As the eulogy concluded, a chorus of mournful music filled the hall, performed by the most skilled musicians from all corners of the kingdom. The haunting melodies resonated with the hearts of all those present, stirring emotions of sorrow and reverence.

Following the ceremony, a funeral procession led by the royal family and nobility made its way to a sacred place reserved for the burial of the royal family.The MOONTHRONE (The mausoleum) nestled amidst a serene garden, became the final resting place for the king, where his memory would be preserved for generations to come.

The ceremony concluded with a symbolic release of white doves, representing the king's soul ascending to the heavens. The doves soared into the sky, carrying with them the prayers and hopes of the people for their departed ruler.

As the last of the guests and lords left the mausoleum, a profound sense of solemnity filled the air. The Moonthrone, as it was called, stood as a majestic tribute to the fallen king, King Darwin. The mausoleum was a sight to behold, its grandeur and intricate design reflecting the prestige and significance of the Six Kingdoms.

Carved from the finest marble, the Moonthrone's structure gleamed with a silvery-white sheen, resembling the radiant glow of the moon. Its domed roof reached high into the sky, symbolizing the king's aspirations and ambitions for his kingdom.

The entrance was adorned with intricate carvings of celestial figures, depicting stars, moons, and constellations, as if to signify the king's everlasting connection to the heavens. The grand archway, shaped like the crescent moon, served as a somber threshold to the final resting place of the beloved monarch.

Inside, the mausoleum was adorned with grand tapestries that narrated the glorious history of the Six Kingdoms. Candlelit sconces illuminated the chamber, casting a warm, ethereal glow that added an aura of reverence. At the heart of the Moonthrone lay the final resting place of King Darwin, an elaborate sarcophagus carved with intricate patterns and embellishments, befitting the great ruler he was.

Beyond the sarcophagus, an expansive mural depicted scenes of the king's life, from his coronation to his valiant battles, symbolizing his reign as a just and powerful monarch. The Moonthrone was a testament to his legacy and a place of remembrance for generations to come.

As Lord Salvador stood across from his daughter, Queen Melissa, and young Prince Cedric, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The Moonthrone was not only a place of sorrow but also a tribute to the greatness of King Darwin's reign. It represented the unity and strength of the Six Kingdoms under his rule.

Salvador( to his grandson): Your brother is dead. Do you know what that means? I'm not trying to trick you.

Cedric: It means I'll become king.

Salvador: Yes, you will become king. What kind of king do you think you'll be?

Cedric : A good king?

Salvador: Hmm, I think so as well. You've got the right temperament for it. But what makes a good king? Hmm? What is a good king's single most important quality?

Queen Melissa; this is hardly the place or the time

Cedric: Holiness?

Salvador: Hmm. Alistair Whitewood was holy. And pious. He built this sept. He also named a six-year-old boy High Septon because he thought the boy could work miracles. He ended up fasting himself into an early grave because 'food was of this world, and this world was sinful'.

Cedric: Justiceeee?

Salvador: [nods] A good king must be just. Elric Ravenshield was just. Everyone applauded his reforms, nobles and commoners alike. He was murdered in his sleep after less than a year, by his own brother. Was that truly just of him, to abandon his subjects to an evil he was too gullible to recognize?

Cedric: No.

Salvador: [Cedric shakes his head in agreement] No.

Cedric: What about strength?

Salvador: [he nods his head approvingly] Yes. Strength. your father King Micheal Gladrell was strong. He won the rebellion and crushed the Cerberus Dynasty. [Salvador's voice shifts to sneering condescension] And he attended three small council meetings in 42 years. He spent his time whoring, and hunting and drinking… until the last two killed him. So, we have a man who starves himself to death; a man who lets his own brother murder him; and a man who thinks that winning and ruling are the same thing. What do they all lack?

Cedric: Wisdom!

Salvador: Yes!

Cedric: Wisdom is what makes a good king.

Salvador: Yes. But what is wisdom? Hmm?

[Cedric is silent]

Salvador: A house with great wealth and fertile lands asks you for your protection against another with a strong navy that could one day oppose you. How do you know which choice is wise and which isn't?

[Cedric looks at Salvador blankly without uttering a reply]

Salvador: You've any experience with treasuries and granaries, or shipyards and soldiers?

Cedric: No. [the Prince admits defeatedly]

Salvador: No. Of course not. A wise king knows what he knows and what he doesn't. You're young. A wise young king listens to his counselors and heeds their advice until he comes of age. And the wisest kings continue to listen to them long afterward. Your brother was not a wise king. Your brother was not a good king. If he had been, perhaps he'd still be alive.

[Salvador approaches his grandson and leads him by his arm to exit as they speak]