The Twin Scions

Campaign: The Waterwyrm's Cradle

Chapter 2 / EX1-1

The Twin Scions

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Summary

King Aurelius has eight children: Leonidas, Phares, Chelle, Valyx, Emile, Zethia, Euden, and one other. They grew up with Leif, a knight known as the White Sparrow, who was both a rival and a friend.

Dialogue

You know, that brother of yours, Emile, is a real scoundrel. I hope the five above him in line for the throne have more scruples than he does. Actually, can you tell me about them? I know so little about human society. Well, if you include me and Zethia, there are eight royal children. But not all of us live in Sol Alberia— that's the royal city. My brother Leonidas and sister Chelle— first and third in line for the throne— both rule great cities of their own. Interesting. Who's second in line? That would be Phares. He lives in the royal city as Alberia's court alchemist, where he studies all manner of things. Fourth in line is my brother Valyx. He's a general who leads a unit of the royal army. All of them are pactbound. To dragons, you mean. That's bad news if any more start to develop a taste for conquest. Forging a dragonpact is a condition for joining the line of succession. I also have one, although I didn't do it because I want the throne. My twin sister, Zethia, is the only one without a pact. She forfeited her claim to the throne and became the Ilian Auspex. That's the sister you said was taken from you, right? I'm so sorry. So are they good folk like you? Or violent dastards like Emile? They're good! I'll admit that I've spoken very little to some of them, but the ones I know are all incredible people. Leif deserves much of the credit for that. He's not royalty, but he's always been the best of us regardless. If he's not royalty, who is he? Leif is captain of the royal knights. But more importantly, he is a good man and a faithful friend. I can talk to him about anything. We all trust him. —Flashback Starts— ...Nngh. Show me again, Leif! I'll best you this time! You will one day, Your Highness. I can see it in your eyes. I shall train with you until you are every bit as strong as your older siblings! They started out just like you, you know? You trained with them, too? Of course! Don't you know why they call me the White Sparrow? I may not have dragon wings like you, but I can fly ahead and show you the way. I'll teach you to be quick with the sword and quicker still with the mind. Now come at me, Highness! You don't have Leonidas's fierceness or haughtiness, nor Phares's skill with a lance, but you must have something. And I shall find it. I shall strike at you until you sing! —Flashback Ends— Euden? Still with us? Ah. Forgive me. I was remembering... better times. Back then, I had all I could ever want. A father to revere, siblings to admire, a good friend in Leif... Even the royal guards were all kind to me. And most importantly, Zethia was always by my side. I wonder if I'll ever see them again? Leif must be beside himself over what has become of the kingdom. And my brothers and older sister... Where do they stand on all this? Will my family ever be right again?