Grated Mortal Power

Chapter One: Ceremony of Oaths

Chapter 1

The chamberlains hollered at the door for their prince. Their hands beat on the large white doors lined with gold and various engravings. Bo heard them and squinted before covering his eyes. The light stung. It seeped in through the balcony curtains like a stream pooling into his room. He grunted and called them in.

"I told you; you don't need to knock and talk. You can just barge in."

"Our apologies, my Prince," the Lord Chamberlain voiced, "your sister prefers that we do, and things never go as smoothly when we don't." The others nodded, their faces clenching in a brief display of annoyance at a memory. Bo noticed and shared their expression with a decent idea of what had happened. He slumped back down into bed while they readied things.

The chamberlains brought a dais slightly wider than his waist and set it in front of his wardrobe. He stood still as they dressed him for the ceremony of oaths he and his sister would be attending that day. It was a pivotal event of great importance to the Kingdom and the House of Vollker. He and Oula had come of age two weeks ago, and according to tradition, it must take place today. Bo didn't understand the point of that. He believed he had been ready long ago. But at the same time, he didn't think Oula was ready.

A knock at the door pulled him out of his thoughts as the eldest prince poked his head in.

"Nice ruffles."

"Vali, get out!" Bo exclaimed. A pin pinched into his leg as he turned. Bo yelped and smacked one of the chamberlains hands away.

Vali stifled a laugh and leaned back against the doorframe. "You know, it feels strange now that it's time for you and Oula to take the oaths as well. Sometimes time goes by too fast. Two years ago seems like yesterday with all the duties I have now."

"And all the ladies?" Bo jested, making a face.

Vali rolled his eyes and shook his head with a smile, " Shut up you weasel. There's no time for that."

"There also isn't time to talk now if you haven't noticed. I'm kind of in the middle of something." The chamberlains held his arms out as they prepared something truly worthy of the occasion.

"Alright, alright," Vali threw his hands up in surrender, "I'll see you at the ceremony." He took his leave.

The ceremony began with an exhilarating war cry from The Horn of Bellecastor, a grandiose relic of The Ancient's War. Vollker moved to the center of the arena with purple and blue robes. His faded brown-grey beard draped over the white and freckled animal furs along his neck. The people cheered louder and louder in anticipation. Vollker raised his scepter, spun it, and slammed it onto the ground. It cracked the ground beneath him and the people silenced themselves immediately. His Kingdom held a deep respect for the royal family, and on occasions such as this, patriotic fervor hold over their hearts. He stared out at them for a moment before speaking, "Today marks an occasion sacred to this people. A tradition bound by power, and maturity. We bring forth today my children, Bo and Oula, to pledge their gifts to the benefit of all. Bo, step forth, my son."

Bo, who had been hidden by the shadows of the vomitorium came forward and took a knee before the King. The crowds screamed his name, and threw gifts into the arena. A thousand waves of heavy praise were crashing down into him so strongly that his stomach hurt from the weight. His heart pounded in anxious anticipation. Bo wished more than anything to attain the glory he held his brother to. He wished to prove himself to the Kingdom, and most of all, to his father. Bo kept his head low before the King, eager to demonstrate his appreciation, but he could not stop smiling despite the seriousness of the situation.

"Rise, and place your fist to your heart."

Bo did just so.

"Do you, on behalf of this people," Vollker gestured towards the stands, "pledge to use your blood gifts only when necessary, not reducing them to a fool's trick?"