Chapter 12

Breezeridge has a reputation of being the most disciplined and militant nation on Plathara. However, before they settled on the ridge, they were a violent nomadic people. They traveled to and from all across the continent and plundered as they pleased. The finally settled near a ridge that was ripe with gems and precious metals and created the culture that we know today.

-Excerpt on Breezeridge

After days of almost constant travel, Koden and Rem had arrived at Verkarion. Off in the distance stood the royal entrance gates of Pecuna, the countries capital. Koden slid off the back of Rem and looked out at the city walls. He didn't have much of an idea of what he was going to do, but he was hopeful that once he got inside the city, he would find a better plan. He turned to Rem and pat his large head. Rem matched the affection with light nudges to Koden’s hand. “You think you can fend for yourself for a couple of days while I sort some things?” Koden asked his companion.

Rem whined lightly and nudged further. “Oh you big baby, you will be fine.” Koden tapped his belt buckle and pulled out a deer carcass for Rem to eat. “Here, I've been holding this for you.”

Rem scarfed the deer down as Koden looked back at the city. Once Rem finished his meal Koden petted him one last time. “Listen for my call just in case, if not I will see you in a couple days.” Koden began walking off toward Pecuna.

Rem was familiar with being by himself in the wild, his primal instincts were very much in tact still. He has been left to fend for himself plenty of times while Koden does certain things, like military actions. He walked into the woods in search of a nice shade spot to rest in.

As Koden walked to the gates of the city, he fetched a small card-shaped plate made of metal out of his bag. He began putting his nimora into the item making it glow with silver energy. He then lifted the artifact up to his face and pressed an edge of it to his forehead. The nimora dispersed into a cloud of colors and absorbed into his face. His blonde hair began to dark further, and his piercing blue eyes grew dull and darkened slightly to make them look more average. Upon his appearance changing, he returned the item back into his bag just before he arrived at the gates.

Welcoming him was a myriad of Verkarion guards, far greater in number than the average cities Koden was familiar with. Despite the superior protection this specific city seemed to have the massive gates remained open, allowing merchants and citizens to enter and leave as they please. Koden faintly remembers coming to Pecuna a handful of times to accompany his father in meetings. Even then he can remember their cities leniency on their walls. Perhaps their guards are that efficient at protecting their city to where the walls are no longer an issue. Koden nonchalantly walked into the city without being stopped, much like the other few strangers that walked in with him.

He kept walking until he arrived at the center of the city. On his walk, he took note of the regal buildings made of lightly colored stone, obviously purchased from the Atomo Clan as they owned the majority of the rock quarries on the continent of Plathara. He also passed multiple stores, theatres, and open roadside markets on his way. This country was far more frivolous than the Atomo Clan, most likely because Verkarion consists primarily of very wealthy people.

At the heart of the city and the main focal point of Pecuna stood the massive dome-shaped capital building. Its smooth light gray stone was accessorized with thin lines of gold and banners of Verkarion’s flag around the diameter. At the peak of the dome sat a statue of the founder of the primary currency of Plathara, the noval. Made of bronze the statue stood tall and stoic, representing the unification of Plathara by creating a continental currency. Koden looked up at the building and admired its construction and how well it was maintained.

Suddenly the main doors of the capital building swung open, and a group of what seemed to be politicians came out talking amongst each other. Koden quickly darted into an empty alley and peaked around the corner to see who the individuals were. Upon further analyzation Koden recognized many of the people, they were councilmen and women. The country of Verkarion were run not by one leader but by a group of nine council members. By recollecting his last visit here, he was familiar with a few of the officials. Now all he needed to do was confront one to discuss his ideas.

As the members of the Verkarion council walked down the stairs of the capital building an unknown voice came from behind Koden. “Do you have any spare links for an old man?”

Koden jumped and immediately turned around to see an old homeless man. His hair was long, white, and very unkempt. Matching his hair was an equally messy beard. His clothes her tattered and dirty and his skin was oily and dusty. He held out his hands to Koden with a friendly face. Koden instinctively had his hand on his short sword hanging from his belt but once he found it was a feeble homeless man he released his grip. “Stay quiet and leave me, old man, be lucky I didn't just kill you,” Koden snapped quickly at the man with a low voice.

“I'm just looking for a good meal traveler,” the old man remarked.

“Well I can't help you, I have nothing to give,” Koden snarled looking back to the scattering councilmen. He caught a glimpse of two of the members and immediately recognized them, one was Cyran Tiana III, and the other was name Keeman Thadrum. They were conversing with each other, but Koden couldn't pick up what they were speaking. Koden wasn't too familiar with Keeman, but he remembers Cyran quite well. I need to get ahold of him, Koden thought to himself. The homeless man peaked his head around the corner as well and saw that Koden was spying on someone. The man grinned as a thought came to his head. “Oh, traveler why are you behind this wall? Do you have any links to spare!?” he said with a raised voice, intentionally trying to get Cyran and Keeman’s attention to blow Koden’s cover.

Koden jumped as he withdrew his short sword and pushed the man up against the wall. With his left hand, Koden covered the man's mouth and pressed the blade of his weapon to his throat. “Not another word or you're dead you confident pile of weasel shit.”

The man's eyes filled with fear as he realized that this was not the person to tempt. “You think I won't kill you?” Koden said sharply.

The man frantically shook his head as he was terrified. “You mean nothing to nobody, you wouldn't even be missed,” Koden said pushing the blade harder onto his throat.

The man quietly whimpered in fear and closed his eyes. By that time Koden lifted the sword from his neck and placed it back into its sheath. The elderly man cracked one of his eyes open as relief welcomed him. Koden uncovered the man's mouth and backed away from him. “You want some links?” Koden asked.

The man slightly shook his head in confirmation still bearing a fearful look. Koden reached into his pants pocket and took out a handful of novals. “How about novals instead,” Koden said handing over the coins.

The man's face lit up with joy as he took the novals. “Thank you so much, traveler! My apologies for my previous behavior.”

Koden smiled at the man, “Just remember my face if I need you to do something for me. Remember the novals I gave you, and remember how quickly I was to gutting you like a pig.”

The man gulped while maintaining a smile on his face, he shook his head proudly. “Now get gone, I have something to do,” Koden ordered.

The man giddily walked away with his new novals. Koden turned back to watch Cyran and Keeman only to see them taking a turn up the road from him, becoming out of sight. Koden began walking that direction to follow them further. He kept a distance from them but maintained a visual. They laughed back and forth with each other and conversated more.

Eventually, they said their goodbyes as Keeman took a turn towards what presumably was his home. Minutes later Cyran did the same thing and entered his abode. Koden kept a distance and studied the property. The house was large and made of stone. In front of the home in their yard was a strictly maintained set of plants and shrubs. Standing out in the yard was what seemed to be Cyran’s butler intricately trimming the shrubs into perfect spheres. Koden thought this was odd and quite a waste of time. He continued his study of the premises as he saw a young woman walk out of the house. He squinted his eyes to see better, it was Cyran’s daughter Milly Tiana. Koden remembered her as well from the last couple visits. Perhaps he could get to Cyran through her. She stepped onto the walk in front of her home and began walking towards the center of the city. Koden began walking the same direction on the other side of the road. Milly’s light blonde hair flowed to the middle of her shoulder blades. She wore a black long sleeve shirt and a skirt with frills. Underneath the skirt she wore black leggings and light slipper-like shoes. “Milly?” Koden said with an upward inflection.

Milly stopped walking and looked over to Koden. At first, she wasn't sure who it was, but after studying Koden’s facial features, she realized who it was. Upon seeing it was Koden a friendly smile appeared on her face. “Koden, hello!” she said waving.

Koden crossed the road and walked up to Milly. She welcomed him with a hug. “How have you been?” Koden asked.

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“I've been fine, how have you been?” Milly enthusiastically replied. After the words escaped her mouth, she immediately regretted it as she remembered the annihilation that just happened.

Her smile was contagious to Koden so he couldn't help but smile back, even though she naively brought up his peoples massacre. “I've been better,” Koden said with a smile.

After realizing that her words did not offend Koden, she maintained her smile. “I'm,” she said but didn't finish her sentence. “I heard about the attack, and I'm sorry.”

Koden smiled at Milly’s generosity. “Was I interrupting you?” Koden asked after a brief pause in the conversation.

“No! Not at all I was actually just running into town to get something to eat,” Milly said admiring Koden’s appearance. “Would you like to accompany me?”

“It would be my honor,” Koden said as he began walking with Milly.

They settled at a restaurant not too far from Milly’s home. It’s dimly lit dining room resonated a calming hue. “Your people sure do know how to treat themselves,” Koden remarked, filling his mouth with steak.

Milly giggled and took a sip of her dark coffee, “Yes. Yes, we do.”

Koden was so unfamiliar with the person that sat before him, but for some reason, he felt so connected as if it were a long-lost friend. He vividly remembers her from before, but he doesn’t remember the overwhelming beauty she carried until now. Milly seemed so comfortable as if she were expecting Koden to join her. “How did you manage to get away?” she asked, resting her chin on her folded hands.

Koden chuckled and leaned back into his leather chair, “That’s a good question, I’m not too sure.”

“There’s not a scratch on you, the stories I’ve heard about you and your family must be true then.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Koden said with a chuckle.

“You’re too humble, I bet you don’t act this modest around your soldiers,” Milly said with a flirty grin.

Koden smirked at Milly and crossed his arms, with a cock to his head he replied, “How’s your father?”

“Oh, my father? He’s doing well. A few years back he gained the position of head councilman of foreign relations.”

“That’s very impressive, you must be proud.”

“Yes I am, he has wanted that position for a very long time.”

“I’m sure he does excellent.”

“Might I ask you a personal question?”

“Ask what you want.”

“What has become of the Atomo Clan now that you have been attacked?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but I could only imagine that they are currently hurting and need assistance.”

“Why do you think that Tokanoba would do such a sinister thing to its allies?”

“I would imagine that they were jealous, or just plain fed up with the Atomo’s administration.”

“But your clan is what unified the continent and brought us out of the Broken Age.”

“They were, but the Atomo’s have been doing so with an oppressive rule, that is what made my father a poor leader.”

“You say that like he isn’t the leader anymore.”

“He might not be,” Koden remarked looking out one of the large windows at the front of the business.

Milly thought for a moment to think of a topic to change to, “Why exactly are you in Verkarion?”

“Well at first I tried to make my way to the Beeajii Clan to assist the northern efforts, but I couldn’t with the Tokanoba soldiers crawling everywhere. So I traveled here to see if I could find someone economically strong enough to dry the amount of supplies to Tokanoba to starve them out and force them to retreat.”

“That’s a fair idea, who were you trying to find exactly?”

“Well, ironically enough it seems that fate had placed us on the same walking paths because I came to Pecuna to speak with your father.”

“My father? Really?”

“Yes, he was the person I was most familiar with, and I’m sure he remembers me to an extent. It would be wonderful to meet him.”

“Yes, of course, you must meet him,” Milly said reaching over the table and grabbing one of Koden’s forearms. “We can go now.”

“Now?”

“Yes, it’s important isn’t it?”

“Well, yes but…”

Milly got up from her chair and lead Koden out of the restaurant. After a few minutes of walking and further discussion, they arrived at her house. “Come in,” Milly said opening the front door.

They walked inside to be welcomed by a tall foyer and two sets of stairs leading to the second floor. “Father?” Milly said roaming through the first floor.

“Milly what is it? I’m very busy,” Cyran said off in the distance.

“Father, you have a guest,” Milly said taking Koden by the hand and pulling him towards the back of her home.

Cyran stepped out of his office and looked down the hall from where Milly and Koden were coming from. The faint light in the hall exposed his blonde hair riddled lightly with grays. He looked in confusion until he realized who it was, his deep blue eyes widened, “Koden?”

Koden smiled as he approached Cyran. His hair and eye color was in the process of reverting back to their original colors. “What has happened to your eyes?” Cyran asked, concerned about their dull colors.

“He used an artifact father, he must protect his identity at this time,” Milly said proudly standing next to Koden who was far taller than she was.

“Yes, yes he must. We should put you into protection Koden,” Cyran suggested placing a hand on Koden’s shoulder.

“Thank you, but absolutely not. I have far too much to do before I go on the defensive side,” Koden said.

Cyran sighed, as he remembers the Atomo’s stubborn ways. “Koden do people know that you are here?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“Good, you may stay here as long as you need do you understand?”

“Yes, clearly. Thank you, councilman, I am in debt to you.”

“Koden wanted to speak to you about something,” Milly said looking up at Koden.

“Does he? Of course, what is it?” Cyran said.

“Do you mind if we discuss in private?” Koden politely asked.

“Yes, please come into my office,” Cyran said holding open the door.

Koden and Cyran entered the office while Milly retired to her room. Koden sat down by Cyran’s desk as he sat down across from him. “Go on Koden.”

“I have traveled a long way to meet you. You see, I am unable to face Tokanoba alone, and without my men, I cannot rely on military action.”

Cyran continued to listen with caring ears. “I know that you are a very notable man and a very impactful one as well. You have more pull than a measly warrior such as myself will never be able to fathom. I also understand that being the intelligent investor you are you most likely have many large investments in multiple industries,” Koden said leaning forward in his chair.“I’m also aware that some of those industries you buy stocks in, are the same industries that Tokanoba do business in.”

Cyran scrunched his eyebrows in a face of confusion. “What exactly are you getting at Koden?”

“You have the ability to starve them of supplies, you and all the other investors that do business with Tokanoba could single-handedly force them to retreat from my lands.”

Cyran leaned back in his chair and shook his head. “Koden it’s far more complex than just that.”

“What do you mean?”

“We had a meeting today regarding if Verkarion should stop business with the treasonous nations, or remain neutral during the skirmish.”

“They chose to be neutral didn’t they?”

“Yes they did, I for one voted against it, but the overwhelming majority voted for neutrality.”

“Those bastards.”

“Koden I’m sorry.”

“What’s stopping you from doing it?”

“What? No longer doing business with Tokanoba?”

“Yes, of course, you wouldn’t have as big of an effect, but any impact would help.”

“Koden, I just recently gained this position. I cannot run my name through the mud, it would ruin me and put my family through horrible things.”

Koden sighed because he knew what Cyran said was true. He had come to an end of every avenue he was trying to use. He rested his back against the chair and slumped down slightly. “I’m just desperately trying to help my father.”

Cyran looked up at Koden in disbelief, “Koden, I hate to tell you this but… our intel is saying that your father is dead.”

Koden looked to Cyran with a calm expression. Moments pass until a smile creased upon his face. Cyran, now uncomfortable looks away from Koden. “Of course he is,” Koden remarked.

“I’m sorry,” Cyran said looking off to the side of this office.

“To be fair it is a positive and a negative thing,” Koden said.

Cyran looked to Koden in confusion. “I was the beneficiary to all of my father's quarry stocks. So all of the mines across the continent are now bequeathed to me.”

“But don’t you have an older brother?”

“Yes, Nivra. He rejected being the next in heir to the Atomo Clan, so they put the burden on me.”

“Well, congratulations Koden.”

“Thank you, Cyran, also could you do me a favor?” Koden said getting up from his chair.

“Yes Koden, was is it?”

“Please tell me if you hear anything about the Atomo Clan, and especially tell me about anything you hear about someone trying to find me.”

“Koden, please reconsider protective custody.”

“Because if I get captured by Tokanoba, a mercenary group, or anyone for that matter, I’ll pull every single stock I now own out of the market and crash the economy.”

Cyran’s eyes widened as he remembered the terrifying amount of stocks Kagu had invested into the market. If Koden were to do as he threatened it would put the entire continent of Plathara into economic disarray. “That’s not necessary Koden, don’t you think that is a little rash?”

“Just alert me if you hear anything,” Koden said walking towards the door. He wasn’t sure of what he was going to do now. He couldn’t make his way to the Beeajii Clan, and now he traveled all the way to Verkarion to get nowhere. Suddenly as he opened the door to exit, he remembered the other councilman that he saw discussing with Cyran as they left the capital building earlier that morning. He knew that he had to get more forceful. Talking peace and bargains were no longer an option, and it was time to make people do things against their will, and Keeman was the answer.