Prologue
In the kingdom of Veritas reigns an immortal king, Silvio Veritas. He stands five foot nine inches tall, with brown hair and a scruffy beard.
In the throne room, Silvio Veritas has an audience for his four children of this generation.
"Amy, daughter mine I require you." Silvio says cheerfully. Amaranth the first princess comes forward amongst her three siblings.
"Yes father. What is it that you require of me?" Amaranth nervously responds.
"Amaranth my sweet child. You are the wisest of my children this generation, you have the proper temperament for the burden I will bestow upon you." Silvio sincerely states. "I have had visions of a coming cataclysm. This revelation has led to my current decision. I will be going on pilgrimage to find champions to stand against the coming darkness. Thirty years from now, a darkness will envelope this world beyond anything seen before."
"Amaranth while I am on pilgrimage you shall sit upon my throne and rule in my stead. Until my pilgrimage is completed you will be Queen Regent of the Veritas Kingdom." Silvio states confidently.
The three princes are evidently upset by the decision. The first prince Absolom steps forward. "Father! Why put the fate of the kingdom in the hands of your daughter and not your son?" Absolom spits with his words dripping in betrayal.
Silvio looks upon Absolom with compassion. "My son. I know you do not like my decision that you believe it to be made without careful consideration. I spent days agonizing over this decision considering every factor of who you are all my children." Silvio responds earnestly. "Absolom you are the greatest warrior of this generation of my children, yet you are hot headed and bloodthirsty in consideration of decision making. I do not fault you for who you are. You better serve the kingdom as a warrior not as king. Will you serve the kingdom as Amaranth's Sword?"
Absolom is taken aback. "Am I just a tool to you father? That you wish for me to be your daughter's sword?" Absolom spits with thinly veiled anger.
"Would you want the burden of every life in this kingdom to rest upon your shoulders? That you will be held to account for every failure that results in the death of our people. Would you have me believe that you would temper your decision making to preserve life instead of waging war?" Silvio barked.
Absolom hangs his head as he knows the words hang true. The second prince Aaron steps forward. "Father, is this truly your will as king?" Aaron asks.
"Aaron, what I have said is true. I did not make these decisions lightly. Will you respect my decision?" Silvio asks.
The three princes begrudgingly accept the decision. "I am trusting you my three sons to aid Amaranth as she rules, to cover her weaknesses and shortcomings. Thirty years to prepare our kingdom, can you all strengthen it in my stead?" Silvio asks.
"In one week, Amaranth will be officially the ruler. You are family, I trust you to take care of each other. The wellbeing of the kingdom is all your responsibility. When I depart for my pilgrimage, I'll correspond via letters. Use the mailbox in my bedroom to deposit your letters for me to read. It is linked to my subspace where I can retrieve letters and deliver my responses." Silvio instructs.
A week has passed. Silvio departed the kingdom under the assumed identity of Fulcrum Oak. Queen Regent reign has begun.
Twelve years have passed since the beginning of Fulcrum's pilgrimage. Traveling alone.