There was less activity in the palace than normal. Where once the corridors teemed with sycophants and courtiers going about their business, now was only silence – punctuated by the tread of soldiers or murmurs of servants on some menial task. The entire city seemed to be holding its breath waiting for the next thing.
Akin stood at the window of his chambers, studying the streets below. From here he could see the whole of Eldoria, its tall spires and busy streets. But even from this distance, he could feel the tension. The people of the capital though calmed for now, were still wary. The rebellion might have been quashed, but the seeds of unrest had been planted, and Akin could feel them sprouting beneath the surface.
He rubbed his tired eyes, his mind still heavy from the past few days. There had been no time to rest since Daemon's defeat. The capital had to be secured, supplies had to be distributed, and the traitorous nobles needed to be addressed. Every decision seemed more stressful than the one before, every choice filled with repercussions he could barely predict.
A soft knock on the door interrupted his pondering.
"Come in," Akin voice betrayed his exhaustion.
The door opened to reveal Captain Jarek, his face set in a grim expression. "My Lord," he said with a respectful nod, stepping inside. "The council is ready."
Akin sighed, turning away from the window. "I'll be there in a moment."
Captain Jarek lingered for a moment, his eyes studying Akin's face. "You haven't rested in days, Akin. You need sleep. Your men can handle the city's defenses for a few hours."
I will rest when we have peace," Akin responded, his tone more resigned than defiant. "There's too much on the line right now. The capital might be secure, but we both know this rebellion isn't over. Not yet."
Captain Jarek nodded, understanding the burden Akin carried. "As you wish. But, remember, you are no good to anyone if you drop dead from exhaustion."
Akin offered a small, tired smile. "I'll keep that in mind."
Captain Jarek left the room, and Akin took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before going to the council chamber. His mind was heavy with the knowledge that even though Daemon was gone, the cracks in the kingdom's foundation had been exposed. Now it was up to him to prevent those cracks from widening.
The nobles and military officers who had assembled in the council chamber rose as he made his entrance. The tension was thick in the room and Akin could sense the heat from the eyes of everyone there on his body as he took his seat at the head of the table.
"Let's begin," Akin nodded, gesturing for them to sit.
The first to speak was Lord Greyer, one of the senior nobles who had remained loyal to Akin's father throughout the rebellion. His lined face was stern, and his grey eyes sharp as he addressed the council. "The capital has been pacified for now," he began, "but the southern provinces are another matter entirely. Reports of unrest are growing by the day. If we don't act quickly, we risk losing control."
Akin leaned forward, his hands clasped on the table. "What do we know about these uprisings? Are they connected to Daemon's rebellion?"
Captain Renold, the grizzled veteran who had fought to protect Thorian in the capital when he was attacked, spoke up. "Some of them, yes. However, there are also whispered rumors of unrest in the south from a new force under the leadership of a man named Kaelus. He is not one of Daemon's men, but he is dangerous."
Akin's brow furrowed. He had heard the name before, Kaelus, a mercenary leader with a reputation for brutality and cunning. He was the type of man who thrived in chaos, and the recent instability in the kingdom would have been the perfect opportunity for him to seize power.
"How many men does Kaelus command?" Akin asked, his voice calm but intense.
Renold hesitated, his eyes darkening. "It's hard to say for certain. Our scouts estimate around one to two thousand, but his number could be growing."
A murmur spread through the council. The prospect of facing a force that large, especially so soon after the rebellion in the capital, was a daunting one.
Akin remained silent for a moment, his thoughts racing. A force of that size, led by a man like Kaelus, posed a serious threat to the stability of the kingdom. If they didn't act soon, Kaelus could rally the southern provinces to his cause, and the kingdom would be plunged into another civil war.
"First, we must deal with Kaelus before he becomes powerful enough to gather support," Akin said, his voice firm. "Send messengers to the southern town. Make it clear that Daemon's rebellion has been crushed and that the capital remains under Valion's control."
Lord Greyer nodded. "And what of Kaelus himself? Will we attempt to negotiate with him?"
Akin's jaw tightened. "Kaelus is a mercenary. He has no interest in negotiation, only in power. But if there is a way to avoid bloodshed, it is worth seeking that road. Send an envoy to him. Give them conditions for surrender. If he refuses…"
He left off at that, hanging the sentence where he did and knowing that the unspoken conclusion was clear. If Kaelus refused to stand down, they would have to fight.
The council continued for another hour, with the discussion concerning logistics, troop movement, and the distribution of supplies. Every decision felt heavier than the last, and Akin was left feeling like he was walking a tightrope in which if he made one wrong move, the whole kingdom could come crashing down to chaos.
When the meeting was finally over, Captain Jarek came up to Akin with a troubled look on his face. "My lord, a word?"
Akin nodded, gesturing for Jarek to follow him out of the chamber. They walked in silence for a moment before Jarek broke the silence.
"There is something else you should know," Jarek said, his voice low. "Scouts in the noble districts have sent me word. It seems not all of the nobles are as loyal as they appear."
Akin's heart sank. He had half-expected this answer, yet to have it stated outright was a blow all the same. "What have they found?"
"Whispers, mostly," Captain Jarek replied, his expression grim. "But enough to raise suspicion. Some of the nobles who supported Daemon haven't fully renounced their allegiances. They are bidding their time, waiting to see how this plays out."
Akin clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "So the rebellion isn't over—not even here in the capital."
Captain Jarek shook his head. "Not yet. But if we remain alert like this, it will. We need to keep a close eye on the nobles, especially those who have been quiet since Daemon's death. Silence can be more dangerous than open defiance."
Akin nodded, his mind already racing with strategies to deal with that treachery that still lingered within the palace walls. He had known that this wouldn't be easy, but the sheer scale of the challenges ahead was overwhelming.
"Thank you, Jarek," Akin said, his voice heavy. We will deal with the nobles in time. For now, our priority is Kaelus."
Jarek bowed his head slightly. "As you command, my lord."
As Captain Jarek left to carry out his orders, Akin found himself alone in the corridor, the weight of the kingdom pressing down on him like a stone. Every step he took seemed to lead him further into the shadows of intrigue and betrayal. He had fought on the battlefield, faced down enemies with steel in his hand, but this...this was different.
This was a battle fought in whispers and shadows, and he wasn't sure if he was ready for it.
Author's note:
What do you guys think about Kaelus? Is he part of the rebellion or not? Comment your thoughts