Chapter 589: Beyond the Crown Prince

The Royal Advisory Council chamber remained silent as Sage considered Lord Chancellor Alistair Fenwick’s question.

The elderly official had raised an issue that none of the previous discussions had fully addressed, despite its importance to the Adventurer Guild’s future.

What would happen to the Guild’s Royal Charter when Westmark eventually had a new King?

Sage glanced briefly toward Crown Prince Richard before returning his attention to the Chancellor. Richard had been instrumental in bringing the possibility of royal recognition forward, but his personal support couldn’t guarantee that future rulers would share his position.

"Lord Chancellor, the Guild is seeking legal recognition that will remain valid beyond the reign of any particular monarch," Sage answered, resting his hands upon the table. "If our rights depend entirely upon the personal goodwill of whoever occupies the throne, then the Charter wouldn’t provide the stability we’re trying to establish."

Alistair nodded slowly, apparently satisfied that Sage understood the distinction.

"An understandable objective, Guildmaster," Alistair replied. "However, a Royal Charter derives its authority from the Crown. We must distinguish between rights that remain legally recognized after succession and privileges that a future monarch may lawfully amend or revoke."

Minister Aldous Pembroke examined the documents before him.

"That distinction will require careful drafting," Pembroke observed. "The Charter cannot place the Guild beyond the authority of future Kings or prevent lawful changes to the Kingdom’s legislation."

Sage nodded in agreement.

"I’m not asking for that, Minister," Sage replied. "Laws change, and institutions have to operate within them. What concerns me is the possibility of a new ruler simply declaring that every agreement made under the previous reign is no longer valid."

Lord Thomas Ellery leaned forward, considering the practical consequences.

"Then perhaps the Charter should establish procedures for amendment, suspension, and revocation," Ellery suggested. "Its provisions would remain effective unless altered through recognized legal processes rather than being treated as personal permissions granted by His Majesty."

Alistair adjusted his spectacles.

"That would be more consistent with the continuity of royal institutions," Alistair agreed. "But we must ensure that the procedures don’t prevent the Crown from responding to genuine misconduct or circumstances affecting the Kingdom’s security."

Sage listened carefully.

The discussion had moved beyond ordinary administrative disagreements. They were now examining how the Guild’s legal standing would survive changes in the Kingdom’s leadership, political alliances, and governing priorities.

It was precisely the kind of protection Sage needed.

"Then we should define those circumstances clearly," Sage suggested. "If the Guild violates its legal obligations, there should be an established process for addressing the violation. But a change of monarch shouldn’t automatically place our entire organization at risk."

Richard, who had remained silent during the initial exchange, finally spoke.

"I agree with the Guildmaster," Richard stated calmly. "The purpose of establishing a Royal Charter is to provide a consistent legal framework. If that framework depends upon my personal influence or the continuation of my father’s reign, then we’ve failed to resolve the problem that prompted these negotiations."

Several council members turned toward him.

Lord Percival Harcourt regarded the Crown Prince thoughtfully.

"Your Royal Highness, surely the Crown must retain the authority to reconsider arrangements made by previous administrations," Harcourt remarked. "Circumstances may change considerably over time."

"Naturally," Richard replied. "But reconsideration should follow lawful procedures. Otherwise, every recognized institution in Westmark would face uncertainty whenever the throne changes hands."

Pembroke nodded.

"That is an important distinction," Pembroke observed. "The Kingdom’s laws and institutions cannot function effectively if their validity depends entirely upon the preferences of individual rulers."

Alistair considered the exchange before making a note upon his copy of the proposal.

"Then the legal review should examine the Charter’s continuity provisions alongside its amendment and revocation procedures," the Chancellor concluded. "Those matters will require His Majesty’s attention before any final approval can be considered."

The council continued discussing the issue for some time.

Several officials raised concerns about granting an independent organization rights that might constrain future royal administrations. Others argued that predictable legal arrangements were essential for institutions expected to operate throughout the Kingdom.

Sage answered questions concerning the Guild’s obligations, emphasizing that enduring recognition wouldn’t exempt it from taxation, public safety regulations, lawful investigations, or judicial decisions.

By the time the consultation concluded, the council had agreed that the proposed Charter required further legal examination before being submitted for royal consideration.

Pembroke gathered the documents into a neat stack.

"Guildmaster Sage, your representatives will receive a written summary of the provisions requiring revision," Pembroke announced. "The council has identified several important legal questions, but today’s proceedings have provided a useful foundation for further work."

Sage inclined his head respectfully.

"Thank you, Minister. We’ll review the recommendations carefully."

Richard rose from his seat.

"Guildmaster, would you accompany me for a moment?" Richard asked as the officials began collecting their papers. "There’s something I’d like to discuss before you return to Headquarters."

Sage nodded.

"Of course, Your Royal Highness."

They left the council chamber and entered a quieter corridor overlooking one of the palace’s interior gardens. Lucan and Boren remained nearby while Richard led Sage toward a small sitting room reserved for private administrative discussions.

Once they were seated, the Crown Prince regarded him with a thoughtful expression.

"Lord Chancellor Alistair raised an important question today," Richard began. "One that I should have addressed more directly when we first discussed the possibility of a Charter."

Sage leaned back in his chair.

"I’ve been thinking about it myself, Your Royal Highness," Sage admitted. "The Guild has expanded quickly, and I’ve spent most of my time dealing with immediate problems. But an organization intended to last for generations can’t depend upon arrangements that disappear whenever the political situation changes."

Richard nodded.

"Exactly. My father has ruled Westmark for more than thirty years, and the Kingdom has benefited from a considerable degree of institutional continuity during that time," Richard explained. "However, no reign lasts forever. Eventually, the Crown will pass to another ruler, and that transition will affect many existing political relationships."

Sage considered his words.

The succession question had already influenced the behavior of Westmark’s noble families. Each prince possessed supporters with different interests, and the Guild’s growing reputation had attracted attention from several factions.

If Sage allowed the organization to become dependent upon Richard’s eventual accession, he would be gambling its future upon an outcome that remained uncertain.

"I appreciate your assistance, Your Royal Highness," Sage said. "But I don’t want the Guild’s future tied to whether you eventually become King."

Richard smiled faintly.

"Nor should you," Richard replied. "I’ve never asked you to support my succession, and I don’t intend to make that a condition of our cooperation."

Sage nodded with satisfaction.

"Then we’re in agreement."

Richard continued, "The Charter must be issued under His Majesty’s authority and examined as a matter of Kingdom policy. Its protections should belong to the institution itself, not to whichever political faction happens to support it."

Sage glanced toward the garden beyond the window.

"That would also make the Guild more useful to the Kingdom," Sage observed. "Adventurers shouldn’t have to wonder whether a mission will become politically controversial simply because the local noble supports a different prince."

Richard chuckled quietly.

"A reasonable expectation, although I doubt we’ll ever eliminate politics entirely."

Sage smiled.

"I’d settle for keeping it out of our ordinary operations as much as possible."

The Crown Prince nodded before his expression became more serious.

"There’s another reason I support this approach," Richard explained. "If the Guild’s independence rests upon clear laws, then future rulers will have a framework for working with it regardless of their personal opinions. That is considerably more valuable than an arrangement based upon temporary political convenience."

Sage studied him for a moment.

Richard had every opportunity to use the Charter negotiations to strengthen his own influence. Instead, he was supporting provisions that would prevent the Guild from becoming dependent upon him.

That didn’t mean the Crown Prince lacked political ambitions. Sage wasn’t naive enough to believe that a member of the royal family operated without considering his own interests.

Nevertheless, Richard’s approach demonstrated a degree of practical judgment that Sage respected.

"Then I think we can continue working together," Sage remarked. "Provided you don’t start asking to appoint my administrators."

Richard laughed.

"I suspect Boren would object before you even had the opportunity."

Sage chuckled. "He certainly would."

Their conversation continued for several minutes as they discussed the next steps.

Richard explained that the legal advisers would need to prepare a consolidated version of the proposed Charter, incorporating the recommendations from the Royal Advisory Council and the preliminary review sponsored by House Auremont.

The document would also need to address the objections raised by the dungeon-owning nobles and the alternative supervisory framework proposed by House Lancaster.

"Once those provisions are properly organized, the proposal can be submitted to His Majesty," Richard explained. "But I must warn you that my father will examine it carefully. He won’t approve an arrangement of this importance simply because I recommend it."

Sage nodded.

"That’s understandable. I’d be more concerned if he did."

Richard smiled approvingly.

"Then we should proceed."

When Sage returned to Adventurer Guild Headquarters later that afternoon, he immediately met with Boren, Lyana, Lucan, and Irene Valcrest.

The administrators listened as he explained the council’s concerns regarding succession, amendment procedures, and the Charter’s long-term validity.

Boren examined the notes from the consultation.

"Guildmaster, we’ll need legal assistance to ensure those provisions are drafted properly," Boren observed. "The distinction between ordinary administrative regulations and rights established under royal authority is important."

Lucan nodded.

"I’ll contact Lord Benedict and request that House Auremont’s legal advisers review the continuity provisions," Lucan offered. "Grandfather will certainly want them examined before the document reaches His Majesty."

Irene considered the financial implications.

"Long-term recognition would also help us plan future investments," Irene remarked. "Establishing branches and maintaining dungeon facilities requires substantial expenditure. We need confidence that lawful operations won’t be interrupted whenever political leadership changes."

Sage nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. We’re not building something that should last only a few years."

The administrators began preparing the necessary revisions, unaware that the Charter negotiations had already attracted the King’s personal attention.

That evening, inside the royal palace, King Edmund III Alden sat in his private study reviewing a summary of the Royal Advisory Council’s proceedings.

His silver-streaked hair and lined features reflected more than three decades upon Westmark’s throne, but his eyes remained attentive as he examined the arguments presented by the various officials.

Standing nearby was Lord Chancellor Alistair Fenwick, who had been summoned to explain the council’s findings.

"An independent institution with operations extending across multiple regions," Edmund remarked as he turned a page. "A profitable dungeon network, a growing membership, and several Great Houses already disagreeing about its future."

Alistair inclined his head.

"That is an accurate summary, Your Majesty."

Edmund studied the documents for another moment.

"And Richard believes this Guild could provide lasting benefits to the Kingdom?"

"He does, Your Majesty," Alistair answered. "However, the Crown Prince has also acknowledged that the proposed Charter must stand upon its own legal merits rather than his personal support."

The King nodded thoughtfully.

"At least he understands that much."

Edmund closed the report and placed it upon his desk.

"Then I see no reason to continue examining this matter through summaries alone," Edmund declared. "Instruct the relevant departments to assemble the complete proposed Charter, including the Guild’s requested provisions, the council’s objections, and the recommendations from the legal review."

Alistair bowed respectfully.

"At once, Your Majesty."

King Edmund rested his hands upon the desk, his expression becoming more serious.

"And inform the Crown Prince and Guildmaster Sage that I intend to examine its implications personally before deciding whether the Adventurer Guild should receive such recognition."