Iron for Iron

The view outside the Old Ugly was extraordinary as Blake and the rest stared out from the bridge. Despite having heard of the Capital's description from Professor Hamlot and his students, it did no justice to its grandeur. The Capital of the Iron Kingdom was three to four times the size of Haven back in the New World. Suburbs after suburbs spread out from the Iron Palace which was sited on a small hill that overlooked the entire sprawling city.

A snaking river cut through the centre of the city and massive waterwheels could be seen here and there. Thousands of smokestacks from factories to workshops and steam boilers pointed to the skies and spewed out steam and dirty smoke while in the skies, there were hundreds of airships of all sizes, further cluttering the air.

What made Blake amazed was actually the several giant floating islands that was anchored to the ground by massive chains. Mansions and gardens could be seen on the top while some others were military in nature, judging by the number of watchtowers and airships parked on them. There were even some floating islands that were covered in a thick fog, their purpose unknown.

The Iron Palace on the hill had walls of grey, even the towers and roofs were in grey and the streamers of gold, white and red flew from the tops of the spires stood out strikingly. Similarly, the perimeter wall of the city was grey and covered with flags and streamers of gold, white and red, the colours of the Iron Kingdom.

Dozens and dozens of stub nose steam cannon barrels could be seen poking out from various points of the walls. As the Old Ugly approached the city, a couple of Iron Kingdom airships closed in and an officer from one of the ships using a speaking trumpet ordered the Old Ugly to heave to for boarding and inspection.

Blake nodded to the pilot while the Third Prince beside him was clearly impatient and worried. Ever since they picked up news of his father's illness and of the sudden attack by the Tri State, he had been urging Blake to sail faster to the Capital. As they approached the Capital, they spotted more and more airships in the air, and the highways below them were clogged full of people and wagons.

The appearance of the Third Prince has changed too, no longer sporting his signature golden locks, instead, his hair had been dyed a simple dark brown. Under the skilful hands of Dr. Sharon, she used some simple makeup to turn the looks of the Third Prince to be more normal, even adding a mole on his cheek, causing his original good looks to drop a few points.

The two Iron Kingdom airships came up next to the Old Ugly, one of them sliding up next to the ship while the other hovered nearby, its steam cannons out and ready. Boarding bridges were deployed and a troop of Iron Kingdom soldiers came on board. The officer in charge politely explained to Trism about the need for all these and apologized for any inconvenience caused.

After that, the soldiers conducted a quick search of the airship and finding nothing out of the ordinary, the officer apologized again and warned them to avoid heading to the east where the Tri State were invading. After the two airships departed, the Old Ugly continued its way towards the Capital.

"This is inconceivable!" Prince Herod frowned as he watched the departing airships. "Why would the Tri State attack us?"

"It could be due to news of your missing brother, plus the health of your father and also you being missing," Trism said. "With all this going on, this is the weakest time for the Iron Kingdom."

"Curse their ancestors!" The Third Prince growled. "When I take command of the fleets, these Tri State upstarts will pay!"

Prince Herod turned to Blake and said, "Our alliance still holds? Will your backers move?"

Blake sighed softly before he said, "As long as we get what we want, you can rest assured we will keep our word."

"Good!" Prince Herod nodded before he turned his attention out of the bridge towards the dull grey palace in the far distance. "We must hurry!"

"Yes, we need to hurry," Blake agreed softly, his eyes staring at the Prince's back intently.

-----

The Old Ugly docked on one of the many fields outside of the city walls. Non military airships not belonging to the Iron Kingdom was not given permission to fly into or dock within the city walls, any ship breaking that law would find itself blown out of the skies. Once all the usual fees and procedures were done, two parties departed the Old Ugly and entered the city.

The party was made up of the Third Prince, Blake, Dr. Sharon, Magister Thorn, Professor Hamlot and his remaining students and a dozen heavily armed Marines wearing unmarked platemail led by Mills. The second party members consisted of Trism and his intelligence agents, who entered the city separately to gather intel.

Their numbers did not even raise any eyebrows from the guards at the city guards as almost every group entering and leaving the city was accompanied by a large retinue of guards. The only issue was the large entry fee needed as they did not have any Iron Kingdom identity passes, only the fabricated passes of the Loose Confederation.

After the stricter checks than usual, they finally entered the city. Under Professor Hamlot's advice, they hired three carriages pulled by horse like creatures to carry them into the inner city. Despite the clean and neat cobbled streets and housing, the air smells thickly of ash and burnt fats.

The wide streets were packed with vehicles of all kinds, from land dragon carriages to steam wagons and even pedal powered carts. People hurried up and down the streets on their business and there was a tense mood in the air. Prince Herod was quiet throughout the journey, while Professor Hamlot and his students' mood improved greatly now that they had returned home.

They excitedly introduce places they recognized to Dr. Sharon and Magister Thorn while Blake watched on, his thoughts unknown. Finally, they reached the inner gates and the remaining two students of the Professor bid farewell to everyone as they returned home. Blake dispatched a pair of Marines to escort each of the youngsters and the party became smaller.

"Another gate and we will reach the Royal District," Prince Herod said as he pointed towards the hill. "There, I can gather my men and Lords loyal to me and advance into the Iron Palace!"

-----

The Old World, Iron Kingdom, Iron Palace

"My Lords," The Second Prince had a regretful expression on his pudgy face as he dramatically swept his arms around the council table. "With my beloved First and Third brothers missing, and with my two younger siblings still not of age yet..."

"And my dear Royal Father's health weakening," The Second Prince paused for a moment as if to control his emotions. "And now our enemies taking this opportunity to attack us..."

"Our great nation can't have no one to lead them at times of trouble!" He said with a rising voice while he slapped his chest. "I, Prince Najja, shall take on the role of Regent, until the time my dear Royal Father recovers from his illness or my Royal Brother, the Crown Prince returns!"

The gathered Lords and ministers mumbled among themselves while those of the Second Prince's faction quickly agreed and called out their approval. As the neutral Lords and ministers of other factions debated among themselves, the Second Prince's uncle and the younger brother to the Iron Throne stood up and declared, "I too, think that we need a leader and Prince Najja is of royal blood. He is the most candidate as Regent and Crown Prince!"

"Nonsense!" Some of the factions hostile to the Second Prince's cried out their objections. "Prince Herod has been nominated as the next successor to the Crown Prince position!"

"And where is Prince Herod when the kingdom is in need?" Lord Sincia asked with a frown. "Our great kingdom cannot be without a leader! Our King is ill, the Crown Prince is missing and enemies attacking us!"

"I, Lord Sincia shall nominate the Second Prince, as the next Crown Prince!" He declared loudly. With this declaration, the other Lords and ministers supporting the Second Prince stood up to declare their nominations. Despite his age, Lord Sincia glared at those still seated and hesitating and roared at them, "What are you all waiting for? Waiting for our great kingdom to be swallowed up by those invaders?"

One by one those still neutral, slowly stood up and gave their blessing to the Second Prince. Only those of the Third Prince's faction remained in their seats, unease and worry on their faces. Lord Sincia glared at those still seated, committing their faces to memory before he smiled and went down on one knee, saluting the Second Prince. "All hail the Crown Prince! Iron for Iron!"

"We salute the Crown Prince! Iron for Iron!"

-----

After the carriages cleared the inner gates, Prince Herod removed his disguise with the help of Dr. Sharon. Once more, his striking golden hair and good looks were revealed and he directed the carriage drivers towards the gates of the Iron Palace.

The guards seeing the rental carriages approaching the gates haughtily stopped them and swaggered over, only to jump to attention when Prince Herod leaned out of the window and roared "Open the gates!"

The guards recognizing their Third Prince both had looks of joy and horror as they leapt to his command. "Yes, your Highness!"

The drivers of the carriages were amazed and in awe when they realized who they were transporting. They drove the carriages with more care and came to a gentle stop at the main porte cochere. The royal doormen frowned at the scene and stepped forward to chase the dirty and shabby looking carriages away, "Servants and goods are to use the back entrance!"

"Out of my way!" Prince Herod hopped out of one of the carriages, followed by the rest. "And pay them a gold crown each!"

The stupefied doormen gaped at the Prince while the drivers cheered their luck and saluted the Prince, "Long live the Prince of Fire!"

"Where are Lord Teller and the others?" He asked the first servants he bumped into inside the Palace. "Are they in the Governance wing?"

"My Prince!" The maids bowed hurriedly. "All the Lords and ministers are in the Council Chamber..."

"The Council Chamber?" Prince Herod had a feeling of unease. "Who else?"

"T- The Second Prince is there too..." The maids replied softly, knowing that the two Princes were not on good terms. "And... Lord Sincia as well..."

"Damn it!" The Third Prince cursed. He waved the maids away and turned to the rest who were watching and waiting behind. "We might have trouble..."

"Who is this Lord Sincia?" Blake asked calmly, his hands clasped behind his back as he viewed the collection of artwork hanging on the walls.

"He's my Royal Father's younger brother," Prince Herod replied. "He always had his eye on the throne and he is the one supporting and controlling my fat and useless Second Brother..."

"I see," Blake turned his eyes away from the painting. "I think you best hurry to this meeting..."

Prince Herod gave a nod before he stormed off towards the Council Chamber with a deep frown on his face. In his heart, he got roughly guess what his royal uncle and his second brother are planning. He quickened his footsteps as he hurried down the corridors, ignoring the calls of greetings and salutes from the palace staff and guards.

Finally, he reached the Council Chamber doors, the guards actually dared to block his path with halberds but they soon retracted their polearms after a sharp look from the Prince and with any pomp, he pushed the doors open, just in time to hear the Council's salute.

"We salute the Crown Prince! Iron for Iron!"