I'm gonna try this out, so I'm at least posting every Monday. Hypothetical Monday is a story telling sort of thing, and I'm going to give you a story. You tell me what you would do. It's somewhat like Kokology - but a little more wordy, and maybe less insightful.
There are no correct answers. There are however, outcomes. This isn't a reflection on you - this is actually how the story worked out. I'm mostly interested in seeing what people chose, since I agonized with them as well, either in writing or in dreams.
An Addendum: I will, for now, post the outcomes (along with my own decisions,) and other bits from interesting responses on Saturday. This gives you time to answer, and me time to post!
You are an elite adviser and confidant to the king. Through your actions, his kingdom was saved
from a terrible evil, and through your friendship, he has become a very beloved
king, and you an important bridge between his kind and your own. Your kind is long lived, but you are tiny in
stature in your current form. Should you
choose, you can transform into a salamander of fire, your spiritual form. This makes you somewhat larger and
formidable, but your fire cannot be controlled easily.
During the trials you faced with your lifelong friend the
king, you now hold the token of future kingship - a weighty medallion that is
given to the king's son when he is chosen to succeed his father. You cannot keep the medallion and become king
- it would be absurd for one of your kind to rule over his kind, and you have
no desire for the weight of kingship your friend took upon himself at the end
of your trials. You must choose one of
the king's sons.
The firstborn son is a paragon. Everything he does seems honorable. He is exceedingly perfect; People like him immensely.
He speaks in calm, deep tones, he is very handsome, and has a winning
smile. Though he will enjoy alcohol (as
any normal member of the kingdom,) he rarely drinks in excess. He spends some time alone in his study,
rather than take excesses, and was a serious and grim child, having been born
during the period where the evil was still a blight on the kingdom. His mother was killed during this time, and
he was witness to it at a young and tender age.
He appears to love his father and brother, often accompanying the former
on state trips, and tolerating the latter’s antics with grace. He also appears to respect and love his
step-mother genuinely, though the latter does not seem to return the
affection. He is currently 34 years of
age. His best trait is his calm awareness
of everything around him. He notices
details, and has a shrewd knowledge of people’s inner thoughts.
The second son is somewhat vain. Having lived as a prince his entire life, he
often does not understand the struggles of the common man. He wants to be king
- to him, it would finally be something he had over his brother, an achievement
to crow about. He enjoys vice; he has taken many others to bed with him, he
drinks fine wines and ales - often to excess.
He is not much for gambling, but he enjoys money and power- making it,
having it, and spending it. His mother
was the king's second wife, taken after the evil had been defeated. She dotes on him, and wishes for him to be
king. He appears to genuinely love his
father, although they often clash on his unruly behavior. He also appears to love his brother, despite
their differences and their rivalry. He
is 10 years younger than his brother.
His best trait (and biggest detriment,) is his unapologetic honesty. He neither lies nor hides his flaws, and
always speaks his mind.
Your friend the King is growing older at what seems an
alarming rate to you, though he assures you it is normal for his kind. He has asked that you decide soon, aware of
his mortality. He expresses that he
would like to retire from his duties before he becomes addled, infuse
the kingdom with a younger strength.
Retirement for a king is not unheard of – both his father and
grandfather did the same. He has hopes
that you will decide in three days – he has planned a hunting trip for the
court, and sees it as a fine time to bring the news. He does prefer the first son as a choice; as
he seems well-loved, but respects your wisdom in the matter, and makes it clear
that he would be content with your decision, whatever it may be.
What do you do?
The eldest, while seeming to be the obvious choice, has one flaw- his apparent perfection. Because he has never erred, stepped out of line, or done anything that would displease those around him, he would most likely be the first to be swayed by corruption. His outward appearance of perfection and angelicism belies a darker and more sinister side that he may hide.
ReplyDeleteThe second son, although spoiled, has unabashed honesty and admits his flaws and faults. He may not understand the common man, but that can be resolved through time; and his honest traits will win him the loyalty of the commonwealth, who are the backbone of his kingdom. His vices, though obvious, are present in many rulers throughout history. No one is without at least one vice, no matter how small. And would you rather he bed multiple women, or gamble your kingdom's wealth away?
Between the two, I would choose the second son.
The unlikely choice may well prove to be the better of the two...
I would choose neither son and do something completely uncanny. While wandering the streets of the kingdom, I saw the act of kindness done by a young woman who appeared to be in more need than the individual she assisted. It occurs to me then that the issue with the 2 princes is that there are 2 and they are indeed princes. I ask the young woman to come with me and explain that I witnessed her act of kindness.
ReplyDeleteIn the course of an afternoon I discover the young woman has no family and has been on her own for as long as she can remember. She grew up on the streets of the kingdom and has seen the people at their best and their worst. I ask her further into her background and discover she is somewhat educated by priests in the temples all around the kingdom. She's very open-minded to the ways of life and the inner workings of the people that make the kingdom work.
I tell her that I want no secrets between us and that I want to do a kindness for her as I saw her do to another. Though, admittedly the offer I was about to make may not be much of a kindness at all. I begin explaining to her my current problem and express to her that I need her help. If she were to take over the burden, a low-born young woman, of becoming the Protector of the Kingdom, I would grant it to her. There was still the issue of the future king.
I know well enough that I can not make this young woman the ruler of the kingdom. However, I can in turn make her choose which of the young princes would best serve the people. For love, however it may blind us, is the best judging device for a person's heart and true intentions. Whichever, of the two princes can prove themselves to her and love her (low-born, though she is) will end up being king.