It was autumn and the land seemed to be bathed in the colors of a glorious sunset. A deceptive calm lay over Crimonia, it was oppressive like the sultriness before one of those evening summer thunderstorms that were the order of the day a few weeks ago.
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My father, the king, had called me over. I knew why ... he would leave soon with the summer ... and leave nothing but memories, but also his life's work - the country of Crimonia - founded by him and brought to bloom. He had waged great wars, accomplished countless heroic deeds, but also did not neglect the establishment of a just judiciary or general prosperity. It will be very difficult to follow in his huge footsteps. My steps got heavier and heavier the closer I got to his apartment. When I got to the door to his room, my arm seemed to be made of lead so that I was hardly able to lift it and turn the handle.
But then I gathered all my strength. I didn't want to disappoint my father at the hour of his death. He should know that I was ready to take over his inheritance and that I was strong enough to take over the affairs of state without interruption. After all, he had prepared me for it for years and many neighboring countries were already looking at the wealth of Crimonia with envious eyes, lurking for a weakness.
I stepped in and was instantly smelled of impending death ...
It broke my heart to see my father like that. He was lost in his huge, albeit simple, bed, his skin was pale, almost like the flesh of a peach harvested too early, his hands rested limp on the hand of Anjanas, my sister, and formed a clear contrast to her delicate, almost rosy skin. But then he
looked at me I knew that he was ready to look death in the eye as he had done many times before.
He began to whisper in a hoarse voice, interrupted from time to time by a weak cough:
"My son ... you know I will leave you soon. You should know that from today on you are the ruler of Crimonias and that I have the firm belief that I have chosen the right one in you."
Suddenly I felt as if a pair of eyes were burning smoldering wounds on my neck with his gaze. I looked around and saw my half-brother Asgarod standing in the shadow of a curtain. Envy and resentment dominated his gaze and I saw his eyes literally twinkle.
My father continued:
"Take this crown and the shield of the lion as insigia of power and act as I have taught you ..." Vincon, my father's personal servant handed me the crown and the shield and lowered his gaze in deep sorrow .
"From now on Vincon shall be your servant ... he has always been a loyal follower to me" ... he gasped ... "Anjana and Asgarod ... I give you the offices of chief druid and royal archmage ... and you should know that I have always loved all three of you ... "
I noticed how the light in his eyes went out more and more with every word. Outside a bird began to sing its song ... I looked at the window, saw the bird fly away, and only then did I realize that my father's voice was forever silent
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