As the first cohort joined the wall another scout came running up to Cedrick, wheezing and after another quick salute gasped out the words.

“General, another army is approaching from the Capital! And they are flying the Kings banner!”

“Well, that confirms it then.” He stated aloud. “Crius’s, Father, Grandfather, and Godfather are all approaching. Run and inform the household and tell them to prepare to welcome the King, also have the kitchens start work on a sumptuous feast.”

With the orders dispensed the scout ran up to the house while Cedrick turned his attention back to his nephew. He thought it would be great for the three men currently approaching to see just how far the young man had developed since they’d last seen him.

“Alfie, prepare Crius for sparring. I think they should see just how prodigious he is. Maybe we’ll get our wish and Grand Duke Zelos will impart some of his wisdom.”

Cedrick didn’t head off to meet the King as he’d originally intended but not because he was being rude but because he was mesmerised by his nephew. Once again Crius had slipped into a trance while wielding the sword. At first it had been Alfie and Sylvie stepping in and out to battle Crius but then Cedrick had called over several more guards to join the training. Currently Crius was one against seven relying purely on physical capabilities.

“How long has he been like this?” Cedrick was startled and when he turned to see the King at his shoulder he quickly knelt.

“My apologies your majesty I got caught up watching Crius and didn’t sense your approach or realise the passing of time.”

“It’s fine Cedrick. I’m just here to see my Grandson before his birthday without all the politics and I can see I was right to come visit.” Before pausing to show a pride that only family can at the success of those closest to them.

“He has the Tempest Bloodline, and it is very pure. I can sense the storm running through his veins even purer than my own but it’s just a shame he’s currently unable to store that power for using magic.” The King continued.

“Is that why he’s so physically strong?” Cedric queried.

“Physically strong?”

“I think his body is drawing in the energy for his core but as the core can’t hold it his bloodline is picking up the energy as it dissipates and naturally circulating it around his bones and muscles. Even without training he breaks through minor thresholds without any effort.”

“Really? Could it be?” The King spoke rhetorically as he pushed his aura out across the training grounds.

He was so powerful and so well practiced that his control was exquisite, and the aura went unnoticed by all but Cedrick. Even he might have missed it had he not been watching the King despite his own strengths.

The King concentrated his aura on various parts of Crius. “Haha, my family is truly blessed!” The King chortled as he pulled back his senses. “He has the Tempest physique. That hasn’t been seen in our bloodline since we travelled to this continent many centuries ago.”

“That sounds good. Will it help with restoring his core?” Cedrick asked the King.

“I don’t know. There are rumours in the records we salvaged when coming here that it bestowed the owner of the physique with powerful lightning that allowed them to heal themselves. It would certainly explain why his vitality was so strong as a baby even after all he endured. His natural healing kicked in and even with the tiny amount of energy it could draw in it was all pushed into his recovery.”

“So, you think his body will heal itself? And you keep saying came here? What do you mean?”

“We’d have to have our best healers monitor his core on a regular basis. Look for any changes at the smallest level possible and see whether he is gradually able to hold any storm mana.” He answered and then as if just remembering that there were multiple parts to the question “Oh, and as for where we came from before there is another continent where we originally resided. That isn’t something to worry about though. We weren’t strong enough to remain there and we’re certainly not strong enough to attempt a return. Even with my level of strength I would be at best in the middle of their hierarchies. Where I am the peak of our power, they have many like me who are disposable.”

“That sounds amazing and terrifying all at the same time. How is it that they haven’t come to this continent?”

“Resources and ambient mana levels aren’t worth their time. One of the reasons they are stronger is that the energy there is much denser than here. Ah now it looks like your brother and Arien are making their way to us.”

“That’s great. Henrick will be super happy to see the progress Crius has made. Maybe we can even shock Grand Duke Zelos when he sees Crius with the sword.”

As soon as Cedrick finished speaking the two men in question rounded the corner and once in front of the King they quickly bowed and paid their respects.

“Up you two. I’m not here as the King today, just as a grandfather. It’s been too long since we were all together.”

“I appreciate the early reprieve from the frontline but why the summons?”

“I’d rather not talk politics when I too just arrived Henrick.”

“I appreciate that, Your Majesty, but it would put me much more at ease if I knew the reason behind this ‘friendly’ reunion.”

“Okay, I will explain but I think first you should take a closer look at your boy. He’s becoming a fine young man. All the signs of a great warrior.”

“I appreciate your praise but…” Henrick began to reply but Arien interrupted, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“No. The King is right. I sense. I sense he’s on the verge of sword intent.”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Indeed.” The King smiled. “You may finally have a worthy successor Arien.

“I’m not sure. His sword art.” He hesitated “It seems to be a combination. He has merged the Tempest Sword Style with the Ember Sword Style.”

“Does that mean you can’t help him?” Cedrick queried.

“My sword intent is around the sharp edge of the wind. His seems to be two intents that are separate and together all at once. It could be why it is difficult for him to take that final step and become aware of the intents.”

“If yours is a sharp sword then what does Crius’s intent feel like?”

“One part is the fast and flowing like the wind. The other is a powerful, heavy and strong, like a fiery berserker. I can see why it would be difficult to combine them, to put everything into each strike would come at the cost of speed and to be fast would require the sacrificing of some speed.”

“That does sound like quite the dilemma, but it seems that his sword style has managed to combine the two.” The King spoke up.

“Indeed. He will follow up a powerful stroke with a fast strike to protect himself from any vulnerabilities or openings that would appear because of the extremes of each style but the best he can hope for is to quickly switch intents or settle for a lesser version when combined.”

“Maybe not. The Tempest Style isn’t just the sharp swift wind. It is the powerful, raging torrent of water, and the violent, destructive lightning. Maybe instead of it being the fiery berserker maybe he needs the raging torrent of water and the violence of lightning to be complete.”

“It couldn’t hurt to try. I could release my sword intent so he can sense it and you overlap it with your tempest aura.”

“Okay, on three! 3, 2, 1…”

Aura surged out from them both engulfing the training area. Crius, still in his trance like state hesitated momentarily before his sword glowed purple and moved like a storm but then stuttered out mid strike as he tumbled to the floor and blacked out.

“You’ve overwhelmed him. That was too much aura for him to withstand regardless of his talent.” Henrick yelled as he rushed forward to his son’s side.

“He’s okay. His moment of enlightenment, although brief, is what overwhelmed him not the aura.”

“Enlightenment? You mean?”

“He should be a step closer to realising his sword intent now.” Arien reassured Henrick. “It won’t happen instantly but he felt it so he should have some awareness of what he’s reaching for. If he carries on at this rate then eveqn without a core he will be the strongest in the Kingdom.”

“He will recover Arien. I don’t care what it costs or where I must go. I. Will. Not. Fail. My. Boy. Again.” His own self loathing evident as he hammered out the final few words through gritted teeth.

“We know brother, we know! Now let us get Crius up to the house. I expect we’re all about to get an earful from Alicia and Cordi. Probably more Cordi on second thoughts.” Cedrick smiled making Henrick give him a quizzical look. “Ah, those two are quite smitten with each other, although I think everyone but them has come to that realisation.”

“Ah, to be young and in love again.” The King teased.

“Seems I’ll have to pay more attention to the two of them while I’m back this time.” Henrick started to laugh along with the others as he carried Crius up to the house.

Having settled Crius in his bed and once the healers checked him over giving him the reassurance that it was just a slightly overtaxed mind and body Henrick headed down to his study to join The King, Arien, and Cedrick.

“Good, I’m glad you’re here Henrick. I thought we’d get the messy stuff out of the way now while nobody else can listen in. As you imagine it isn’t pleasant news but it does relate to your next assignment.”

“I didn’t think I was done with the last one but I’m guessing people without backbone are using military postings to control some narrative they’re spewing in the council meetings.”

“That would be very astute. Duke Drax is indeed trying to politically reduce the love the troops have for you. Every battlefront you’ve been to during your years of punishment you have won battles against insurmountable odds and saved many lives through your own personal efforts. Even I understand why my troops are enamoured with you. But that faction are saying that you are gathering power to gain control of the army so that you can overthrow the Capital and take the throne for yourself.”

“So, they want to what? Cut the number of troops under my command again? Reduce the time with my son?

“Indeed, all that and more.”

“More?? I’ve given everything for this Kingdom!”

“Yes! I know that and I trust you with my armies and my life, but… They are pushing for me to name Oryn my heir as he has a complete core.”

“And my son? What do they want to do with him?” Henrick’s eyes were almost aflame.

“They don’t think him any use. Not my words so please stop glaring Henrick. And as such are just happy to let him go through the motions as another Prince.”

“I’ve heard the rumours. They call Crius ‘The Broken Prince’ in the Capital, don’t they?”

“Indeed, it’s their effort to turn the people away from him. Make him look incompetent and unable to rule. They say that’s why you are using the military to build a following. A following to forcefully remove me and elevate Crius to the throne.”

“You can’t be serious?” Cedrick called out. “Henrick has given everything for you! He’d never betray you or the throne.”

“I wish I wasn’t serious. I know who my closest allies are and Henrick is one of them.”

“But you said you still think his core will recover?”

“Indeed, I still think that. I just don’t think he will see enough change before the bloodline awakening ceremony.”

“You want to cave into their plans. But why?” A calmer Henrick interrogated.

“Because if they think they have removed Crius as an obstacle it will protect him from possible life ending attacks. Yes, he may face some humiliation, but it would keep him alive in the long run and when he is recovered a fair contest for the succession of the throne will begin.”

“Okay, I can get behind that but what part do I play in this? Where are they sending me?”

“They are sending you to Bloodfell Fjord. The army under Drax claims that they are struggling to hold the crossing due to increased pressure from our enemies.”

“You think they are purposefully withdrawing putting us at a disadvantage with the crossing?”

“Indeed, part of the attacking army is Netheria’s Mercenary King who we believe took in a lot of the Nox Reges refugees after they fled the Capital and who we believe Lord Drax has ties to.”

“Are you expecting them to turn on the Capital?” Arien asked “I’m happy to ride out with Henrick and crush the Mercenary King once and for all.”

“No, that’s not it how they will do it.” Henrick answered before anyone else could “I think they are going to try and hold a stalemate that suspiciously will only see those in my faction killed. They hope I will either die or look terribly incompetent as the highest ranking general on the battlefield. Either way I’m removed as an obstacle to any further plans they have.”

“My thoughts exactly.” The King nodded in agreement “So before you leave for Bloodfell Fjord we need to have a good plan to keep you alive and allow you to have allies nearby for backup.”

“Well…” Henrick began pulling a map of the kingdom and its borders from the tall cabinet in his study and unfurling it across his desk.

And with that a planning session began that ran through the night and till the sun began to rise above the horizon of the estate the next morning.