Hundred and twenty people sat inside a massive conference room. Five-meter-thick pillars of marble surrounded them and held the stone roof above their heads. Small plaques with various names marked their seats, which faced towards a large raised podium. This was the Great Imperium, where Insignius gathered.
“It’s rare to see them all like this.” A guard noted. His whole body was hidden behind white plate armor, which glistened like silver to the naked eye.
“Something big must be going on then.” His colleague responded and eyed the surroundings, taking in all the military prowess gathered just to protect this place and people within. There was easily two hundred of them.
“Welcome. Please take your seats.” A voice boomed throughout the air and the old men quickly listened. Many of them were of obvious noble birth, donning themselves in the most precious and expensive jewelry and gems possible, but a few were less flaunting and had armor or priestly robes.
“First of all, thank you all for coming.” A man said from atop the podium. He was in his late forties, maybe even fifties, and had a slender frame with an equally thin, chiseled face. A pair of spectacles rested on his bony nose. “I know it is hard to leave your demesne unsupervised even for a day thus I thank you.” He bowed, surprising the few younger nobles. “Secondly,” He eyed everyone like a hawk. “I apologize for the absence of Dominus Gauthier Boffrand, he had some unexpected plans and could not come. Thus I’ll act in his stead.”
This didn’t please the older generation and one of the oldest men in the room stood up. He wore expensive clothes and had rings with different gems on each finger. The randomness of their color resembled a rainbow.
“With all due respect, Chancellor, we,” He indicated with his two fingered hand to those around him. “don’t buy your words. It has been three years since His Majesty spoke to us directly.” He placed his hand onto the sword on his hip. Its pommel also a gem. “Does he hold us for fools? Even Kings sometimes have to descend from their thrones to mingle with their subjects. Or does he expect us to blindly follow a faraway fable of his ancestors and bow to his subordinate?” He scratched his beard. “That won’t do.”
“Hear, hear!” The others chanted.
In face of such circumstances not even the chancellor could keep quiet. Especially when the reputation of King rested on his shoulders. He mustered his cunning and spoke:
“Perhaps, but even God doesn’t meddle with the duties of his subjects.” He took a deep breath and continued. “War is upon us, oh Great Insignius. I do not need your bowing. I do not need your blind trust. Just tell me. Tell me what you can muster, so I can go back to His Majesty and announce your endless fighting spirit.”
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A commotion arose among the rich in response. They haven’t fought in years and thus didn’t have the chance to raise their name. This was a great chance for them, especially the younger ones, to increase their reputation and prove their valor.
“So we came here just for that?” Again the old man spoke. “We overflow with spirit, oh the Greatest Chancellor in the history of all Saunier Kingdom,” he mocked. “but can the King say the same?” He turned away from him and faced the crowd raising his voice to its brim. “Two! Two decades ago our current King was coroneted!” His gaze looked at the people. Some were dumbfounded, while others listened intently. “Before him, when his father ruled, the realm prospered. Since fourteen he fought fiercely without surrender and won many battles. He led the kingdom to what it is today.” He pointed at the enormous map on the wall. “From the puny river of Rie we see today, to the great ocean in the west, the kingdom sprawled, crushing foe one after another, without an equal to match its might. Only fond memories come when I think of him…” He paused, noticing the silence in the room. “Eventually, he passed away, as all mortals do, but even now many peasants say his name when questioned who rules them. When Gauthier took the throne, I believed the golden age would continue. But what do we see now? Fifteen years of peace and a crushing defeat three years ago. I hope you haven’t forgotten the humiliation of that day, when the King himself ran, leaving his troops to their demise.” A hundred jaws clenched at the same time. “Thus, I ask again, Aloyssius, faithful dog of the throne, does your King know of this ‘fighting spirit’, or are those shallow words?”
A dangerous silence was offered in return for his speech, meaning more than a thousand words ever could. The nobles fumed, ready to leave at any second, but then a slow clap reverberated.
“A great speech. I’m proud you’re so loyal to the kingdom, Ulrich.” It was a dashing man with a face so perfect it reminded of statues of the old. Pale armor glistened on his well-built frame and a blood-red cape flapped on his back.
“Prince?!” Aloyssius screamed, not believing his eyes. “Weren’t you in the south training troops?!”
The prince barely spared a look at the frail man, a complete opposite of himself. “And I was. But some undead sprawled up in the north, thought might as well gift the troops with some practical experience.” He looked at Ulrich. “To answer your question, old man. It’s a sign of great leadership to send those more qualified to deal with trivial tasks like war, and not plunge oneself into ranks of the enemy while trying to balance the whole country on your shoulders.” A squire passed him a scroll. “My father ain’t no coward nor his words are shallow. He knew this would happen,” the chancellor kneeled when the prince unfurled the parchment. “and by royal decree issued a call-to-arms. Carry out your duty and prove your fealty, as you did when you bowed before Him…” He drew a glistening silver sword. “or die here and now, branded as traitor for life.”
Ulrich thought for a moment and after a silent sigh placed his hand on his chest. “Glad there’s at least one royal with some fire in their blood…” He turned to the chancellor. “We can give four divisions. Can’t tell exact number right now.” Surprise appeared on the prince’s face. Even the King only had two divisions. “Am I to assume you’ll take part as well, prince?”
“Naturally, after cleaning up the north of course.” He nodded regally.
“Perfect.” Ulrich clapped his hands together and grinned. “Can’t wait to see little Eric fight.” He laughed wickedly.