The Capital

The next morning, I prepared a carriage and enough supplies to last more than a month. We began our journey to the capital, which spanned only 1 week due to the new road improvements I implemented. However, I planned to stay in the capital for a few weeks to show my family around. During the journey, my wife and child were able to see tall forests, deep hills and valleys, mighty mountain ranges, and bustling towns along the way. Each town was vastly different from the other, especially compared to my lands. It gave me much joy to provide my family such a delightful experience.

We arrived at the capital, where both Laila and Issac had their heads on a swivel while riding to the main castle. I remembered the first time my parents took me to the capital, and I behaved exactly as they were. For something so urgent, I was able to take the time and enjoy being with my family.

At the castle, the Royal Court was at the table. I told Laila to take Issac to talk to a maid and have them explore the West Wing. The atmosphere was dense at the table. Some of the lords arrived only hours before, so I did not miss any important messages.

“My subjects, and my friends. I deeply apologize for summoning the court at such short notice without explanation.”

The King’s face was just as grim as during the Arkan siege of Bazara. He spoke with the manner of announcing one’s death.

“I have received word that a new bastard of the kingdom has risen in arms against our realm. They fly the banner of the First Era Imperium, and they are rumored to have royal claims to the kingdoms that encompass the old Imperium provinces.”

Some lords laughed and sneered. They were immediately silenced by a glance of the king.

“I implore you, this is a serious matter. If you decide that you would prefer theater, I will hold your execution public for the peasants to jest in your death.”

The table turned dead silent.

“6 years ago, the world experienced a phenomenon. All orders of animals, beasts, and monsters became uncontrollable. Especially the messenger birds. I know that everyone understands what I am referring to. The day that all of our letters were lost, and those lost letters were retrieved by someone who should not have read them.”

He pulled a letter out of his robe and proceeded to read it out loud.

“Sire,

My scouts have found disturbing news. Your claim to the throne has been challenged by ‘Princess Stephania van Irata.’ I have found traces of her leading to the Northeastern Territories, by the Valley Falls. I believe that she is hiding there with her disgusting tunnel rats.

After we take her, I suggest we bury her and her Imperial Crest. We are the right rulers of this kingdom, not this weak worm Theatus, nor this living fairytale Stephania.

Mors omnibus tyrannis!

S. T.”

Some lords slammed the table with severity.

“You cannot be serious, my lord. Princess Stephania is dead! My uncle made sure of it when he was king!” Duke Gregus exclaimed.

“I am aware, Sir Duke. Please sit down.”

The lords grumbled in resentment towards the potential usurper.

“My loyal subjects, I have a confession to make. I have known about the Princess’ existence since the time of my exaltation, after King Maxus II’s untimely death. My mistake was underestimating a rumor. Rumors spread, and they fill people with desire. Whether or not a Princess of that claim is alive, the rumors are more dangerous than I had ever anticipated.”

“Sire, why are you scared of a rumor of a little girl? And her little necklace that proves her claim to all 5 kingdoms? That is just a tall tale. I can crush her myself!”

“Seems like you would be the one scared of the little girl, Lucius. How about you just run away from this as you did in Arkan with your tail between your legs.” Count Ulises completely incinerated Count Asshole with two sentences.

“Lords, please calm yourselves. I am not afraid of a claimant alone. Though I doubt the legitimacy of the Imperial Crest, I am afraid of the effects of the claim. When just the rumor of a fabled Imperial Crest is presented to be true in this realm, lords will levy their armies to support the reclaiming of the Imperium. I fear the nostalgic nobles that wish for the olden days in this realm, and the lords that will take advantage of chaos to take the throne himself. This is why I summoned the Royal Court. These lords you see here, despite some shortcomings, are people I trust to not revolt against my authority. I have one more letter to share.”

“To King Theatus III and his kingdom,

The authority of Princess Stephania van Irata will hereby declare war to reclaim the Rite of the Imperium, and take the throne of Regalius. We will usher a new era under the banner of the First Era Imperium.

Pro auro et purpura, potens aetas virorum!”

The lords looked at each other in shock. The table began to fill with individual discussion, soon bustling and chaotic as lords decided to blame each other for their suspected insubordination against the King. During the chaos, I had some time to think about this situation. In the first letter, who was S.T., and how did he know about the tunnels? In the second letter, why was the Seventh Era diction used instead of the First Era diction for the final line? It was customary for Regalius to use the Seventh Era diction, but the Princess flew First Era banners. This second letter was a false letter from the Princess, then. More intelligent nobles would easily see through this blatant lie, which I determined that this was possibly a test from the sender to watch the reaction of the kingdom. This was much more complicated than any lord could understand, seeing the chaos of the table.

“Sire, what do you suggest we do during this time?” I had to interject loudly to silence the table. As no one would admit, the kingdom was not ready to take another civil war against anyone, no matter their rumored existence or not.

“You all shall return to your realms as soon as you can, levy yours and your vassals’ armies, and await the first attack. My court will send messengers on horseback to deliver a command to attack the usurpers, wherever they may arise first. This will force the usurpers to levy the rest of their armies to defend, and then we will catch the lords who secretly plotted against the kingdom.”

The Royal Hall became a bustling night market with lords and court members coordinating with each other. Count Ulises tapped my shoulder, and nodded at me. He seemed to want to speak to me privately, but we decided to find Laila and Issac before we spoke freely. We rushed to the West Wing, where I originally had told Laila to tour with a maid.

Suddenly, I heard an explosion towards the East Wing that echoed across the halls. Screams and shouts pierced the air in the chaos, as smoke and debris flooded my vision and my lungs. I looked over to Count Ulises, and a piece of stone had grazed his forehead, spilling his blood over his face.

“Look for Laila and Issac. I will meet you outside the capital gates. I have much to say. Stay alive for us.”

“Please be careful, Father. Stay alive for us, too.” I had never called him father before.

He smirked and rushed back to the court area. I followed the halls of the West Wing, where I witnessed another explosion, which deafened me for a moment, and unbalanced my steps. I rushed faster and faster to search the rubble despite my unstable pace. Dead bodies of maids, servants, and court members scattered beyond the kitchen hall. Guards and soldiers were on the floor, attempting to save anyone from the rubble with not a single success. My heart skipped several beats. Where was my family?

I began to dig through the rubble and the bodies. I heard more explosions after explosions nearby. The court now? Then more explosions outside. The castle was being bombarded by hand cannons. My breath became short and rapid. I thought of the time I had with Laila and Issac, the wedding ceremony, the betrothal meeting. I thought of the Arkan War, the letters with my mysterious lover, my parents and my Helena and my first Issac’s death. All came crashing in my mind as the castle walls crumbled like sand.

After a moment of deliberation, I sprinted and helped people escape the smoke and shattered halls. I did so to clear the way for my search. I searched all of the West Wing, but there was no way I could search through the debris myself. What if they made it to Ulises? Perhaps he had told them to meet me by the gates himself.

When I arrived at the court table, dead lords and limbs splattered across the hall. It seemed as though someone activated a thunder sphere beneath the table. In the corner of the hall, the head of Count Lucius was resting under a block of stone. Next to him was Britis, or what was left of him. As much as I would be cheering, this was not the way for anyone to die. Everywhere, the lords of the court were dead. Countess Illia, Count Verunda, and both of their servants, all victims of the explosion. I could not account for Count Ulises. I could not find the King, the Prince, nor the Duke. The utter shock from the horrors I had witnessed had set in. I vomited violently in the middle of it all. My body heaved and my head felt as if it were split by a logging axe. After a long moment of ragged breathing, I scrambled to the entrance of the castle, and climbed through the destroyed doors and stone debris. I witnessed crowds of civilians escaping flaming buildings, then exploding by hand cannon fire.

And then I saw them.

My wife, my child, my new father.

A stone pillar fell atop of them. I tried my damnedest to lift the stone off, but I was too weak. I heard a light wheezing. It was Ulises.

“Ahhhh- My son. I am so sorry. I tried to protect your family. I thought you were dead. But fret not. Reach into my coat. Take the book, take the key. Take care of Trishia for me. I will take care of my daughter and your child in the Great Sky. Go-”

Ulises stopped breathing. I stopped breathing. I sat next to them, unable to drop a single tear. My body shook violently. I was suddenly afraid of everything around me. But I had to stop.

I took the book and keys in the Count’s pocket. I gave my wife and my child one last kiss goodbye and closed their lifeless eyes.

I rushed to the nearest horse alive. In the streets, heavily armored men in black capes marched in unison. They saw me and fired their hand cannons. I was able to dodge the projectiles and explosions. I rode as fast and as far as I could through the smoke and flames that engulfed the capital.

For two days, I rode. I did not think. I did not feel. I just rode. The horse collapsed from exhaustion, so I walked. I continued to walk. Then, I collapsed on the road.

The gods had abandoned me once again.