The flames of Rage still fanning within Kaden's soul, he erupted into the audience hall of Prince Relastin. And did so with all the fury of a Koronai clawing its infernal way out of the Abyss.

The heavy doors slammed open, revealing to all the broken bodies of two guards who foolishly tried to stop the young boy. One who they assumed was incapable of being any significant threat.

One of the guards groaned and barely moved. The other laid still in an ocean of his own blood.

Seven soldiers armed with swords, all in red urks and steel breastplates of their own, drew their weapons and surrounded the prince on his throne in a defensive perimeter. They were all tense until one by one they saw what the boy carried strapped to his back.

Kaden marched past them with determination, his eyes on the prince and himself covered in Koronai ichor. All while reeking like the Abyss.

The soldiers drew their weapons back and did not impede his progress. Something about the boy made them do so.

Along with the prince were his cadre of appointed advisors. They stood behind his throne in a neat line. All of advisors turned to each other and began whispering.

To the prince's left was a young woman dressed in provocative but still tasteful silks that covered all except her face. Her dark brown, almost black, hair was pulled back in a braid. She could have been in her late teens, but was more likely in her early twenties based on Kaden's judgement.

Not that he wanted to focus on her, but her presence demanded to be noticed.

She didn't seem as annoyed by the intrusion as the others did. More so, she seemed annoyed at just being there in general.

For his part in the show now taking place, Prince Relastin seemed highly amused at the sight. Even more so when Kaden stripped the oversized severed head of the Lesser Koronai from his back and tossed onto the floor before him. The demon flesh squished and left a streak of ichor in its wake.

Elbow on the arm of his throne, the prince leaned his chin onto his fist and asked, "Did you drag that here all the way from where you killed it in the Abyss?"

Kaden barked back. "I wanted there to be no question that I killed it. Since my witness left me."

The prince rose. "Are you questioning your prince?"

"I question no one. I am only providing proof of what I've done. Per the Decrees."

"And did anyone see the kill?"

"Again, my witness left me." Kaden growled. "But, as you know, we were the only ones in the Abyss. You dismissed the other soldiers. The duty roster kept by the attendant would confirm I was alone. Once he recorded your exit." Kaden also produced a scroll, the duty roster he spoke of, and tossed it alongside the head. "So unless you are going to claim that you killed it and then left me to drag it out on my own, I think who the slayer of this beast was and is clear."

"I see. So no witness then? Perhaps we should return to the Abyss and see if you can do what you claim to have done again?"

"So you can leave again?" Kaden continued pushing back. Something about the Rage inside of him emboldened his tongue.

"You question my methods?"

"I question why you would leave and leave me without a witness."

The prince rose and stepped forward to get a closer look at the putrid skull now littering his audience hall floor. By the way he regarded it, it was easy to tell no one had ever been so bold as to present evidence in such a forthright manner before him. "I left to ensure that you did not seek my help," he explained. "Sometimes, when there is a crutch available to them, people will lean on it. Even when they don't need to."

Kaden kicked the head with the leg bearing the laceration from the demon's tongue. "I have done what you asked, my prince. If you wish another test, then let's have at it. Throw me to the demons again if you must. But know this, I will kill whatever you place before me."

"A Night Terror perhaps then?"

Fist clenched, Kaden fought to control the Rage within him. "If that is what it takes to prove my worth to my prince? Yes."

Turning to his advisors, Prince Relastin addressed them. "What say you?" he asked. "He has no witness. He is a scrawny boy. Yet he claims to have killed this Koronai. A lesser one, yes. But a Koronai, none-the-less."

While the silk clad woman stifled a yawn, the advisors huddled. Their discussions were frantic and loud while debating the scenario placed before them. Several gesticulated wildly. Others uttered unkind words about Kaden and doubt about his deeds that could be overheard clear as daytime desert sky.

While they did so, the prince circled to where Kaden stood and whispered to him. "You did well, boy."

The praise was unexpected and caught Kaden off guard. He whispered back. "What are they doing?"

"Debating your prowess. If I had been there, they might have questioned if I had helped you in any way. That is a doubt we cannot have. So that is why I left. We both stated that I was not there, so they cannot object based on that."

"Why would they dare disagree with you?" Kaden asked. "You'd have their heads. If you told them I did this, why wouldn't they just accept it."

"In public, yes. They would. But private is another issue. I need them to be convinced on their own. So that when they are not worried about me hearing their opinions, they will tell others that the one I have selected as my Karo Shar is indeed a warrior. One in need of further training? Yes. But still a warrior."

As the debate continued, Kaden found himself drawn to look upon the bored woman still hovering near the throne. She stood there, seeking things to observe other than him. The walls seemed particularly more interesting to her.

"That is Princess Lyla," the prince said again in a whisper. "My sister."

"Why is she here?" Kaden asked. "She doesn't seem particularly interested or engaged in what your doing."

"No, she's not. I summoned her here because of you."

"Me?"

"Yes. She is the eldest daughter of King Arban, Son of King Xorvis, in my care. She is four years my junior at twenty-two. Making her what? Six years older than you?"

"I'll be seventeen in eighteen more sunsrises," Kaden replied, uncertain as to the point of the question.

"Ah, excellent then. Excellent. Seventeen is the Minimum Age of Betrothement in Imereron. And you are to be betrothed to her. And her to you."

"What?" The surprised response came out louder than Kaden would have liked. It garnered an angry look from the princess. "What?" he added more softly.

"Well, someone has to marry her. Very shortly everyone will see you as my Karo Shar. And a prince's Karo Shar must marry a Princess of Imeron."

"Don't you think you could have mentioned that stipulation before now?"

"Does it matter?"

Kaden sighed at the newest revelation to befall him. "I wasn't exactly planning on getting married. To be perfectly honest."

"Don't worry. As you can see, she is quite attractive. And I can confirm to you that what she does not reveal in public is very beautiful."

Kaden grimaced. "Are you saying you've seen your sister naked?"

"I have to have. Who else would there be to promote her to possible suitors, if not me? If you're worried that I've gone beyond that and touched her, don't be. That is forbidden."

"I don't think she's very fond of me."

The prince chuckled. "She's not fond of anyone. But my father is impatient and grows irritated that the princess has not yet been married."

"Irritated with you or with her?"

"Mostly her. But I can't say not at least slightly with me over her obstinance. The daughters of King Arban, Son of Xorvis, are all extremely disobedient, however. It has caused consternation for all of Imeron. I could order you to do this. But I would prefer you do so willingly and as a favor to me."

"A favor?"

"Yes. And because of that, you would be able to ask one, a minor one, of me."

A thought occurred to Kaden. "What if she refuses?"

"If she refuses? You as my Karo Shar, and her as the only princess in Ison, then she would have to be put upon my sword. And that would solve problems either way."

Seeming to have had enough of the private negotiations, the princess approached her brother and his Karo Shar. She curtsied with grace, her muscles taught and firm, slim and like a feminine version of any man in the Royal Guard of Ison. "My prince," she said. Although there was little reverence in the tone.

"Princess Lyla," he replied. "This is my Karo Shar."

She looked Kaden over with a hmm, and then spoke to him. "Only Karo Shar? Have you no name, Karo Shar?"

"I—" Kaden fumbled.

The prince broke in on his behalf. "The Karo Shar has only one name that replaces all before it. You know this."

Another judging look from the princess towards Kaden. "He's awfully scrawny." Then she looked to the demon head on the floor. "I am not impressed. Even I could defeat Lesser Koronai with a dose Rage."

Prince Relastin growled under his breath. "You will watch your tongue, sister of mine, daughter of the King."

"Oh, is that so?" There was a pause and then the princess added, "Brother? And if not, you'll have my head? Is that correct?" Her stare at Kaden intensified. "I am not gold with which to bartered. I am Prince Lyla, Daughter of King Arban, Son of Xorvis."

The prince was halfway to striking her before staying his hand.

For her part, the princess didn't even flinch.

"You have been warned before," he scolded her verbally instead. "Do not address yourself as such."

"I only speak the truth, Brother. Is that not what the Decrees tell us is right?"

"The Decrees do no apply to—"

"Go ahead, say it. They don't apply to women? Yes, yes, I know. That's not what they say, but it is what you, the other princes, and even father claim they say. I say such is a lie and in stark violation of the Decrees. Meaning you are in violation of the Decrees." She then returned her comments to Kaden. "As I said, he is scrawny. He will not last one hundred sunsrises as your Karo Shar."

Nose in the air, the princess rudely took her leave.

Prince Relastin outwardly seethed, finding calm quickly. Just as his advisors turned and unanimously proclaimed Kaden had indeed earned the title of Karo Shar.