The young boy – the Disciple of the Master of the Nine – had travelled a long way in the decade of years that had passed since the destruction of the Brotherhood. His memory of those days was never forgotten and guided him along his life’s path. His tutor, Balthasar, had taught him well. His mind, sharp and witty and aged beyond his 10 years of age, had made him stand out above the other Refugees.<br/><br/>A traveling Historian had taken him in, knowing that as bright as Konrad was, there was still much he could teach him in the learned ways. Konrad hid his affiliation with Magic – something Balthasar had shown him how to use – from his new Master. Hardly a year had passed before Konrad caught the eye of the Queen of Ribenheim, who saw him both as a playmate for her own young son but also as a child of intelligence, destined for a life greater than that of a traveling Historian. A deal was brokered and Konrad Roht became part of the court.<br/><br/>Part of his new life involved becoming friends with Prince Tristan. He was schooled the same way and was taught how to fight by the Sword Master of the Kingdom. Konrad, it seemed, was a natural at this and greatly enjoyed it himself. Many Nobles looked at this with disdain, believing Konrad to be a poor peasant boy who should not be afforded the luxuries of Nobility. At the age of 16, he followed the Prince into service in the Army – as was required of every Nobles Son. The Prince, having become friends with Konrad, pulled some strings and got Konrad a command position in the Army.<br/>Konrad was very popular with the other soldiers, having a certain charm about him, and his military skill and worldly knowledge soon saw him jump up through the ranks in the Army through various Border wars that were more favorable to Ribenheim than their neighboring countries. By the age of 22, Konrad had become a General and his armies would follow him to the Worlds End and back if he so asked it of them.<br/><br/>But not all were happy with Konrad. The Nobles did little to hide their disgust with this glorified peasants orphan. They came to odds with the Royal Family, who backed Konrad, and when the King  died, they tried to usurp the throne from the Prince – the Heir to the throne. Civil War broke out as Private Armies took to the Capital.<br/><br/>Konrad had ambitions of his own. All of the five years of training Balthasar had given him came to fruition during this Civil War. Things that had seemed unimportant to a lad of 6 now held significance. Konrad had been training his own personal Army in secret, his own plans to take the Throne being his greatest ambition. They were ruthless, deadly, and comprised of the greatest Soldiers he had served with. Their loyalty was to him and him only. The rest of the Army would learn to fear these Elite soldiers – who were given the name: The Brotherhood – and Konrad marched his troops on the capital.<br/>The retaking of the Capital was brutal. Blood filled the streets as the Brotherhood exacted a No Surrender policy towards their enemies. In the fields around the city, the armies clashed. Konrads finely tuned army cut through the opposition like a hot knife through butter. The Nobles Armies were shattered but Konrad was not done with them. Like the Iron Fist that had been his armies symbol, he would snuff out those that opposed him once and for all.<br/><br/>The Nobles and their families that had opposed him and the Prince were captured. The girls and young women were sold into slavery or given to commanders who stood in good favor with Konrad, while all the males were tortured and executed in public. It was a demonstration to those who  wished to oppose Konrads rise to the Throne. But there was still one problem – the Prince. What was one to do with the rightful Heir?<br/><br/>The Royal Family had lost much of its support, and with the Army siding with Konrad, there seemed only one thing to do: flee. But Konrad would have nothing of it. If not for the Royal Family, he knew he would not be in the position he was today. He also cared not for the management of the Kingdom. Instead, he put the Prince on the Throne  - a Throne of lesser size than the one Konrad occupied – and assumed the titled of the Black Prince himself.<br/>Make no mistake, Black Prince Konrad Roht was in charge of the Kingom. King Tristan is merely a puppet used to run the Kingdom. The Black Prince and his Brotherhood rule the Kingdom with an Iron Fist and a tight grasp, and have for the last two years.<br/><br/>Those soldiers captured in the fighting were used in great building projects in the Kingdom, constructing a separate Palace in the nearby mountains for the Black Prince and his Brotherhood. The Army still remains loyal to the Black Prince, while King Tristan rules in fear in the Capital of Ribenheim, unaware of Konrads rule of Terror. Konrad is the only man with free reign in the Kingdom.<br/><br/>Now, at the age of 24 and in the prime of his life, Konrad is seeking that which Balthasar had told him to seek, those 14 years ago. The Kingdom is well protected from invading armies. To the South and East a vast Mountain range – home of the ruins of the Brotherhoods Stronghold – forms a formidable barrier that few armies can traverse intact. To the North lay the great Barren Plains, home to Nomads and a host of Wild creatures, while to the West a great Ocean remains unexplored. Konrad would welcome an attack by the Legion of Light, should they discover his plans. Vengeance for what they did to his home, his Master, still burns brightly in his heart.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Konrad wore only the color black, like the rest of his Bortherhood. His armor and clothing were all as dark as the night sky. It gave him a more empowering appearance and struck fear into those that opposed him. Its also partially why he is called the Black Prince. Even his raven black hair blends into the armor and clothing he wears.<br/><br/>His Palace is more of a Castle, a small village at its base and strategically located in a mountain pass, not far from where the Monastery of the Brotherhood had been burnt to the ground. It is robust and awe inspiring, crafted with great skill and using only the most rare but sturdy of rocks. Its stonework is entirely black – both inside and out – standing out during the day, blending in during the night. Only in the interior does color break the bleakness, with extravagantly decorated rooms.<br/><br/>It is run with a military efficiency. Slaves are well aware of the punishment should they become lax in their duties. The Throne Room is simple yet empowering, the only color being that of the Red Flags with an Iron Fist on them, hanging from the rafters and against the pillars. Even on the sunniest of days, everything is shrouded in darkness.<br/><br/>Some enjoy the simplicity of the place while others find it unbearable. The Prison in the basement of the Castle-Palace is notorious, political prisoners and the most dangerous criminals imprisoned inside. The screams of those that are tortured can be heard at night some say, and the ground weeps blood around the base of the stonework. For those brought to be imprisoned there, the first glimpse of the Black Castle is more than disheartening as there is no escape from such a place.<br/><br/>Konrad sat on his throne in silence. It had been a few days since he had last heard from any of his agents. The last he had heard was that they were hot on the trail of the Girl. Surely there would be a new report headed his way by now – either by magical means or other – but as of yet none of his Priests had told him of any report.<br/><br/>Blue Stones would most likely catch her, he thought. He had more cunning and sense then some of the others. He even encouraged deadly competition between his agents – there was no room for weak agents to serve him. Only the strongest, the smartest, deserved to serve him! It was a brutal world to live in. He planned on making whomever brought her to him his own, personal Agent, answering only to him and only performing tasks for him. The others served the highest bidder – for the most part – or served the Priests in their deadly tasks.<br/><br/>Yes, the Priests, the new Brotherhood of the Prophecy. He had re-established it once he had taken control of the Kingdom, and those followers that had remained in hiding for so long had flocked to him. They had began construction on a new library, putting together the pieces and parchments that they had saved and hidden. Only the smallest fraction of what had once been, but important nonetheless. It was a start, and with the Girl, it would lead to Greatness never before imagined.<br/>