A damp warm wind blew from the east, rattling the flaps of the pavilion. The breeze was slow yet powerful, creeping like a predator. It didn't alleviate the cruel summer heat though.
Lucia adjusted her hair. It was tied up, exposing her bare neck. She still felt discomforted by the heat. Wearing a thinner dress came into her mind though she found the idea stale. She was a Queen now. She had an image to maintain. If tradition required her to bear the heat through the thick gowns and dresses she wore then she must comply. Comfort was readily available. In the form of Timothy, she naughtilly added a thought. But reputation would take a great effort to maintain.
She eyed the King in front of her. Not her husband but King Corey of Hadea. His beard was full, extending down to his collar. It was gray just like the ragged hair that tumbled down to his neck. His face was still smudged by blood.
Princess Layfare was beside her father. She was pretty, commoners' standards that is. But she was nothing special in nobles' standards. That swollen face didn't help either.
"So..." Timothy said, smile radiant as ever. "We are here"
"Yes we are" King Corey said, tone stripped of warmth.
"Hostilities seemed to have abated between us. It is time for words to flow instead of blood"
"Spare me of your indirect mumbles"
"Oh?" Timothy raised an eyebrow. "Then let me put it this way. Your soldiers are scattered. Your capital will soon be ours. Your crown will become useless, one that is in name only. We have crushed you"
King Corey's face flushed red in a moment. His lips quivered so much that Abraham took a step closer to the table.
"See? Truth pangs. We use indirect words to dull the pain." Timothy said.
"Very well" Princess Layfare said, putting her hand on her father's back "Hostilities shall cease though a price must be paid. Name your demands sire"
That last word drew a glare from King Corey. Lucia didn't mind. He was a bitter man. Bitter men do bitter things and give bitter looks.
She grabbed the bottle brimming with sweet Hadean wine, already tasted by their poison guards. She slushed it in its container and filled Timothy's cup but poured only a small amount in hers. She couldn't get into the taste of wine even now.
"Loyalty" Lucia said.
"I say loyalty seems a vague demand" The Princess replied.
"And I say that I wasn't finished yet you interrupted me"
Layfare retreated into a slump. "Apologies"
"Accepted" Lucia slid the bottle towards the Hadeans though both refused to touch it. "Financial tribute is a good start. Although Vanadis is quite insulted by this demand. We hold our treasury in high regard. So five hundred gold coins every month will suffice."
"You have offered similar terms with Inkit. Do you mean to offer similar demands overall too?" King Corey asked.
"Unfortunately the part about the financial tribute will be the end of the similarities. The first major demand we have is for you to demilitarize"
"Demilitarize? You mean disband all our armies?"
"All except royal guards and peace-keeping units. In exchange the Union will have three permanent bases here in Hadea to ensure your safety. You will feed them and assist in their supplies"
"Your demand is akin to swine filth. Hadeans will not stand for this!" King Corey said.
"But they do" Timothy said. "Well in time they would. If you do not agree then we should just incorporate your nation into ours. Bad for both sides as we do not desire to rule over this drunken land"
"We accept. Permanent bases. Good" Princess Layfare said despite the frown of her father.
Lucia immediately went to their second demand. "A royal marriage sounds good too. The Princess should marry either my brother Arthur or the King's brother William. Of course with the consent of both sides."
"I accept. Your brother sounds a nice choice" King Corey said although it was Layfare Lucia was looking at. She didn't mind the King and just stared at the Princess.
"I need to meet them first."
"That's good enough. William Castonia is still in Vanadis but he will join us soon. There is no rush. We want this to be organic. We desire a good bond with Hadea." Lucia drank what little wine she poured in her cup. Just like what she thought, she didn't like it. "The third demand we have is to take Princess Layfare with us. We will educate her in the ideals of the Union"
"I cannot betray you while you have my daughter. You mean to have her as hostage" King Corey said.
"I prefer we don't say bare truths. We will educate her, that is true" Timothy said.
"Kill me now" King Corey's voice bellowed. Abraham again stepped forward. "You are going to Wismar! You will be surrounded by enemies. No. I cannot have it. I cannot risk it. My daughter will go home with me or we will resume war"
"I will go" Layfare said.
"No"
"I need to go father. I don't want to go back to the palace. Not yet. Some memories are still painful to bear. Please."
King Corey's frown softened. A sigh followed. He glared at Lucia. "If my daughter is harmed, Hadea will rise again"
"She will not be harmed. She will come back with wisdom" Timothy said and rose after. Lucia followed. "Now this was rather productive." He held out his hand. "May our partnership last"
King Corey eyed Timothy's hand for a moment. He reached towards it, slowly and with reluctance, and then grabbed.
"Hadea is yours sire"
***
Few days later, Near the City of Saibu
"I know Ash, I know" Erik eyed the map. There were scribbled and marks detailing the movement of location of Sarah Wismar's army in accordance with the scouts' report. "I am not the Omniscient alright? I cannot know everything"
"I didn't say anything"
"But you implied it with the way you are looking at me" Erik severed his hands from the table and approached his mentee. "I don't know why she is retreating"
The lanterns flickered and the tent dimmed. He heard a small cough from King Harold. The King was staring at him, gauging and with a frown.
Alright you stutterer, Erik thought bitterly. I'm not going to steal her from you.
"T-then what is y-your best guess Marquis Erik? Shine us with y-your wisdom" asked King Harold.
Challenging my wits huh? Erik again thought. Omniscient's word, I'm having a child in a few moons already. I have a wife back home. This is not a competition between us.
"A jest of Sarah maybe?" Erik shrugged. "An insult?"
Sarah Wismar had four times their combined numbers yet she refused to lay siege on Cloudcliff. Instead she retreated to Wismar, leaving a chaotic and rebellious Eastern Canton behind.
Erik chased her with the remnants of Goldentooth, Roar, Apple and a few thousand of King Harold's men. Last week, with the permission from Timothy, he crossed the border to Wismar.
"Maybe she was hurt by the suicidal attack of General Brent?" Ash asked.
Erik shut his eyes. General Brent and half of Goldentooth perished in a- as what Ash said- suicidal attack. It was the most devastating defeat of the Union to date though it saved half of Goldentooth.
"Maybe. Not impossible. But we cannot bet on it" Erik said as he again looked at the map.
Is she really weak or is she just trying to appear weak? Questions with unknown answers, Erik thought.
If he dallies and loses the opportunity then Sarah Wismar could come back stronger. But it was a trap and he bit on it, then he just doomed fourteen thousand of his own men.
"Sire?" Ash suddenly gained Erik's attention and meekly handed him a rolled paper. King Harold coughed again.
Shut up! She's yours alright? He voiced nothing but gave a glare.
"What is this?"
"I... a letter. I was going to give it to you but you were already frowning hard when I entered."
The seal was Timothy's and not the seal Timothy shares with Lucia. It meant a strategy plan. Erik sighed deeply. Although the wax wasn't red, Ash should have given it to him immediately.
He unrolled it and read. Soon his lips curved into a wide grin.
"Damn it Tim" He uttered. "You are a madman"