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Authors: Neil Breault
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king.”
Raifaran perked up at this and looked directly at the guard.
“Go on,” said Raifaran.
“He–he says it is terms of Ternia’s surrender.”
The same servant who had woken him had just entered with more wine. For the first time since Mikol could remember, Raifaran turned the servant away with the wine. The king stood up and made a few motions with his hands, and his whole appearance changed. The wine-stained clothing was replaced with flowing regal robes. He stood high and portrayed an aura that Mikol had only seen from portraits of the king in his youth, hundreds of years ago.
“Bring him in.”
The guard waved through the still open door. Moments later more guards entered, escorting another messenger. Mikol looked the man over. Even with a clean and polished appearance he was not what Mikol would have expected to see in a man demanding the surrender of your kingdom. They stopped well away from the throne but close enough that the man did not have to speak loudly. He unfurled a sheet of paper.
“I am an Emissary on behalf of the rightful king of Anglantaea, the descendent of Tanris, first son of King Ioyan, the benevolent king Kagarin Delvmight. After uniting the once savage kingdoms once again into the mighty nation of Sibilova, he has proclaimed the exiled kingdom of Ternia should once again be part of this realm. The king is offering amnesty if Ternia and her king surrender to him. He does not wish bloodshed and only wishes to make Anglantaea whole again.”
“What if I refuse?”
“Ternia will return to Sibilova. It is only a matter of time and lives.”
“I see. And where is this usurper? Why does henot show himself today?” said Raifaran.
“I am an Emissary of the king. I have here to accept your surrender. I have been instructed to deliver his will and see it enacted as I will be the Regent until he returns. Will you surrender for the benefit of your people?”
“I have seen many the likes of this warlord before. I have heard his message. I do not accept his will any more than I would a fly. Like those before him I will not bow to a petty man. Furthermore, I do not recognize any descendent of the exiled traitor Tanris. He died thousands of years ago with no children. Throw this miscreant into the dungeon. I will hear no more of this.”
The man tried to run but only managed to get tangled in his own legs as the guards grabbed him. They dragged him out while he was kicking and screaming. He started to curse at people and was silenced by one of the guards with a fist. Mikol looked at his father with awe. He had been at court many times before but had never seen Raifaran address anyone with such fervor. The facade did not last, and when Raifaran plopped back down on the throne the magic had fallen and his unkempt, stained clothing returned. His wine glass was returned to his hand by the same servant who had been turned away.
***
Mikol could not sleep after finally getting word from one of his brothers and wandered the halls of Valefort. Mikol had told Bayle to stay away for a few days. Mikol had relied on their friendship since he was a child and could not fathom what he would do without Bayle. Becoming Archon should not change his friendships. He knew his duties to the kingdom would become more important than any one relationship. As he thought about what it would be like to be Archon he could not recall seeing Voletain in a social gathering. Council meetings and other necessary functions aside, the only person Mikol could see Voletain being himself with was the king. There was never a time Mikol had seen Voletain doing anything that was not for the kingdom. Surprised at where he had walked, Mikol found himself just outside of Voletain’s study.
Light spilled out of the doorway into the hall beyond. Mikol knocked lightly on the door. He was answered immediately by Voletain telling him to enter.
“Mikol, what brings you to grace my presence this evening?’ said Voletain.
Mikol
Raifaran perked up at this and looked directly at the guard.
“Go on,” said Raifaran.
“He–he says it is terms of Ternia’s surrender.”
The same servant who had woken him had just entered with more wine. For the first time since Mikol could remember, Raifaran turned the servant away with the wine. The king stood up and made a few motions with his hands, and his whole appearance changed. The wine-stained clothing was replaced with flowing regal robes. He stood high and portrayed an aura that Mikol had only seen from portraits of the king in his youth, hundreds of years ago.
“Bring him in.”
The guard waved through the still open door. Moments later more guards entered, escorting another messenger. Mikol looked the man over. Even with a clean and polished appearance he was not what Mikol would have expected to see in a man demanding the surrender of your kingdom. They stopped well away from the throne but close enough that the man did not have to speak loudly. He unfurled a sheet of paper.
“I am an Emissary on behalf of the rightful king of Anglantaea, the descendent of Tanris, first son of King Ioyan, the benevolent king Kagarin Delvmight. After uniting the once savage kingdoms once again into the mighty nation of Sibilova, he has proclaimed the exiled kingdom of Ternia should once again be part of this realm. The king is offering amnesty if Ternia and her king surrender to him. He does not wish bloodshed and only wishes to make Anglantaea whole again.”
“What if I refuse?”
“Ternia will return to Sibilova. It is only a matter of time and lives.”
“I see. And where is this usurper? Why does henot show himself today?” said Raifaran.
“I am an Emissary of the king. I have here to accept your surrender. I have been instructed to deliver his will and see it enacted as I will be the Regent until he returns. Will you surrender for the benefit of your people?”
“I have seen many the likes of this warlord before. I have heard his message. I do not accept his will any more than I would a fly. Like those before him I will not bow to a petty man. Furthermore, I do not recognize any descendent of the exiled traitor Tanris. He died thousands of years ago with no children. Throw this miscreant into the dungeon. I will hear no more of this.”
The man tried to run but only managed to get tangled in his own legs as the guards grabbed him. They dragged him out while he was kicking and screaming. He started to curse at people and was silenced by one of the guards with a fist. Mikol looked at his father with awe. He had been at court many times before but had never seen Raifaran address anyone with such fervor. The facade did not last, and when Raifaran plopped back down on the throne the magic had fallen and his unkempt, stained clothing returned. His wine glass was returned to his hand by the same servant who had been turned away.
***
Mikol could not sleep after finally getting word from one of his brothers and wandered the halls of Valefort. Mikol had told Bayle to stay away for a few days. Mikol had relied on their friendship since he was a child and could not fathom what he would do without Bayle. Becoming Archon should not change his friendships. He knew his duties to the kingdom would become more important than any one relationship. As he thought about what it would be like to be Archon he could not recall seeing Voletain in a social gathering. Council meetings and other necessary functions aside, the only person Mikol could see Voletain being himself with was the king. There was never a time Mikol had seen Voletain doing anything that was not for the kingdom. Surprised at where he had walked, Mikol found himself just outside of Voletain’s study.
Light spilled out of the doorway into the hall beyond. Mikol knocked lightly on the door. He was answered immediately by Voletain telling him to enter.
“Mikol, what brings you to grace my presence this evening?’ said Voletain.
Mikol
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