Kormwind X was coming back with their party when they came across a group panicking as one of theirs, one who was young for this, was clutching their chest barely able to breath. Their healer realized the attack was lungs trying to close, and knew what to do. -- Anon Guest
Touring the realm took a lot longer since Dad conquered his way from Earl to King. For the business of the realm to continue, he had to tour it in stages. And bring a lot of the business with him. The people had to at least see who was in charge, or you wound up with realms who thought they belonged to the wrong crown, and then all the taxes and laws turned into an enormous mess.
And showing himself around was good for public relations. Some people got an enormous kick out of meeting royalty, and would treasure the encounter for the rest of their lives.
Kormwind Arachis Felbourne Whitekeep, tenth of the name, had become a Prince before he could say the word. His parents had fought Giants and won. And he felt prouder of his accomplishments as an Adventurer than he did of wearing a special, golden gewgaw latched onto his horns. How shaking his hand or engaging in a brief conversation with him was a special event was a phenomenon that evaded his comprehension. He was not that special. Just incredibly lucky, and responsible for everything that happened in the lands that were now his.
But he would hold babies if asked, shake hands with people he met, and always be gracious and kind. Which wasn't hard. By and large, people were good. And he could shock a few antimonarchists by agreeing with them.
"It isn't fair that one person should decide the fate of multitudes," he said. "It's one of the reasons I'm concocting a system of referendum and initiative. The people give notice of what needs amending, and the administration arm acts on their petition. Further, the people can decide if the amendment shall remain, or be dismissed."
"Sounds chaotic," said the antimonarchist.
"Any more chaotic than trusting the firsborn of a special family? Or... allowing rich assholes to run anything?"
That got a cackle from the antimonarchist, and the allowance that Kormwind Ten, Dex to his friends, was "all right for a toff." It was ten miles out from that town, that Dex and his traveling carnival of servants, attendants, and armed guardsmen found a team of young Adventurers. One of them was in crisis.
The other three were panicking in several directions. The Wizard was leafing through their spellbook, the Rogue was consulting a manual on poisons for symptoms that matched, and the Barbarian was attempting to pat their Cleric between the shoulders.
Dex stopped the carriage train, signalling for the healers in carts behind. He was blue, but the Cleric should not have been. That blue was not a good one for living folk to have.
"Hands off, sir. Give him a moment," said Dex. The voice of command worked, and the Barbarian backed off. Using far more physical influence, he helped the Cleric straighten up and sit so his throat was less restricted. "Focus on bringing in the air slowly. Gently. Here comes someone to help."
That news alone helped free more air for him. So too did the healer's hands. The diagnosis - allergies. The remedy a herbal tea that, fortunately, Dex had to hand in the train's supplies. His Druid could grow more easily.
Another small thing for him, but an enormous boon to those gifted. He understood, finally, what Dad meant when he said, "The view from the top gives gotterverdammt vertigo."
[Photo by Kris Sevinc on Unsplash]
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