Crown Princess Tamara Lluch arrived at the outskirts of Tamara, greeted by the once serene plains now cloaked in dark flakes, a product of the furnaces that have now sprung up in Tamara. A shroud of unease enveloped her as she sensed the city’s turmoil from afar. Various unsettling scenarios played out in her mind — from the ferocity of raging fires to the chaos of unrestrained riots, even to the potential havoc unleashed by the taranos enclosure breaking.

In her own, somewhat morbid way, she yearned for one of these simpler explanations, fearing it might not be the case and instead be tied to the disconcerting rumors that had shadowed her throughout the journey. Maintaining her seat in the carriage, she pondered her next moves, her hand instinctively resting on her chest, where her unfaltering unease lingered.

The army that accompanied her commenced their preparations, digging in and establishing an encampment on the outskirts, still a considerable distance from the heart of the capital. Perched atop a modest hill, she looked onward at her once-beloved city, now concealed beneath the ominous black clouds, a silent witness to the enigma that awaited her within its walls.

“Milady, your tent is ready,” Emerys announced from the outside.

She nodded in acknowledgment as she took a deep breath, she descended from the carriage. The once-refreshing scent of the Plains of Tamara, has now morphed into something she cannot recognize nor fathom — an acrid mélange air, sulfur and the tang of forged iron. It was a stark reminder of how much had transpired in just a year.

Approaching her grand royal tent adorned with the distinguished insignia of the Trasidars — a regal Tamaraw’s head crowned with four horns, two short horns embraced by two larger ones soaring above it — she observed similar emblems on banners displayed within the tent. Inside, awaited her captain of the guard, generals, and the remaining councilors who had accompanied and joined her side.

All of them bowed before her presence.

“Do we have any reports coming from the city?” She asked, leaning over the map laid out before her.

“No, but we heard that most of the first ring has been turned into factories.” A general reported.

She winced at the thought. The first ring was where most of the residents were, the middle citizenry of the city. Her hands fisted at the thought as it made her mad.

“That would explain the black snow outside then.” She said as she bit a little on her thumb. “Menoich, what is going on with you? This is so unlike him.” She whispered.

“We could try to take out the guardian butte’s long-range trebuchets, here and here with some of our Falcon battalions.” Pointed out a general as she pointed it on a map.

“No, we can’t just have them there; the walls and the guardian butte’s defenses take into account all types of frontal assaults. Including dives from the Falconkind, Eaglekind, and even larger creatures.” Pointed out another.

“I’ll leave the battle planning to the generals. I’ll have my captain of the guard as my eyes and ears for this. Please know that this is not a guarantee that we will siege the city, but I would like to be prepared if we have to,” she explained as she exited. The remaining generals and occupants of the tent bowed once more as she departed with Emerys, followed closely by her council.

“The city is well defended with its walls and guardian buttes. We will take heavy losses if take it head on.” Emerys pointed out.

“I never knew you had interests in military strategies, Emerys?” she pointed out as they looked out to the encampment as they began to dig in.

“I dabble in it. You never know when it will come in handy.” Emerys replied.

“How many soldiers do we have so far?” she asked.

“About forty thousand strong, Your Grace. With more on the way.” Emerys answered.

Then she turned to her new council. “Did you hear that? We have forty-thousand strong here with more on the way. This is the cost of your mistakes and hubris.” Some quickly fell to their knees, showing her respect. “Now tell me, why should I let you keep your posts?”

She gazed upon the councilors with her piercing eyes. These were the people responsible for the situation. She was making sure her anger was in check at that moment, as the slight abuse of it now, would mean something entirely different. She looked at them as some were already kissing the ground while her first councilors remained firm.

“I’m just glad Councilor Gaurad of Go’Renhor and Councilor Ralphys of Remolus fled the Capital and headed straight to me the moment they noticed something was up. And I’m also glad that some of you did not stick long enough to be in this mess. However, three of you, is what concerns me the most.” She said in an imposing tone, asserting her dominance.

“We ask only of the Crown Princess’ mercy in regards to this.” A councilor pleaded, then looked at her. “On my way here, I’ve contacted my lord in Sein’Miguelisia to send our troops to support you.” The councilor from Sein’Miguelisia said.

“Thank you, Councilor Jakovod.” She acknowledged as she moved and stood in front of the remaining four councilors. As she observed them, trying to read something out of them, she realized she already had the majority of the council with her.

“I must say, I’m surprised that Gregoridon, Napareim and La’Canilenoir are with us right now. No matter though, I’m glad you are here.” She said as she asked them to stand.

“Thank you, your Grace.” The councilors said in unison.

“Will your armies be joining us, my Lords?” she asked them.

“Ah, no, Your Grace. But you may be pleased to know that my liege in Gregoridon is closing the paths in and out of Malatur’Aren. They are moving most of the Gregor Imperial army to the Southern border to reinforce La’Canilenoir’s army which is doing the same. While the rest move north to secure the Northern border with Malatur’Aren. As per my latest owl communique with them.” Explained the Gregoridon councilor.

She leaned towards Emerys, “Are we sure that Orderian owls are not compromised?” she asked her in a hush tone.

“I already took care of it, Milady. Our Orderian owl controllers already made sure to isolate the owls in all of Barceneim. So basically, only our owls and whoever they contact will receive the message directly without anyone listening in.” Emerys explained in a whisper.

“Thank you for that Emerys.” she thanked her in a similar tone.

“Thank you, Councilor Tafir.” She said, but then wondered. “Councilor Karesh, Will La’Canilenoir’s army be able to hold the main road?”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Three hundred men can block it on their own, Your Grace.” Explained Karesh. “But to be sure, we are moving forward to the open field.”

“Good. At least we know they can’t just turn around and back to Malatur’Aren.”

“Napareim also deployed its navy to blockade Malatur’Aren’s only large port, along with Huertian. Our armies will be doing the same as Gregoridon and La’Canilenoir.” Explained the Napareim councilor.

“Your navy is a good addition to our cause, Councilor Varrasq. Thank you,” she expressed her gratitude to the councilor.

“This is not enough to make up for what has happened in the Capital. We promise to help you take back control of Tamara and the Empire.” Varrasq declared with confidence, then bowed and stepped back.

“Do we have any news about my Father?” she asked them, but the councilors only exchanged glances.

“We tried to see him, your Grace. On numerous occasions, the Arch Chancellor has already installed most of his trusted men in the Imperial Guard. He also promoted Aragrad as the head of the entire Imperial Barceneim Army.” Karesh explained.

Anxiety clawed at her even more, a persistent present that wouldn’t relent. She knew her father was still alive, but the uncertainty about Menoich’s actions troubled her. Would he go as far as killing him? The relentless concern refused to be quelled. While she clung to the hope that he was still breathing, a nagging doubt lingered — what if Menoich crosses that line?

Her father’s fate twisted inside her. It had been long ago since she heard from him. The only last time she had news of him was when the news of her brother’s betrayal arrived at Remolus. Since then, she had not gotten any news of him. How she misses her father so.

“Crown Princess!” her captain of the guards called out as he ran towards them.

“What is it, Kelov? Speak.” She commanded him.

“An envoy from the capital, bearing news. You should hear this,” Kelov declared, swiftly guiding them back to the main tent.

“What is it? Is it news about my Father?” she asked urgently.

She was taken aback however, when she discovered the identity of the envoy. It was Aragrad.

There she was greeted by Aragrad. He bowed to her.

“Princess—”

“She is the Crown Princess. Show respect,” Emerys cut him off.

With a sly smile, Aragrad nodded back to Emerys as an apology. “Crown Princess. I’m here to escort you back to Tamara at once, along with the rest of the Council.”

“Do you think of us mad? We won’t just let her go to the Capital unguarded.” Emerys asserted as she came between her and Aragrad.

“Ah, but she won’t be unguarded. Besides me, I have brought my finest men to guard her.” Aragrad answered confidently.

“Do not believe his words, Crown Princess. There’s a reason Prince Tamiron kicked him out of the Imperial Guard.” Kelov said as he stared daggers at him.

“Careful, boy. I’m here under the command of the Arch Chancellor himself. He wishes to finalize the ascension of Crown Princess Tamara to the throne.”

She was surprised by Aragrad’s statement. She pondered it carefully. Why would Menoich do this now? She can’t think of any possible reason as to why he would do this now. She quickly thought that since she already had the majority of the Council, she could use the Imperial Council to make it even smoother. Even then, the Imperial Court will be on her side. She made up her mind on what she will do. She only took a deep breath and answered.

“Fine, but I will take my captain of the guard with me, along with my own Imperial guards.” She declared.

But the rest protested. “Your Grace, this is a mistake. You can’t just go with them now.” Emerys pleaded.

“I will leave you here with them, so that if something happens to me. You can give the command. I will send word once everything is okay.” She said but Emerys hesitated. “That is an order.”

She then looked at everyone in the tent and declared. “If I’m not back within a day or two, Emerys will be my representative. Her words and command will be mine as well. Am I understood?”

Everyone in the tent saluted, agreeing to her countermeasure.

Emerys was shocked. All she could do was bow and walk away.

“Your Grace, this is a huge mistake.” Whispered Karesh.

“This is the only way we can avoid bloodshed.” She said and the rest of the councilors hesitated but nodded in agreement.

They then went with Aragrad as they escorted them to the carriages. A battalion of Imperial Guard right behind them. While in the front, were Aragrad’s men.

She took a deep breath as she looked at Emerys. She gave her a smile before they departed.

She pondered for almost four hours as to what she would do and how she would handle Menoich. She was frustrated, however, as she couldn’t think of any strategies on how to deal with the Arch Chancellor. She had hoped that she could come up with something, but they already arrived at Tamara’s southern gates.

She looked outward to see her city once more, as the enormous gates opened for them. She never knew the gates would be closed. The thought of them being closed in the first place saddened her. As they entered the city, however, her sadness was replaced with a sudden anger.

The city has changed for the worse. The night’s cold touch blanketed the city and the refineries cast a burning red glow upon the sky. She was clearly unhappy with the state of the city and was determined to find out what was happening. They came across a crowd that had gathered, and someone was speaking on a makeshift stage.

“The Council is tearing us apart! We cannot live like this any longer! We need to take the power from the tyranny of the Arch Chancellor!” the man shouted, and the crowd agreed and began to murmur loudly.

She could feel the anger seeping out as more of the citizens of the city were becoming desperate. She felt sorry for them, believing it was her fault.

“Look at that carriage!” the man shouted as they finally noticed them. “Down with the royal family! A house of traitors!” The crowd quickly turned and everything was already escalating when soldiers arrived and dispersed them.

She couldn’t bear to watch, swiftly closing her windows to avoid witnessing the violence. She knew that acting recklessly now would only make things worse than they already were.

“Coachman, we need to hurry,” she said.

They closed in on the inner ring of the city until the carriage suddenly stopped. She took another peek outside and saw her guards helping a little girl pick up scraps of metal and wood. At that moment, she had had enough.

Furious, she stepped outside the carriage to see how the child was doing.

“Are you alright, little one?” she asked as she cleaned the child’s clothes. Signaling her guards to halt, the people around them noticed and began to gather. Stunned by the faces of the people, she forced a graceful smile.

“It’s the Princess!” exclaimed someone from the crowd. The crowd gasped at her presence. “She’s here to save us!” another voice rang out. Despite her guards trying to hold the people back, one of them managed to grab her arm.

She turned and suddenly see the old man from Byiron. Blinking away the haze, she recognized a woman. Memories flooded back in, Faces blending into one collective image of the townsfolk she’d encountered along the way. Her heart raced as the echoes of their cries and pleas resurfaced, forming an unbearable symphony. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes. Gradually, the cacophony transformed, leaving only the poignant cries of the woman before her. Gently, she reached out and held the woman’s hands.

“What happened here?” she asked calmly.

“Your Highness, the Arch Chancellor and the Council. They’ve gone mad!” she exclaimed.

She held herself. She showed strength. “If only father had not fallen ill,” she said but the old woman jolted.

“He would not let this happen to us. Please help us, we can’t take this kind of work anymore,” the old woman sobbed as the princess calmed her down.

“I will deal with this. Go home now, Madam.”

“But—” the old woman broke down, “There’s no more home for us,” the old woman pointed at a nearby ore dumping site.

She was stunned, the people around the old woman tried to calm her down as she broke down.

She slowly walked in front of the dump site. Truly a sight to behold. She, the very embodiment of the Empire’s grace and prosperity, standing in front of its sins. She shed a tear as she looked on, trying to look for any signs that there once was a house that stood there — but there was none. Her nails burrowed into her own hands until they drew blood. Her blood filled with anger.

Quickly boarding her carriage, she made her way to the palace. She pitied the people toiling in the refineries and workshops that now lined the city. Their eyes glistened with fear and suffering.

She looked out the window once more, as she would not shield her eyes from the suffering happening under her watch. She will no longer shield them. Her anger was evident in her face as tears ran down her cheeks. The sky rumbled, as was the feeling she felt at that instant. Lanterns and the fiery glow of the refineries and the Imperial palace were the only sources of light.

Her eyes, filled with unwavering resolve, locked onto the Cors’Viridetauros Palace. A snake lives in her home. A snake she will quickly end. A snake’s head she will quickly cut off. A fierce determination pulsed through her veins.

Clutching both her bloody hands, her gaze never wavered from the palace. The carriage, now illuminated by her burning resolve, bore witness to her unwavering commitment to end the nightmare haunting Tamara’s people. Knowing she had to use every ounce of her power, she was resolute in removing Menoich once and for all.

End of Chapter XXIII