Age of Kings 1066

POV Rio

I was riding a horse behind Geralt as we made our way to the capital. We took a strange route that Geralt insisted was the best way for us to take. I didn't really understand why, but I trusted his advice. Kirlia was still giving me the silent treatment for having her arrested. But I think she was just mad because she still hasn't figured out how I did it. And I had no intention of telling her.

'She might also be silent because of one of our escorts.'

I look to my left, where the illusory guard was riding a horse. Admittedly, I wasn't sure when he would vanish as the spell was still a work in progress.

"Is there a problem, citizen?" The Guard asks, but I just shake my head.

At this point, we mostly just ignored him. Mostly because he can only say a few lines of dialogue, and none of it was that interesting. We had been travelling for just over two days, but I was told the trip usually took only 1 and a half days at most. During this time, I had Geralt teach me about the capital and what I needed to know to meet my Great Uncle. Or as I call him, my Gruncle, but Geralt told me never to say that to Radovid.

Geralt said that Radovid V was not known for his kindness or understanding. He was known even by his own court to be a harsh but fair man. He was known to be a very strict man who wasn't known to have any friends or anyone with whom he was friendly. That didn't give me the greatest expectation for this meeting.

'Let's just hope that he isn't that bad. At the very least, he is known to be a very fair ruler.'

According to Geralt, Radovid cared about Concordia above all else, even his own family. When I asked what that meant, I had to convince him to say it. The answer shocked me. It was confirmed that Radovid pushed his own son to take his own life. I didn't want to believe it, but Geralt made it clear that it was a known fact in the palace. And that I would hear it sooner or later. It was said that Radovid didn't even seem to care about it, but I figured that he was grieving in his own way.

'No one can be that uncaring. At least not while still being very fair to the people. It must just be miscommunication.'

After another day, we arrived at the outskirts of the capital. I had to admit it was a beautiful city.

"That is Griffonstone. Called that for the fact that behind it is the largest concentration of Griffons in the world. You will see they visiting the city on occasion. Despite their appearance, they are actually quite friendly. And very intelligent," Geralt explained.

"It's very impressive."

"Some say it was built by the Dwarves centuries ago. I don't know if that is true, but I know some Dwarves who swear their ancestors built it. The only part I believe to be made by them for sure is the undercity," Geralt continues to explain.

"Undercity?"

"It's a massive underground city that has an artificial sun. It houses a large portion of the population. It connects to most of the other cities via massive elevators that can fit a few dozen people at a time. Of course, they can only be operated using special devices that the dwarves made so they are secure," Geralt says.

"How many people live in Concordia?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure about the exact number, but I think the last one I heard was 2 million or so. Of whom most live in the undercity. Even the capital only has around 120 thousand residents," Geralt said.

"Really, is there any specific reason so many live in the undercity?"

"Yeah, it's far safer. Even if the surface was captured, the undercity could survive for a time. The Dwarves live almost completely down there, and so do most non-humans. The ones that live on the surface are mostly Elves, Humans, and any flying races. I have been to the undercity, and I can confirm it is a veritable fortress down there. Even getting down there would be difficult, but then you have numerous chokepoints and the limited number of troops that can travel down there at any given time. It would take an army hundreds of thousands strong and likely many magic users, and even then it would take a few years to conquer completely," Geralt explains with a contemplative look.

"How do they survive down there?"

"They have a massive artificial sun, which is used for crops. Other than that, they have many mines and forges down there. If the crops aren't enough, then they have massive Fungus Farms. I have tasted it, and while it isn't pleasant, it will satisfy your hunger, and it lasts for a long time if prepped right. Then there are the sizable walls around each town. Lastly, there are no predators or threats down there. Alteration Mages keep the mines safe and even make sure that pollution is kept low. The Dwarves built most of the cities of Concordia and also most of the undercity. And as such, they know all of it inside and out. They created guardians a few millennia ago, and they still work to this day. The Dwarves can't make them anymore because they lost the knowledge during the fall of the Dwarven Kingdom. But the guardians that remain are ferocious and will protect Concordia should a siege ever happen. I found one of them before, and I can admit that it would take dozens of men to take down one of them, depending on the model. I got this scar from one of those guardians," Geralt says while pointing to a prominent scar on his face.

"Hmm, I would love an opportunity to study some of these guardians."

"You might get the chance, but I can't say for certain. The guardians are fairly automated and don't like to be bothered. But there might be some broken models around somewhere. I can ask some Dwarf friends of mine if you want," Geralt offers.

"I would love that, if it isn't too much trouble."

"It's no trouble, but I will warn you that you may not have to time to study it. The Duke will likely start your training as soon as we arrive. Knowing him, you will likely be expected to only do the training he gives you. You may also be put into an arranged marriage, given the state of the Draconis Dynasty. At the very least, you will be given some meetings with suitors. Also, once we get to the capital, please don't say anything unless I tell you. We can't take any chances," Geralt warns with a serious look.

I nod and we continue the journey in silence. We enter the city via two massive metal gates. I was very curious what material they were made of since it looked like Bronze or some similar colored metal, but I did as was asked and stayed silent. Kirlia did the same. The Guard was somewhat silent, but still would randomly speak some lines of dialogue. It doesn't take too long to get from the city to the palace. The palace was impressive. It was built into the side of a mountain, and I could tell it was closer to a fortress than a palace, as it would take a large army to breach its defenses.

'A smart move should a revolution start, they would struggle to breach the walls and get to the Duchal Family. Much better than just having a gate and some guards like the Romanovs. Or I guess a lot of monarchs in the early modern period and later didn't focus on defense as much.'

We are let into the palace and we are taken to a room where Kirlia and I are separated. It made sense as what was next was a bath and other needed preparations to meet with the Duke. They took my measurements, and once I was done getting clean, I was taken to a fitting room. That is when I meet the family caretaker or head butler, depending on what you want to call it.

"Where are my clothes?"

"They have been taken with your other personal effects to be cleaned and then placed in your room. Now, please select an outfit," Said Sebas, the Head Butler.

I look at the options and make sure I am certain of what option I wish to choose, as it is possible I will be forced to wear this outfit whenever I am needed for audiences. There were 3 choices. One blue with gold accents. One brown and green. And the last one was black with white accents. After some thought, I chose the one I thought looked and felt most comfortable. 

"I will choose the blue and gold one."

"As you wish, now, due to this being your first time wearing noble clothes, would you like assistance with donning them?" Sebas asks politely.

"No, thank you, I can do it on my own, but I would appreciate it if you would check me over before I leave."

He simply nods, and I start putting on the clothes. It wasn't that hard to put them on, as I had dealt with old-fashioned clothes before. I had also dealt with fancy clothes before, so I knew how to look presentable. Once I was done, I went back to get checked by Sebas.

"And they say that clothes do not make the man. Does the outfit satisfy the young sir?" Sebas inquires.

I nod and he looks me over, and when he was done, he nodded and then started to instruct me on proper etiquette. 

"Please watch and then proceed after me. Leg extended, hand flat, chin to chest," Sebas shows me the bow.

I repeat after him, and he nods.

"Good enough, now let us go fetch your companions," Sebas says.

We enter another room right as Kirlia is being instructed on how to bow or curtsy. 

"Since you have naturally occurring clothing with such a lovely skirt, the young lady needs only to grab the hems of your skirt and put your left leg slightly behind your right, and dip your head. Like so," A Maid tells Kirlia.

Kirlia does it right the first time, and we are then taken together to the throne room. I wasn't sure where the guard disappeared to, but I figured he was likely patrolling somewhere, speaking about nonsense with anyone who responded to him.

'Geralt is with him, so there should be no issues.'

We are let into the throne room and we do as we were asked. Once we are done, we are permitted to lift our heads. That is when I get the first real look at Duke Radovid V. He was an old man who still looked pretty good for being over 90 years old. He was wearing a red outfit with a very interesting crown upon his head. It felt like I was being drawn towards it, but I held myself back and stayed where I was. The throne room only had two others in it. One was a short woman, and the other was a young-looking woman with what I could call priest robes.

"So you are the brat that my niece bore. Hmm, yes, I suppose you are a Draconis. But I have one question: Who was your father?" Rdovid demands.

"My father was Akiro, a Kitsune or Fox Spirit from a far-off land."

My answers seem to disappoint him.

"Figures. Very well, you are dismissed," Radovid dismisses me with a wave of his hands.

I don't linger and leave.

POV Radovid

I watch as the brat leaves, and I hold back the urge to sigh.

"He's a half breed. If we are lucky, he might be able to produce children, or that imbecile of a niece has wasted her blood by mixing with a beast." I say aloud.

"Perhaps it isn't that bad. Not all hybrids are incapable of producing children," Xena tries to console me.

"But that usually refers to those that interbreed with non-humans, not beast creatures. Sterile offspring are the most common result when a union between humans and heteramorphs occurs," Alessandra, my Sybil, retorts. She was one of the youngest priests to ever reach this position, but her talent and her saint-like disposition made her the best choice when the last Sybil stepped down.

"It doesn't matter for now, we will educate the brat and hope he turns into a halfway decent ruler. Then arrange a marriage for him where he can produce a child as soon as possible. If that child is better, then the brat will step down for his child. If he can't produce an heir, then you can try to figure out a workaround." I look at Alessandra. "You're dismissed."

She nods and leaves while I start a discussion with Xena.

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Authors Note:

So Radovid is not a good man, but he isn't a bad one either. He's just set in his ways and cares for almost no one other than the Duchy. The scene where Rio gets ready to meet the Duke was inspired by the Imperial Audience Quest from The Witcher 3. Radovid doesn't hate Rio, just doesn't expect him to make a good ruler due to being too old and the chance that Rio might be sterile. Which I will say is a valid worry, given the state of the Draconis Dynasty. Rio won't be sterile, but will have issues producing heirs due to factors that will be explained later. Until next time, Ciao.