The north wind howled at the highest peak of Mt. Aternor, where Taloria sat like a vigilant guardian over the entire Aternor Mountain Range, and by extension, the entire north. As the icy gusts swirled around them, Sevidon, Tamiron, Aderon, and Everess were escorted toward the city’s pinnacle, where the Royal Palace, Ascerendres, loomed majestically.
After a day’s arduous journey, they stood before the Talon Throne, the seat of King Aeros. The king’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the throne, his eyes blazing with a fury that made the room’s very air tremble. Aderon met his father’s seething gaze, feeling the weight of impending wrath pressing upon his shoulders.
A tense silence enveloped the room, thick as the mountain fog. At last, King Aeros rose, his voice a thunderous roar that echoed off the stone walls. “Care to explain the crater on my mountain?”
Sevidon stepped forward, his voice steady but respectful. “We will be able to explain this, your Highness.”
“Oh, is that so?” King Aeros descended from the throne, his movements slow and deliberate. “Be a lovely guest, then, and do tell me.” He gestured grandly, a notorious smile playing on his lips, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light.
He winced internally as he watched Sevidon lock eyes with his father—a bold move. He knew King Aeros despised being confronted as an equal, especially by an outsider. The king’s smile was a dangerous warning, signaling that he was toying with them, waiting for them to stumble.
Sevidon and Tamiron exchanged a brief, tense glance before looking at Everess. She stood pale and silent, her eyes fixed on the floor, the weight of recent events pressed heavily upon her.
“I believe the High King is aware of the recent raids that have plagued the free kingdoms and the Empire,” Sevidon began, his voice measured and deliberate.
King Aeros’ eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. “You believe correctly,” he said, his tone dripping with barely contained rage. “And I am also aware of the chaos and destruction left in their wake. Yet here you stand, responsible for bringing that very chaos to my doorstep.”
Sevidon took a deep breath, the enormity of their situation settling in. “Your Highness, we did not come here seeking trouble. We were pursuing an enemy—a formidable enemy who seeks to disrupt the very fabric of our world.”
“And she is with us, I suppose?” King Aeros gestured towards Everess, who remained motionless.
Dumbfounded, Sevidon opened his mouth to explain but was cut off immediately by the king.
“You are not the only one with eyes in every Kingdom. Do you honestly think I wouldn’t notice? How fascinating, don’t you think?” His gaze settled on Everess, who was still stunned by the unfolding events.
“With all due respect, your—”
“Do not play games with me, Halfling!” the king shouted. Sevidon quickly bowed his head and fell back in line.
“Father, no, it wasn’t her,” he quickly chimed in, stepping to Everess’ defense. He immediately caught his father’s attention as King Aeros slowly walked towards him.
“Oh, my son. I didn’t notice you over there. You already move like them, even in your own home,” King Aeros grinned.
“Well, father, I was told by you that in the presence of foreigners, I must address you in an official manner,” he explained.
King Aeros stopped in front of him. “Then why address me as father, and not your king?”
He realized his mistake. He stuttered as he tried to explain, but the king cut him off. “I will let this slide, for I do know that these people are your comrades. Now, let us start this again. Explain to me the crater on my mountain,” King Aeros demanded, not hiding his displeasure.
“We were here following the culprit of the raids across the land, and no, it wasn’t her. But a different entity, a hooded figure,” he said as briefly as possible.
King Aeros crossed his arms and sighed, “And judging by the crater, you killed this culprit? All of you?” He gestured to them to let him continue speaking.
He took a deep breath, knowing his father would not be pleased with his next words. “No, he got away.”
“Oho!” King Aeros said as he walked away from them. “Did you hear that, adviser? They let him get away.” His adviser stood idle and nodded to the king.
King Aeros turned back to them, his face a mask of barely controlled anger. “You bring destruction to my mountain, fail to capture the culprit, and expect me to be satisfied with your excuses? Explain yourselves more fully. What exactly happened?”
Sevidon, sensing the gravity of the moment, stepped forward again. “Your Highness, the hooded figure we pursued wields powerful magic. He is responsible for the devastation you’ve seen. We engaged him, but he escaped through a portal before we could apprehend him.”
“And this hooded figure,” King Aeros said, his voice icy, “what do you know of him? Who is he?”
“We know little, Your Highness,” Tamiron interjected. “He’s shrouded in secrecy, but his intent is clear—chaos and destruction. He seeks to unravel the very fabric of our kingdoms.”
“And yet still, you let this chaos-incarnate get away,” King Aeros said as he walked towards Everess, as he stopped in front of her. “You threw everything you had at your enemy, enough to level a goddamn mountainside, and he still got away. Maybe you aren’t as powerful as I heard you were. Disgraceful.” He walked away again. “Who will take responsibility for this catastrophe?”
He clenched his fists tightly as he prepared himself. He was ready to take all the blame to spare everyone else. They were dealing with something even greater than Everess. He realized they needed her now more than ever. For now, it was the right thing to do.
“I know,” King Aeros suddenly followed up. “Guards, hand me the Grand Sage’s head.” He walked back to the throne and sat. Everess only looked at King Aeros. The guards pointed their spears as they all surrounded the Orderian, who had just saved their lives.
“Your Grace, with all things to consider—”
“Then tell me, who should be responsible for this?” King Aeros shouted, silencing Tamiron. “Well, answer me this question then: what was the intention of this tomb raider that you had to wipe an entire mountainside? Make me realize that this is indeed a genuine act of defense — an act of good faith on behalf of the kingdoms and not an act of war towards the High Kingdom. Make me believe that this tomb raider is really not here with us in this room, Regent.”
“He took a coffin,” he answered, blocking Everess from his father’s view. His father’s grin, however, disappeared.
“Did you see this coffin up close, then?” King Aeros asked.
“No, but I saw a big circular stone he pulled out of the tomb. It had the emblem of a black eagle,” he explained. There he noticed his father go pale. His demeanor suddenly changed. “Do you know anything about that, father? Why did the enemy took it?”
“It doesn’t matter now. The tomb is gone. For good.” King Aeros tried to avert the question, suddenly growing restless.
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“Why does it not matter that that freak raided it in the first place?” he shouted at his father, much to everyone’s surprise. His father only looked at him and sighed.
“The tomb is of the Black Eagle King. You know, the very family our ancestors overthrew eons ago. They weren’t treating every eaglekind with the same respect. Easterlings were treated like second-class citizens,” the king said as he stood up.
“Easterlings?” he asked, confused.
“It was us,” King Aeros said, then drank a cup of wine. “They were the Westerlings, or known as the Black Wings. The Black Eagles. Ruled by the Schwarzen family. Of course, our forefathers made sure they killed every single one of that family when the civil war started. And as the final battle erupted here at Taloria, we took it by force. Spared no one.”
“Father, I— why was this kept a secret?” he said, his fist tightening.
“Because the truth would only ignite old hatreds and disrupt the fragile peace we’ve built,” King Aeros said. “Our people have prospered under our rule. The past must remain buried.”
“But now it’s not buried, is it?” he countered. “The enemy took something from that tomb for a reason. Ignoring it won’t make it go away.”
Again, why was this kept from my knowledge? I am the prince!”
“You are too naïve and we need to erase every single knowledge of their existence!” King Aeros cut his son off. “You are too naïve. Just like your mother. Your kindness reminds me of her and I hate every second of it knowing that you took her from me!” he vented.
He was unable to match his father’s cruel words. “I am sorry for being born then, Father.”
King Aeros sighed and took a deep breath. “Red Prince, you have no proof that you had an enemy there in the tomb. We can’t even burn our own dead for god’s sake because of her actions,” King Aeros said, trying to ignore his son.
“Your Highness, she saved a village from being buried under a hundred-foot snow,” Sevidon reasoned.
“She caused that avalanche in the first place!” King Aeros snarled. “It is only right that she stop it. She had to leave a crater on my mountain, on the Aternor Mountain range of all places,” he exclaimed.
“My King, with all due respect. Everess never meant for it to reach that point. The being came in and out like the wind. Only she knew about this. She tried to stop it on her own to the point that it already bred mistrust within the united forces. For now, she is our only chance of stopping this enemy that lurks in the shadows. Maybe not now, not tomorrow, but Everess will find a way,” Tamiron explained, trying to reason with the King.
King Aeros looked at Tamiron, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and contemplation. “You place a lot of faith in her, Regent Tamiron. A faith that might be misplaced.”
“She has proven herself in the past, Your Highness,” Tamiron continued. “And I believe she will prove herself again. The enemy we face is unlike any we have encountered before. We need every ally we can get, and Everess is a powerful one.”
“This is not the Trasidar Empire, Red Prince. You may have gotten out of your own crimes when you wreaked havoc in your own kingdom five years ago and made your sister the Queen Empress. But we do things differently here in the High Kingdom. She will have to answer for the crime she committed, whether she did this on purpose or by accident. Even if it is willingly or unwillingly, a crime committed is still a crime and he or she who does such an act will be punished accordingly,” King Aeros said firmly. “Guards, the Orderian’s head.”
The guards began to move in closer until he finally jumped in to protect her.
“Stop this, Father!” he said as he covered Everess and shielded her from the guards. “The enemy is more powerful than we thought. The most powerful being on the continent, who is now in this very room, threw everything at him, but to no avail. We kill her now to answer for a crime she committed, and the world will be in more danger than it ever has been.”
“Ha, the Trasidar Empire has always been the wall of the Free Kingdoms. They took it into their own hands to make sure none of those Xerxecian scums even cross an inch of their territory. Look at how they have gloriously failed on that part. Now they want us to work together to put a stop to them once and for all! I say they are the danger after that is done,” King Aeros said.
He only looked at his father as the rest tried to cover Everess, who was still speechless and stood in silence.
“Tell me, because I’m still curious, before the cutting of heads and everything, explain to me how all four of you came at exactly the right time as the raider? You were supposed to be on the other continent, which would’ve taken you months to come here,” King Aeros said. “Please explain to me, Grand Sage. I would love to hear your pretty voice before we take your pretty little head from your body.”
“We teleported,” Everess stuttered.
“Come again? I could not hear you from the faintness of your lovely voice,” King Aeros said, leaning a bit forward.
“We teleported, Your Grace. I used my orb to take us anywhere in the world. As long as I know where I’m going,” Everess stuttered as she explained.
“Oh,” astonished, King Aeros dug deeper. “Then how did you come to know about the tomb?”
“I felt him. His powers are the same as mine, somehow,” Everess said.
“Oh, then he is one of yours, I suppose?” King Aeros asked.
“No, all of my magisters are accounted for. They are with the Orderian army,” Everess explained.
King Aeros chuckled, “Funny you mention that. I’m still unsure why you are given such freedom within the united forces. Isn’t it supposed to be Tamiron who will command the entire forces?” he tried to clarify, but this time, she did not answer. “Figures. The all-knowing Grand Sage, unable to answer.”
He then stepped forward, his voice steady but filled with urgency. “Father, we came here to stop a threat that endangers us all. Everess is not the enemy. She has risked everything to protect us. We need her knowledge and her power to defeat this foe.”
King Aeros then took a deep breath and sighed heavily. “Stand down,” he ordered the guards.
“Thank you, your Highness,” Sevidon said.
“No need for false flatteries, Halfling,” King Aeros told him. “I will spare her life, under one condition. With all that has happened, it is clear that the United Forces is not as united as I thought. I even let my son and most of the entire High Eagle Army join out of respect for what my son accomplished working together with you. But alas, all good things must come to an end. The High Kingdom will withdraw from the Unibeltrasian forces.”
They were shocked by what his father said, especially Tamiron. “But your Highness, we are about to complete our goal. We need the High Army now more than ever,” Tamiron pleaded.
“Actions breed consequences, Red Prince. The original consequence was already avoided because I have changed my mind. Count your blessings. But this will be my only request — no, my demand. I will let you all go, including my son. But the High Army will return here with Prince Aderon,” King Aeros explained. Then he looked at Everess. “Your head will be staying with your body a little while longer, Grand Sage.”
His anger flared as his jaw tightened, his fists clenched. There was no changing his father’s decision now, and he knew it. Sevidon’s glance showed that he understood it too. Tamiron was stunned, unable to react properly. Everess only took a deep breath and said nothing.
He stepped forward, his voice tense but controlled. “Father, you must see reason. This threat is greater than any internal strife. The unity of our forces is crucial now more than ever.”
King Aeros shook his head. “The unity you speak of is built on fragile alliances and distrust. My decision is final. The High Kingdom will protect its own interests and borders. You will return with the High Army, and that is the end of it.”
Tamiron finally found his voice. “Your Highness, this withdrawal will weaken us all. The enemy we face is unlike any we have encountered. Without the High Kingdom, we may not stand a chance.”
King Aeros’s gaze hardened. “Do not mistake my mercy for weakness, Regent Tamiron. I will not risk my kingdom for a coalition that falters at the first sign of adversity. This is my decision.”
“Then it is what it is, your Grace,” Tamiron said. “Once we go back, the High Army will be withdrawing from the United Forces.”
“Tamiron, we can’t allow this,” Sevidon protested, but Tamiron only shook his head and looked straight at the king.
With a grin on his face, King Aeros then stood up. “Okay then. We have an agreement.” Then he looked to Aderon, “I will be expecting you back soon.”
He had no choice but to bow his head to his father.
“Regent Tamiron,” King Aeros called. “After the war in the east is over, expect that the North will be coming down. The High Kingdom will not let what your pets have done go unpunished. Retribution will wait. I’m giving you now the courtesy of knowing your consequences.”
Tamiron was a bit stunned by the look of it. Even he seemed taken aback.
“But, your Grace, I thought the only demand you had was the withdrawal of the High Army from the United Forces?” Tamiron questioned.
King Aeros sighed. “I only agreed to join because of my son. I thought with his naiveté finally cured and long gone from his blood, he would grow more spine. But with all the reports that I have received from the front, I am impressed of his accomplishments in his short time as the Grand Commander, but I can see that he can’t command respect, even amongst his comrades.”
Shock rippled through him, mirrored in the wide eyes of his comrades.
“Forgive me, Red Prince. But my son, despite his obvious upbringing and his traits, I will not allow him to be treated like nothing. Consider this as me acting as a father to my son. War is coming, Red Prince.”
Tamiron held his ground and replied, “I am sorry that it has to come to this.”
“I am sorry for you. But you know this has been coming for a long time. Even your father knew that. I was just waiting for the right fire to light it up,” King Aeros explained. “Now, let the witch take you back. Begone.” King Aeros waved them off, and Everess took that as the signal.
A huge pink sheet appeared and enveloped all of them in an orb, with the High Palace slowly being blocked from view. With the sound of air rushing out, the orb eventually began to disappear.
End of Chapter XXX