***Hyperion Empire***

***Imperial Academy***

“In the eyes of all and through the traditions of the old, I stand before you in the name of Ydia, goddess of love, fertility, and life. As deemed by right of blood, I challenge you for the blood of another. Through the power in which I possess, I invoke the Rite of the Bound.”

When the boy finished speaking, he immediately crumpled the paper he had been reading from and stopped. Grey hair so thick one could call it fur, revealed a determined face. Harsh blue eyes, reminiscent to the rough open ocean, locked tenaciously at the opposition across him. Dark brown freckles dotted his face, their presence a compliment to his overall youth.

Walter Fafnir opened his mouth, a wicked smile spread across his features. “Well what do you say? Do you accept?”

Scratching his nose, Max turned to Arthur beside him. “What is a Rite of the Bound?”

Arthur paused with a thoughtful expression. “I’m not exactly sure, but if you take it into context it-”

“Are you two serious? You don’t know what the Rite of the Bound is?” Kathryn inquired, her tone more scolding than anything else.

Both boys turned to their elven friend and shook their heads.

After releasing his class, Mr. Strain left as quickly as he came. The students followed, and before they had realized, Kana was gone, Adrios in tow. Max was no further out the door when Walter Fafnir had stepped in front of his path. The boy seemed to be in a positive mood, but his expression seemed a bit unhinged.

“I want to fight you for Kana’s hand in marriage.” Walter clarified resoundly.

Ignoring context but perking up at the word ‘fight’, Max nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

The wolven boy revealed fangs only seen on animals. “Good. I’ll tell my father. He should be able to arrange everything.” Pushing himself between the Satele and Soltain heirs, Walter then walked around the corner and left.

Max clapped once. “How exciting! I haven’t had a good fight in forever!”

“Max why would you do that?” Kathryn demanded, her delicate features contorted and red. “You’ve just opened yourself up to more of them!”

Arthur replied first. “What do you mean?”

“The Rite of the Bound is really old. Like formed before the Empire old. It's also a rather barbaric and patriarchal way for bloodlines to procreate. It was formed in a time where warring bloodline clans were commonplace.” Kathryn explained, both boys focused on her words. “I’ve never heard of it used, mainly because civilized people don’t consider their future partners as goods to be traded.”

“Max you should have known. Kana’s surely going to be disappointed.” Arthur commented with a shake of his head.

The taller boy barely missed an attempt to slap his cousin across the face. “You didn’t know either!”

Grabbing Max by the shoulders, Kathryn continued. “Kana is the least of your problems now. I’m sure once word spreads that you accept the Rite of the Bound, you’ll be getting more challenges, if only to have an excuse to test your abilities.”

Max groaned. “So anyone can just challenge me to fight?”

“Not everyone, just those who are near your age and possess a bloodline.” The amber-eyed girl answered.

“Which leaves a possibility of at least three other challengers.” Arthur supplemented.

Max raised his fingers and counted, tallying each other male bloodline member he could think of. “Are you saying that Clark, Zane, Walter, and…” He paused, he had never learned the name of the southernmost provincial heir.

“Jeremiah Thanatos. He’s the third heir to my province, and from what my parents have told me he is quite the talent himself.” Kathryn commented.

“Right. So all four of them are going to use this as an excuse to fight me?”

Scanning the hall as students hurried to there next class, Katlyn dragged the boys along. “I can’t say for sure. Maybe Walter is the only one who will challenge you. Maybe they all challenge you. Though you need to think about this from their families perspective.”

Scuffling by the large double doors leaving the Magic Theory Building, Kathryn frowned. “The Kumio House has always stood as Hyperion’s greatest enigma. Rumor’s are they are completely comprised of assassins, from the children to the oldest of elders.”

Max and Arthur glanced at each other, their shared experiences in Kana’s family estate expounging on some of Kathryn’s words.

“And then, out of the blue, in a time where all the Houses have heirs to reveal, House Kumio sends its first ever student to the Academy. Never in the history of the Empire has this happened. Not only does this student mark the first real attempt by the Kumio clan to enter the social arena, but to top it all off…” Kathryn raised her arms high in the air, dramatically forming a circle whose hands guided the gazes of both boys. “She’s engaged to you! The heir of another great House!” She exclaimed, the tension in her voice enforced with the slim finger hovering right above Max’s nose.

Crossing his eyes, Max focused on Kathryn’s slim finger. Not one to miss a beat, he playfully tried to bite it. “So?”

Retracting faster than Arthur’s gaze could follow, Kathryn screamed again. “Whoever get’s Kana gets access to an untold amount of power! An entire clan of assassins, as family! Maybe the other’s don’t see that but once there parents find out I have no doubt someone is going to command them to challenge you!” Grabbing her bag and practically shoving its loose leather cover against her lips, she wailed.

Max pulled her in and started patting her on the head. “Kathryn you don’t need to worry so much. I’m sure I’ll be able to defeat whoever comes my way.”

Shrugging the boy off and putting her bag back over her shoulder, Kathryn fixed the thin strands of hair resting over her forehead. “My mother says when I get too stressed its always best to take a step back until I calm down. I’m going to go to class now, I will see you two later.”

Only after Kathryn dismissed them as efficiently as possible, Arthur rested a hand on his younger friend’s shoulder. “You appear to have really messed up. I wish you luck in your future endeavors.”

With his words, he too left Max to his thoughts. The young Soltain stood silently for multiple moments, the effects of his decision only sounding like a lot of fun to him. The more challengers the better. They just better be worth his time.

===

***Soltain City***

Polished yew such as this was hard to come by, especially in such a large quantity. Gliding his hand along the smooth surface, Jacob Soltain grimaced. There was a notch in the wood, one large enough that if he were to write over it he could actually tear a parchment. Forehead lines became apparent, there large number and size rather unusual for a man looking to be only in his mid-twenties.

Scratching at it with his nail, the man dedicated all his effort to trimming out his new desk’s indentation. The most recent addition to the Lord’s chambers was well worth the wait, the extended edges leaving more than enough space for all his future duties as leader of the province. Over half of his body leaned against the fresh surface, a single-minded focus built around amending the only flaw in such a beautiful piece of furniture.

Completely distracted, the lord’s environmental awareness was no match to the fluidity and grace of the predator looming above him. A veteran in the art of the hunt, said beast of prey had no trouble encroaching into Jacob’s personal space. Numerous shades of onyx sucked in the light from the window with ease, a deadly weapon rising above the lord’s exposed backside.

Sophia Soltain brought down her hand in full force. Smacking her husband’s clothed behind, a deathly wail bounced off all the walls in the room. Guards in servants alike stopped working for only the faintest of moments, all heads turning to their lord’s study. When the shrieking finally relented, work throughout the castle resumed.

“We received a raven.” Sophia said, ignoring her love’s rather dramatic response. She raised her other hand, revealing three small pieces of furled parchment. “Well we actually received three ravens.”

“Why?” Jacob replied, his voice hush and pained. “Why must you do that?”

“Because it is amusing. Why else?” The deceptively young looking mother replied. Pinching his behind lightly and moving to the dark leather divan resting against the wall, she patted the space next to her, beckoning for the father of her children to follow.

Jacob glanced at the accursed woman, then back at his desk. Careful not to let his thoughts show, he rubbed his back for multiple moments. Cynthia would never hurt him like this. She was a beautiful, no, marvelous piece. Curved in all the right places, and seemingly created by the gods themselves. She was only hear to help him, to provide a reassuring hand in all his times of need. Resting his palm on her smooth exterior, he can feel his stress dissipate. How fortunate he was to have her in his life.

Sophia’s eye twitched, her displeasure palpable. “Truly magnificent isn’t she?”

Lost in a swirl of his own imaginative tranquility, the Soltain king could only nod.

“Quite expensive too, it's a shame all that gold is about to go to waste.”

The threat couldn’t have been more clear. Jacob, forcefully tearing himself away, cracked his knuckles and sat down. “You seem to be a bit…” He paused, the right word eluding him. “...cross, today.” Setting one leg atop the other, he opened his hand. “So what do we have?”

Sophia’s voice grew dark. “I’ll admit I didn’t take to the news too well.”

Her husband’s eyes widened. “You read them?” Noticing the broken seals on two of the three, he snatched them up without resistance. “Were supposed to read these together!”

“Oh don’t give me that! You were so enamored with that block of wood I couldn’t bring myself to just tear you two away.” Sophia spat, crossing her arms rigorously.

Jacob rolled his eyes. Twirling one of the two open scrolls through his fingers he pointed at her. “Please, please, please don’t read these without me. You see this.” He gestured to the script outside the seal. “This is addressed ‘To the Lord Soltain, Head of House Soltain.’ That’s me, not you.”

As soon as he finished, he recognized a throaty growl rising in the woman beside him. “Are you sure that’s the argument you want to use? Are you certain, that this is the route you want to take?”

Mentally backpedaling, Jacob brought her closer. It was hard to remember that this woman had killed more men then he cared to think about. The last war was so long behind them, making the tedious duties of a peaceful age seem more important. Shifting to a more serious tone, he spoke with the certainty of an veteran administrator. “That is not what I meant. I recognize your concerns. I miss them just as much as you. It hadn’t really struck me until recently, but I atleast have my duties to distract me from the absence of my children.” He paused, kissing her forehead. “I can only imagine how hard this is for you. Yet we had decided on this long before Skylar was even born. They need to learn for themselves, to grow through all the freedom we give them.”

“She could at least write! We don’t ask for a lot. My father was a cruel man, but at least he knew we were...” The emerald eyed woman trailed off, her volume rapidly diminishing. Tears trailed down her eyes, small but there presence spoke in magnitudes to Jacob.

Pulling Sophia in, he rested his chin atop her silky hair. “Well give me the news.”

The woman smiled, her husband’s warmth a shining light in her cold and dark memories. She giggled, the picture of a stubborn boy with an all too large sword on his back. “It’s concerns our son.”

Jacob could feel the headache rising from the recesses of his brain. “So soon.” He muttered, a nod of agreement brushing against his torso.

Mirth blossoming from her chest, Sophia rubbed her eyes and sat straight up. “Oh I miss him.”

Sitting up as well, he held the three scrolls out. “Which one should I read first?”

Pointing at the one possessing the Imperial Seal trapped on an open book, she answered. “This one is actually almost a week old, though no action was required on our part.”

Jacob gave his wife a firm stare, said woman taking multiple moments to build her excuse. “Mary gave me the letter and I’ll admit I forgot about it, besides I knew you would just worry.”

Raising an eyebrow, he sought to confirm his suspicions. “So it is important?”

“I don’t think so.”

Doubting her words, Jacob opened the letter and read through it as fast as he could.

Sealed on Moddas, twentieth day of the Late Seed

Lord and Lady Soltain,

As per Hyperion Imperial Academy guidelines it is my duty to notify you of an investigation involving your son, Maximus Soltain, in accordance to a suspected violation in the Academy Code of Conduct. As reported on site, Maximus entered into an altercation with eight other students on campus grounds, resulting in a multitude of injuries.

A violation of item eight in the Code, Academy security immediately pursued motives and collected statements from both parties involved. Maximus, alongside student Arthur Satele, had been question by a board of mediaries to determine proper sentencing.

After a collection of conflicting party statements, followed by a full withdrawal of opposing parties complaints, the board has determined your son not guilty of any Code of Conduct violations. No action is required.

Sincerely,

Corbin Sion

Dean of Discipline

Hyperion Imperial Academy

“They got in trouble? Already?” Jacob scoffed. “I could only assume that he got lucky. One of these days he’s going to bite more than he can chew.”

Sophia picked up the next open scroll, dangling it on her pinky. “That day maybe coming more quickly than you think.”

Jacob grabbed the next one and sighed. Ever since he was born Max had been one for trouble. The seal on this scroll was a bit larger, melded with blue wax depicting the face of a snarling wolf.

Jacob and Sophia,

Congratulations on the engagement of your son, and to a Kumio no less. I can only guess at what was sacrificed to build such an agreement, but I was never one for such strategic planning.

I was raised to make decisions with my heart, and use all my power to take what I desired. I raised my only son the same way, doing my best to match the teachings of my father.

Regardless, I thought I should inform you that my boy is in love. Fallen head over heels for a fiery girl named Kana. Walter was never much of a writer, but this girl’s inspired more from him than any of his earlier language tutors ever could.

He’s had the mind to invoke the Rite of the Bound, his desire for the girl clear.

He tells me your son has accepted, so I intend to support my boy fully.

I will be requesting a mediary from the Imperial Family, one strong enough to oversee the battle and end it if need be.

-Nox Fafnir

Jacob blinked, his thoughts swirling. “I have told him about the Rite of the Bound, I’m sure I have.”

“When?” Sophia asked, her head now resting on her husband's lap.

“It was…” the man paused, alternate memories played through his mind of discussing the topic at the dinner and breakfast tables. But that couldn't have been right. “It was during a meal, I’m almost sure you were there.”

Sophia covered her face, she certainly had no recollection of that conversation. “This is my fault.”

Shaking his head, Jacob would do anything to convince his wife otherwise. The possible collapse of a completely beneficial alliance already weighing on his own mind. “Never in my life have I seen a challenge for the Rite of the Bound, there’s no way you could have known. Hells, I didn’t even know.”

“But I should have known! We had been just as involved in their engagement as the Kumio’s, how could I have not considered something like this? Traditions like the Rite are what built Hyperion in the first place. It's just another way to keep us from all from killing each other.” Sophia swiped the paper from his hand, clenching her hand so tight blood started to slide down her skin. “How can I call myself a mother when I continue to fail to see how he might get hurt? How can I can I call myself a mother when I allow my emotions to affect my teaching so much, that I overlook even the most obvious of details? I, I-”

Jacob immediately moved to envelop his love. In a rare moment of weakness, one very few had ever seen and lived to tell the tale, Sophia broke down. Her entire life had been built on her father’s word. Her mother was absent, nothing more than a pretty face under the strict heel of the former leader of the Satele clan. As the eldest, she had to scratch and claw for everything most children thoroughly deserved. She had been built on a mountain of violence and dominance, her own strength and her father’s command the only defining parts of her existence.

Decades later, when she learned she was with child, Sophia promised to guide differently.

Yet closed in by the body of the father of her children, she felt as if she had completely failed.

“You and I will never be perfect parents. I find myself hard-pressed to think we will ever even get close. Though if there’s one thing I know, its that we are learning. We’ve have been blessed to have two children within the span of twenty years, and we have our entire lives to have more. Even so, were not done with the ones we already have.

Skylar has grown to be a confident, independent, beautiful, and if I may be crass, stubborn woman. She takes completely after her mother in that respect, and because of you, because of us, is free to explore the world to discover all kinds of things about herself.

Max is but a boy, even if he won’t admit it. He has talent unlike I have ever seen, unlike any of my forefathers have had seen in many centuries. I’m also sure that fact has something to do with his mother. But he’s proud, certainly too proud. He craves for a greater reason to be prideful, and a further acknowledgment from everyone he knows.” Jacob used his thumb to wipe a tear from Sophia’s eye. “Especially you.”

“We made a mistake, that much is clear. But we will learn from it, and we can only hope that Max can overcome the obstacles he is going to face because of our lack of foresight.”

Jacob then observed the last seal, the only one Sophia had yet to read. Burnt amber garnered with the long-horned head of a large bull. The crest of the Great House Thanatos was not one to be forgotten.