“A year has almost passed, and Albimbert is still as anxious,” the Lady of Nuzan, Yaren Eris, commented bitterly behind her white tuanshan. “His knights are a nuisance.”
“The rumours of our King’s return spread like wildfire. After centuries of tyranny, it’s no wonder the citizens prefer our King to him. We should take this opportunity to strike!” the young Lord of Vrocaster, Asani Asida, added with eagerness to prove himself.
“I agree,” Nash Stroude, the Lord of Tessazalut, nodded firmly in his armour. “We have enough weapons and men to conquer the capital. What are we waiting for?”
Ezrel Melromas and Lady Lælia Drusus from Bamunz stayed quiet as they sipped their tea. They sat at a round table while other Lords' and Ladies' holograms, created by the Santa Maria aquamarine gemstone, shone in front of them. With Nuzan, Tessazalut and Vrocaster being the biggest territories, their leaders spoke the most. While the leaders of small territories like Nulundarar, Kirakzar, Elraurt and Ushurbil only spoke more carefully and only when necessary.
“Wouldn’t it be wiser to ask what our King’s representative think?” the Lady of Kirakzar’s soft voice suddenly interrupted the big three.
Suddenly, all eyes were on Ezrel. The female demon sitting next to him stayed quiet as she quietly observed him. Although she wanted to share the plans with everyone else, it wasn’t her place to speak.
Ezrel, Kian’s right hand, finally put down his cup of tea. “Summer is drawing near, and the fruit is almost ripe. Only then, can we take a bite.”
The room grew chilly at his answer.
“What does it mean?” the young Lord Asida whispered to Lord Stroude standing next to him.
“Humph,” the older demon grumbled.
Ezrel smirked as he slightly puffed his chest. After centuries of being looked down upon because of his origins. Being an orphan, everything he had now was considered luck. But it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Certainly, luck played a big part in it, but powerful instincts were also needed. At a young age, he was taken in to serve as an attendant to a young, weak and out-of-favour prince. But at their first meeting, their eyes connected. Inside those deep red eyes, there was profound darkness ready to engulf the world. As fast as it came, the darkness disappeared. But he couldn't brush it off. Ezrel’s instincts were always right. If they were to fight, Kian would have won. Since that day, he pledged his loyalty to the young prince and future king.
“Did our King say anything else?” the Lady of Kirakzar, Aislin Sloanei, asked, her eyes clouding up.
Ezrel’s eyes locked with hers. “He didn’t. This was his only message to you.”
Lady Sloanei cleared her through before shifting her gaze to her feet.
“If there’s nothing else, this meeting is adjourned until further news,” Ezrel added after a brief moment of silence.
The magic poured into the gemstone faded as the holograms followed suit.
“Why didn’t tell them our plans?” Lady Drusus asked with a frown.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Only those who are needed and trustworthy will be informed.”
(￣ω￣)
Deep inside Nuzan, Lady Eris sighed as she placed her tuanshan on her desk. She couldn’t take another breath before her aquamarine gemstone shone brilliantly. Instinctively, a sweet and yet calculated smile stretched on her lips.
“Was that satisfactory?” she asked as blue holograms of her King stood before her. To his side, there were the Lords of Tessazalut, Nulundarar, Bamunz and Vrocaster.
Kian crossed his long legs and nodded, but it was Ezrel that answered. “Thank you for your cooperation. I assume that everyone here is aware of the strict confidentiality of what we will discuss. This information must not be disclosed to anyone else.”
As if on cue, all the leaders of the different territories and Ezrel went on one knee and swore their loyalty to Kian.
“I trust my life into your hands, my beloved subordinates. I also believe I don’t need to remind you what happens to traitors.”
“If I ever harbour these thoughts, I’ll happily die by your hands,” Lord Stroude confidently stated as he brought his fist to his armoured chest.
Inspired, the young Lord of Vrocaster also agreed. “My life is yours, my King!”
“I have high hopes for you. I believe you’ll serve me well.” Kian nodded. “You may rise. Now, let’s get to the point.”
Lady Eris stood up and elegantly sat down. She grabbed her fan as she listened with eagerness. If she contributed well, the rewards will also be substantial. Her territory was blooming compared to the rest of the kingdom, but having an extra financial cushion was always better.
With a stack of papers in his hands, Ezrel briefed everyone on their plan that was meant to happen on Serik Albimbert’s 250th anniversary. Nothing was left amiss and there was always a backup plan on standby in case something turned wrong.
“Any questions?” Ezrel asked after he finished.
“Where do you intend to get reinforcement for Nuzan?” the old armoured demon asked.
“From your army,” Ezrel answered as he took out a map and placed it, so everyone could see it. “Most of our forces come from your army, which will be divided in three. A third will stay under your command, while the other two-thirds will be dispatched to Nuzan and Ginargzar.”
“How do you intend to move such a few thousand men’s armies from Tessazalut to Nuzan and Ginargzar?” the Lord of Nulundarar, Ekzu Rirdris, asked.
“We already started a secret diplomatic discussion with Aisakar. For years, we have shared friendly relations, but suspicions aren’t so easily dissipated. I’ll get it done. We hope to use one of their ports and then, the army could simply march through our borders,” Lady Eris explained.
“As for Ginargzar?”
“It’ll be bait,” Ezrel answered as he moved wooden figurines on the map. “Along with the army led by Lord Vrocaster. As I have already said, you must prepare as loudly as possible, so the enemy’s attention is divided between you. Thus, the soldiers will move to Nuzan and the Western armies led by Lord Rirdris to the capital.”
“But will it be enough? Serik Albimbert already started to draft men for his army. He will not hesitate to sacrifice them,” Lord Stroude asked with a frown.
“We don’t intend to win the war. Our goal is to assassinate the current king. While our enemy dispatched most of his armies to his borders, we will infiltrate the capital with other travellers to take part in the festival and claim Albimbert’s head,” Ezrel explained.
“This is still dangerous. There are too many variables. What if something happened to our King?” the young Lord stated as everyone chuckled.
“I think it is time I remind everyone how I became King,” Kian smirked as his red eyes darkened dangerously. “What fun dark times it was.”
“Don’t wet your pants when you witness it, kid,” Lord Stroude teased. “Our King can swallow the world in darkness if he wished.”
“Then, he doesn’t need our help to claim back the throne?”
“The war will be what the citizens of the Kingdom will see and remember. Our King’s fight will be done in a second. How can we publicly annihilate our enemy without a proper show? You have a bright future, kid, but you still have so much to learn.”
The young Lord puffed out his chest. “You better watch your back. I’ll be the one to shine in this war!”
The Lord of Tessazalut’s smile changed as he received a challenge. “I can’t wait to see that.”