War of Nothinghill has ended as Polgon kingdom´s victory. For this reason many different kinds of rumors are traveling between all the countries. Since Tetrao village is in middle of this whole continent, all rumors are heading here the fastest time possible. Tetrao village was in fact the one place where whole situation was revealed.
Marquis of nothinghill and commander Edmond leader of Saisagus cavalry were the main commanders of decisive actions which determined victors of this battle. Soldier whose identity is hidden but has taken over enemy´s camp, found out enemy´s attack before hand, walk over Nothinghill´s walls, was the first how scouted the area before the war, found out save retreat path to escapers and ally soldiers. Margaret from Dialkas how made enemy army retreat which ended the war.
All of these people had an effect on this war, but one was way over the others. To common people the one how saved this country from certain defeat was viscount of Tetrao village Albert Rowan. All people important people there had some kind of connections with him before the war. At first no one thought too much about him, but as people started to investigate some shocking and unbelievable thing were revealed.
Count Ben is good friend with Edmond. One prove of this is the fact that back in border war Edmond let two thousand of his soldier into that battle. Althought non of then came to combat since bridges and roads were destroyed. They couldn´t be simply be at use at all. And that Ben and Albert are childhood friends. In fact humor has it Ben only meant to get Albert join Saisagus country by peaceful methods. Unfortunately that didn´t happen. Even more disturbing thing was there is signs of making Ben loss for purpose of making all Polgon Kingdom´s main armies concentrate on northern border which made attacking from south possible.
Then there was commander of Nothinghill and Marquis of Gauraus town. It was revealed that only reason why Albert was in Nothinghill was because of war exercise. Rumor has it Albert was rigged to loss but he in fact won that exercise by taking over Nothinghill´s both guard towers. Something like this was unheard of before this day but that was almost made unknow by someone. There was many possibilities how was responcible for these actings but most likely it was the same person or group how tried to rig the exercise. In the end Albert became part of the army how defended the Nothinghill and managed to shot down the last attacks main subcommander.
Unknow hidden soldier was also proved to be part of Albert´s personal army. He is person how could do impossible to possible. No one is sure if all the rumors are true but that doesn´t mean Rowan doesn´t have capable men in his ranks.
Finally famous merchant from Dialkas and is ruler of southern part of the land. In addition she is the most likely one to take over the country after current ruler perishes. She came to help Polgon by making Saisagus retreat with their presence. They even build bridge between Polgon and Saisagus. Thanks to this Saisagus could retreat without making heavy damages over the country. They won´t even customs in the border. They are just keeping some of their soldier stationed there. No one can see reason for such great deal but it has to be thanks to Rowan´s friendship with her. Some rumors says Margaret might be in love with Rowan.
In the end all these points made it to the people that Albert was the most important part of this victory. Without him Polgon kingdom would have surely had fallen. Of course this wasn´t the whole case but right now Albert Rowan was greatest hero of current time and that isn´t going to change anytime soon.
Of course not all rumors were about Rowan. There is rumor of archduke wizard Sebas has traveled to Saisagus by ship and taken over some control over Saisagus navy. When Saisagus started the war they left 2/5 of their army to defend their own lands. One ot the two were navy and other was stationed to land. Reason for this was preparing attacks from both Polgon and Dialkas. Signs shows that navy has gone to Polgon kinndom. Normally people would claim they betrayed their contry. Rumor actually states Sebas gave the navy save town to build their navy close to the two borders.
Meanwhile Saisagus has experienced many revolutions. More than few groups have gained their own small part of land. Saisagus had lost their military force to keep all these uprisings under their control. It is natural thing. Army has kept control over these uprisings over the years. Everyone knew this was going to happen when war started. Unfortunately to uprisers war lasted way smaller than thought. This made taking control back way easier than planned by the army.
The last rumor was about Nothinghill´s marquis´ son. It seems like he was taken as prisonel. As an only heir Saisagus can now take over Nothinghill by rightful manners when marquis dies. Although war was without the doubt victory still after effects would last years to come.
This was all what Sepro and Herman could take their hands on so far. They were the most interested about how George was doing. He was the first one to go there but no rumors were going about him. At the same time Tom was going to Gauraus village to get some more sugar. So far there was no news about him either.
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“Are you sure the rumor is correct? There is no mistaking. Am I correct?” There was many talking about Albert Rowan. To noble families this was very serious matter. It was important to know the truth before anyone else. They also has to make sure there wasn´t no false information going around.
“I´m sure rumors are exactly as stated before. It has been assured by the source. Viscount will for sure rise by one rank to count. They is only one problem slowing down the rise. All prince´s are looking at each others movements. Rise of Rowan family has shifted neutral party´s power to its core. There was no mistaking it. Next ruler of our country is the person how gets Rowan family to their side which brings all the rest neutral party´s together.”
“I see.”
No one in the meeting was saying anything. Everyone knew this could mean shift in world´s history. No one was ready to take action without any preparations.
People talking were third prince William Scorpioheart and royal minister of finance Louis. Previously their group was leading the heritance. This sudden change has made thing even more difficult to them. Their rivals are bearing their fangs at them. Although nothing was made official it didn´t mean everything was already settled. Many in third prince´s camp are indivious to him. Out of all the princes William´s men are the most unfaithful. Even Second prince Peter´s men are way more loyal than William´s and everyone knows this too.
So far no one took any mayor moves since they were unnecessary. They were just waiting the first prince to die then naturally next in line would be William. They were only after rewards from the next king. That was all they were after.
Meanwhile William was happy about this sudden change. He thought before that he would be angry about something like this. He was happy that he can finally get real friends in his life. It is difficult to be friends with others if you are prince. Specially if you are next in line. He couldn´t trust anyone. For the first time in his life he could take actions for himself. All these years he hasn´t been alone but he always wanted experience thing on his own initiative.
Even his big brother Peter has experienced things outside of family protection. Since it is unknown how long he can last for that reason William has kept in save all these years. Even more than necessary. For this reason. He has waited this moment to happen. He actually has plan.
Like the rest of the family they all are visiting Tetrao village. Fortunately places to stay here are few are restricted. For this reason he can claim that he was looking for place to stay to look around how people in his land are doing.
All walks he has only shown good parts of these lands. He wants to see all of it. Not just good parts which are meant to royal eyes. He isn´t so one-minded to think that everything is correct and just in the world. There is still one big problem. How can he keep savety and identity protected from harmful eyes?
Answer to this is pretent to be a bandit. Ever since the war there has been plenty of crimes and merchant attacks to these days. They have been lost to the crossfire between both countries. If situation comes to the worst then prince will simply reveal his identity.
Place where he is staying has many clothes so choosing nice option was easy. He just needs to leave message to avoid panic from rest of his men. Next in line is to escape from back window. Thing is there isn´t such window anywhere. Glass windows are so rare that eeven viscount family doesn´t own any.
He tried to look a window from anywhere but no such thing was seen anywhere. He took a lantern and started to go one door to next. He then suddenly came across a storage. He was planning to go to next door but he noticed something.
“Isn´t that thing false wall?” William has heard such things from engient ruins or old houses. Hardly anyone build those anymore. There is many better and easier ways to build exits or hidden places. There is only one good point compared to others. They are easy to use if known how. All other options needed many actions to use and make them hidden.
Objects here were strange and countless but one thing was common to all of them. They all had signs of heavy use. In return they were still well maintained. Anyone could see, this wasn´t normal storage as you looked close. Unfortunately William couldn´t take anymore time here.
Normally it would have been hidden but lantern left shadow which made it possible to see wall wasn´t closed to each other. There was path to outside. As he step outside he thought how this was hidden. Wouldn´t this be easily seen by anyone? Answer was simple. It was left to everyone to see. Anyone could see it but being so openly seen it made it normal and no one could questioned it. It seem likethere was path going across the building. As building was large no one noticed this slight detail at all.
Next thing he noticed was two boys staring at him. They tried to stay still and unnoticed but my lantern could still show them. They could see they were noticed so they started to approach William.
“We are sorry to bother you prince William. I´m Rowan Albert´s second son Herman and person next to me is my friend Tetrao Sepro son of carpender. We are interested to know what you are doing here.” Boy said as he lightly bowed and named himself. Boy next to him did the same act as him. This could become a problem. There is no mistaking it. They know how I am.
“Sorry. I´m in a light hurry now. Could you save your questions for later?” As I tried to escape from this situation, two boy looked each other with doubting faces. They clearly don´t believe my words. I have to convince them to let me go and not to tell anyone about this.
Wait a minute. Didn´t he say he is son of that Rowan Albert? I could take this change to take him to my side although why bother. I have carried this crown burden all my life. I know this is just way to escape the responcibility but I need at least some other options in my life. I can´t continue like this if crown means me only burden. Maybe I could ask those two for a favor.
“Good timing. Could you show me around the places? I need to stay hidden for a little while longer. Could you help me?”
Two boy thought for a moment by themselves. They were clearly up to task but this might cause problems to them later. They didn´t want to cause any problems to their family. At least this looked like that to him. Maybe one more push.
“I promise this won´t cause any problem to you or anyone around you. I can keep this as secret if you like that better...” Answer came as soon as I was ended the talk.
“We agree.”
Meanwhile group of assassins came to room were William was staying previously. As asssassins run to the room it revealed to be empty. They continued their search until the last one was killed by guards. After this rumor of kidnapped William came to be. Those three involved came to know this fact way later in time.