The first box I opened was layered in dust, its surface a testament to the passage of time, and it bore the markings of the year 400—an era that marked a monumental shift in our kingdom's history. It was the year my father ascended to the throne, a year that heralded the dawn of a new age filled with promise and challenges. Within this box lay the first round of laws that my father had either instituted or revamped to align with the evolving standards of the new century.
As I gingerly lifted the lid, a faint musty aroma wafted out, mingling with the scent of old parchment. Each scroll was meticulously preserved, safeguarded by magical barriers that had shielded them from the ravages of time, ensuring that they remained intact despite being wrapped for centuries. Approximately six hundred and fifty years had passed, yet the parchment retained its crispness and clarity, a marvel of both magic and intention.
The first scroll I unfurled bore the title “Freedom of Life.” It declared that every citizen possessed the inalienable right to live, a principle that transcended race, religion, or class. This law was more than mere words; it was a manifesto that opened our kingdom's doors to a rich tapestry of cultures and communities. The diversity that blossomed as a result was a source of pride, making our realm one of the most vibrant places to dwell and flourish. This law had been in effect since my father took office, and I vowed it would endure.
Next, I uncovered a scroll tied with a blue rope, its hue vibrant despite the years. The law it contained—“Every Citizen Has a Right to a Free Trial”—was a pillar of justice that still reverberated through our society. It outlined the rights of the accused, ensuring they could review all evidence and appoint a defender to stand by their side in court. This law was not simply a legal formality; it embodied the spirit of fairness, a principle I held dear and had no intention of altering.
Then came the “Freedom of Protection” law, which granted citizens the right to defend themselves with weapons and other means. In a world fraught with uncertainty, where fiends and other malevolent creatures sometimes infiltrated our borders, this law provided a necessary shield. It empowered our people to safeguard their homes and families, a sentiment I wholeheartedly supported in these trying times.
As I continued sifting through the contents of the box, I found ten laws in total, each one a testament to my father's commitment to justice and equity. Among them was the “No Children Left Behind” law, a compassionate initiative that had birthed my parents’ children’s homes, providing a sanctuary for the vulnerable and orphaned.
With a mix of reverence and curiosity, I turned to the next box, which contained ten new laws crafted fifty years after the first set. The dust had settled thickly on this box as well, but the essence of its contents remained potent. While many of the laws mirrored those in the previous box, a few stood out, their significance etched into the fabric of our culture.
“Freedom of Religion” was inscribed on one scroll, a powerful declaration that allowed our people to worship any deity of their choosing, be it a prime god or one considered a betrayer. This law was a vital thread in the tapestry of our society, fostering tolerance and coexistence. However, it also came with a caveat: any practice that posed a threat to the well-being of citizens would be scrutinized and curtailed.
Another scroll detailed the “Magical Essence Practice,” which granted magical users the freedom to perform their arts. Yet, it held them accountable for their actions, stipulating that any magic causing harm to others or to property would not go unpunished. Most forms of magic were woven into the daily lives of our citizens, and I had no intention of stifling this vital aspect of our culture. Still, I couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room—Marcel’s abilities, which often teetered on the edge of this law, would need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Among the laws in this box was one addressing threats to the throne. It stated that any and all threats to the monarchy would be dealt with accordingly. I had to admit, my handling of this particular law had room for improvement, but I believed it was necessary for the stability of our realm at that moment.
As I moved from box to box, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Most of the laws were ones I accepted wholeheartedly, and I saw no need for immediate changes. Time slipped away unnoticed, and after three hours of deliberation, I glanced at the clock—nine in the morning. “Good progress,” I muttered to myself, easing the lid back onto the last box.
Reaching for a communication stone that my father had kept in his office, I initiated contact with Fredrick. “Can we gather everyone today for a meeting?” I asked, my voice steady but edged with urgency.
A few moments of silence passed before Fredrick’s response crackled through. “What time…” There was a hint of annoyance in his tone, likely due to the last-minute nature of my request.
“How does two o’clock sound?” I proposed, giving them a modest five hours to prepare.
“I will see what I can do. It is last minute, so no promises,” he replied, the weariness in his words evident.
“Thank you, Fredrick. It’s nothing too important. I just need to touch base with everyone.”
Silence fell again as Fredrick likely set about his task of rounding up the other council members. I had five hours to reflect and strategize on what I wanted to discuss.
Laws. I thought, the word echoing in my mind. It was time to initiate the process of revisiting the revivification law, a subject that had been weighing heavily on my conscience.
Perhaps seeking counsel from King Alaric would be prudent. He had provided invaluable insights into our council dynamics and had a wealth of experience regarding legislative matters.
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That wouldn’t be a bad idea, I conceded. He understood our situation better than most.
And you can trust him, Théoden reminded me, reinforcing my resolve. King Alaric was indeed one of the few I could count on.
With a newfound sense of purpose, I set my sights on the communication center. I could feel Théoden's presence fading as he prepared for his run through the kingdom.
I wish you luck, my love. He had said, his voice warm and reassuring. I smiled softly, grateful for his support.
As I locked the door to my office, I took a deep breath, ready to navigate the complexities ahead. The weight of responsibility lay heavy on my shoulders, but I was determined to honor the legacy of my father and pave a brighter future for our kingdom.
It took me all but five minutes to reach the communication center and as routine, I picked up King Alaric’s fall colored communication stone and sent him a message. “Alaric, I have a few things to discuss with you.” I kept the message short and sweet and waited a few minutes for his response.
His calm and charming voice spoke through the stone, “I always have a few minutes to chat with my favorite Princess.”
The clunk of my wedge boots filled the communication center space as I walked to his swirling orb of colors. “Maria….” Alaric’s voice echoed through the orb as I approached it. “What’s happening?”
I smiled at him as he was wearing his typical wear of a suit with black dress pants, vest, and a navy blue shirt to match. His hair was just as messy as always as it never laid flat no matter what he did. His soft eyes and smile warmed my heart as it was always welcoming being around. “Alaric, nice to see you again. Even if it is you in tiny form.” I said as I pinched two of my fingers together as if I was pinching tiny Alaric.
His hearty laugh filled the air with joy, “Always know how to make me laugh, however, I suppose you didn’t call me for jokes?”
“Always get straight to the point, eh?” I relaxed myself back in my throne as talking with him was easy.
He shrugged, “I do have a few meetings today.”
“How long do I have until the first one?”
“A few hours.” I watched him motion for a servant to bring him a glass of wine. “So, what’s on your mind, Maria?” Alaric asked me as the servant gave him a glass of ruby red wine.
I watched him take a swig of the wine, “Can you help me with understanding Laws and how to rewrite them?”
“Don’t you have a Council for….” He cut himself off and sighed, “Sybil.”
I nodded, “I can’t fully trust them yet and I can’t really do anything about her yet. I am honestly lost on how to proceed with her.”
“Can’t Théoden just eat her?” Alaric joked.
I rolled my eyes, “He hasn’t eaten a human in hundreds of years.”
“I know, I know. I was messin around Maria.”
I smiled softly. I understood that he was joking but with his draconic lineage sometimes that doesn’t always mean joking. He has told me a lot of things about his past and one of those was when he was young he had an altercation with a pirate and that pirate ended up in his gullet when he was a wyrmling. Ever since then, he has not eaten another human and felt guilty about that day even if it was an accident.
“So… Laws, what do you want to know?” Alaric said as he shifted the topic of discussion back to my main question.
“I want to rewrite one of them… The revivification law.”
“Figured that was the first one you would want to rewrite. I never understood that law.”
“Neither did I. However, it is time that it is revisited as there has been a lot of suffering lately. Not just with my parents but with people passing due to poisons. Heck, my whole Council was poisoned.”
“Really?” Alaric must have not heard about this one yet as he was surprised by the accusation.
“Yeah, Théoden sensed it through the bond and acted quick enough to heal everyone with his essence before the poison took effect.”
“They are lucky you have him.” Alaric said.
“Ain’t that the truth.” I said in agreement. “Besides that, the whole poisoning of my Council and my near death experience with Marcel, this law needs to be changed.”
“Definitely understandable.”
“So, what would be the first steps for changing the law?”
“Well, you would need to draft a new proposal to replace it. Then you need to present that proposal to your Council and if your Council refuses the new law proposal then you need to revise it once again.”
I nodded as I listened to him explain the process and he was detailed with every step. “If the law has more than five revisions then the law may not pass…” Alaric finally finished.
“What happens if the law does not pass?”
“You can scratch it completely and make a new one or discard it.” Alaric told me. “I know it is a lot but I believe you can handle it.” Alaric told me as he read me like a book as I was beginning to feel overwhelmed as the thought of the law not passing started to stress me out.
“Thanks… Hopefully you are right.”
“Aren’t I always?” King Alaric jokes, which caused a smile to fall on my face.
Maria? Théoden questioned me through the bond as he had read my emotions. Everything alright?
Yeah… Just mentally freaking out.
About the laws?
I am worried that they may not pass the new law.
I’m sure they will. I believe in you.
Thanks love.
I felt much better with Théoden's words and Alaric’s bright personality. “You’re right, both of you are.”
“Both… Ah. How’s it going Théoden?” Alaric asked as he remembered the bond.
Tell him it’s going fine. Keeping busy. I relayed the message to Alaric, “Please guys, I don’t want to be the middle woman here.” I joked as this has happened before with these two.
“Sorry.” Alaric said.
Sorry love.
I nodded to both of them. “I have to get around to go anyways Maria, my first meeting is in five minutes. I will chat with you later, okay?” Alaric said as he stood up from his chair and began to walk away from the communication orb.
“Later.” I waved goodbye and left my own communication center with a better understanding of how the law system worked.