I stood up, taking one last look around the bouquet.

“Are you leaving early today as well?” Aeson asked.

“Yeah.” I stepped down the dais and walked down. The guests all bowed respectfully, which made me even more uncomfortable than the first time, but luckily Aeson ran up to me, hopefully bringing the attention to him.

“I’ll just escort you out,” he whispered.

Just when I was five meters away from the exit, a young man rushed past me.

“Hey!” Aeson called out. He took out the pose, ready to unsheathe his sword.

The young man took a quick glance at us, and seemed to notice me and quickly ran back to us. I held out my hand to Aeson and the guards to not scare the young man away. Besides, even if he attacks I can handle him anyway. Maybe.

“Your Imperial Highness,” he panted and knelt down. Now that I study him, he obviously seemed like a messenger. He looked so worn out, his hair absolutely ruffled with bits of sand and leaves, his hands covered with soil or black sand, his clothes dusty.

The Imperial knights hurriedly made a ring around us, either to give us privacy or to make sure the guests wouldn't freak out when they saw the blood or the gore when I took the messenger out.

“Speak.” I ordered.

He took a deep breath.

“The King of the Halio kingdom, pleads for your help! The Vortigen Empire has started invading it’s neighbouring countries, trying to eat up the other side of the continent!” he sobbed.

Normally messengers only convey messages, showing no emotions or adding any personal statements like: ‘I think thats stupid but-’ and then they will be either fired or dead in less than a minute. But this guy obviously seemed to be in pain--- Emotional pain.

The knights made way for Ian as he entered the scene.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

Not bothered to explain right now, I asked the messenger a question.

“Since when did this start?”

“They have been pestering the kingdom for over three months and sixteen days. They suddenly started invading us since around five days ago. We have been suffering many losses because of the sudden attack and….” The messanger’s voice broke. “Many deaths.” he finished.

I studied him. Tears were rolling down his cheeks, his hands clenched and trembling. He may be a fake, perhaps sent by the Vortigen Empire but if this was true…. It did explain why the King wasn't replying to my letters, or why the trade suddenly stopped between us. We weren’t very bothered to go and see why they just ditched us, since it wasn't so urgent. Still maybe they should've given us a heads up. Or maybe they couldn’t.

“Ian.” I said.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Bring him to the Guest’s Palace and make sure he gets a good rest. You can interrogate him, but not after you come to the study room. We’ll be waiting.” I ordered.

Ian did a ‘Yes sire!’ sign and he sort of shouldered the messenger away with some help from the knights.

I looked at Aeson, who had a thoughtful look.

“Let’s go.” I linked his arm and went out.

Just when we finished getting all the resources about the Vortigen Empire, Ian arrived, breathless.

The preparations we did made me sort of excited. It felt like we were getting ready to do some experiment or something big and something physical--- which applies in this situation as well.

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I spread out the map of the continent and Aeson watched his brother fumble for his glasses as he put them on.

Ian then raised his hand.

“What?” Aeson and I asked at the same time. Normally we would chuckle, but right now, there was a more urgent and dangerous matter at hand.

“What is the Vortigen Empire? I only heard a little about it and...” he scratched his arm.

Aeson sighed, as I wished to throttle Ian.Ian was definitely zoning out during classes.

“So the Vortigen Emp was the most powerful emp before we came… actually, i'm not sure which one is more powerful. Anyways, they are right here.” I pointed to the empire on the map.

“They are small.” Ian noted.

“No, that’s the Halio kingdom. The land above is the Emp.” Aeson corrected.

I held back the urge to smile.

“Anyways, our emp and the Vortigen emp….. Well we haven’t really encountered each other yet I guess. But I have a feeling that we are wary of each other.” I continued.

“Why are you…” Ian faltered. He seemed to be in deep thought. Then continued like he found a better question.

“Why didn’t you take them earlier?” he asked, although he didn't sound confident. He seemed to have a hunch of why I didn't.

“Well, if I tried invading with my worn out army, it wouldn't be good. Plus i had to go past that river… Or is it a lake or is it a sea? Or i could've gone by the Great Sea. ” I traced my finger around the routes.

“Which is dangerous.” Aeson added.

“Exactly.” I agreed.

Ian became quiet and I could just see his mental gears working at top quality.

“Then why are they attacking the Halio kingdom? For more land?” Ian asked.

“Well, I’ve heard that the Emperor’s family is quite a power hungry family. I guess the current ruler got obsessed with conquering land.” I reckoned.

“Or maybe they want to conquer Halio in order to get closer to us or just conquer Halio, like you said. But I think that they are still unaware that we formed an alliance. They probably aren't expecting a new Emp to go against them, when they are conquering a country.” Aeson said.

There was some silence as we watched Ian soak in all that information. It only took about five seconds until Ian broke the ice.

“So…. What are we going to do? Are we actually going to help Halio or help them, then set a trap for that Vortigen dude?”

“What do you think, Aeson?” I asked.

“I think we should do things lightly and steadily,” he said.

“I think so too.” both Ian and I said. By this point, the tension in the room lessened and we smiled.

“Then how about, we send in about 200 of our knights to help them out. Just voluntary work perhaps. Wait actually, half of them will do the voluntary work, and the other half will drive the invaders away.” I suggested.

“Not a bad idea...” Ian said.

“How about we mask the fact that it was our doing? We don't want to make the Vortigen our enemy just yet..” Aeson pondered.

I nodded.

“But why? It won't cause harm to us now right?” Ian asked.

“I agree with Aeson. Just in case. I don't want to already start waging war on another Empire if this escalates, before my official coronation. Perhaps we should work as a shadow for Halio for now, while I’ll polish the knight’s skills.”

“I see. I get that. So, which group of knights shall we send?” Ian asked. He leaned against the table, looking cool.

“Maybe the inexperienced? Oh but if you are going to train them…. But this isn't a real thing, since we are doing voluntary work. Maybe the veterans?” Aeson asked. They both looked at me.

“Maybe the veterans. I don't know. But we have to host the knight’s competition so, the inexperienced and the freshmen must stay, I guess.” I took a deep breath and carried on, “Also just for extra measure, I think one of us should go. Like maybe one person goes for a month or two and then we shift.”

Ah, I realized that we needed a formal meeting with the council but this was urgent, I guess we had to come up with a sketchy plan and get permission to borrow some of the nobles’ knights and then improvise as we go. That’s hopefully how we'll be able to overcome it. Or rather how the Halios are going to overcome this invasion.

“I can go if you want.” Aeson volunteered.

“No bro. You are far too important and busy. Let me go first.” Ian said.

“He’s right, Aeson. You are busy sorting out society. Ian and I can go in turns. Or if you don't want me to go, there's a month or so to clean up the work. But it can change since we aren't sure how things are going there.”

I braced myself ready to listen to some protests from my brothers.

“But aren't you even more important than me? Why should you go as well? Let Ian handle everything.”

“Hey! It’s not like I can do everything.” Ian protested.

“Hey guys,” I chimed in, ”I was getting restless anyways. I’ll settle down for a bit here, and overlook the competition. Then after the knights competition I’ll go change shifts, or if Aeson finishes his work, then he can pass his left over work and go in Ian’s stead. Satisfied?”

“Fine.” Ian grumbled.

“Then I guess we should inform the council and get their army?” I said.

“Yeah. I’ll make the letters now so you guys just go back to your beds. Good night.” Aeson said,

“Good luck.”