The peace that formerly reigned in Terra Nova has eroded, now little more than a memory. War ravages the continent. Disputes divide kingdoms; ideals divide families. The quest for power consumes absolutely and indiscriminately. None are immune to its allure.
Who will rise and who will fall? Only time—and ambition—will tell.
UPDATES
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023. Ended 8/5/2023.
10.29.2023
Change in how times flows. Was 4 IC seasons, now only 2 IC seasons per 1 OOC year.
5 whole years of Heir Apparent goodness! When I started the site, I knew I was hunkering down for the long haul, but I never could have predicted the numerous twists and turns this roleplay site has seen. Hundreds of plots, characters, and members have come and gone, all leaving marks on the site. I am so very thankful for those who have invested. Because you keep coming back, keep getting on, and keep writing, Heir Apparent has the legacy it does today. Three cheers to us!
It was evening. Augustus had been holed up in his office, the morning’s cabinet meeting still on his mind. Other meetings had followed—with Tybalt, with others, but yet no request from the queen for a meeting had come. No request…just silence. The silence only galvanized his desire for action. That if a few firm words of truth were enough to break trust with the queen he’d served loyally, then perhaps all was lost.
Be that as it may, there was one he was not willing to break trust with. Not if it could be helped.
Augustus would seek fresh air. Standing on the castle parapet, he watched as the sun burst into the red and orange hues of autumn as it started to sink below the horizon. It was beautiful—calm, despite the chaos of the kingdom the light covered. Scout would be notified by messenger of the prince’s desire to speak with her and where he could be found. When she arrived, she’d be let through the guarded door and find the prince standing there, eyes staring distantly at the world below.
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
Post by Scout Kane on Feb 10, 2024 13:21:30 GMT -5
Just when Scout thought she had a moment of peace and quiet to herself, a messenger notified her that the prince wanted to speak with her again. She would immediately make his way over to the location and was greeted by a guard at the door, who said hello and let her through. When she arrived on the parapet, she too would watch the sky for a short moment before speaking up. "Good evening, your highness", she said, hoping not to startle him.
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Feb 10, 2024 15:23:48 GMT -5
Augustus heard the door and saw Scout out of his periphery, but it wasn’t until she spoke that he turned his head towards her. Her gold hair caught in the fading rays of the sunlight as it was touseled by the breeze. Augustus smiled.
“Lady Kane. Scout…” He dipped his head with a playful grin and held out his arm, “Walk with me?”
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
Post by Scout Kane on Feb 10, 2024 15:39:52 GMT -5
When she had left the room where she had been talking to Tybalt and Augustus earlier that day, she had felt nervous. She sensed that when Augustus told her she could leave if she wanted to, it wouldn't be without consequences. For that reason it did calm her down/reassure ever so slightly that Augustus called her by her first name, once the formal Lady Kane was out of the way.
"Of course", she said, smiling at the grinning prince. She would link her arm through his and walk with him. She was curious to know what he had wanted to see her about. So far she was just enjoying the company and the view, though.
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Feb 12, 2024 18:00:15 GMT -5
Pulling her close Augustus would start to walk along the wall, keeping his eyes on the horizon. His footsteps were casual and unhurried as if they were two suitors strolling in the gardens—not a care in the world. He smiled at the sunset, shaking his head a little in wonderment. Augustus’s footsteps slowed, his eyes distant.
“I’ve been to many places, Scout. The shores of Arynn Frey, the cliffs of Nevermere. But nothing will ever be more beautiful than the hills of Lorendale.” Augustus’s smile widened. “It’s almost as if you can hear them sing.”
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
Walking like this felt nice. Her worries ebbed away for a bit, and she enjoyed the late sun and the view. Augustus held her close, which made her feel safe and secure.
She looked to the side and slightly up at him when he spoke of the placed he had been to. "I'll take your word for it", she chuckled. She had never been outside of Lorendale and had no views to compare it to. "But you're correct, it's truly an amazing sight." She looked back at the mountains and sighed softly. "What would they sing about, you think?" she asked.
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Feb 17, 2024 15:23:03 GMT -5
Scout’s question sparked a grin on the prince’s face, as broad and rich in color as the sunset before them. He considered it, at first playfully, but then with more serious thought as he turned to Scout.
“I think they’d sing about you,” Augustus said simply, eyes flickering over her face before he turned back to the sky, “You and the other proud women of Lorendale who live at its beating heart. Without you…” He smirked, “What kingdom is there?”
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
Post by Scout Kane on Feb 18, 2024 15:33:23 GMT -5
Her gaze was fixed on Augustus and his grin, a smile decorating her face as she did so. It was exhilarating to see Augustus a tad more unserious than he normally was. He had a great smile, and good teeth. Overall, he was a very handsome man. Scout tried not to let it distract her from the question she had asked and the view of the mountains.
About her? She felt her cheeks reddening a bit, but the added bit about other proud women made it easier not to go all red. Not just her, she told herself. Not specifically her.
"My my, you flatter us", she said with a chuckle. "We try our best." After a moment, a sadness came over her. These proud women produced fierce offspring for the kingdom, yet she was single and childless. Her smile faltered a bit.
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Feb 18, 2024 18:39:35 GMT -5
Augustus turned to her fully then. Slowly, allowing her to reject him if she wished, he brought his hand to her cheek to stroke with his thumb. He just looked at her for a moment, studying her features, deciding at that moment that Scout was Lorendale personified. He was a man who loved his kingdom above all else, and here it was: embodied in a single woman whose cheek was warm beneath his touch.
“Flattery?” Augustus said breathily, “No, not flattery. Just the recognition that you rightly deserve.” Reluctantly he dropped his hand. “I hope you understand…” He said slowly, carefully, “What I do I do for this kingdom. Our kingdom. I care not who’s on the throne, so long as the crown the head rests on is the one best suited to meet the challenges ahead. I love my niece more than I can express, but that I have reason to doubt…I hope you do not judge me for it.”
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
Without realising it, Scout leaned her head against the hand Augustus had placed on her cheek. The soft stroking, his eyes, the backdrop, all of it felt perfect, apart from the very obvious wrongs about this situation, but Scout refused to think of those.
He dropped his hand, and Scout immediately missed the feeling. She sighed softly at his words and nodded. "I do understand. Can- can I speak freely?" She had some things to say on the subject, and was burdened with formalities and being afraid to speak up.
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Feb 22, 2024 5:59:03 GMT -5
His eyes didn’t leave her. It was wrong to look at her with so little restraint, but it seemed up here on the ramparts they were in another world. A world drenched in scarlet sunlight and hope for the future at a time when it seemed there was none.
“Of course,” He said, brown eyes scanning her features as if they might contain clues to what she had to say.
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
Post by Scout Kane on Feb 22, 2024 13:30:42 GMT -5
The ramparts truly did feel like a little world in itself, a bubble secluded from Lorendale below them, away from people and occupational expectations. Scout looked up at Augustus, and the look in her eyes would tell him that this wasn't an easy conversation for her.
"It's becoming increasingly difficult to fulfil my duties properly. I'm torn between serving you and her majesty, the queen. Lately, I've been feeling like your ideas and actions make more sense, but during my conversation with Iliana, some things were brought up." She would then describe what Iliana and her had discussed about doubts and the trial (mentioned in this and this post). She didn't talk about what she had told Iliana about her pregnancy, the loss of Astor and the fact that Augustus offered Florina the position as advisor of Gifted. That was for another time, maybe.
She sighed and looked away for a moment. "I'm not so sure where my loyalties lie anymore, and it scares me. I mean no offense when I say this, but if the queen gets fed up with you, and you taking action here and there without her approval, and I have to make the decision between backing you up, or her... Both would break someone's trust, and choosing you would cost me my position." She looked back at him. "I don't know what to do. I'm with you, always, but my position is who I am."
If only things were completely different. If she had been Augustus' wife, she would still be influential without her position. Or what if Augustus had been king? She would have made the most wonderful Lady Steward then.
Scout hoped she had made it clear enough that she wasn't about to stab Augustus in the back, but that she genuinely needed advice from him on what to do.
Last Edit: Feb 22, 2024 13:32:40 GMT -5 by Scout Kane
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Mar 2, 2024 12:22:53 GMT -5
Augustus stayed close. He let the surreal beauty of the sunset wrap them up in its wonder as Scout talked through her conversation with Iliana. The prince listened with patience, without judgment, all the while, a hand gently resting alongside Scout’s cheek. When she looked back at him, he held her chin in two fingers, gently, but ensuring that her eyes met his.
“Your duty is to your kingdom—as is mine. It is not to me, not to the queen, but to the people you serve. My actions and their intention are not to oppose the queen. Yes, perhaps she would take umbrage with my actions at the border, but it is not against her that I work but for the people of Lorendale.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb, the gold in his brown eyes catching in the sunset’s glow, “You are more than your position. You are a daughter of Lorendale, a servant to your kingdom, and there is no title that can give or take that away. I see you…” He took her face in his hands.
“You need to see yourself as I do. You need to trust your heart and where it leads? Follow.”
Ring of enchanted combat: ring that, when twisted around the finger three times, enhances one's combat abilities (the equivalent of ten additional combat points).
His words managed to calm her, and a soft smile even appeared on her face. She enjoyed his soft touches, completely ignoring how wrong they both were for them.
"Thank you", she responded softly, placing her hands over his. "In that case, I have other news." The smile grew. "I followed my heart earlier during the conversation with her majesty, and my honesty was rewarded by her. I am no longer the Lady Steward, but the Advisor of Law now."
She was extremely happy with her new position and the trust the queen had placed in her. "I will be able to advise properly now, and can work together with Lady Bellerose. I am... Happy." She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. "Your endless trust in me has given me the strength to thrive."
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Mar 8, 2024 13:08:24 GMT -5
Augustus couldn’t keep the sadness from keeping into his eyes. He was born to be a ruler. He had royal blood and had once been a favorite in the heir race before his mother had forced him from it. To feel like Scout following her heart had led her further from him—it was a ludicrous notion, but it felt real all the same. He smiled at her, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
“If you’re happy, I am happy for you.” Augustus continued to marvel at her, before whispering, “Had I been born in a different age, Lady Kane…” He let the statement hang on the air, sad and full of longing, before he dropped his hands to his sides.