A dirt road stretched out endlessly into the horizon almost as if it melted away into a single point, a gritty path that led toward the northern reaches of the Kingdom of Oriaet. On the horizon, colossal snow-capped mountains stood as silent sentinels, their majestic peaks kissed by the early light of the rising sun. The air was crisp and cool filled as the golden hues of the sun painted the landscape.
Rhythmic clatter of hooves thumped against the dusty road echoed and rumbled as a formidable column of fifty knights, their armor glinting in the morning light, advanced on horseback. Among them, three solemn clergy of the revered Temple of Orria moved in a dignified fashion. At the forefront of it, Prince Eston, wore a set of ornate armor, much of which didn’t look like it had seen many days of combat or even travel compared to the polished, but well worn knights around him.
Prince Eston had made no pit stops and expected to reach the northernmost region in two more days. From what his father had explained he was given wide discretion on how to engage the situation within the framework they had discussed. This had made Eston even more nervous since this was his father’s first time giving him so much authority on the field.
“Prince Eston, the next town is coming. Once we arrive we need to give the horses a break and start gathering information about where the object landed.” One of the Temple clergy spoke up wearing the simple robes bearing the emblem of Orria.
“Very well. I want some of the men to gather some supplies and you to take a few to gather information. If you have any news, please inform me immediately.” Eston ordered not bothering to say more.
The Clergyman bowed. “As you wish Prince Eston!”
Prince Eston stood up stretching his arms riding for a full day. Wasn't something he cared to do. It was rough on the body.
Something about this mission didn't sit right with him at all. He had heard of this phenomenon happening in other nations increasingly and it always had a few outcomes.
It turned out to be nothing. Which in his opinion was the best outcome. Go back to normalcy.
But many times it brought either great boons to a Kingdom or utterly wiped it off the map.
Particularly smaller nations like Oriaet.
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Kingdom of Ramas
“Lord Rean the meteor landed in Oriaet. Our sources say the King personally left the capital city to investigate.”
The low-lit room was filled with a quiet atmosphere, the soft flickering of small lamps casting faint shadows on the walls. Only the sounds of the flames breaking the stillness could be heard. The room felt isolated from the rest of the world, a far cry from the rivers that wound through the kingdom of Ramas. The Riverlands, as it was known, lay between the vast seas and towering mountain range.
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Along the rivers were various cities and towns; the mightiest river was the capital of Ramas.
Ramas was one of the major nations that bordered Oriaet and had long desired to subdue it, but the other surrounding powers would never allow it. Which frustrated Ramaian royalty to no end.
“Lord Rean? What should we do?” The information master said, waiting for the man before him to respond who continued to absentmindedly stare off into the distance, his eyes glazed over totally white.
Rean stood still, staring into the distance, his thoughts distant and unfocused for a moment. His eyes glazed over, pupils turning white as he briefly connected with something beyond the physical realm. The connection was fleeting, but long enough for him to sense the truth. After a long, lingering silence, his gaze returned to the Information Master.
With a blink his pupils returned to normal and his head turned to the Information Master. “I sensed the divine energy. It is definitely a deities child. But it is from energy I am not quite sure of. Probably a low level deity who wants to gain greater followers.”
“What would you have us do?”
“Tell the King to prepare the troops. I will talk to my father and get more information. Even a minor deities child can have major impact Oriaet would be a thorn in our side if they gained a powerful supporter.”
“As you command.”
The Information Master bowed and left Rean alone.
"As you command," the Information Master said with a bow, quickly leaving the room.
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Rean alone. He clicked his tongue in frustration, the sound echoing in the stillness. His thoughts turned inward as he glanced at the map spread before him. The Riverlands, with its fertile soil and strategic position, had always been coveted by its neighbors. But it was now firmly under Rean’s control, thanks to Arairam's divine guidance. The kingdom had swiftly conquered several smaller nations, each victory strengthening their position.
Despite Ramas’ growing power, Rean couldn’t shake the unease he felt about Oriaet. The kingdom, tucked away between the seas and mountains. Its position was defensible and made it difficult even without the support of a Deity’s child. He couldn’t afford to allow that to happen.
Grabbing out a crystal from his inner jacket pocket he smiled. “Father. I'm sure you heard. What would you have me do? Have you heard anything?”
A deep thrombing voice filled his head as the previously translucent crystal turned into a green color. “I checked and I don't know which deity had sent their child. The council hasn't made any moves and no major deities have any missing children that I could see. For now prepare to crush the sapling before it takes root. The other nations around Oriaet will have a similar mind and I am still preparing to send your sister and brother to their own nations respectively that are ripe for the taking.”
Rean nodded his father wasn't a major deity, but was still one of the stronger new generation deities so his information network was stronger than most. “As you say father. I will monitor the situation closely. When brother and sister arrive I will reach out with emissaries to each nation you've chosen.”
“Good, our time is up. Contact me again in one month with an update.”
Rean nodded while Ramas was not a top nation in terms of power in this region if had a strong foothold and if his brother and sister could equally empower their own nations they will have enough influence to start pressuring the other nation and races in this region to include his father into their respective pantheons.
The divine energy was stirring, and it was only a matter of time before it affected the mortal world. Rean couldn’t afford to wait. He needed to act quickly. If Arairam’s influence continued to grow in Ramas, and if his siblings could secure their own nations, perhaps Oriaet wouldn’t be the threat it appeared to be. But Rean knew that nothing was certain in a game that spanned both the mortal and divine realms. He had to move first, before it was too late.