[ Even now, he loathes that he was assigned a place to reside like some sort of livestock. It suits him better to be out and about, returning only once he's tired of undesirable company. With a curt nod, he readies his horse for a walk.
It'll be enjoyable for Buceph, too. The woods are not safe. Consequently, his horse has been seeing less and less of the town in recent weeks. Any excuse to stretch those legs is good. ]
[ Saber's eyebrows tick upward. Buceph... as in Iskandar's Bucephalus? It's a strange coincidence if it is one. But for all she knows, Rigel is a nation from the future of her world she's never heard of... ]
Certainly. I was required to travel with my army to every shore of Britain. For many years, I spent more time in the saddle than within the walls of my castle. Before that, I rode to towns and villages all across the country in order to gather support for my cause; and before that, I was tasked as a squire to tend to my brother knight's horse. You could say I spent my whole life indebted to the grace and power of horses.
[ She smiles up at Buceph. ]
Which is why Buceph caught my eye. He is a most handsome mount. Does he come from Rigel as well?
[ A squire . . . He supposes that all nobility must start somewhere. While Berkut has never been assigned to tend to another man's horse, he grew up taking care of his own to assert his independence. Her appreciation of horses is most respectable.
Seeming to find Saber's smile pleasing, Buceph snorts. ]
Yes. I've seen to his care since he was a yearling. He has fought many a battle and emerged victorious by my side.
[ Saber mirrors his frown. She isn't familiar with the term "Terrors", but his second statement was strange as well... ]
One would expect a country that has just overthrown its leader to withdraw and reform rather than invade another country. There is no wisdom in such a thing. What is their justification?
In surrendering the previous war despite favorable odds, we returned autonomy to Zofia under certain conditions that we thought rather reasonable. Perhaps they disagree. Instead of reform, they chose to invade under the command of a mere farmboy.
[ Berkut scoffs. Coming at Rigel like a motley band of disgruntled fools, Zofians understand nothing of politics. The Empire might have surrendered in the past, but the Kingdom knows who the true loser was. ]
[ Well, she can't get on board with that condescending use of "farmboy," but she has to agree that this Zofia's actions don't quite add up. She gets the sense that Berkut is writing it off as foolishness, but her curiosity is piqued; clearly, there are extraordinary circumstances fueling such strange choices. ]
I would not dismiss such a commander out of hand. If his blood is not noble, then his skill and charisma must speak twice as loudly for him.
[ She speaks from experience, of course. Being short and fair of face did her no favors during her rise to rule. Thus, she made sure to lead her army twice as boldly and crush her opponents twice as hard so that no one could question her right. ]
[ Berkut stops walking. Beside him, Buceph grinds to a halt.
Ah. This king thinks like a Zofian. Far be it from him to criticize a monarch, but this way of thinking puzzles him. All nobles know that commoners are born to be led, not to lead. Exhaling, he resumes his previous pace. ]
One of theirs approached us for a ceasefire. Zofia would pay Rigel a compensatory sum in exchange for their right to self-govern, as well as the negotiating knight's appointment as chancellor.
[ A fatty deposit of greed, that one. Berkut hadn't enjoyed his bluster in the slightest. ]
But he was recently slain by the same commoner who must fancy himself the next king of Zofia.
[ Saber stops a step after Berkut does, turning by half to look at him with a steady, patient gaze. Though he doesn't reproach her, his pause is a plain sign of disagreement on its own. So be it. She's not so self-centered as to think that all people should think as she does. She'll be content to let Berkut stand by his opinions as long as he's content to let her stand by hers.
When he resumes walking, so does she as if they hadn't stopped. ]
I see. A messy business.
[ The Zofian people -- or at least the portion of them that has seen fit to rebel -- must have been highly dissatisfied with the governance of the Knight Chancellor. It wouldn't surprise Saber if the late Chancellor's initial appointment was a design of his own making. It would be a poor look on any negotiator to emerge with greater personal elevation than the people he was negotiating for. ]
I confess some sympathy for the Zofian people. Their circumstances echo that of my own country some years past.
My uncle Vortigern, who sat the throne before me, made his bed too deeply with the foreigners who invaded our land without end. Yes, it strengthened his position against the lesser kings of the land who contested him, but the people as a whole saw it as a betrayal of Britain itself. When I overthrew Vortigern, no Briton mourned him. The people preferred to follow a young, motivated king over one who fraternized with outsiders to advance his own position.
[ She describes this all very analytically, neither prideful or boastful about her own role in the story. It was merely a necessary act. She looks askance at Berkut. ]
Of course, it is your natural right to defend your land. However, I can see how the perceived illegitimacy of the former Chancellor may fueled the self-righteousness of the Zofian people.
[ Even a young, motivated king of common stock? The people of Rigel would never allow a mere peasant to sit the throne. The Zofians, however, are different: Driven by desperation, even its most acclaimed knight foolishly handed the reins over to Alm. It seems anything is possible down there.
These thoughts fade to the background when he considers Saber's story. Berkut would sooner present himself to the executioner than entertain a traitorous thought against his uncle, but this is because His Majesty is a mighty ruler without equal; he knows there exists incompetent kings who besmirch the good name of the nobility with their weakness. Saber's uncle sounds to be have been one such king, relying too heavily on others to exercise strength that didn't belong to him—certainly not the kind of king a country of proud knights deserved. ]
A country needs a strong ruler. The Lima Dynasty ended with a king who neglected his people and mocked his neighbors, seeking hedonism above all else. Zofia was already on the brink of collapse by the time the Chancellor came into power.
[ He, too, states all of this as an observation as he meets her eyes with a stony countenance. If the Zofians were truly seeking what was righteous, they would have stopped at the border. They didn't. ]
He was a poor candidate. But he was a convenient excuse for the Deliverance to invade, and nothing more.
[ Saber inclines her head slightly, sympathy just short of full agreement. Far be it from her to make a judgment based on scant information. Even she could not fault the Picts and Saxons for invading Britain, however feverishly she fought against them; the Zofians could well deserve similar consideration, especially in the aftermath of multiple disastrous reigns. What reason could they have to invade an empire so urgently...? ]
In any case, I wish you a swift resolution. You must be quite eager to return to your homeland, considering the circumstances that await you.
I have my duties. War or no, I cannot abandon them.
[ Just as Saber must have her own duties to which to attend. He doesn't voice this, lest he make himself presumptuous. He knows that he's already voiced rather strong opinions for a mere heir in the presence of a monarch. ]
It is my hope to return before long. To that end, I shall do what I must here.
[ To a point. If it means forgoing his principles, he will turn away from Chroma. ]
As a king, you must understand when I say that those born to rule are fated to stand above the rest. It is our duty to guide those below us. A ruler may have his knights, but he alone sits the throne.
[ He describes her own stance as a ruler down to the letter. So why does she still feel a difference between herself and Berkut? The crisp clip-clopping of Buceph's hooves fill the air as she she takes a moment to ponder the matter. ]
That is certainly true. A king by necessity stands alone above his people. However, we are not inherently better for it. We may bear the qualities of leaders, but we should not forget the worth and goodness of the common man. Otherwise, we begin to serve ourselves rather than our people. Such was the folly of the last king of Lima.
Though our places may differ, nobles and commoners alike have their duty. The worth and goodness of man are determined by his ability to abide by the convention of his station. I believe this holds true for all the people.
[ Nobles are not inherently better, no. But they do possess a higher purpose, and it falls on them to strive to be worthy of that privilege. They are only owed what they have earned, nothing more. ]
[ Again, Saber can't disagree, though her take is likely a little more lax than his. As a king, she was harder on herself so that her people could live with more freedom -- but even so, people ought to excel at their chosen roles as well as they are able. ]
As a prince, it is indeed your duty to return to your people as soon as you are able. You say you will do what you must. But you draw the line at forming bonds with those beneath your station? We are not in Rigel, where doing so may affect public opinion. At this juncture, are you not serving your pride rather than your people by isolating yourself?
[ Perhaps he is; however, the way he sees it, serving his pride is his way of serving his country and, by extension, the people. ]
We are not in Rigel, but my duty as its representative and example still stands, even away from the eyes of its citizens. A noble must be steadfast. I refuse to sacrifice integrity for convenience.
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no subject
It'll be enjoyable for Buceph, too. The woods are not safe. Consequently, his horse has been seeing less and less of the town in recent weeks. Any excuse to stretch those legs is good. ]
His name is Buceph.
If I may, do you ride?
no subject
Certainly. I was required to travel with my army to every shore of Britain. For many years, I spent more time in the saddle than within the walls of my castle. Before that, I rode to towns and villages all across the country in order to gather support for my cause; and before that, I was tasked as a squire to tend to my brother knight's horse. You could say I spent my whole life indebted to the grace and power of horses.
[ She smiles up at Buceph. ]
Which is why Buceph caught my eye. He is a most handsome mount. Does he come from Rigel as well?
no subject
Seeming to find Saber's smile pleasing, Buceph snorts. ]
Yes. I've seen to his care since he was a yearling. He has fought many a battle and emerged victorious by my side.
no subject
[ Countries to be conquered, local lawbreakers, neighborly nuisances... the possibilities are endless. ]
no subject
[ He frowns. ]
They have profaned Rigel's soil with their march and must learn their place.
no subject
One would expect a country that has just overthrown its leader to withdraw and reform rather than invade another country. There is no wisdom in such a thing. What is their justification?
no subject
[ Berkut scoffs. Coming at Rigel like a motley band of disgruntled fools, Zofians understand nothing of politics. The Empire might have surrendered in the past, but the Kingdom knows who the true loser was. ]
no subject
I would not dismiss such a commander out of hand. If his blood is not noble, then his skill and charisma must speak twice as loudly for him.
[ She speaks from experience, of course. Being short and fair of face did her no favors during her rise to rule. Thus, she made sure to lead her army twice as boldly and crush her opponents twice as hard so that no one could question her right. ]
What were the conditions you set before Zofia?
no subject
Ah. This king thinks like a Zofian. Far be it from him to criticize a monarch, but this way of thinking puzzles him. All nobles know that commoners are born to be led, not to lead. Exhaling, he resumes his previous pace. ]
One of theirs approached us for a ceasefire. Zofia would pay Rigel a compensatory sum in exchange for their right to self-govern, as well as the negotiating knight's appointment as chancellor.
[ A fatty deposit of greed, that one. Berkut hadn't enjoyed his bluster in the slightest. ]
But he was recently slain by the same commoner who must fancy himself the next king of Zofia.
no subject
When he resumes walking, so does she as if they hadn't stopped. ]
I see. A messy business.
[ The Zofian people -- or at least the portion of them that has seen fit to rebel -- must have been highly dissatisfied with the governance of the Knight Chancellor. It wouldn't surprise Saber if the late Chancellor's initial appointment was a design of his own making. It would be a poor look on any negotiator to emerge with greater personal elevation than the people he was negotiating for. ]
I confess some sympathy for the Zofian people. Their circumstances echo that of my own country some years past.
My uncle Vortigern, who sat the throne before me, made his bed too deeply with the foreigners who invaded our land without end. Yes, it strengthened his position against the lesser kings of the land who contested him, but the people as a whole saw it as a betrayal of Britain itself. When I overthrew Vortigern, no Briton mourned him. The people preferred to follow a young, motivated king over one who fraternized with outsiders to advance his own position.
[ She describes this all very analytically, neither prideful or boastful about her own role in the story. It was merely a necessary act. She looks askance at Berkut. ]
Of course, it is your natural right to defend your land. However, I can see how the perceived illegitimacy of the former Chancellor may fueled the self-righteousness of the Zofian people.
no subject
These thoughts fade to the background when he considers Saber's story. Berkut would sooner present himself to the executioner than entertain a traitorous thought against his uncle, but this is because His Majesty is a mighty ruler without equal; he knows there exists incompetent kings who besmirch the good name of the nobility with their weakness. Saber's uncle sounds to be have been one such king, relying too heavily on others to exercise strength that didn't belong to him—certainly not the kind of king a country of proud knights deserved. ]
A country needs a strong ruler. The Lima Dynasty ended with a king who neglected his people and mocked his neighbors, seeking hedonism above all else. Zofia was already on the brink of collapse by the time the Chancellor came into power.
[ He, too, states all of this as an observation as he meets her eyes with a stony countenance. If the Zofians were truly seeking what was righteous, they would have stopped at the border. They didn't. ]
He was a poor candidate. But he was a convenient excuse for the Deliverance to invade, and nothing more.
no subject
In any case, I wish you a swift resolution. You must be quite eager to return to your homeland, considering the circumstances that await you.
no subject
[ Just as Saber must have her own duties to which to attend. He doesn't voice this, lest he make himself presumptuous. He knows that he's already voiced rather strong opinions for a mere heir in the presence of a monarch. ]
It is my hope to return before long. To that end, I shall do what I must here.
[ To a point. If it means forgoing his principles, he will turn away from Chroma. ]
no subject
What you must... I understand that includes forging bonds with the people here. Has that come easy to you, Prince Berkut?
no subject
Bonds of interest are easily acquired. But I have no interest in forging bonds of another kind.
no subject
"Another kind"? You will have to elaborate.
no subject
[ tl;dr he doesn't believe in friendship. ]
no subject
That is certainly true. A king by necessity stands alone above his people. However, we are not inherently better for it. We may bear the qualities of leaders, but we should not forget the worth and goodness of the common man. Otherwise, we begin to serve ourselves rather than our people. Such was the folly of the last king of Lima.
no subject
[ Nobles are not inherently better, no. But they do possess a higher purpose, and it falls on them to strive to be worthy of that privilege. They are only owed what they have earned, nothing more. ]
no subject
As a prince, it is indeed your duty to return to your people as soon as you are able. You say you will do what you must. But you draw the line at forming bonds with those beneath your station? We are not in Rigel, where doing so may affect public opinion. At this juncture, are you not serving your pride rather than your people by isolating yourself?
no subject
We are not in Rigel, but my duty as its representative and example still stands, even away from the eyes of its citizens. A noble must be steadfast. I refuse to sacrifice integrity for convenience.