Show me, King Cokren said

The king wore battle gear, his armor coated with black mithril which shimmered in the light. This armor was originally gifted to Cokren as a joke, having been empowered to channel a cloaking ability. Ravi remembered the laughter that filled the room that day, all but Wraith found the entire gifting process hilarious. The kingdom that Wraith built was not one where hiding from the enemy was an honorable tactic. The slim fourteen year old Cokren begrudgingly accepted the armor, still unable to open his right eye. That image of the child had burned into the memory of Ravi. His refusal to lower his good eye from his king showed the defiance in his heart. That day marked the beginning of his change from child to warrior. The king never called him to the throne room after that, this was not a surprise to Ravi as Wraith likely did not consider him useful.

Cokren was forced to fight battles from the back of the army like a child until his skills forced the commanders to swallow their laughter and follow his lead. This armor now defined him; he was known as “Shadow”. There even a wives tale told about him, it was said that if you only saw the Shadow on the battlefield you were already dead. Dead men tell no tales they said. There was a story the soldiers told of a time “the Shadow” went to war by himself. The soldiers shuttered as they recounted how they were pinned down by an overwhelming force. They were badly injured and out of supplies, all hope was lost at that point.

Suddenly Cokren appeared out of his tent donning his armor. Seeing the faces of the hundred or so soldiers he grunted and scowled. Someone swore they heard him say “I’ll do this myself” before he disappeared from sight. As the story goes, twenty minutes later fighting could be heard from the enemy camped near their base. Scouts reported the enemy trampling their own soldiers to escape the carnage. The remnant of that division of Argog’s army marched through the confusion unmolested. At the end of a path of bodies they saw a looming shadow flash in and out of sight. When Cokren flashed out of sight blood curdling screams could be heard. The shadow led them for miles ahead, not relenting until all the Argog soldiers entered safety.

Ravi had no doubt King Cokren would lead the armies well, his challenge most likely will be political. The noble system in the kingdom had been mainly suppressed under his father. Wraith had the strength of personality to force them to bow down under his thumb. None dared oppose him but Cokren is not his father. Even now there was discontent in the general populace, those who knew of his victories cheered a hero taking over. Those who still saw him as the incompetent boy were waiting for his fall. Citizens who didn’t know him do not seem to care unless it affects their day to day lives.

Ravi, are you paying attention? King Cokren said

Flustered, Ravi answered, yes my King.

Ravi placed a large tattered brown book on the table in front of the King. Its pages looked worn to age but the way the pages clung together suggested it had not been opened in a long time. Flipping through the pages he pointed to a fading line in the middle of the page.

You see here, he said.

“Kyreb kingdom birthplace of the accords….”

This history of the realm is the oldest text in Argog and holds the only mention of these accords in our entire archive. We just do not have the historical knowledge to adequately prepare for this battle.

With a thoughtful expression the king looks over the page. Ravi had many years of following Wraith’s rule and a lifetime of friendship with him to know his thoughts from his expressions. This is new territory for him as even as a youth King Cokren was unreadable.

Leave me, King Cokren says, still looking at the page.

Ravi straightened from his bent position preparing to make his way out of the room.

Not you Scribe, the King said suddenly looking at him with intense eyes.

Seemingly as one the seasoned members of the war council stood turning to the door. It took a stern look from Rand for the younger, newer members to get the point. The two men and one woman who were previously a part of King Cokren’s company clearly had previously enjoyed a looser structure in their meetings.

Ravi watched as the dark brown wooden door closed as the last of the group exited. Unsure of what to expect Ravi braced himself for anything from a beating to being yelled at. Wraith liked to mix it up in these private meetings. Time with the king for him was nothing to look forward to, especially in times of pressure.

He was a hard man wasn’t he? The king said thoughtfully

Pardon my ignorance my king, who are you referring to? Ravi tentatively asked

Standing and walking to a nearby window, the king peered out clasping his hands behind his back. His now mythical armor briefly shone in the sunlight before the darkness swallowed it.

You know he visited my home the day he died. King Cokren said mournfully. Before that day Wraith…, he caught himself, my father had visited my home only once in my entire life. That day he gave me this.

King Cokren removed a black onyx sword from a case on the window ledge.

My father told me I would know the day I was worthy for this. Do you want to know a secret? Of course you do, he said turning to Ravi but still only looking at the majestic sword he held. That seems to be the only currency that moves anyone in this kingdom other than the armies. The truth is that even with all of my accomplishments and now being crowned king I still don’t know if I'm worthy of this.

My king… Ravi began to interject.

He wanted to encourage the king who now looked like that boy he saw all those years ago. Back then as opposed to all of his other siblings he was racked with uncertainty mixed with the need to win the King, his fathers approval.

We are at war, Scribe. From what I can see none of the other kingdoms seem to be taking our situation seriously. If they are not mourning the loss of their monarchs then they are preparing tournaments to crown a new one. Dungeons have closed up, with reports still coming in of thousands held inside across the realm. Our kingdom alone has a portion of our army trapped. Entire battalions were swallowed up while they were doing training exercises. I myself had just finished a rotation in my first S ranked dungeon the day before. According to the reports I received there is no way to tell whether those in the dungeons are alive or not.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

We are at war and out of sixteen of my fathers children ten are dead, three are locked in various dungeons, one is on campaign, one is a child and the other stands before you. The Arndale line stands on the cusp of annihilation.

We are at war and Wraith visited me, the eleventh born son to the king. I was never the favorite, that went to the son of his favorite wife, our SS fighter. I was never the strongest, and I am under no impression that I am the most respected. But I am King, and now I have to figure out how to be that. I will not be my father but I will expect results the same as he did.

Ravi was speechless, he had never seen a King in this state. Neither Wraith the King prior to him stood as bare before their subjects. This entire speech made Ravi want to protect Cokren rather than look at him through the lens of his fathers actions. This was an overlooked boy, one whose survival was a miracle rather than by design.

If Wraith had a softer side like this ruler he hid it very well, he though

Do you know what he told me? The King said

When he told me his theory about me becoming king he made me promise one thing. He said to keep Rand as the captain of my guard as he is the most loyal soldier I would ever find. He said Rand’s experience and professionalism will get me through most battles either physical or political. The second thing he made me promise was to value you, he felt you would be the most important man in this kingdom in the coming months and years.

Ravi was shocked, this revelation was so heavy that he needed to sit in a nearby chair. This is something he would have never done without permission.

It was my father’s idea for you to be made strategist as well as scribe. It had been an open position on the kingdom scrolls for years. He said it was held for you when you reached B- rank but now there was no time to wait. Understand something Scribe, my father was shaken that day. This is a war he could not see a way to win. If dungeon beasts are untethered either now or months from now our race is on the path to extinction.

I have a feeling that his hope was that you would be able to find something we can take action on.

King Cokren paused for a section before looking up from the sword for the first time to meet Ravi’s eyes.

I am aware of how my father treated you. It was not a secret how he ruled with an iron fist. His attempts at “motivation” did have its benefits but it also crushed potential assets. Again I am not my father so I am asking for your help. My rule is tenuous, not even my closest ally’s understand that. I need… he paused… I need help.

King Cokren’s shoulders drooped, he looked as if life had gone out of him. Ravi realized for the first time that this man was not ready for this responsibility. Maybe he never wanted it in the first place. Being a soldier, a legend in the army is not the same as being the one called to lead a kingdom. Cokren was now responsible for all lives in Argog and it was clearly weighing on him.

What can I do, my King? Ravi said without hesitation

First, when we are alone, call me Cokren. I will have days on end where everyone around me will be offering platitudes and expecting ceremonial behavior . Even my wife has started calling me King. I need someone I can just be Cokren with while I acclimate to this title.

Secondly, be honest in our conversations. If you feel I am making a mistake then tell me. I do not want to make mistakes I can avoid.

Lastly, find me some answers to win this war. According to those notifications we have a little over five and a half months left before those dungeon’s open again. I am down a portion of my strongest fighters and without any heirs. We need answers and that cannot wait.

What did the new title grant you?

Taking a moment to look inside himself, Ravi thought

“Access system”

A translucent golden overlay appeared before his eyes. He needed to close his eyes as the king's face, as well as the furniture obscured some of the words. Now able to see clearly he looked at an image of himself on the left hand side of the rectangular overlay. On the right side his level of health was shown as a full green bar with numbers showing 100/100. Directly under that was a cyan bar labeled “Essence”, it stood at 150/150. The following lines showed his titles Scribe Rank C and Strategist Rank F.

Focusing on Strategist Rank F pulled up an empty screen that had only one entry to the right of his face.

“Insight 1 of 20”

Focusing on the insight ability brought him to another page which detailed the ability, which he read aloud.

“Insight allows one to discern the best use of an ability, object, information or personnel. Level 1 gives the wielder a sense of the emotions of those they are in direct communication with.”

An empathy ability it seems, King Cokren said

Yes, my K.. uh Cokren. Ravi sputtered out

Ravi caught himself doing his best to relax the tension he felt in this room. Years of meetings with Wraith left him more than a bit on edge around monarchs.

I was hoping for something immediately useful, that’s unfortunate. Any thoughts on our situation? King Cokren said.

Pushing past his hesitation Ravi answered.

We do not have the resources in this kingdom. In all of my research I have only come across that one line. There is nothing solid on the history of the dungeons, just scholarly opinions and conjuncture. The only saving grace is that I believe I know where to find it. Kyreb is the first and oldest kingdom and apparently they have something to do with the accords.

The King winched.

Our relations with Kyreb have deteriorated to the point of open hostility in the past decade. They are one of the only kingdoms that have yet to respond to our inquiries. King Cokren said, now sunken in his chair.

I need to go in person, Ravi said

Fear nearly gripped his heart as he had not left the Argog kingdom since being downgraded to C - Rank and directed into the Scribe role. With his warrior abilities removed he was vulnerable to all the beasts, animals and environment. Since he also was barred from attempting to gain any of his previous abilities added to the danger.

I have friends there that may be able to help, Ravi tentatively said

In truth he hadn’t spoken to those friends in over a decade. They had tried to visit him after he lost his warrior title but he could not bring himself to face them. Days turned into weeks and weeks became years. He didn’t even know if they would even want to see him now.

King Cokren looked from Ravi to the sword again. Moments later he clutched the hilt lifting it slightly.

Still contemptuously peering into its black blade he seemed to finally make a decision.

Go prepare yourself Scribe, you shall leave in the morning. Accompanying you will be a team of my choosing. They will handle any battles as I need your build focused on Scribe and Strategist.

Relieved, Ravi replied, Thank you Cokren.

You can thank me by bringing back an answer to this problem, and while you are at it, do your best to restore some sort of relationship with their kingdom. King Cokren said

Ravi visibly stiffened.

No pressure, just the future of the realm on the line.

King Cokren said this last part with a wink. He stood and straightened as it was clear to see that the beginnings of a plan saw life return to him as the meeting was near to a close.