Year 1527 A.F. | Mid-Summer
Aurelion Prime — Solar Palace, Morning
Emperor Aurelius IX Solvanyr
"Have the guest chambers been inspected?"
Chancellor Remian Holt
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Sylvarae envoy requested a suite near the eastern gardens. Dwarves and City-State ambassadors are accommodated in the north wing."
Emperor Aurelius IX
"Good. I will meet them in the Grand Hall before the ceremony. No surprises this year."
Princess Valeria Solvanyr
"Father, will I get to see the Sylvarae princess?"
Emperor Aurelius IX
"If she arrives on time, yes. But remember, Valeria, observation first. Conversation second. Manners always."
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"And what of Cassian?"
Empress Seraphina Solvanyr
"He will be presented, but gently. This is his first season; let the world come to him, not the other way around."
....
Sylvarae — High Kingdom, Morning
Queen Althiriel Moonbloom
"Prepare our letters of intent. I will not attend the Valtherion court empty-handed."
Prince Caelion
"I trust the envoy will remind them that we watch carefully, Mother. Their heir may seem harmless, but every child is a seed of power."
Queen Althiriel Moonbloom
"True. But seeds require patience. The child will grow; we will decide how to influence the branches."
Lady Ambassador Selindria
"The Valtherion delegation is prepared for us. Their messengers report that the Solar Palace has been cleaned and the nobles inspected. The Empire fears nothing, yet expects much."
Prince Caelion
"Let them expect. We will arrive gracefully. We observe first, then act."
....
Khar-Durim — Deep Holds, Midday
High King Brokk Ironvein
"The merchants insist that shipments leave immediately. I want them prioritized."
Trade-Lord Varrin Goldmantle
"Yes, High King. But the Valtherion court expects gifts—gold, rare ores, even magical trinkets. Transporting them on short notice will strain the caravans."
High King Brokk Ironvein
"Strain? The Empire deserves strain. If they want loyalty, it must cost them something. Send the fastest wagons, and ensure the spellguards ride ahead."
Varrin Goldmantle
"It will be done. But remember—if one shipment fails, our leverage is weakened."
Brokk grunted.
"Then it cannot fail."
....
Aurelion Prime — Solar Palace, Afternoon
Princess Elowyn Solvanyr
"Valeria, do you think they will be impressed by Cassian?"
Princess Valeria Solvanyr
"I hope so. But remember what Father said: let the world come to him. Our brother is small, but he watches everything. He will know who matters and who does not."
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"He does not speak yet. How can he know anything?"
Princess Elowyn Solvanyr
"Some things do not require words, Lucien. Observation is the truest lesson."
Empress Seraphina Solvanyr
"Enough chatter. The ceremony begins in one hour. Both of you must practice your greetings. Politeness is your shield, as much as steel ever was."
....
Aurelion Prime — Grand Hall, Early Evening
The hall had been transformed. Banners representing every allied kingdom and empire hung from golden rafters. A raised dais held the cradle, surrounded by priests of the Fivefold Light. Candles flickered in colors corresponding to each element.
Archbishop Lyrienne of Verdant Grace
"All are gathered under the protection of the Fivefold Light. By our authority, the heir of the Empire is named."
Duke Tharion Kaelthorn
"Magic academies report readiness. Any disturbances will be immediately addressed."
Duke Alaric Valcaryn
"And the guard?"
Captain Renald
"Positions posted. Eastern Watch, Northern Gate, Inner Courtyard. No gap exists."
The doors opened to foreign delegates.
Lady Ambassador Selindria of Sylvarae
"We come bearing gifts and greetings from our queen."
High King Brokk's envoy
"And from Khar-Durim, mineral offerings and the promise of trade."
Councilor Maribel Sanz from Thalassyra
"City-State Azurewake sends spices, silks, and an invitation for dialogue."
....
The Naming Ceremony
Emperor Aurelius IX
"Today, we name the heir of Valtherion. The child of Seraphina Solvanyr and myself shall carry the future of our Empire."
Archbishop Lyrienne
"May the Fivefold Light witness this act."
The infant was brought forth, wrapped in a ceremonial cloth embroidered with gold and elemental sigils. He stirred but did not cry.
Empress Seraphina Solvanyr
"Cassian Solvanyr. May your path be guided by wisdom, courage, and the Fivefold Light."
A soft murmur rippled through the hall. Noble eyes studied the child, reading potential and character in every curl of hair, every blink of his obsidian eyes.
....
Diplomatic Exchanges Begin
Lady Ambassador Selindria
"Your Majesty, the Sylvarae bring this gift for your heir. A crystal prism imbued with protective water magic."
Emperor Aurelius IX
"We are grateful. Such gifts honor the child and remind us of the bonds between our nations."
High Envoy of Khar-Durim
"And the Empire of Khar-Durim sends these refined iron ingots. They are the finest produced in our holds."
Duke Edric Morvain whispered to Aurelius
"We must ensure trade routes remain open. The dwarves have leverage now."
Emperor Aurelius IX
"Noted. And let it remain so… for now."
....
First Hints of Court Intrigue
Princess Valeria Solvanyr
"Elowyn, did you notice the Count of Ironford? He whispered something to the Sylvarae ambassador."
Princess Elowyn Solvanyr
"Probably a greeting. Or perhaps plotting something. They always plot."
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"Soon, we will see if Cassian's quiet observation reveals what we cannot."
The infant yawned, oblivious.
Empress Seraphina Solvanyr
"Observation first. Let the world speak before the child does. In time, he will respond in kind."
….
Evening — Banquet and Diplomacy
The tables stretched across the hall like rivers of silver and gold. Dishes from seven continents arrived:
Sylvarae: forest fruits and elven wines
Khar-Durim: smoked meats and rare iron-roasted vegetables
Thalassyra: seafood delicacies and salted spiced breads
Valtherion: roasted pheasant and amber ale
Conversations flowed: alliances were suggested, trade conditions subtly negotiated, and courtly glances exchanged.
Lady Ambassador Selindria
"Aye, the child is remarkable. Quiet, but… something in his eyes."
Prince Caelion
"Quiet children often see more than the loudest of men."
High Envoy of Khar-Durim
"It is true. Observation is a weapon."
Duke Alaric Valcaryn leaned to Duke Tharion Kaelthorn
"Mark that Dwarven envoy. He speaks too freely for a guest."
Duke Tharion Kaelthorn
"And yet he controls iron and gold. Freedom of speech is permitted… when profitable."
The room was alive with subtle tension, yet all maintained the mask of ceremony.
....
Closing Scene — Nightfall
Outside, the palace was bathed in moonlight. Guards rotated silently. The infant heir slept.
Empress Seraphina Solvanyr
"Tomorrow, we begin the first council of the season. And soon, foreign envoys will depart, carrying word of our child to distant lands."
Emperor Aurelius IX
"And so it begins. Let the world speak. Let them move. Cassian will learn all."
Princess Valeria Solvanyr
"And we will be ready to teach him how to listen."
Crown Prince Lucien Solvanyr
"Observation first, as Mother said. Power later."
The empire rested, but across seven continents, the world already whispered to the child who would inherit it.