Falling from Grace

Into the kingdom came a dark knight on a shiny, saddled horse.

He was welcomed and cheered for his bravery and outspokeness and in just days had won the hearts of most of the people. He questioned authority and made suggestions on how to improve the running of the kingdom and no one except the young prince seemed to mind that he was routinely late for the jousts or that he made jokes about the king and queen behind their backs. On one especially important day, he failed to arrive at all, claiming his steed to be ill and having no one to care for him, the stable boy he employed being busy with other chores. The young prince observed all this and came not to overly like or trust the new knight - his was the business of day to day running the kingdom and he welcomed no interference or undermining.

In no time at all, the new knight had made friends and allies among the people and was looked upon with great favor by the king and queen. They secretly critisized the prince for his attitude which they deemed overbearing and jealous and began to heed the complaints of the people. One bright autumn day, the king delivered a public reprimand to the prince and the shame was made known to the kingdom. The prince renounced his throne the following day and defiantly fled the castle. The royal couple made a joint announcement that the prince had always been a troubled young man who ruled with an iron fist and no compassion and the coup was complete. The knight was hailed as a hero and the king and queen began their search for a new heir to the throne. The prince's fall from grace was viewed as best for all concerned.

Following the prince's departure, his name ceased to be mentioned save for the king making repeated apologies about his methods of managing and assuring the people that under the new rules there would be flexibility and explanations of policy, easy access to him and the queen, proper training, and a less dictatorial system. All would be treated with respect regardless of their place in the small society and the mending of fences with castle staff and their subjects was to begin at once. No trace of the prince or his rule was to remain - there were to be no footsteps for anyone to follow.

And therein lies a tale of how kingdoms really run. Beware betrayal and dark knights on shiny, saddled horses. Anyone - deservedly or not - can fall from grace with a well placed shove.