[img]http://pre10.deviantart.net/c8d3/th/pre/f/2014/168/0/2/fantasy_castle_by_jbrown67-d7mu200.jpg[/img]

It had been rainy and stormy the entire day and the sun was setting. The young king Elendin stares out over the city of Riadan from the highest tower of his palace. He let's out a sigh before his gaze shifts towards a shield on the wall. It bears his coat of arms and used to belong to his father and his father before him. Now it was his to wield and his task to protect the realm against any dangers.
How is he supposed to surpass his father? One of the most beloved kings to this day. "I am but a dwarf, compared to a giant." he mutters to himself before closing his eyes and letting out a sigh.

Soon the advisers from the Great Provinces would arrive and the real work that comes with ruling an Empire would start. His uncle had warned him for their potential serpent like words. They would try to twist his minds with honeyed words and promises. If the Empire was to remain and grow, he would have be to be as strong, if not stronger then his father. Quite the daunting task.

The young king tries to think back to the simpler times. Playing in the Royal Gardens with his friends while his mother watched over him. A smile appears on his face but quickly fades as a new memory arises. His mother, her skin blood red, coughing, wheezing... Dying. The Red Hand Plague[sup]*[/sup] had swept over the Emperiat province not 6 years ago and left behind a pile of corpses. The province had recovered by now, but many people still lost dear ones, including the young boy Elendin. Now he was all alone, with just his uncle to guide him through this life of politics and intrigue.

A knock... Another knock wakes him from his thoughts. He looks up and turns towards the door. His uncle enters and gives a brief nod. The first adviser was about to pass the Inner-City gates. Even though the sun was already setting and rain was pouring down on the streets, they were filled with people trying to catch a glimpse of these foreign man who were to advise their Emperor. They would pass through the Paragon Path and would see the unfinished statue of Emperor Andèris. Ascended to Paragonship... Will he receive the same honor when he passes away? He waves the thoughts away and returns the nod to his uncle. 

It was time to meet his new advisers...

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[sup]*[/sup] The Red Hand Plague swept through the Emperiat province and took many lives. It's a contagious disease where the skin turns blood red in certain spots and people slowly choke because their throat swells up.