After the morning workout and training Prince James returned to his wing of the palace. Today he is meeting with High Priest Cendrin to discuss any last-minute details for the church’s involvement in the official acknowledgment of Prince James as heir to the throne during the ball. Kira wanted to make sure she was present, so they decided to change his guards early to give Kira time to answer any questions.

Anara did not seem too thrilled to end the shift early, but she did not protest as she bowed to Prince James before making her way to her room.

Sergeant Callus, ever the professional followed protocol before he too retired to his room. “Sergeant Kira, I officially turn over protection of his majesty Prince James to you and your watch.”

“Thank you, Sergeant Callus, I take up this charge with honor and shall not fail in my duty.” Kira replied.

The new royal guard rotation consisted of Kira, Rita, and Cooper Cavaliere. Prince James sat in his conference room and turned his attention to Kira who looked nervous for some reason.

“Kira, what can you tell me about Cendrin? Please sit and tell me what you can.” Prince James asked.

“My family has an affinity for Light magic and healing. Ever since I was a young girl, I spent time learning both magical and mundane healing arts. As a healer I spent much time with the church. High Priest Cendrin is a good man. He cares for the people of this kingdom and has spearheaded different efforts to help the less fortunate. His affinity for light magic is quite strong, which makes him a great healer and many in and outside of the church look up to him, me included. What else would you like to know your majesty?” Kira said.

‘It is clear Kira is a follower of the light. I’m not sure I can get a straight answer from her. Guess I’ll have to figure it out myself.’ Prince James thought but said, “What can I expect from this visit and this official acknowledgment? Also, what role does the church play in all of this?”

“Ah, High Priest Cendrin’s role is to show support from the church. Though this kingdom is very adamant about the separation of church and state, that is more to protect the church than the state. The royal family and the church are both pillars to the people of this kingdom. The royal family sees to the prosperity and protection of its citizens. The church sees to the soul of the people. When people see both in alignment and agreement it helps ease their minds. The purpose of this visit will be to determine if you are like your parents. The king and queen genuinely care for the people and have done much to help our people flourish. Trust me you of all people have nothing to worry about from this visit your majesty.” Kira replied.

‘I wish I could believe that. My initial impression of the High Priest was favorable, but I must be cautious. Too many stories of people in power abusing their roles and pointing the finger at others when in truth they were doing the very thing they accused others of.’ Prince James thought.

Shortly after Kira’s conversation a knock was made at the front door and Cooper escorted the High Priest to our conference room table. “Your majesty, High Priest Cendrin is here to see you.”

Prince James rose to shake High Priest Cendrin’s hand, greeting him before gesturing for Cendrin to take a seat. “It is a pleasure to see you again High Priest Cendrin.” Prince James said.

“Please call me Cendrin, Prince James.”

“Only if you call me James in private.” Prince James replied.

“Very well James.” Cendrin replied while slightly bowing his head in acknowledgment.

“It is good to see you too Kira. We miss your help at the church. Your healing abilities were always so very appreciated.” Cendrin said while looking at Kira.

“My apologies High Priest Cendrin. My new role as one of Prince James’s personal royal knights limits my availability.” Kira replied without a hint of remorse.

‘Careful Kira, I don’t want him to think I’m taking you away from the church or are some kind of slave driver.’ Prince James thought.

“Of course, of course, I understand your duties, Kira. Any time you can spare is appreciated. There are so many in need.” Cendrin said before turning his whole attention to Prince James and said, “Shall we discuss why I am here James?”

“I would appreciate it Cendrin.” Prince James replied.

“As I’m sure Kira has already explained, the royal family and the Church of Light are two pillars that hold up this kingdom. The Royal family governs the land and its people. It is the church’s obligation to ensure the people have salvation in the afterlife. It is the Royal family’s right to determine succession. It is the church’s right to speak out against tyranny and oppression. It has become tradition that the church shows our support when the successor to the throne is publicly announced.” Cendrin explained.

“To show the people and the nobles that the Royal family and the Church of Light are united in the direction the kingdom is headed.” Prince James interjected.

Cendrin smiled at Prince James’ response. “Exactly my prince. Now normally the Church of Light has plenty of time to observe the candidate to the throne to determine whether there are any concerns and, where possible, help guide them should they start to go astray or allow power to corrupt them.”

“But since I was raised in seclusion by famous battle-hardened adventurers, one known as the ‘Butcher of the Plains’ there is warranted concern.” Prince James interrupted again.

“My prince has got it in one! You are correct these are valid concerns. Especially as rumors spread among the peerage of your exploits so far both on your journey home and since your return...” Cendrin replied.

Prince James once again interrupted. “Then there is the matter of the prophecy that was divined by your very own prophets. One who was the sister to the Headmaster of the Royal Academy. That is something you cannot ignore.”

“You are well informed James. I am guessing you have been talking with Lady Rollara.” Cendrin replied.

“Among others. My sources have told me that some of the Church of Light priests have begun spreading the prophecy to the masses. Which I find very interesting if the Church’s official stance has yet to be made.” Prince James answered.

Cendrin’s eyes widened for the briefest of moments before returning to a calm mask of civility. “The prince is very well informed indeed. Especially so, for being confined to the palace and military training area. It is clear I underestimated the fierce intelligence in those eyes of yours and your resourcefulness.” Cendrin said as he looked into Prince James’ eyes as he continued. “Yes, your suspicion is correct, I have discreetly shared the prophecy with my people. I have instructed them to share this prophecy and your deeds so far since your return.”

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It was Prince James’s turn to be surprised Cendrin so easily admitted what he subtly had implied. He had but one question, “Why?”

“It is quite simple James, and something tells me you have already deduced the answer. There are many believers in the Light across all walks of life. As it appears you have deduced, I have faithful spies in the palace.” Cendrin replied matter-of-factly.

Cooper and Kira seemed shocked. Cooper spoke up, “I never would’ve expected the Church of Light to resort to spying on the Royal family!”

“It’s not just the Royal family. It’s the nobles and even some prominent artisans and merchants.” Prince James had replied to everyone’s shock.

In fact, Prince James had received this interesting news from Sloane. What no one knew except Prince James and Sloane was Prince James formed a mental link with Sloane the day prior. Prince James did this so Sloane could act as his very own personal spymaster and keep him informed of any pressing information. Sloane had been impressed by the prince’s capabilities and how the prince treated him with respect. This was the first time in Sloane’s life that someone saw real potential in him and understood why Sloane kept such shady company.

Sloane loved his kingdom and fought hard to get where he was. He had long since learned about what the church had been doing and readily shared it with his new liege. They both agreed to keep what they learned and their mental link a secret so the spymaster could better serve in the shadows. Sloane, as a very cunning individual, had discovered this information but never shared it for fear of repercussions should the wrong person hear this. Yet now, Sloane held no such reservations as he trusted his prince wholeheartedly.

Of course, Prince James was not going to tell the high priest that or how Sloane has already started to recruit some of those in the criminal underbelly as spies and informants.

“Very informed indeed.” Cendrin replied contemplating how much the prince knew.

Turning to Kira and the other knights in the room, Cendrin continued. “Prince James is correct. We have eyes and ears everywhere but do not mistake things. These are people of faith who share what they know out of an obligation to protect the realm and do what is right.”

“How is spying on our royal family somehow doing what’s right for this kingdom? It is the Royal family!” Cooper said clearly upset.

“Corruption rarely shows its face so openly. This allows the Church of Light to keep an eye on those in power and subtly influence where they can. It is this network I wish to tap into Cendrin.” Prince James answered Cooper’s question for Cendrin. This caused everyone to look at the prince in shock.

“You are ok with this your majesty?” Cooper asked.

“Ok? No, but I understand the why and think my spymaster can make even better use of them than the church can.” Prince James said.

“Spymaster?” Both Cooper and Cendrin said in surprise.

“Sloane. It has to be.” Kira said, finally rejoining the conversation after getting over one shock after the other as she listened to the conversation. This is not how she thought this meeting would go.

“Yes, Sloane.” Prince James replied to Kira.

“You see Cendrin, my parents risked their only son and this Kingdom on a prophecy. They love both their family and this kingdom very much, you know that better than anyone, I suspect. I may lead with my heart but that does not mean I do not take precautions and steps to protect those I care about. I am a realist after all. Of course, I would be cautious of a person and organization who encouraged my parents to send their only son away, Cendrin is one of my mother’s closest advisors, he had to have a hand in it, of that, I am sure.” Prince James said.

After a few moments of silence with the Prince and High Priest staring at each other, Cendrin finally broke the silence with a sigh. As if a part of him deflated thinking about some past memory he replied to Prince James. “Humph. It appears not even I fully believed it, but I am beginning to truly believe. Yes, Prince James you suspected correctly. When I was informed of the prophecy, I encouraged your parents to send you away.”

Kira in shock interrupted, “Why would you do that High Priest? Wait, Prince James how did you know he had a hand in it?”

Kira turned her head back and forth not sure who she wanted answers from.

Cendrin replied first. “My child, there is much you do not yet know even though you follow the Light. The day I was given the news about the prophecy... I had a faith defining moment.”

Taking a pause before continuing as if reliving such an impactful moment in his life. “I was in morning prayers as I normally do and there was this light that shown brighter than the sun all of a sudden coming from my window and then nothing.”

“Nothing?” Kira asked.

“I had a complete lapse in memory. The only thing I remember was my aide shaking me saying he found me staring up from my knees. He brought me the news that the King and Queen were given a prophecy.”

Cendrin breathed out, almost getting lost in that memory again before he continued. “The moment my aide relayed the words of the prophecy to me I just knew. It was like a strong phantom memory just out of reach was telling me this must come to pass... that our lives depended on it.”

Cendrin looked at both Prince James and Kira and continued his story. “So yes, I immediately went to the King and Queen offering my council. They confided in me what they were told. I told them they had to do it. I pushed as best I could, even so much as helping them convince the kingdom’s two most powerful adventurers at the time to give up their lives and help raise you. I’m sorry my boy.”

He paused, searching my eyes and as if finding something there decided to keep going. “As the years passed, doubt began to creep in, for all of us I think that was the case. Every time your parents would ask me if they did the right thing my answer was always emphatically ‘Yes!’ Even though in my heart I doubted it every time. Faith can be funny that way.”

Cendrin seemed to get lost in self-reflection for a moment before regaining his focus. It was as if each time he was grasping at memories, and they were so impactful he would get lost in those moments. As if finally regaining control of himself, Cendrin shook his head and continued. “Here I am rambling. It is clear, Your Highness, that I have underestimated your capabilities. I came here today to take your measure, see if what I gambled on all those years ago was true.

“You have only been back for a short time, yet you are moving pieces into play and seeing things others are blind to. Thank you for helping an old man.”

“Helping how?” Kira said confused.

Prince James was the one to reply. “To rekindle his faith. My ability to quickly intuit the truth. It’s a line from the prophecy ‘even though others will hide and distract, he shall be like the arrow to know the truth and bring that to the people.”

Though Prince James thought, ‘I wonder if it’s just my high Intuition, Intelligence and Wisdom scores or my high Charisma that helps rally people to my side. Though his gap in memory is interesting. It sounds like some outside force influenced him. Now whether that was Light or Dark remains to be seen. Man, I should’ve paid attention to my guide.’

“You do seem to know and plan for things even before we realize it.” Kira commented almost offhandedly. She had only heard mention the gist of the prophecy. This was the first time she heard an actual line from it.

‘What else does the prophecy say?’ Kira thought.

“As I said, it is clear you are far more capable than we have given you credit. It is clear I chose correctly.” Cendrin said.

Looking like he was making his mind up about something, Cendrin stuck his hand out and spoke. “If you will have our faction, the Church of Light shall pledge our full support to your cause.”

Prince James immediately took his hand and spoke. “That is a given High Priest Cendrin. Can I call you Cendrin when we are among others?” He said this last part with a mischievous smile on his face.

“Of course, your majesty. Send your spymaster to me and I shall see them connected with our network.” Cendrin replied.

“Good. With that done, let us plan to meet periodically. We can let others think it is to help provide guidance in the Light. We can use the time to collaborate and make things happen. Plus, you can tell me more of what your scholars have uncovered over the years. If possible, I would also like to learn more about healing magic. For the most part what the outside world would be told is true, you would be providing guidance, just not exactly in the way they think.” Prince James answered with another mischievous smile on his face.

“Underestimated you indeed. Ha, ha, ha.” Cendrin chuckled as he excused himself, bringing the impromptu assessment to a close.