The feast had continued on for more than an hour since the King's arrival. Most were done with their meals. Although the nobles had kept their wine under check, some felt drunk. Everyone was enjoying the royal feast, as they chattered about.
"Your highness, for the past two years we've been toiling away at the borders of Leon. Yes, we won. We even received few spoils, but it was a meagre amount. We had the city of Agatha, although it was a border city, it would have made a valuable addition to our Kingdom. And I can assuredly say, these sentiments are shared by the lords among us."
Lord Ceres, the man who hadn't spoken much since the beginning of the feast, calmly spoke in front of the audience. He could have chosen to bring up this matter, when the Council of Lords convened, but now he had posed the question, in front of most nobles of the Kingdom.
The King wasn't affected by this question at all, he seemed to be finishing his last bite of the day. He briefly looked at Abernathy, who was standing by the doors. Abernathy looked back at the King, and nodded. He then turned around and left.
The King's gaze turned to everyone in the hall, this question had been on the mind of most people here, they were all patiently waiting for the King's words.
"As you all may know, three years ago, the forests of Arcadia had an awakening, more beasts than ever before began to appear from within. These were not ordinary beasts, but heinous mutants. On average they were more deadly than a late bone-refiner. The forests range of the east, is a wast and treacherous place, after the awakening in the forest, the Kingdom of Leon suffered the most."
The King got up and slowly walked forward. His words echoed in the hall.
"But two years ago, the Kingdom of Leventis received information, a war was brewing. Since Leon bordered us, it was expected that we were the target, but most didn't know why."
"It was because the Queen of Leon wanted new land, away from the wretched forests."
"So she dared to seek our land. She dared to go against the 100 year old peace treaty set out by our ancestors. She dared to go against the people of Leventis."
Two years ago, just before the war had begun, an envoy of Leon had left the kingdom grounds with a paper, signed under the Empire of Drusa, declaring war against the neighbouring Kingdom of Leventis.
However, after riding a day out of Leon, the envoy discovered more than 70,000 men awaiting his arrival. Standing in front of the army, was King Eris himself.
Soon, the army of Leventis arrived at Leon's border, along with the flabbergasted envoy, who felt quite aggrieved. King Eris had not even heard the declaration, or the terms of a new peace treaty with the due concessions bound. He merely acknowledged the declaration, and marched on towards Leon.
It was as if King Eris was patiently waiting for this moment. While Leon was not unprepared for war, the decisive charge caught even Delia, the Queen of Leon, by surprise.
Agatha, a medium sized city at the western border of Leon, was a relatively safe land for Leonese citizens. However, this city was soon going to become a fierce battleground, and would slowly diminish to a reflection of its former self.
The army had formed a semi-circular set of flanks around the circumference of the City walls. Stationed at the very middle, King Eris's dominating figure stood large, for all his men to see. He looked up at the Kingdom of Leon and smiled. The Lords followed their king and set up camp at the outskirts of Leon, they were not planning to go anywhere.
The brutal war lasted two years… at the end, a new peace agreement was reached. At this point in the war, King Eris had successfully captured the city of Agatha, and had full control over the territory.
However, people found the outcome of the treaty to be rather odd, King Eris had given up his right to the territory of Agatha and retreated, it seemed like the city held no importance to him.
"You ask why I returned that sorry excuse of a city." King Eris looked at Lord Ceres as he spoke.
"It was because I didn't wish for war with Leon, I didn't wish for the suffering of my people."
People began murmuring again, most were not convinced by the King's statement. For they knew better than anyone the Kingdom of Leon cannot be trusted. Leon had become infamous on the continent, for their untrustworthy nature.
Lord Ceres seemed solemn, he was not convinced as well, but he understood Eris well, so he patiently waited for the King.
The King did not quiet the crowd, but instead continued to speak, "I am not naive enough to believe the word of the Leonese. I don't expect them to hold on to their promise of peace… But with the right incentive, all humans shall bend."
As the Eris spoke, the doors to the hall opened, Abernathy stepped in. He announced a new arrival, "Lords and Nobles, I present to you, Princess Valeria, second born to the Queen of Leon."
A quiet, young girl slowly walked into the room, she was exceptionally pretty. She had a small nose, brown eyes, and long black hair. She was wearing a luxurious tunic with a long gown and seemed a bit fearful and wary of everyone.
Princess Valeria was frozen as she stood in front of all these noblemen, King Eris's big hand gently patted her head. "Don't worry little one, we will take good care of you here."
"With her as our guest, we shall ensure an everlasting peace among the Kingdoms. If she can earn it… perhaps, she can even become the queen to our future King." As King Eris said this he turned to his son.
Theodan was too surprised by this revelation to utter any words. Most people in the Hall, didn't have words to comment on this either. They were shaken by the new arrival. Although some had already begun whispering.
"Building a relationship between Kingdoms through matrimony, has always been an excellent precedent to peace."
"But I fear Prince Theodan might not be a worthy candidate for the next King, won't this plan fail anyway?"
"Perhaps, if the next King is someone else, he can marry the princess in the name of peace. She is extremely beautiful, so how could any boy possibly deny the proposal of peace and marriage?"
All kinds of whispers had started now, but the King did not stop them. Lord Ceres had a displeased look on his face, the situation did not seem to go in the direction he had hoped for.
"Your highness, please do not mistake my inquiries as disrespect, but I do feel curious enough to dare one more question." This was the last question Lord Ceres could ask, if he pushed for more, his intent would backfire, and his image would be hurt.
"What shall happen, if Queen Delia, and the Kingdom of Leon, choose to still carry forward with war?"
The King looked at the crowd once more, his gaze pierced through everyone here. He slowly sighed, "if despite our efforts, war is inevitable." Eris's hand gently patted the princess's head again,
"then Delia will pay the price."
After King Eris said this, he ceremoniously bid farewell to the silent crowd, and exited the hall, and his family followed behind him.
There was a complicated expression on Theodan's face. Before he exited, he glanced at the cupbearers. There he saw a sympathetic Kai looking back at him.
The noblemen and their families were all silent, some of them were convinced by King Eris's method, and others were simply frightened by his ruthlessness.
A few major lords and lesser lords, however, felt unsatisfied with the answers of the King, they all had their own speculations of a deeper mystery.
Princess Valeria's face was ashen, despite her age, she had understood the King's words.
Even the despondent Lord Ceres didn't have anything more to say, and slowly exited along with his family. The feast was over.
Now that Damien's duties at the Keep were over, Kai and his father headed back to the village. It was already late evening, and the journey was a long one.
Kai's father was unusually quiet on the way back. Kai didn't know what was bothering his father, but he pretended not to notice. His father had a habit of not mentioning his grievances until he was ready, so Kai choose to be patient.
After arriving back home, Kai washed himself and began tending to the house chores. Kai had to stare at people eating delicacies all day, and this had naturally made him hungry. So when dinner was laid out he immediately pounced at it.
After they began eating, Kai noticed, his father's solemn expression from before was nowhere to be found.
This was odd, his father would retain his sour mood until he mentioned the matter, but this time it didn't seem to be the case.
But before Kai could mention it, he was interjected by his father,
"Kai, I don't seem to notice the carving you had us made for you for your birthday. Hidden it someplace safe?"
"I-I, um, something like that." Kai replied with a bitter smile.
Damian didn't ask more on the matter, there was an indiscernible smile on his face, he seemed to have an idea of what happened to the much revered carving of Kai's.
"You should take good care of that carving Kai, you know your father worked incessantly at the Keep just to meet that exorbitant fee of that wily wood carver." Kai's mother, Tressa commented as well.
Kai's smile became more awkward. So he continued to stuff food in his face, and not think about it.
"Tomorrow is your first class with Sir Illinor. He's a master of swordsmanship, and will teach you techniques that could help you become like him someday. These classes cost a fortune Kai, and your father and I expect you to take them seriously." Kai's mother sternly said as she continued to pour hot stew into Damian's bowl.
Kai seemed uninterested in the classes, and could only dejectedly agree with his parents.
After a hearty meal, Kai arrived at his room. It was a very small room, and barely had a proper bed. The bed was made of wood, with a straw mattress, that had holes all over it.
There was a small oil lamp on his bedside over a crooked side table. His parents had provided him with a small study table, that barely held together.
On it, lay over a dozen books. While they were not exorbitantly expensive, books still cost a lot in the Kingdom. These were books his parents had gifted him over the past few years. And he had throughly treasured them. He often found it pleasing to read about many different things pertaining to the vast Continent of Drusa. This was possibly his only reprise in life, especially when he was bound by his responsibilities to stay within this small village and only be able to occasionally visit the capital.
Despite its state, Kai always liked his room, it was one of the few things that was his own. After he tucked himself into bed, he began to ponder about today's events. He wanted to help Theodan, but struggled to think of a way. He wanted to inquire about his father's state of mind today.
But, all this had to wait, for Kai was exhausted. Today had been a long and tiring day. He could slowly feel his eyelids closing in on themselves.
In the middle of the night, in the city of Aurora, there was a soft but continuous knock on the door of one of the luxurious chambers in the Keep.
Theodan awoke from his slumber and stared at his door, 'Who could it be at this time?' .
He slowly got up and made his way to the door, he had a small knife held behind his back, as he approached the door.
The Knocking seemed to have become impatient and its frequency increased. Theodan's eyebrows furrowed, but he didn't hesitate anymore, and quickly opened the door just a smidge.
"Mother! What're you doing here?" Theodan exclaimed as he opened the door wide.
"Be quiet child, no one must hear of my visit. I need to discuss an important matter with you" Theodan's mother, Queen Arissa quickly entered and closed the door behind her. She was wearing a cloak over her tunic, so as to disguise herself.
"I've been wanting to say this since morning, but your father demanded all my attention, since his return. I can't fathom how hard it must've been for you to stand up there today, in front of your father, in front of all those people" Arissa's expression was soft as she placed her hand on her son's head.
Theodan didn't reply, he didn't allow himself the liberty to think highly of his status, or his performance today. There was a noticeable struggle in his eyes.
"You heard what those nobles were saying about me, I-I fail father's expectations, I'll fail this family." Theodan said as he sat on his bed, his room was large and luxurious, but it did not seem to make any difference to his mood.
"Your father…" Arissa had a complicated expression on her face, "he is a difficult man sometimes. But he does mean well, he may not say it, but I know, in his own way he was happy to see you today."
"You don't know that…" Theodan dispiritedly replied.
Arissa smiled softly, "perhaps I don't… But I do know he fought for you, for the past two years he did. All so he could have me give you this. A hope for a different future, a better one Theo." Theodan's mother slowly removed a book from a midsized pouch she was carrying.
The book was not very big, but it had a hard back cover, which was made of sturdy leather. One could tell the book had aged quite a bit, due to the crevices on the leather. There was an arcane aura to it.
But Theodan didn't notice any of this, his eyes were glued to the bold letters on the title. He was visibly shocked. The text was small, but it was enough to tremble the entire Kingdom.
'A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Cultivator Vol I.'