By morning, Solomon, Zrokaan and his small army of less than a hundred soldiers marched westward through the Sea of Sunder. The Sea of Sunder wasn’t an actual sea but instead a vast desert that stretched to the city of Yoldenguard down to the crashing coasts of the Luminous sea. While the Sea of Sunder was majority inhospitable to life, it also had pockets of beautiful oasis.
The largest oasis sat at the very center of the desert with two twin lakes surrounded by palm trees, berry bushes, and various other foliage. It was heaven on earth, isolated and far from the reach of any King. It is why this oasis was chosen for the capital city of Barinza. Sitting by the twin lake was the great city, surrounded by tall sandstone walls.
Zrokaan and his men traveled for one week through the Sea of Sunder, arriving at the gates of Barinza. The Baron approached the giant gates and glanced up to the top of the wall, covering his face from the sun above.
On the sandy city walls stood a fairly tanned woman with a loosened posture. Her black hair was tied into a ponytail so as to keep the wind from blowing strands of hair into her face. Her dark brown eyes wandered down to the men standing at the gate. A grin came across her face from ear to ear. An almost excited kind of smile.
The woman ran down the scaffoldings of the wall yelling out orders frantically.
“Look your best, damn it! The Baron returns! Someone open the gate! Also, fix yer fucking trousers!” shouted the woman as she hurried her way to the entrance of the city to greet the returning army.
Ten soldiers ran to the sanded stone gates, pulling the two giant doors open by the row of handles sitting on the inner side.
“It is a pleasure to see you have returned, my Baron!” the lady placed a hand on her heart and bowed.
Zrokaan was clearly exhausted from travel, made apparent by the bags under his eyes but yet he smiled and gave a light chuckle, bowing his head in return. “Thank you Ana.” Zrokaan said, looking over to Solomon who also looked tired from the trip.
“Let’s all get something to eat in the palace and then some well earned rest.” Zrokaan said with a weak half smile crept on his lips.
The Baron, Solomon, and Ana all made their way through the beautiful oasis city of Barinza, being closely followed by six well trained guards personally picked by the Baron himself.
The city was divided into three districts, the lower echelon, the middle echelon, and the upper echelon.
The city coiled around like a serpent, leading up to the peak of the palace. Using white marbled stairs that led from district to district until reaching the upper echelon of the city; the Baron’s Palace.
The palace was a massive complex of a building, harboring spheres at the top of its towers. Its color blended perfectly with the dunes that surrounded the city. It was an architectural marvel most high’born nobles of Ikorum envied. It was the place the Baron of the Red March called home.
Upon reaching the palace doors, Solomon patted Zrokaan’s shoulder. “I think I’ll be going to get some rest.” Solomon muttered pushing the palace doors open.
“Very well dear friend. You’ve earned it.” Zrokaan assured
Solomon went inside making way to the stairs on the left that led to his chambers. Meanwhile Zrokaan, Ana, and the guards continued on forward, further into the palace. They made their way through a long hall of treasures and paintings only to end up in a large dome-like room.
At the center of the dome room was a sizable table with trinkets, maps, and scrolls laid all around it. Standing next to the table was a tall man with a slender build and blonde slicked hair distracted by the maps laid on the table. Too distracted to hear Zrokaan and Ana walk in.
“Gremoris.” Zrokaan said, with his voice carrying into an echo.
The slender man jumped slightly at the voice turning around dramatically to hold onto his chest. “My goodness!” he shouted “We will have to put bells around you,” the man joked. “How do you do, my Baron?” Gremoris asked, taking a bow.
The Baron let out a bellowing laugh before approaching the thin man to take a peek behind him. Behind Gremoris was a scroll sprawled with writing. Zrokaan then curiously glanced back up to Gremoris.
“Ana, shut the doors.” Zrokaan ordered.
Ana nodded and turned around shoo’ing the personal guards out of the dome room, closing the doors behind them.
“What have you found?” Zrokaan questioned Gremoris.
“My Baron, I think I have found a lead that could help us. An old Seer that lives north of Hensdrake. She might have the upper hand we are looking for,” whispered Gremoris.
Ana furrowed her brows and approached the two. “My Baron please, stop chasing this rumor, it's pointless. Even if it's true. You’d use Veiled Ones as weapons?” Ana questioned with a tilt to her head.
“Do not defy me. If I am to keep us safe from the Old Clans and the King, I want to have a fighting chance,” Zrokaan barked. Ana took a step back, clearly shocked by Zrokaan’ tone of voice, but after the initial shock it was clear that she was beyond angry. Her tanned face turned red.
“I can’t believe yo-” Ana was interrupted before she could finish her sentence, with Zrokaan shouting back at her. “I will hear nothing more of it.” he sternly said, all while Gremoris stayed silent, watching the two bicker.
Zrokaan turned to Gremoris as soon as he was done arguing with Ana and gestured for him to continue speaking.
Gremoris cleared his throat to speak, “I think it's worth taking a look at what this Seer has to offer. She says she has something that could help you. Although, she refuses to elaborate what it might be over her letters.” he explained. “But it might be related to that ‘project’ of yours..” Gremoris said, glancing at Ana who was already staring disapprovingly.
The Baron stood in silence pondering on Gremoris’s words. Meanwhile, Ana glared at Gremoris for pushing him to see the Seer.
“I’ve made my decision. I want to go speak to the Seer myself. “ Zrokaan said, looking over to Gremoris.
“We leave Barinza in the morning. I want all my advisors with me.” Zrokaan commanded as he turned around and headed for the doors.
“As you wish my Baron.” Gremoris spoke with a polite bow
Ana however, only gritted her teeth in sheer annoyance but as soon as the command was given she let out a deep sigh and bowed along with Gremoris. “As you wish, my Baron.”
Zrokaan glanced over his shoulder to look at Gremoris and Ana giving them a smile before opening the doors and making way to his chambers at the uppermost floor of the palace, leaving Ana and Gremoris alone in the dome room.
Once Zrokaan made his leave, Ana stormed out of the dome room leaving Gremoris with a sly grin to his face. “Calm down Ana, you might burst an artery,” Gremoris sarcastically sung with laughter.
Ana made her way up the sandstone stairs reaching the second floor to approach a wooden door lined with iron on its edges. She stood in front of the door for a moment, with slight hesitation before eventually she knocked on the door.
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There was no answer. Again, she knocked but loudly this time. Until, finally the door was opened by a shirtless man with rippling muscles, Solomon.
“Are your knuckles bleeding?” Solomon questioned with a groggy rub to his eye.
“Wh- No?” Ana muttered.
“I'm surprised…with how damned loud you were knocking.” Solomon said, chuckling to himself.
Ana grunted and pushed her way into Solomon’s chambers by slipping past the large man.
Solomon didn’t attempt to stop Ana from entering his room, he just simply closed the door behind her. Solomon then turned to face Ana who was sitting at the edge of his luxurious bed piled with red silk sheets.
“Solomon, can you please go and talk to Zrokaan? He's out of his mind. He still wants to go through with the plan of finding a way to weaponize those monsters,” Ana said, slumping her shoulders.
“What?” Solomon asked
“He wants us to ride out to Hensdrake tomorrow morning and find a seer who supposedly has something to offer. Whatever it is, I know it's related to that obsession he has had.” Ana explained, interlocking her fingers into the silk sheets with a tight grip.
“Zrokaan has started walking down a path I have tried to steer him from. He’s even openly speaking against the King. He thinks he's untouchable,” Solomon said with a sigh walking to the edge of his bed and sitting next to Ana.
“But you’re his best friend. Talk him out of this,” Ana pleaded.
“I’ll go see if I can speak with him. Get his mind straight,” Solomon assured.
Ana smiled in return, grabbing Solomon’s face to lean in and lay her soft lips on his. The two kissed passionately for a moment before Solomon broke it with a glazed look to his eyes. “I should go see if he’s awake,” Solomon said, taking a hold of Ana’s hand.
“I’ll wait here,” Ana said, giving Solomon a peck on the cheek.
Solomon let Ana’s hand go and approached his wooden wardrobe that stood at the same height he did. He took a look inside the wardrobe and slipped on a black striped robe.
Solomon then walked out of his chambers and made way to the Baron’s room- at the uppermost floor.
‘Knock knock knock’ “Come in!” Zrokaan shouted.
Solomon walked into the grand room where Zrokaan laid in a round bed surrounded by naked women from all edges of the realm, “Sorry to interrupt Baron. May we speak?” Solomon asked
Zrokaan furrowed his brows curiously along with a squint. “Alright, out, all of you.” Zrokaan said shoo’ing the naked women out of his room. Solomon however, kept his eyes trained on Zrokaan who was still laid on the bed.
“Zrokaan, what are you doing?” Solomon asked
The Baron used his arms to lift himself to the headboard of his bed now comfortably resting his back against it. “What are you trying to get at?” Said Zrokaan, who intertwined his fingers together, listening intently.
“Why are you still pursuing this idea of controlling the Black Bloods? They can't be controlled” asked Solomon, demandingly
Zrokaan let out a loud sigh, lifting his chin up to bang the back of his head against the headboard he was resting on. “You don’t think I know it's crazy?” Zrokaan said, clearing his throat “But, I do what I do for my people. I cannot rest until the dangers that threaten our way of life still loom over us,” Zrokaan explained
Solomon stood silent for a moment, blinking in thought before he managed to part his lips and form words. “...Zrokaan you have done so much for the March , why do you think you must keep going? Because of you, slavery is outlawed. Because of you, the Old Clans have no hope of retaking our lands,” Solomon stated as emotions overcame him. Solomon was truly proud of what his friend had accomplished.
The two had been together since the civil war, six years ago, and when Zrokaan finally took power he was the only one that cared for its people. He was the one responsible for bringing clean water to the various towns and cities of the Red March. He was the one that outlawed slavery which at that point was a rampant problem in the cities of southern Ikorum, and the entire time Solomon stood by Zrokaan’ side.
“Thank you Solomon. You are my greatest friend and ally, but even you don’t see what I see,” Zrokaan said, standing himself up from the bed. He walked with a steady pace, approaching the balcony.
He took one look outside and held a deep breath. “I see a land held together with a fragile bond. I need to be assured, when I die, that no one will break that bond. The Old Clans will try again and again. And so will the King. I know he wants the south,” he said with a pause.
“I need to make sure they know we have the ability to fight back. That is what I am doing, Solomon. I need to make sure everything I have worked for is not in vain,” Zrokaan said, turning to give Solomon a stern look. Not of anger but of seriousness.
Solomon stood speechless. He opened his mouth but no words formed. He looked to the floor and idly thought to himself for a moment. He then looked back up to Zrokaan and with a long drawn out pause he gave a bow to his head. “I understand.” Solomon said, turning and leaving the Barons bedchambers.
Solomon walked down the long halls of the palace thinking to himself. He never realized how far into the future the Baron thought. Everything he said was true, all the work they put into reuniting the Red March would be wasted if Zrokaan were to die. The stability of the south was fragile, it needed a strong hand willing to make the tough decisions.
With a smile painted on his face, Solomon uttered quietly to himself in the halls of the palace, “long live the Baron.”
By morning, everyone was ready and rested for the trip to Hensdrake. Zrokaan sat saddled on his black steed. A magnificent long haired horse held together in bronze armor. Zrokaan, Solomon and Gremoris all waited by the giant stone gates of Barinza to begin their journey, but something was holding them up.
“My goodness, where is Ana?” Zrokaan asked Solomon who was also mounted next to him. Solomon took one look behind him then shrugged his shoulders. “Not sure.”
Gremoris stood by his own horse, feeding the mare an apple patiently awaiting for the trip to begin. He took a look over his shoulder and managed to spot Ana running through a small crowd of locals trying her hardest to dodge any of the oncoming foot traffic, occasionally hitting a bystander on accident. “Sorry!!” she shouted back at the bystander.
She ran up to the small party of saddled men waiting next to the gate. The moment she got to them she propped her hands on her knees taking deep breaths. “Sorry, my Baron, I was stockpiling extra reserves of Ward.” she explained between her deep breathing.
“Don’t apologize, just get on your horse and let's go.” Zrokaan answered, whipping the reins of his horse. “Open the gates!” he commanded as his horse rode forward.
Ana nodded her head and walked to her horse climbing atop the beautiful caramel colored beast. Once she was firmly saddled on, she took the reins into her hands and whipped them, riding off to follow the group.
The trip from Barinza to Hensdrake was an entire four days of scorching heat through the northern savannah plains of the Red March. A great mountain range peered off in the distance, thankfully soaking the sun's rays the moment it began to dip down to its horizon. Masking the group from the heat the later it got through the day.
Eventually as the sun peeked its last moments over the horizon, the Baron and his accompanying advisors spotted Hensdrake off in the distance. A bustling town built in the north western region of the Red March.
“Some people call this town Eyes of the Weaver Mountains.” Gremoris stated, slowing his horse to ride by the Baron.
“We rest for the night then by daybreak we go to the Seer. Where did you say she was?” Zrokaan asked with a peak of interest.
“She is supposed to be in the mountains north of here.” Gremoris said, pointing to the Weaver Mountains off in the distance.
Zrokaan looked at the mountain and nodded. Upon reaching Hensdrake the group was instantly recognized by a group of armed men hiding under the cover of a blue flame. “Baron, is that you?” asked one of the men.
Zrokaan and his group approached closer to the man who called out. The Baron squinted his eyes trying to see if he recognized the face of the man. His face lit up from curiosity to excitement. The Baron jumped off his saddle dropping to the floor to greet the man.
“Long time no see Kabaal!” Zrokaan laughed, opening his arms.
Kabaal approached Zrokaan with an equal amount of laughter and hugged him. After a few warm embraces he pulled away to look Zrokaan in the eyes. “It has been a while, my Baron. What brings you to Hensdrake?” Kabaal asked.
“We have private business to tend to. Are you in charge of the guard here?” The Baron asked.
“Yes my Baron, I am the one in charge. Do you need lodging or are you just passing through?” Kabaal keenly asked.
“If it is not too much trouble, I need a place for the night for me and my advisors.” Zrokaan said, gesturing to the three he had with him still on horseback.
Kabaal looked over to the three; only one out of the three faces was familiar. “Solomon! How could I have missed such a big man?!” he laughed.
Solomon grinned and gave Kabaal a salute. “It is good to see you Kabaal.” Solomon said.
Kabaal then turned his attention back to Zrokaan “Do not worry my Baron, I have a place ready for you,” Kabaal stated, turning around and walking into the large town.
Hensdrake at this time of day was fairly quiet with only the occasional soul being spotted walking throughout the town's many alleys and pathways. The buildings all cluttered together almost like a favela. Lines of strung out laundry laid out from roof to roof blowing with the night’s cool breeze.
Kabaal escorted the Baron and his advisors through the town until they reached the barracks. Kabaal stopped at the door and looked to the group following him. “We have plenty of beds open here my Baron. It's not up to the standard of the Palace but at least it's safe.” Kabaal said.
“Thank you Kabaal. We will be leaving as soon as it hits morning. I appreciate you.” Zrokaan said, giving Kabaal a firm handshake with a smile before walking into the barracks.
The group each found a bed. Ana sat at the edge of her bed and meditated. Solomon laid down and simply watched Ana as she meditated. Gremoris also laid on his bed but didn’t seem too tired and instead opted to read a book under the cover of a small lit candle.
Zrokaan took one look at his friends while stretching his arms out. He lazily rolled his body onto the bed and yawned. He stared up at the sandstone ceiling and slowly fluttered his eyes to a close.