Past those blue eyes...
Official Name: Prince Spazalor of King Ansem's courtPreferred title: Sir Spazz or Sir Spazalor
Father: King Ansem
Mother Unknown
Gender: Male
Age: 24 human years
Species: Uni
Paint: Royalboy
Fur color: Creamy white
Appearance: He stands taller than most uni and he has a more lean than bulky build. His eyes are bright blue and he has a charming smile. He has a blonde mane that goes down along his neck.
Markings: He has a glowing cresant shaped scar on the bottom of his left front hoof. It's the royal crest and it is only found on the one in power.
Companion: Sire the whinny
Wit and charm go hand and hand with this handsome uni. He is rather compassionate and understanding two traits that are highly valued in a future leader. He also is a quick learner and easily learned battle techniques and strategies from his father. He is young and free spirited but still has much to learn despite his care free attitude.
Royal Pains (chapter 1)
A white bruce paced back and forth through the grand hall glancing at his watch several times rolling his eyes. Blasted where is Sir Spazalor?! He is going to cost me my job one of these days... He huffed under his breath. Just then I ran down the hall and slid by him, almost plowing into the gardener walking past. You're late. Winston said while tapping his pen on his clipboard. Relax Winston, I made it here in plenty of time. Besides they can't start without me. I said smugly.
Even so, royalty cannot be late. It simply isn't done. Winston replied, leading the way to the entrance hall. Already the patrol of knights and generals who would be attending the banquet at King Rupert's castle in Meridell. Darigan forces were beginning to advance on the borders and a meeting was being held with representatives from neighboring feifs to decide a course of action. I felt a nudge at my shoulder and looked up. Perhaps you should work on your timing. Wouldn't want to show up on the battlefield late now would we? King Ansem, leader of Archen the largest fief in Brightvalle joked, however he is just Father to me. We took our place at the head of the patrol and lead the way to Meridell.
Dinner Plans (chapter 2)
The giant door opened and the patrol filed into the entrance hall and dispersed. Some went to find old friends, others went to hear news from distant lands. I scanned the crowd hoping to find a familiar face but my eyes landed on a young blonde uni in a pink cloak who looked a bit out of place. I casually trotted over to her and hoped to make some conversation.
Quite the party, isn't it? I said trying to be friendly. She turned to face me then looked back merely ignoring me. I cocked an eyebrow Ah I see how it is. I'm sure you have many friends you need to speak with, hmm? She looked like she was taken by surprise but rebounded quickly. Don't you have your own friends to speak to? And honestly I know your type and I won't be going down that road again. She retorted glaring up at me.
Touche. I chuckled, Oh really what exactly is my type? I don't know what it was but I was finding pleasure in rubbing her fur the wrong way. Well judging by your cape I'd say you're some sort of lesser noble whose ego makes him seem like a wealthy noble. You've probably always had things go your way and you're not afraid of stepping on people to raise yourself up. And clearly you find yourself charming and probably think you could get any uni to fall for you, did I forget anything? I narrowed my eyes a bit, she certainly was turning out to be quite the judgemental spitfire. I shook it off quickly and smiled. You know me so well, have we met miss...? ...Jhazeh, Lady Jhazeh daughter of King Rupert IV and Duchess Dehila. She said dipping her head, and you? Spazalor, Sir Spazalor. Pleasure miss Jhazeh, well I'll stop pestering you and let you get back to the party. Can't let you be seen with a lesser noble of course, could ruin your reputation. I brushed past her and trotted off to join a few members of my patrol near the entrance. She certainly is not what she seemd. I thought shaking my head just as truumpet fanfare sounded through the halls.
We all filled the banquet hall and I took my place next to King Ansem and Lord Zephyr my father's trusted advisor and 3rd in line for the throne. Jhazeh sat directly across from me with a look of disbelief on her face when she saw me but looked away quickly. Ah someone's surprised to see such an under ranking noble sitting next to the biggest names in Archen. I thought and rolled my eyes. Just then a knife tapped a glass and the talking silenced. Well now that we are all seated please help yourselves to the food and don't be afraid to ask the servants for anything. We will save the discussion for after dinner. Servants dressed in black and white brought out silver platters of food and set them out in front of the guests.
I wonder how I could possibly bother Miss Jhazeh from over here... Then an idea came to me and I stared at her intently as if she had something in her teeth then I would look away quickly as if I had never been looking at her. She started squirming in her seat looking uncomfortable. I was completely amused, it is just too easy to get to her. Guests soon finished up their meals and dessert was starting to be passed out when things got interesting.
Who in their bloody mind would dare support this cause! Have you seen darigan's forces, there's no way the support of a handful of fiefs could be enough to even think to stand up to them! I glared across the table to see Lord Revington. Since I last saw that weasel he had moved up and was now in control of a small fief near the center of Meridell. He flaunted his very fancy showy robes and had two servants postioned behind him. He was standing challenging people to speak out.
Ah Lord Revington always nice to hear your voice. And as always you have little idea of what you're speaking of. Kass's army is sloppy, they have little training and their officers have even less. There's perhaps only one general with any talent and he's the one that's been giving us grief. Archen's highly trained cavalry is already en route to the border to intercept a darigan attack party. There are also two more partys flanking the cavalry. One is a very talented archery squad and the other is large patrol of fearless knights. Not to mention we have some fine generals that will be leading them. I don't know what the rest of you think but I believe we can give them a run for their money. So if you are quite done Lord Revington take a seat. I said, my tone confident and firm.
The hall fell silent and Lord Revington slowly sank into his seat his eyes blazing. Coward. I thought enjoying my triumph over him. I turned my head towards Jhazeh and she couldn't help but smile. And it's for that very reason that I plan on sending a patrol of qualified knights to join your cause. King Rupert said nodding towards my father. Our cavalry will be passing through here in a few days on the way to the border. Your knights can join them here and then travel to the border. They will be in good hands, I have full trust in my capable generals, not to mention I will be leading the cavalry. King Ansem explained with full confidence and I nodded my head in agreement.
I know they will be in good hands because I will also be joining them. I haven't forgotten the help you've given during the Great Siege, I hope to return the favor. King Rupert said with promise in his voice. We could certainly use his help, I know he and father go way back. I thought pleased with the turn of events. I looked over to Jhazeh and she was dazing off. What's wrong with you? I thought looking at her with concern.
Guests were getting up and the table was being cleared. I walked over to Jhazeh who remained unmoving in her chair. I know I'm probably not your favorite uni but you seem pretty off. Are you ok? I asked her. She didn't respond and when she got up she was unstable and fell to the side. I supported her weight with my shoulder and led her to the library nearby and sat her on the couch.
Listen I know you're probably worried about your father, but I can tell he's determined and he'll go with or without your consent. All you can do in this kind of situation is just see him off with a brave face and hope for the best. I calmly explained to her and she rose to her hooves angrily. Look I can't honestly expect you to understand but my father hasn't been in great shape. His knee has been bothering him and he's come down with a terrible cold. He can't just run off and fight now, if I see him off something bad could happen. He may be willing to put his life in the hands of strangers but I can't trust them to keep him safe. She said hotly. I looked down at my hooves awkwardly. Actually my father isn't as young as he used to be, but he plays on being right in the heat of battle. When I was younger he would be out with knights patroling the countryside to all hours of the night. Sometimes he would go off and not come back for days. I would stay up all night worrying about everything that could have happened to him. But I learned that he is far more than capable of taking care of himself. He told me that everytime I saw him off with a smile his spirits would pick up and he knew he'd do anything to come back. And now I go with him and we watch each other's back. Enough of my rambling, your father is a great leader and I know he can take care of himself and worrying will do no good. She looked at me with big eyes as if she were looking at Fyora herself and then she chuckled.
What's so funny? I said a smile spreading across my face. I feel so dumb. You let me believe you were a wannabe noble with no class. But now I look at you and I can see the reseamblence to King Ansem clearly. If he's your father that would make you a prince and me a very snooty lady. I pondered it for a moment and then just as I was about to say something a trumpet fanfare sounded and people gathered near the door. Well 'fraid that's my cue, I must be off. May our paths cross again Miss Jhazeh. I turned and cantered down the hall and out the door just as it opened with the patrol following suit.
Deadly Blow (chapter 3)
I sat on the roof of the castle out of view from the ground. The sun was setting and I was looking out over the fief that I called my home. It's more of a habit, I always come up here the night before leaving for a campaign. Several days have passed after the banquet. My mind full of thoughts of the upcoming war. Tomorrow we planned on moving out the army and officially starting our campaign and meeting up with the other troops from neighboring fiefs. I brushed the thoughts to the back of my head and glided down to the ground below.
I walked through the entrance and heard someone running towards me. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! Nevermind that, come quickly now. Winston said leading the way up the stairs. Winston what in the name of Meridell is going on?! I said while racing up the stairs after him. It's your father he's very ill. He doesn't have much time left and has requested your presence. We had guards out looking for you but none of them could find you anywhere. Winston said while rounding the corner and going up the stairs to my father's quaters. I nudged the door open and saw my father lying on the bed breathing deeply and coughing. The doctor was next to him, trying to take tests from what I saw.
Do you know what's wrong with him? I asked the doctor while sitting down next to my father's bedside. Looks like he was bitten by a poisonous spyder, but the bite mark just doesn't seem to match up with the bite mark of spyders. Well either way the poison has spread far and many fair hearted neopets would have fallen fatal to the ages sooner, but your father is a fighter. He doesn't have much time left though...I'm sorry... The doctor said pulling out a tissue and walking out the door with his bag.
Spaz...come..closer... I turned and saw my father move his head closer and he gave a sickly cough. Father how are you feeling? Doctor says a spyder bite you. I asked concerned.
*cough* I feel terrible son. I'm not like the folk who try to lie to make themselves feel better. I am dying and nothing can stop that...As for this rubbish about a spyder I don't believe that nonsense at all. *cough* I think Lord Darigan hired someone to come and poison me...*wheeze cough* He said then broke out in a coughing fit.
Maybe I should go, you need your rest. I said getting up. No stay Spaz. Right now the only thing keeping me alive is the royal crest which resides on my left hoof... My father said and quick as a flash he grabbed my left hoof and muttered some words under his breath. Our hooves started glowing and then it dimmed and the royal crest appeared on my hoof.
Take it son...you were always denstined to rule after me...take care and help Meridell...you must... He closed his eyes and his hoof went limp. My father, King Ansem was dead.
Horrified I lept up to my feet, my legs shaking. NO NO NO IS CAN'T BE HAPPENING IT JUST CAN'T! I shouted with a hope that perhaps I was in some horrible dream. First my best friend leaves and now my father is dead. Ah but it is Spazalor, it is. I turned around as the door closed and Lord Zephyr was standing there. All this is happening because of you. You made a grave error in stealing the royal crest, it was the only thing keeping him alive. You murdered him, he can never be replaced you've cost Meridell the war. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did I really kill my father by accpeting the crest? He did say it was the only thing keeping him alive, could it be true? My head was swimming with unsolved questions and I stumbled forward.
Tisk, a shame really. That the heir kills our fearless leader just before the outbreak of a major war. I can't even begin to imagine what the civilians would think. Lord Zephyr continued cooly while stroking his mustache. No I, I didn't do anything! I wailed out falling to my father's lifeless side. I pressed close to his side my tears landing in his ruffled mane. There is however one thing you could do. Lord Zephyr began. Run away Spazalor, run far away and never return. I looked up at his face and deep down I felt the truth in his words. Wh-where should I go? I muttered trying to clear my head. If I were you I would put the past behind you. And run off to a new place with a new name where no one knows the truth. Never you fear, for I am more experienced and I can rule. After all you're far to young and inexperienced to have to worry about such matters. I nodded rising to my hooves. Perhaps it was because I was in such shock but his words were making sense. How could I ever replace father? It would be better for everyone if I just disappeared.
I ran out the door and through the halls. Past the servants and visitors, past the rooms I grew up in. The sun was setting as I ran through the deserted streets of town. I kept running leaving the only life I've ever known behind with only the hope for the future in my head.
Living a Lie (chapter 4)
My cloak was tattered and my once well groomed white fur was coated with sweat and dirt. I have been traveling for days with no idea where I was or where I'm going. Rain poureddow from above as I clodded through inches of mud on a lonely trail surrounded by dead bare trees.
On the outside of my vision I could see pale glowing forms hovering above the ground sulking in the trees. I stopped once to get a better look at one but it didn't seem to notice me at all and continued floating through the trees. I must be near the haunted woods. No better place for someone like me. I thought glumly and padded through the forest looking for some sort of civilization.
Despite the woods reputation for being 'dead' you could hear the life running through it. Howls and growls filled the air and tiny claws scrambled up the dead bark of trees. You could hear the wind all around you as it rustled the branches and whispered in your ear. Such an eerie feeling hearig all the life around you but seeing nothing except the dead exterior and mist.