An orange hue cast over the Kingdom of Wralkar, the sun slowly hiding behind the vast mountains that surrounded it's perimeter. Most of the people were packing up their shops, lighting fires and torches or going inside for the night. No one was particularly fond of being outside when it was dark, an eerie air often passed through the village at night.<br/><br/>That was all except for one man, who stood in the training ring near the edge of the village slashing at one of the training dummies with his double-handed axe. He was sweaty, covered in mud and general grit. He looked like he had no intention of leaving anytime soon, eyes focused on the dummy in front of him. He had blonde hair, shaved around the sides and back, the top tied up in a small bun. He wore basic light armour, nothing fancy. It would be hard to guess at a first glance that this was the King's son. But if one was to look properly, they'd notice the eagle sigil that hung round his neck - a symbol often associated with the Ahlstrom family.<br/><br/>"Caldar, papa wants to see you." A young voice called from the edge of the ring. A brunette girl, no older than 18 stood behind the fence, her hands gripping the wooden poles tightly as she squinted her eyes to look at him. He hadn't lit the torches, and so, visibility was difficult in the dim light. She wore a brown cloak, lined with grey fur. Beneath that, ordinary clothes - she was no fighter.<br/><br/>The blonde man, Caldar, turned around to look at his younger sibling. Shrugging with little effort as he swung the axe again.<br/><br/>"He said it's important. He wouldn't have sent me otherwise." She insisted, now moving to enter the ring.<br/><br/>"What's it about, Kari?" The Prince responded, not turning his head this time.<br/><br/>"I don't know. He didn't tell me." She explained, positioning herself behind the dummy so he'd look at her.<br/><br/>He stopped swinging, mainly for fear he might accidentally hit her. The axe was heavy and it was easy to lose your footing on the uneven terrain. "Fine." He gave in, dropping the axe onto the ground before turning to walk towards the castle.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">---</div><br/><br/>The door to the Kings office burst open, the Prince entering in a hurry and standing on the other side of the desk. He seemed impatient, frustrated.<br/><br/>"You wanted to see me." He stated, crossing his arms.<br/><br/>King Brandt was stood in front of the window, watching some crows that perched on the walls surrounding the castle. He was dressed in similar attire to his son, though he wore a fur cloak similar to Kari's. He looked to the other doorway that connected to his office. Queen Eira walked through, dressed in a burgundy dress with long dark hair that fell down her back. Each of them had the Eagle sigil displayed somewhere. A pin for Eira, a necklace for Caldar and a ring for Brandt.<br/><br/>"Yes. We need you to do something for the sake of the Kingdom." The King began, giving a worried glance to his wife who hovered in the doorway. He wasn't expecting his son to take the news well.<br/><br/>"Okay. Who do you want me to kill?" Caldar asked, cracking his knuckles and looking expectantly at his father.<br/><br/>"No one."<br/><br/>"Eh?"<br/><br/>"I don't need you to kill anyone." Brandt repeated, looking at his wife for some kind of support.<br/><br/>"You are to be married. To the Princess from Mirilac." Eira stated, her face blank and free of the worry that Brandt seemed to feel.<br/><br/>"<span style="font-weight: bold">What?</span>" The son asked, his fists clenching and eyebrows furrowing. "No. I won't."<br/><br/>"You have to. It is your duty as heir to the throne." His mother insisted, stepping into the room now to join the conversation properly. "Do not argue with us."<br/><br/>"I don't even know her." He shouted, his voice ringing clear throughout the halls of the castle.<br/><br/>"It does not matter." Eira replied flatly.<br/><br/>Caldar could feel a rage burn within him, one he normally felt on the battlefield. A feeling that he usually struggled to control. With one swift movement, all the items and books that filled the Kings desk were thrown to the floor before the boy stormed out of the office and down the stairs. Brandt stood upright, moving to go after him. A hand grabbed his arm and he turned his head to look at Eira.<br/><br/>"Leave him." She instructed, watching the empty doorway he had stormed out of.