Chapter Text
The retinue that Ardyn and his brother had been given was large. Perhaps larger then needed for their diplomatic voyage. Forty sworn guards following the two children of the Astrals on their journey to form political alliances with their neighbouring countries. Along with squires and banner men who bore the sigil of the newly founded Lucius Caleam house.
The boys were kept in a private carriage to protect them from the elements and prying eyes. It was sleek and beautiful. All black and silver and drawn by four spiracorns.
It seemed everything their father had sent them off with was exaggeratedly elegant and regal. Perhaps an overcompensation for his humble upbringing. Their father had been someone of no acclaim. He had no famed house, illustrious wealth or noble history. Not until he had been granted gifts directly from the hands of the Astrals. The first and only mortal to have lain with an Astral had been given twin sons. And with those sons came a crystal that granted the humble country of Lucius power the likes of had never been seen by mankind before. He seemed worried that his sons would be unable to curry favour with the neighbouring countries and so he made sure they looked like the kings of kings.
This morning the brothers had bathed in the river with expensive oils and perfumes. Their attendants had fussed over Ardyn’s unruly wine purple hair that he had inherited from his mother. With great patience they had managed to make it rest neatly on his head under the golden crown that rested on his brow. Somnus had inherited their father’s straight black hair and his crown of silver twinkled like star light against it. And even though they had already packed all of their finest clothes for the journey their father had commissioned the two new tunics they wore that day. Black tunics made of the finest wool that Lucius had to offer, embroidered with their family sigil. Along with the tunics they wore brand new boots whose leather was made from catoblepas hide.
For the umpteenth time that morning their tutor reviewed with them the names of Solhiem’s royal family and what Solheim customs Luci was aware of. But when their tutor saw that the two young princes were beginning to get frustrated and antsy he had let them be. The two boys had never been particular to the boring lectures and studies. And after the embarrassment they made of themselves in Tenebrae they had even less motivation.
For a while Ardyn and Somnus discussed what their hosts would be like. It had been crown prince Dezerius, the heir to Solheim’s throne who had extended the invitation to the Lucius Calaem family to tour his lands and forge an alliance. His father had given him Costlemark tower, the hallmark of Solheim, as his own personal keep to run as a test for his future inheritance. Ardyn and Somnus would be calling the tower home now for the next several weeks.
The carriage suddenly hit a rather large bump in the road, the sudden lurch yanking Ardyn’s attention out of his daydreaming of what their visit would be like. He blinked and shook himself off, shifting to stare out the window. As his hands pressed up against the glass of the carriage window his brother followed suit.
The land here was mountainous and carpeted in rich, beautiful forests. The canopy overhead was a vibrant emerald green and golden sunlight spilled down between the leaves. For quite a while now Costlemark tower was visible over the tree line. A behemoth structure far larger than anything Lucius had to offer. And if the rumors were true its architecture was far more advanced as well. The tower was enormous now as they were almost at their destination.