Aldrich continued his daily routine, although he made time for meetings at parliament. Aldrich was getting tired of the monotony of his schedule and mentioned this over dinner with the rest of the royal family as they met at least once a week to eat together. Wymore agreed with Aldrich, mentioning his own boredom. Brianna grinned and motioned for one of the butlers to come to her. She whispered in their ear and moments later they came back with newspapers handing it to Wymore. Wymore’s face was visibly intrigued and with resolution said,
“Aldrich, my boy, I have just the thing to break this feeling you’ve got. In fact I should have my two eldest sons come with me. We are going to go labyrinth exploring.”
The protests from both wives immediately followed. First to speak was Brianna,
“This was a suggestion for you and Aldrich as I saw both of you are having the same feelings and you all should spend some time together.”
Moira said,
“I believe there are better ways to allow the boys to have some amusement than galavanting into the death traps that we call labyrinths.”
Wymore shrugged, deciding that he would rather not start an argument. Aldrich decided to speak up,
“Going through a labyrinth is not some recreational activity. Exploring them keeps us safe and also finances many markets. As for why the royal family should not exclude themselves from labyrinth exploration is simple, it is part of our duty to protect those we rule. How are we supposed to reassure the people that when the time comes, we can and will protect them. If you are worried for our safety, we command an army.”
Wymore grinned and before the two wives could protest more he said,
“The boy has very good points, the royal family needs a little good publicity here and there and I agree a labyrinth is just the way to do it. Besides when they grow older, labyrinth exploration is something they will have to do anyway so early training would not kill them.”
There was a strange quality to Wymore’s voice that invited no further protests. The Grand Chamberlain started making preparations from then and they lasted for several weeks. Aldrich woke up in the morning to viciously pulled covers and a firm kick that sent him flying off the bed. Aldrich’s fist ignited with a fire as he sent it flying towards his attacker.
“Immobilize.”
Aldrich’s body locked in place, matching a face to the attack. An unfazed man began,
“Good morning to you, Your Highness. I am, for the coming weeks, your assigned tutor. You are to report to the training hall in the next hour, make sure to wear proper gear for training and do eat your breakfast expeditiously as there will be no dilly dallying nor wining and dining.”
He went to leave the room but stopped,
“And please Your Highness do not make me have to come for you.”
He waved his hand, conjuring a stream of water that doused Aldrich and the flame surrounding his fist as he left and closed the door behind him.
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In an instant, his body relaxed and he felt his mobility return. What the tutor had used was called command speech. It was a technique and special language developed by older civilisations to program mesmer. It was a simpler and more primitive way of programming mesmer rather than the more intensive mesmer algorithms used for more complicated techniques.
Aldrich did not hesitate and hurried and got dressed, making his way to the training hall. During that time his sword training resumed, more rigorous than ever before. He also practised shooting with a thunder rifle and pistol, working to cut down his reloading time while improving his aim. Lastly was his mesmer application lessons, they became less theory and more practical. At the start of the class he was handed a box. Opening it he found a pair of Compact Mesmer Algorithm Sequencer bands, which allowed him to use more complicated techniques while cutting down his calculation time.
Aldrich was given more in depth information on labyrinths. Labyrinth’s contribution to all of the countries could not be overstated. Labyrinths tend to form in areas of extremely high mesmer concentration. Due to their being areas of high mesmer concentration, mesmerite, the crystallised and condensed form of mesmer can contain decades even centuries worth of mesmer making them powerful sources of energy. Mesmerite’s natural formation makes it ideal for its applications in various technologies as its frequency lies within a neutral zone that allows its properties to be easily modified irrespective of one’s mesmer frequency.
High mesmer also attracts several kinds of creatures that can be hunted and due to animal and plant life’s ability to efficiently absorb and hold mesmer they are also sources of valuable mesmerite and other commodities. What labyrinth’s are most prized for are the formation of artefacts. Powerful objects that have turned the tides of battles and war, they are quite large determinants of a country's power, although their power varies.
As the preparations went on, Aldrich was given extensive training as well as Leofrich. The two brothers grew closer through their training together. Leofrich was always impressed by Aldrich’s intelligence at such a young age and fighting skills although each sparring match ended with Aldrich’s defeat. Training them was a skilled soldier of the royal army. Their tutors who nurtured their more cognitive intensive lessons were those hired by the crown from around the world.
Eventually, the day came for them to leave for the labyrinth exploration. By then a company of soldiers numbering 100 strong each of the Royal Armate of Wylan and 12 knights of the Cortege Royale, a Chivalric Order charged with the protection of the monarch and his family, arrived. Aldrich had been sure to pack all he needed weeks in advance, checking and double checking every few days. Aldrich also took the opportunity to convince his father and Lord Ivor to appoint Lady Emery as his personal caretaker and assistant, which was promptly approved when she accepted.
Leofrich rode in a carriage, while Aldrich decided to ride strictly on horseback. Aldrich noticed that the soldiers with them gave occasional nods, although they were barely noticeable so as to avoid a breach of etiquette. It took about four days as the dungeon was approximately one hundred and nine kilometres from the capital city. They set up camp around half a kilometre away from the labyrinth. A squad of soldiers left to measure the mesmer leakage volume to ensure that the levels had remained within an acceptable range according to previous measurements taken beforehand.
While that was happening several of the commanding officers, namely the knight captain of the knights with them and the commandant leading the troops of the army. Aldrich stood at a corner where he was in full view of the map. As the men argued he decided to pay close attention to how the men spoke and how they thought. Eventually they came to a unanimous decision, leaving the tent and going their separate ways. Aldrich was about to leave when his father stopped him. He told him to sit down and Aldrich’s father bore the most solemn expression on his face. He looked into his son’s eyes and asked,
“Aldrich, how would you like to lead?”
Aldrich thought for a bit and responded,
“I want to be a leader that is respected not because of my padraig blood but for my accomplishments. One’s family legacy can only call upon so much obedience but through what I myself do, whilst I cannot achieve absolute obedience, I can gain something stronger than one that is given to me by just my birthright.”
Wymore gave a genuine smile,
“I hope to be able to see how your leadership grows and evolves.”
The father and son sat in an awkward silence that ended with them saying ‘goodnights’ equally as awkward.