"Make way for His Highness Prince Claude Tariel Valence, Third Prince of the Valence kingdom!"
As the voice booms through the plaza, cheers echo among the crowd. Around the plaza soldiers gather, as if impending chaos were to ensue. Among the five seats of the High Priests, only two were filled, fifth High Priest Wyland and Fourth High Priest Malrik.
"Malrik, you seem well despite your age." Wyland says mockingly.
Malrik, the fourth high priest nearly a decade older than Wyland. among the five priests, he was the only one who wields the blade and dubbed "The Warrior Priest".
Malrik sighed as if dealing with someone annoying.
"Wyland, still the same as ever eh? tell me, what has been going on in the Tribunal while I was away"
"Well Bogarth still does not acknowledge me despite everything, and His Holiness Tilbur assigned me to this meager task" said Wyland as he shrugged.
"And what of Arthen? I haven't seen him yet" asked Malrik eagerly.
"Arthen that old bat, is around the cathedral roaming the halls, as usual"
Malrik simply glanced at the crowd and sighed.
"I see... well, we'll continue this later, for now let us greet His Highness Prince Claude"
As the crowd keeps cheering on Wyland and Malrik looks to Claude walking down from his carriage.
Claude walks down from his carriage, with Essil at his side and a dozen knights clenching the hilt of their swords, so tense Claude thought to himself.
As Claude keeps walking, the sounds of armor clanging and the cheers of the crowd seems to quiet down, as the herald's word keeps echoing in his mind, both fear and confusion clouds his mind.
"My lord? are you alright?" Essil asked with concern
The voice of Essil brought Claude back to the present, though it won't leave his mind, he must focus on what's happening now. Claude looks to the High Priests in their seats full of pride.
"Yes I'm fine Essil, just fine" said Claude with determination.
Claude now reaches the platform, looking up to the High Priests, though the High Priests looks down on Claude from their seats, this is completely normal, for the faith is held with the highest regard within the kingdom. Though powerful, the Royal family cannot openly defy the faith, for doing so would cause turmoil within the kingdom and its people. For that is the true power of the Tribunal, its people.
High Priests Wyland stands and walks toward the podium, maintaining his gaze upon Claude. He begins to wave his hand in the air, implying that the people be silent, and that they did.
"Citizens of the kingdom of Valence, I, High Priest Wyland, stand with you today, as the voice of the people. I stand here, to demand answers to our questions that the Royal family kept from us! their citizens!"
As Wyland finishes his statement with a smirk, the crowd erupts into provocative shouting directed at the royal family. Claude grits his teeth and puts on a smile, for he is shocked that the Tribunal would be so bold as to provoke the Royal Family out in the open.
"Now now, let us not place all the blame on them, surely they have reasons for hiding the truth about the kingdom's situation from its people, surely you can answer this simple question yes? my prince." Wyland intentionally emphasized when addressing Claude, as if attacking him directly.
As the crowd's yells grew louder and fingers pointing toward Claude, the knights surrounding the Claude, began to clench their swords, ready to act without hesitation. Claude simply closed his eyes and sighed heavily, then spoke.
"The royal family has let you down, in the face of danger and turmoil in our lands, we have kept you in the dark. But no more!"
As Claude began to speak with conviction and burning passion. the crowd began to calm down and listen.
"The southern border, has been attacked by orks!, though many died fighting those beasts. Our soldiers held on with your prince leading them. As we speak, my father, your king, is rallying our troops to march down south, to eradicate those beasts and bring peace once more!"
Claude looks to the eyes of the people, filled with fear and hope, Claude took a deep breath and then continued.
"I promise you, the kingdom will prevail against this chaos, against these invaders, We have failed our citizen, but I ask you this, have you in your entire lives never failed? not even once?. I ask you, my people, to believe in the royal family, once more. Believe as you do with the faith, and I promise you not defeat, but victory and glory to our kingdom!"
As Claude finished his speech, the crowd bursts into cheers, not of hate but of love and hope.
"Glory to Valence!, Glory to the royal family!"
The crowd erupted in ecstatic fervor, their cheers echoing through the plaza.
Claude looks around his people with the pride of a royal, exuding a royal air around him, he then looks up to Wyland, looking so fiercely as if saying "Anything else?"
Wyland, taken aback with the sudden turn of events, began to speak, but was stopped by Malrik.
"Wyland, you've said enough, let me handle this," said Malrik in a stern tone.
As Wyland steps down, Malrik took his place.
"My prince! you surely have captivated the crowd along with myself. But all those words you've said, are just that... words. What guarantee do you have of victory? of peace and security to your citizens?"
Malrik looked at the prince with genuine concern, for the kingdom and its citizen, Malrik believes that action speak louder than words could ever do. he asked not out of insult, provocation, or hidden agendas, but of his heart.
Malrik wanted to determine where the loyalty of the prince truly lay, to his own? or to his people?.
Only silence can be heard in the plaza, no shouting nor pointed fingers, everyone want to know his answer,
Claude exchanged glances with Malrik before speaking,
"I will put my life on the line..." Claude said with firm resolve, locking eyes with Malrik once more.
Malrik gave a slight nod of approval and murmured to himself "Good"
With that, Malrik and Wyland bid their Farewell to the people and went back to the cathedral along with their soldiers, while the crowd continued to cheer for Claude.
Claude looks at the sky and let out a deep sigh, for he passed the judgment.
The Tribunal's Judgment.