Alexandria Terramanz

Exhausted. I was sitting down on a cushioned chair trying not to slump as Valeria packed some things in a backpack that she was taking for her journey to Betelgeuse. A rolled-up blanket that she tied to the top of her backpack, A portable lantern on the side, 2 waterskins already filled with water, Knives that I presumed were for skinning, and other things she stuffed inside that I was too tired to identify.

How can she be fine after what she put me through! She doesn’t look the least bit tired, and I am on the verge of collapse. I have never felt more like an inexperienced child than when I trained with her, she seemed to read my every move and either dodged with the most minimal movement or parried and blocked with ease. What’s worse is, I know she was holding back. She didn’t use the strength that I saw her use when she parried Sir Foltests blow.

In my exhausted state, I finally asked the question I dared not ask earlier. “Valeria, how did you become so strong? You said you were a mercenary before meeting Oberon, but would you not have been rather young?”

She continued packing but paused to give me a half-smile. “You can say I was raised by mercenaries and while I certainly grew strong under them it was not until I met Oberon that I truly learned how to use my skills.” She finished packing and handed me a second backpack that she made for Oberon that she mostly packed with clothes, paper and quill, black tea, and the repeating crossbow bolts, the crossbow hanging from the backpack. “Let's go fetch Oberon he was nearly finished with his letters when I delivered his food.”

I grabbed the backpack and stood trying to conceal my exhaustion and thought on what she said. “Raised by mercenaries you say? I want to ask more about that, but first, what do you mean it wasn’t until you met Oberon that you learned to use your skills?”

Valeria opened her bedroom door and we left to fetch Oberon. She laughed softly in amusement. “People often make the mistake that just because Oberon is paralyzed he no longer knows anything about swordsmanship or fighting.” She turned to stare at me as we made our way to the hallway. “Do you truly believe that someone who was once known as the “Prodigal Swordsman” would have nothing to teach? If Sir Foltest saw us he would recognize his influence. Most of what I did during our training session was only possible because of his tutelage, truthfully it was not I but Oberon that you should have asked to help you train.”

She’s right! I did not think Oberon would have much to offer in terms of swordsmanship because he most likely had not used a sword since he was paralyzed. But it was foolish to think that. looking at Valeria, Oberon has never stopped improving his sword.

“Will I become as strong as you under Oberon's tutelage?” I asked looking at her.

She shrugged. “Who knows. Oberon and I were made for each other so replicating my strength may be impossible.

“I guess I can ask him for some pointers in Leonis,” I said knocking on Oberon's door. Knock! Knock! “Oberon, are you done? We are heading downstairs to wait for Sir Foltest and Brigette.”

“Come in,” Oberon said with a yawn.

I opened the door and I saw a small collection of letters in a neat pile on top of Oberon's desk which he then stuffed in a knapsack. Valeria went to him and pushed his wheelchair, and we made our way to the staircase where once again Valeria picked up Oberon and we made our way downstairs.

“Oberon, who exactly are all these letters being delivered to?” I asked walking down behind him and Valeria.

He turned to look at me from Valeria’s arms and smiled. “Some will go to the people who run our establishments, Others will go to the people with businesses we helped finance, and one will go to a small mercenary team based in the city that I occasionally hire.”

“I see, you are informing them of your long absence then?”

“That and some other details.” He said as we reached the first floor.

How vague. I imagine it’s not something he wants me to know.

Valeria placed him down on his wheelchair and clapped her hands loudly. Clap! The thugs came running out of the kitchen roasted chicken and bread in hand.

“Thugs we will be leaving soon. I trust you all know how to behave yourself and not to cause trouble in our home. Conell, don’t let Edan push his duties to you, Derrik, you are free to use my training room but know that I will know if anything is missing when I return.” She glared at the short middle-aged Edan. “Edan since you are the self-proclaimed leader I will hold you alone responsible for any damage that comes to our home perhaps that will motivate you to do your job.”

“V-Valeria you can’t be serious!” Edan said but Valeria turned away from him.

“Can I also use the sickle and chain!? I always wanted to try it!” Derrik said and Valeria merely nodded.

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Conell did not say anything he just took a bite out of his chicken leg and nodded.

Oberon cleared his throat. “Now that Valeria has finished motivating you I have a job for you Edan.” Oberon threw the small knapsack of letters to Edan who caught it. “Start delivering those letters tomorrow and don’t open them, Valeria will know. You all can go back to eating now..”

Edan looked at Valeria shivered and then left with the rest.

Wow! Looks like he’s scared of Valeria. Well, I don’t blame him. I wonder if she really will know if he opens the letters, It seemed more like a warning to not try it.

“Lady Alexandria how was your training session with Valeria?” Oberon said turning my way.

I smiled tiredly. “It was eye-opening, to say the least. I couldn’t even touch her, and she credits her feats to your tutelage.”

He chuckled and grabbed Valeria’s hand. “I am not one to deny credit where credit is due, but Valeria and I are rather compatible she did more than her part to earn her strength.”

I sighed and shook my head. “Valeria said something similar. Oberon, can I ask you for some of your time to train in Leonis?

He paused. “If time allows it I don’t see why not. I’ll prove my worth as more than just a handsome face.”

I laughed softly. “My thanks. I think it would also be a good idea for you to join me in learning about the Orion Kingdom from Margrave Allard. I agree with my father when he said that you could play a major part in helping the Sagitta Kingdom.”

He nodded. “Yes, I think that is a good idea. If this mission succeeds then we will have bought some time, but I doubt that the Orion Kingdom will stop planning their invasion. The Sagitta and Orion Kingdoms have been trying to conquer one another for hundreds of years, It seems that this time the Orion Kingdom is preparing to make the first move.”

I shifted on my feet uncomfortably. I know that we are only delaying an inevitable war, so I have to become Queen and deal with the Vigil syndicate before then. Or at the very least play nice with Sylvain and find out the Vigil syndicate's goals as it may also be in their best interest to stop the Orion Kingdom from conquering us.

Wanting to hear Oberon's opinion I asked. “What do you believe my chances of taking the throne before this inevitable war begins are?”

Oberon and Valeria stared at each other seemingly communicating with their eyes before Oberon spoke. “I believe it to be highly unlikely. Lady Alexandria, there has not been such a big contention for the succession of the throne in some time. If you look at our history the last time there was a dispute between Terramanz siblings for the throne a civil war broke out which then led to other lords taking the opportunity to try and take the throne for themselves instead or to become independent from the Sagitta Kingdom. King William has done a good job of maintaining good relations with his vassal lords through Prince Bertrand, but as I told you in the royal garden, some people are greedier than others. I predict that history will repeat itself and some of the stronger lords of this generation will make an attempt for the throne.”

I was stunned and silent for a moment. I did not know that Oberon was thinking of such a possibility. I knew that usurping the throne from Sylvain would likely lead to war between us, but I did not believe that it would lead to civil war or even that lords would turn against the Terramanz family.

“H-How can you be so sure that something like that will happen?” I asked still slightly stunned.

Valeria looked at me with something like pity in her eyes and spoke. “The Terramanz family has ruled the Sagitta Kingdom for hundreds of year and the line of succession has always been the oldest child of the Terramanz family or in some cases the next in line if the oldest refuses, That is the law that your ancestor the first ruler of Sagitta, Queen Hildegarde made when she formed this Kingdom.” She paused to look at Oberon who nodded at her. “Oberon already mentioned what happened the last time Terramanz siblings fought for the throne. Do you know why that is? It is because it made people question the laws and rules of the Sagitta Kingdom that the Terramanz family made. If the royal family does not follow their own rules of succession then why should I? Why is the Terramanz family still the rulers of the Kingdom? Could it not be me instead? Why even bother being a part of the Kingdom surely I am better off on my own? These are the questions that the nobility most likely asked and are asking themselves again.”

Perhaps noticing my distress Oberon gave me a look of comfort and took over for Valeria. “Your father knows this as well which is why he did not name you heir and instead will give a pretense of choosing his heir to whoever distinguishes themselves the most between you and Sylvain to the nobles as he did us. Make no mistake Lady Alexandria, war with the Orion Kingdom where you can distinguish yourself and win over as many lords to your side is preferable to a civil war right now.”

I just stood there silently. Thinking about what they said.

Can I justify taking the throne if I believe what they say will come to pass? Setting aside my grudges with Sylvain, would he truly be a bad King?

It did not take me a long time to come up with an answer.

Yes, he would. He is the Duke of the Sagittarii duchy in name only. When father learned of his incompetence and cruelty in ruling the duchy he was going to call him back before being persuaded by his advisors and the previous Duke, Raoul Anouilh to leave him there and learn how to rule under him. Since then, the duchy has been doing fine and if the information of the letter is to be believed and Sylvain is raising an army then the nobles from the Sagittarii duchy are most likely in support of him.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes. “Oberon, Valeria you’ve given me a lot to think about. I did not fully realize the consequences of what my actions could be. Thank you for speaking honestly and not just telling me what I want to hear.”

Oberon smiled in reassurance. “Do not let what we said today discourage you from your course of action. In my opinion, the damage that Sylvain would cause as King would be worse than the damage in taking the throne from him will be.”

“I’ll admit I asked myself if I was doing the right thing for a minute there, but I will not be deterred by doubting myself. Whatever the consequences of my actions are I will bear them and follow through with taking the throne.”

Oberon nodded seemingly impressed. “It gladdens my heart to see you so determined and confident in yourself. Now, I suggest we head outside and wait. I could use a breath of fresh air, and we may be lucky enough to spot the cat Conell fed.”

“I’ve always been more of a dog person, so I’ll keep a lookout for some cute puppies, but I won’t begrudge your cat spotting.” I smiled and headed towards the door.

That carriage can’t come soon enough I need to rest.