Rows of light made their way through the large windows on the wall. Each light carried with it the intensity of the afternoon. Given the sun's current location, light crept to every corner and illuminated multiple shelves covered with various books. In between the windows there remained a large desk, older than the very walls of the room. Age had made itself known across the desk as various wooden pieces had splintered off. Despite the decay it still remained strong and proud. Kings and queens all once sat where he did. Here they studied the matters of the state, decided the fate of the realm, ordered the executions of many. When he was younger he often watched him from afar in the corner, seeing him consumed with the papers at his desk, wondering what could invoke such boredom in his eyes. Years later now as he sat where his father did, Antares was filled with the same boredom that gripped his father all those years ago.

  The young king yawned loudly and wiped sleep away from his eyes. He had been made king now for a week and most of his time was spent looking over matters pertaining to the realm. His left hand ached from signing so many forms and still hundreds more remained stacked on his desk. The current state of the realm was a complete shock to him, the century spent in seclusion and the extreme efforts by his brother and his group had put immense strain on the villages at the border to provide grain for the entire kingdom. The results of that overlapped with an increase in lawlessness and violence. His realm was suffering and he questioned how to save it.

  It had been days since his coronation and the castle had returned to its quiet atmosphere. The hallowed halls no longer carried the voices of thousands, now only the royal family and members of the court remained. He had said goodbye to his cousins as they departed, even now, although he would never admit it, he missed Xenon and his reckless behavior. Much of his youth was spent training, any interactions with his cousins were far too few and scarce. Now as king, he feared it would be worse. There would be too much to do, there would always be too much to do.

  Light knocking drew his attention. "You may enter."

  Casspien walked in with the same expressionless face he always carried. As he approached, Antares examined his attire. Unlike the ones he wore when they first met weeks ago. This was darker, more fitting for a Lord Regent. The purple accents of his clothes mirrored the violet earrings he wore. His dreadlocks neatly tied behind his head, exposing a handsome face with lilac colored eyes housing a golden center.

  "I half thought you would have been back to Kish by now," Casspien remarked. He bowed softly.

  Antares sighed again. "Do not tempt me, every day I fight the urge to run away." He grabbed a bunch of papers and threw them. "How can one kingdom go to ruin so quickly in five years!" he scratched his head, unsure if he asked a question or simply wanted to shout.

  Casspien leaned on the table, "This is barely a third of all our problems." He scanned the papers quickly looking at new things of interest.

  "And all of this is just from this morning." He sprawled his hands across his desk, showing Casspien the scattered papers covering every inch. "There has to be another way to get through this."

  Casspien placed the paper back down on the table and rubbed his head gently. "There is a way," Antares looked at him eagerly. "We do it slowly, like the old ways, we do it together."

  Antares got up in frustration. His anger apparent by his words being in the old tongue, "We do not have the time!" he moaned.

  "Then what do you suppose we do?" Casspien responded in kind, the old words familiar to him. "We do not have the luxury of being reckless. Who knows what threats have taken root in the five years since your absence." He did not hide his annoyed tone.

  Antares turned to look out the window, his attention towards the city below. The goings of the afternoon brought about a calming buzz that could be felt from even as far up as he was. It had been days since the coronation and most things looked different to him, the water he drank tasted different, so did the air and the food he ate. Time was no exception either. He was unsure if he was running out of time or it wasn't moving fast enough. The weight of responsibility, the promises he offered during his speech. If all was to be ready for his eventual return, he would have to undo the damage done to their home. These thoughts made him desperate, anxious and ultimately indecisive.

  "I know you think... you believe that one day Hyperion will return." Casspien chose his words very carefully, he could see Antares ever so slightly tense at the mention of his older brother. "But he has been gone a long time. Too Long. When he returns we will welcome him with open arms and I know you will relinquish the throne. But until then, I need you to focus on Iliad , on our home."

  The words stung Antares, the pain waking him up. Casspien was right to say what he did, there was no time to be reckless. His brother's return was something he had awaited for years and as painful as it had been, he would have to continue without him for some time further. Their home needed his full attention now more than ever. Antares needed to be the ruler his father believed he could be. His attention to the past and the regrets that followed were something he would have to ignore for the time being.

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  Antares, the weight of the realm heavy on his shoulders, "What needs my immediate attention?"

  Casspien rose from his desk calmly and motioned towards the door. Antares acknowledged and followed suit. They exited the king's study and made their way down the hallway towards the council chambers.

  "First we need to meet with the new council members and assure them you are not going to one day wake up and execute them." Casspien sighed, thinking back to his first meeting with the new members and their apprehension at their new position.

  "If they do not plan on being traitors we will get along well." Antares said matter of fact. "And the second thing?"

  "You need to speak with Guinevere." Casspien began.

  "Is this about Hightower?" Antares stopped him.

  Casspien began to make his case, he knew his new king's opposition for all things to do with the difficult town that had eluded many Stygian kings before him. A troublesome town to tame, for its location caused many headaches for most.

  Antares raised his hand, "Alright." He responded in the common tongue. "Alright, I will hear what she has to say."

  "Thank you," Casspien responded in kind.

  The day was a long one, the meeting with the new members of the council was a tense affair. Antares spent much of the meeting assuring them that he would never be as bold as to do something like that again. His attempts to ease their concerns struggled to work, it did not help he looked very much like his father and the new members could not shake the feeling of fear they felt. But as matters turned to the state, the troubles across the lands eased tensions in the room. Talks of the current state of the realm and what had happened during his absence quickly dominated the topic of discussion.

  They huddled together in deep discussion for some time. In the three new vacant seats sat lords Quellem Robin, Vashva Nuthatch, and Gash Bunting. The three birds rightly returned to their place on the council. Antares was quick to have them return, old houses that had served his family for centuries. Their aid invaluable for their ranks were always counted upon during rare times of strife in Iliad. He had hoped to have the three men who advised his father, for their combined knowledge far exceeded the years he had been alive. They would've been a welcomed source of knowledge on how his father ruled in his earlier years, when he first ascended to the throne. But each man refused, their reasoning a new king needed new advisors. So in their place they offered their sons.

  "The issue still remains, we have no money," barked the new Lord of Gold.

  "Is that not your responsibility, lord Quellem?" Gash Bunting took a drink, red wine staining his lips.

  "Now, now gentlemen, please not in front of the king." Vashva, the new Lord of Grain pleaded.

  His weary smile trying to hide an annoyed demeanor, such a rare meeting with the king and the young birds struggled to make the right one. Lords' Quellem and Gash lowered their voice in recognition of their king's presence.

  "King Antares, please forgive them. This discussion has been going on for much of the day," Vashva bowed softly. "We are...divided on how best to counsel you."

  Vashva Nuthatch was a man who always wore a warm smile on his face. He was as thin as the perpetual expression he had. The gray hairs in his beard and hair did nothing to hide the spry man. Even at a mere a hundred and fifty years old, he was in his prime and he looked it. He sported robes of Ilian royalty, the striking silver and purple complimented him well. Long flowing hair completed his appearance. Lord Vashva nodded acceptingly and gestured for Antares to continue.

  "Perhaps I can decide for you." The king took a seat and everyone followed. "Lord Quellem please continue." Antares extended his hand inviting him to speak.

  They continued like that for sometime, deep in conversation amongst themselves. Each lord proposed an issue and Antares, gave possible solutions that would be beneficial. Before long Antares had taken full control of the room leading discussion and debates amongst the three birds. Casspien looked on with admiration as he saw his closest friend enthralled in his duties. Much of his thoughts recently were centered on the uncertainty he felt Antares had in his new role, although he never said anything, he could see a change in his friend. The weight of an entire kingdom on his shoulders, he looked to share in that burden as well.

  Kingly duties were different from that of a Lord of War, it took him many years to adjust to the change when they had him stationed at the castle. Casspien believed the same feelings of restlessness coursed through the veins of his young king. But here now, seeing him enthralled in conversation with his advisors, some of his worries were put to rest. Before long much of the day was done. Laughs were shared, jeers were had, and drink was split amongst them, but that day an understanding was born between those men. Much of what was said in that room would never be heard by anyone else. Antares would share with the three birds further detail of his desire to recover the grimoires. When that was done, they shared another cup together and Antares and Casspien began to make their way.

  Antares reached for the door, "One more thing lord Vashva." The lord nodded, "Allow me to tell Lords Grygor and Aias what we have discussed here today... It would be better if they heard it from me."

  Lord Vashva bowed deeply, that alone was enough confirmation for Antares, he exited without another word with Casspien in tow. The castle had grown quieter as now only a few nobles and servants scuttled across the hallways. Approaching winter made for less people in the castle, the coming months would be cold and quiet, much to Antares' satisfaction. True winter was still some time away, he yawned sheepishly; he had yet to eat today, but there was still much to do. The two of them carried on in pleasant conversation, their next destination; the Pit.