Although it's November, in Metos Gladius city the weather is still warm, people are celebrating all over the city. Royal soldiers are maintaining the order of the main street in the city since today is the day King Mathel and his bannermen come back from the war with the Heathen Kingdom. From afar, we can see the banner of house Mathel, a lion on a red theme. Besides the banner of Royal troops, we see the green snake of house Pyrell, the brown boar of house Crayton, the yellow eagle of house Aetherwolf, the black ship of house Rosewood and the blue weapons of house Fortuna. These banners come from the 5 most powerful houses in the Alleinstein Kingdom, which help the Royal Family to achieve peace with the Heathen Kingdom.
Ride in the front line, King Mathel is talking to his Marshal, Mandred Pyrell:
- You have done very well, Mandred. After you crushed 100 of Khal Kjartan's bodyguards only use your pure strength, he was so frightened that he asked for a peace treaty immediately.
- I only do my duty, your grace.
A lord wearing blue armor and some of his bodyguards ride toward the king:
- Your grace, I believe we should disband the army now. This war has lasted for 2 years already, it's time for our soldiers to return home.
Mandred Pyrell beside the king mocks the Lord of Neverwinter:
-Why don't you say directly that your old bones can not withstand more?
The Lord of Neverwinter, who is hot-blood, talkback angrily:
-Even if I'm old, I still can kill 10 of you, you cunt.
They soon quarrel with each other and the peaceful atmosphere has turned hostile, they are ready to take their weapon and go to fight. However, the King becomes angry and roar:
- SHUT UP! BOTH OF YOU
He wants to say something more but a rider who wears a blue cloak with an armor of house Fortuna ride from his line and charge toward the King with killing intent. The King is soo surprised that he doesn't react until the rider's lance pierce his head. Seeing the king has died, Mandred shout:
- THE KING HAS BEEN ASSASSINATED BY A FORTUNIAN KIGHT! CATCH ALL OF THOSE TRAITORS.
The marching of the army starts to disorder with soldiers from house Pyrell and Royal Family attacks those from house Fortuna. Have never expected such a thing, Fortunian soldiers are slaughtered. Lord William IX see the current circumstance and know that this is a scheme of house Pyrell so that they can gain control of the Kingdom, he takes out his sword and charges toward Mandred, a knight of house Pyrell try to stop him but when engaged with the Lord of Neverwinter, the knight's head is cut and sent flying without even noticing of his death.
William and Mandred start to fight with each other. Although William was so strong in battle when he was young, the skills of William the Fearless has deteriorated over the year. Mandred the Bone Crusher, who has a blessing, activates it. His body grows larger, he crunches his fist and punches the Lord of Neverwinter, William's sword is broken into pieces immediately. With another swing of Mandred, William is heavily injured and he loses consciousness.
*********
3 days later in the Crown Room of the White Tower, a 16 years old big wearing a royal costume is crowned and then slowly sit on the throne while enjoying the applaud from members from the four strongest houses in the Alleinstein Kingdom:
- LONG LIVE THE KING!
- HAIL KING DAVETH!
After a while, he raises his hand and the noise starts to drop off. He speaks:
- My Lords and Ladies, after the death of my father 3 days ago, I have become your king and I promise that under my rule, our kingdom will grow stronger than it has ever been.
Stop a little while to enjoy the applaud again, he continues:
- And the first thing I'll do as a king is punishing the traitor. William IX Fortuna will be beheaded and his head will be a great decoration for the gate of Metos Gladius. Meanwhile, a group of knights will be sent for Neverwinter to arrest his son, Ivar Fortuna. Afterward, Iceland will be given to Duke Pyrell since his son has played an important part in arresting the traitor. My orders will be executed immediately.
******** ( Change POV)
I'm enjoying the warmth from the fireplace in my chamber with my wolves lazily playing around when Charles suddenly open the door without knocking:
- Milord, there is a raven from our spies in the capital. You ad better read it yourself.
I rise from my bed, take the paper from Charles and read it. My eyes start blurry and my head starts to spin around. How can this happen? Why the fuck the king can order to execute my father after so many years he has been serving this fucking kingdom? Goddamit.
Running inside my chamber, Kruger speaks loudly:
- Milord, there are about 200 knights of the Royal House outside the castle and they request to meet you.
So these sumbags come here, huh. Take on my formal clothes, and get out of my chamber, I order Kruger to let the knights to the meeting hall. Every inch of my body wants to kill them now, but I need to know the game they're playing.
Open the Meeting Hall, I see those knights have already waiting. Walk toward the Count Chair, I sit on it and before I can say anything, one of them stand out and speak:
- Ivar Fortuna, I bring a Royal Arrestment from the king himself. I request you to follow us to the capital.
- For what crime, exactly? That you fucking bastards kill my father and now, try to arrest me?
- Your house has assassinated the former king. And according to the law, you will lose all your titles and be transported to Metos Gladius for further judgment.
- What if I refuse?
- We'll bring you to the capital by force.
Smiling, I raise my hand. Archers appear on the second floor of the Meeting Hall and aim downward; spearmen rush inside and form shield walls around the Royal knights. The leader of them seem surprised, he shouts:
- THIS IS MADNESS! YOU'RE OPPOSING THE ROYAL HOUSE!
Comfortably drink a cup of tea that the maid just makes for me. I answer:
- I'll go to Metos Gladius, Sir. But I'll ride there with my army behind me and I'll run the White Tower to the ground. A Fortuna never forgives, you know my house motto. SOLDIERS, KILL THEM ALL!
Rains of arrows pour on the Royal knights, they try to escape but those who get to close to the spear wall are killed without mercy. After about 10 minutes, the hall becomes quiet. I raise from my chair:
- Charles, send ravens to our bannermen.
- All of them, Milord?
- Yes, all of them, I've given them lands and they have sworn to protect my house in time we need them. Now is the chance to see the worth of their honor.
I walk out of the wall, see the snow raining outside, I unintentionally remember a saying:
" If you want peace, prepare for war"