<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family:Amaranth"><span style="font-size: 26px"><u><b>CHAPTER 1</b></u></span><br/>
<span style="font-size: 18px"><i>Crown, Rose, and Staff</i></span></span>​</div><br/>It was a grand occasion for the Court of Stahl to be joined in the Grand Cathedral. Lords and Ladies dressed in all their finery. Jewel studded encrusting, lace and satin, threads of the finest cloth, designs of an artist. The halls were of marble and white with ornate murals painting scenes of their heavenly makers. However it was rare that the royalty would pray serving no gods but their own interests, but the clergy held respect. Officiating the comings and goings they swayed the opinions of simple men.<br/><br/>Their coffers were also influenced just as simply and during a war the Kingdom needed to unify its people. With the death of King Florin Maddox the entire Kingdom was divided by the line of succession, as the previous Monarch left two children: The rightful first born son Anton and his elder sister Florina.<br/><br/>Anton was much like his father with gold spun curls and steely eyes. Well-liked by the people he was and honest Prince, often seen among the commoners and providing charity. He unfortunately was not his father. The war vetted King of Stahl, a warrior, and a studied tactician with the voice of a lion. His nature did not strike fear nor compliance. He was a kind man not given to these times.<br/><br/>His sister with her waves shifting amber bordering a heart shaped face was fearless. Florina held a emerald gaze that made men kneel in submission. The sound of her voice carried out the rallying cry against the Sultanate of Akkad when she sat at her father’s war table, and in his death led the council for her younger brother. In every way she was a leader. In every way save for her gender that barred her from ascension to the throne.<br/><br/>Together in their silent grief Anton had confessed that his dearest sister would be a better heir; nevertheless, he was the Prince and heir apparent, this would be his duty and Florina would serve as his guide. As promised.<br/><br/>Today though was a beautiful one. One for celebration that would see the Prince crowned as King and married to the Generals daughter. It was union of the Kingdom from common to Lord. And Anton stood in front of a seated court dressed in a black gem studded doublet with white frills and gold embroidery. The gilded petals of Stahl’s sigil pinned to his left breast. His eyes watched nervously as a woman he’d known since they were young children stood opposite of him upon the Altar steps. A wizened priest with a snowy hair and a soft smile dressed in robes of crimson and white stood before them.<br/><br/><b>“Dear Lords and Ladies of the Stahlian Court, today we bear witness to the dawning of a new era.” </b>The man spoke joyously gripping both hands upon his scepter.<br/><br/>This was a reality. This was truly going to happen and he wondered if his guests could see the apprehension and dread upon his face. Anton shifted his sights to their corners searching for his sister who sat at front smiling brightly. She was a beautiful woman dressed in a sapphire gown. Their mother with her weary face and chocolate locks sat beside her in black. She was not the same when their father passed, and Florina held her hand in comfort as she nodded at Anton with encouragement. It was going to be okay.<br/><br/>With a deep breath he watched the Grand Priest with undivided attention as he spoke,<b>“We are here to praise the crowning of our new King, Anton Maddox, son of Florin, Great Lord of the White Plains and Keeper of the Vigil.”</b>The old man turned to the Prince with a nod of acknowledgement. Then turned to his opposite where a woman in the most extravagant gown and veil stood, with a man dressed in dark robes, rune etched manacles, and tomes latched to his right hip. Dark black hair long as his face hung over with crook nose and brown eyes.<br/><br/>One would mistake the man for a common born, but he was much more. He was the Court Wizard, Vizier Marius Llywellyn, steward of the crown and vassal of the Council. The magi was also raised under the care of the General and his wife, found in a village outside of the Kingdoms walls left abandoned to the walls. A cruel fate to be certain but he was born with a rare gift of magic, a gift that much like Dragons and Griffin of yore has dwindled to the infrequent sighting. But it was his magic that would protect the crown and stave off all ailment.