Hey King, You Dropped This

[Ioannis 1480]

 

Hey King, You Dropped This

 

“A bit awkward to be meeting in a tavern of all places for something like this.” Aelthos grumbled, helping himself to a sip of his wine. He looked around, appreciating how much nicer the place was since he had left, but still feeling almost uncomfortable being out in the open like this. He could at least take solace in knowing that it was a slower evening, and there were only a handful of patrons below.

 

“Better than that stiff throne.” his son, Grand Prince Akkar, laughed. “Come on, admit it, you hated sitting on that damn thing too.”

 

Aelthos smiled, now beginning to be at ease. His son was the happiest he had seen him in… almost ever. The burden of rulership lay heavy on the shoulders of those who believed they were fit for it, and many who took that challenge were driven to ruin. Such had nearly happened to him, just as it happened to his other son. It was good to see that being prince had seemingly uplifted Akkar, much unlike what it had done to Aldred.

 

“It’s been ages, father, so long that I thought you were dead.” Akkar confessed, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m glad that you ventured all the way here. I don’t know what I would’ve done had you not.” he said, his tone having shifted from his jovial self. 

 

Aelthos smirked, propping one foot atop the other. “You think I’m the type to just go and die? I’ve lived too damn long to keel over anytime soon.”

 

“I suppose not.” Akkar smiled as he rested his arms on the table, leaning forward and looking his father in the eye. “How’s a third run sound to you?” he asked suddenly.

 

Aelthos blinked. “Huh?”

 

“I know, I’ve just sprung it upon you quite unfairly, but I must be honest with both you and myself…” he began, biting his lip as he paused to take a swig of his own wine. “I’d like some time to rest, father, and I believe that you’re the man best-suited to take my place. You’ve led us twice before, so you know how this all works. I won’t force you into anything, though, if you don’t want to.”

 

Aelthos simply sat there for a moment, almost glaring at his son. Quite a way to spring such a serious matter upon him, and in such a casual setting too. Damn the youth and their propensity for tactlessness, he thought to himself, grumbling. However, he almost had an admiration for the approach, it was one that was markedly unique- of course it would be a son of his that would find such a way. What kind of father would he be if he declined?

 

“Fine.” he muttered, crossing his arms. “Third time’s a charm, isn’t it?” he chortled, downing the rest of his wine. “You’ve done well, son. It’s about time I’ve gotten back in the swing of things. I reckon it’s time I see some old faces once again- they wouldn’t dare ignore the summons of the Grand Prince!” he guffawed, at this point talking to himself more than to Akkar.

 

“Indeed…” Akkar murmured, looking down at the ground floor of the tavern. He was met with several faces looking back at him. “They must be confused as hell…” he whispered to himself, amused with the thought. “Oh well. They’ll understand things soon enough.”

 

The father and son had many more drinks that night, and their conversation drew so long that the talk of abdication became merely an aside that the two would deal with in the morning. For now, though, the men merely enjoyed the company of each other and the patrons that were there, for nothing is as rare and fortunate as conducting a transfer of power that goes over smoothly.