Shakam P.O.V.

“Come in Vites.” I said to my seneschal.

“I came as fast as it was possible. The gathering of information has been taxing.” He answered as he bowed before me.

Even now in an emergency he has all the proper etiquette and airs of a noble.

“I hope my gift has been auspicious.” I told him.

“These artifact glasses are of master craftsman grade; I could never be displeased my liege.”

We shared a small moment of reprieve.

“Report.” I gestured while sitting in my personal study.

“There is word from the Head Patriarch of the Andurin that the rumors are true to an extent. An advisor of the Eldership will be here at any moment.” He said in a grieving voice.

“Tell me what you know. Don’t skip any incongruences, tell me everything.” I ordered.

“There was a ritual in the Malgrunian Kingdom, it was attacked during proceedings by the Andurians. This has been received through our private channels within the Kotari. Everything is hush hush, so to speak. The day of the attack and the ritual coincide with a High Moon convergence of low probability of occurrence. In my estimation, this was massive signal of hostile intent from them. The Malgrunians will not take this one on the cheek. The Andurin must have a reason, the type of reason that will trouble you greatly my liege.” Vites finished with a heavy sigh.

“So the greatest crisis in the recent history of Lumeria comes down on my crown? I don’t care what are the rules, hierarchy or procedures. This type of one sided action is unjustifiable! It matters not what reason is given.” I said with an angry murmur.

As I finished speaking a shadow materialized in front of us. A vibrant elderly man appeared within a few steps.

“Patriarch Samuris!” I exclaimed in visible surprise.

“Duke Vites sees the Shining Light! It’s an honor sir.” Vites kneeled before the elder.

“It’s good that our shadow illuminates this palace so brightly. You looking regal King Shakam.”

The elder just stood there motionless as if waiting for me.

“The King sees the light.” I nodded while I readjusted my sitting position.

The situation was as shocking as it was uncomfortable.

“To be honest Patriarch, I don’t like where this is going.” I said firmly.

“The best carried out orders are the ones given to oneself.” He said while waving his hand.

His eyes became crystal clear and then dimmed. He had done something to our surroundings.

“Mastercraft Augirian talismans can ward off everything, what a joke!”

The old man before me had either deactivated all my wards or changed them in some way. The space around us had been sealed. I could feel it. He may think of me of as a puppet king, still I am a master fighter, just not the type of master that can fight an existence that shouldn’t be alive!

“Let us talk, Lord Shakam.” Said the old man.

“Very well, what is said here won’t be revealed to anyone, we will think of countermeasures.” I said trying to reassure myself.

“High Priest Zoer was killed by one of our former members. This you could probably guess. What I am going to say now can never be told to anyone. Ever.” He looked at us with a severe expression.

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We nodded in understanding.

“The important thing is that some of the former Heads of the Andurin remain alive. The roots go far deeper than you can imagine. One of these roots decided to act on its own. We as an enclave did not approve of this but neither did we disapprove of it either.”

We were floored. There were more of these old monsters lurking around? Then if it is like this here, what happens with the other shadow factions?

“I hope that we are about to hear the reason or at least some explanation?” I asked.

“The reason we haven’t done anything to our former head it is because it involves existences beyond your understanding. The ritual had to be stopped, this was the right thing to do. The right thing to do will plunge your beloved capital city of Lumeria into war. For this last thing I am truly sorry.” The elder spoke without a hint of remorse nor guilt.

The exquisite walls of the palace and all its ornaments and all its riches felt suffocating.

“War? War against the shadow factions and other kingdoms? We are not ready.” I said instinctively

“We are ready. You are not. That’s the difference. The losses will be great but the dawn will bring the greatest fortune for Kotar.” The elder said while pointing at Vites.

“Get ready to make all trade agreements with the eastern and central continents your priority. The supply lines will be protected by the Kotari, I’ll trust you to cooperate properly. Prepare for military target attacks throughout the western Continent. Either or both of Orgis and Malaktaraf will be a strategic blow against us. Prepare for everything, even the surrendering of the sites.” The Patriarch spoke in a grave tone.

We both nodded silently.

“And Vites, it is time to unveil your gift of prophecy to adjust your plans. You may hide it from everyone and anyone but you can never hide from me.” The Patriarch’s eyes shined with light again.

Before we could ask any more questions or react to what was happening, he turned into a shadow and disappeared.

“The South isn’t ready for this!” I furiously smashed my desk into pieces.

Forcing myself to calm down a few minutes later I ordered.

“Prepare silently and urgently, move all secret funds for the operation. Bring me a plan that takes into account the poor, the homeless, the sick and the old. I would like to minimize the carnage.” I looked into Vites’ eyes.

“It is time to show what we are capable of. Lumeria will never fall, the jewel isle of the South cannot be allowed to falter. You understand?”

“For Kotar.” Vites said giving the Kotarian salute.

“For Kotar.” I reassured myself.

“Vites, bring my daughter here. It’s time for her to bear the burden of the crown.”

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In the interior of my personal study was my only daughter.

I was looking out the window since I couldn’t face her. There are things a man must do as a King that should not be done as a father.

“Asara.” I called her.

“Paying respects to father, at your service.” She said gently.

“You are the vivid image of your late mother, you have grown up well, enthralling.” I said as I glanced back at her.

She stood silently in place. She was dreading my next words. My attempts at small talk failed miserably. Being raised by her mother and her tutors more than me would cause such a scene.

“I have always wanted for you to have a life of service, gratitude and joy. Regrettably, I’m not able to give that to you anymore.”

She walked near me standing also by the window.

“I figured as much. Such an urgent summon must be a great omen.” She said in the same voice.

“Certainly. The kingdom is headed for upheaval. We all must bear the burden of our privileges. I have a mission for you. I need you to form a union with a Kotari.”

She blinked her eyes at me.

“I had thought you would send me to the Central Plains as dowry for an alliance honestly.” She said.

“The greatest alliance rests with those with overwhelming power.” I told her.

“But isn’t the Kingdom under the protection and direction of the Andurin already?” She asked.

“Wouldn’t it be better to grow close to the Zurian enclave? We are far closer to them than the other sects.” She continued.

“I know your intent but trust me on this. If you succeed in this endeavor, you will inherit the right to the throne over your brothers.”

She was surprised at the minimum, this much was obvious. She took a while before gathering her bearings.

“What is the task father? She inquired.

“There is a very special future Kotari in the Malgrunian Kingdom. He is so crucial that a Claimere was dispatched to bring him back. I’m certain the rest of the prospective entourage is also commendable. It is imperative that the Andurin and the royal bloodline become one.” I told her.

“Any details on the King to be?” She asked.

I liked her answer very much. Quick on the uptake.

“Only a few things, one year older than you, self-reliant, great hunter and a ladies’ man. Do not judge him by his years or appearances. The Elder Council is extremely bias towards him. You may have to bear an even greater hardship than your mother did with me.”

I had no words of comfort for her. This was our reality.

“I understand I’ll set off at once.” She said with a serious countenance.

“It’s not all bad, your old instructor lady Freslia is the Claimere responsible for this. Do tell her she owes me a bottle of Thurskan, will you?”

“For Kotar.” She saluted

“For the Queen” I said in return.

She finally smiled a little as she left.

“A great King they call me. But I call myself a terrible father. If your own blood are pawns, what are the rest?” I sighed deeply within my thoughts.