1014 AOE (after the old empire) 7th day of Dogwood, Spring. Aurora, Deirdre, the Capitol.
Ben had just finished His final set of reports when a knock sounded at his study door. His fiancé, Kora, stuck her head in.
" Ready for lunch?" She smiled as her dog Shadow, now massive after a long winter of growth, pushed the door in, and ran for Ben. Paws on the desk, Ben laughed and scratched Shadow's ears. While he was the biggest dog he had ever seen. Shadow was still a puppy, not even a year old yet.
Ben placed his work down and stood. Kora helped him lock up, and they started down the hallway. Lunch was being served in her brother's rooms. Kora looked lovely in a faded pink gown, with open sleeves that hung to her sides. The dress was embroidered with the flowers of spring, and she wore her brunette hair loose down her back. Her bangs tried to cover her eyes, as green as a forest after a long rain - but she pushed them aside with a flick of her hand. As they approached the King's quarters, Ben held the door open for her as they received permission to enter.
King Malik the 4th, named after his grandfather- stood and smiled at his sister and best friend. Ludis, the head mage of Deirdre, was also present, and they all hugged each other. Ludis and the King had just returned from a brief visit to Karta Village, where Kora's work with the fields last spring was growing even healthier and stronger than it had last year. Conversing over the status of the village's supplies and harvest plans - Ben took Kora's hand in his, while feeding tiny bits of lamb to Shadow under the table.
A bit of noise at the door, Stella and Royce also appeared. They had been gone for a week as well, as Stella had been working on the shores of the river further down from the capital. They had been damaged during a rescue last winter - and Kora blushed as they came in, remembering. She had lost control during a rescue mission to save Ludis from the traitors Cade Cade and Sara. The riverside had been destroyed further south when feet of ice had cracked under the pressure Kora's magic had put on the earth. She had insisted on fixing the damage herself, but Stella refused help. If Stella did not use her magic, she had claimed she would just become an ornament for the crown instead of a useful princess mage.
Kora had become quite busy since spring, preparing to make her own rounds to the villages west and east, as the drought damaged the crops last year. Malik, now that they had all gathered, spoke.
" Well now that we are here and have started to assess the land. We need a game plan. Winter is done. Reports are coming in all over. Many of the connections we made during the winter are coming to fruition." Malik referred to the attempted rebellion brewing in the background, fed by Cade and Cade. Kora nodded and stood.
" I have made an itinerary of the villages I plan to visit. My goal is to be done by summer's end. Ambitious- but the rain will be heavy this year, and I intend to make sure the fields are sown nicely to ensure good harvests this fall." She handed a piece of parchment to Malik for his approval and reached for another roll. Ben too, had reports for Malik. Snagging a bite from Kora's roll, he said with a mouth full-
"Ludis and I have finished preparing the new spy master as well. He has passed the drops of truth and already has a sizable network in place. He will be here in the morning. Royce really came through when he recommended Ian." Royce winked at Ben and waved off his thanks.
"Ian's a good man, we've been through some stuff together. He was made for this sort of thing, and he will fit in nicely with the group." Royce commented, looking over the papers in Stella's hands now.
Ben intended to accompany Kora, so he had to pass his duties along. To be honest, he was grateful too. The world of a spy was much too complicated for his chivalrous heart. Let Ian have it, he really did seem to be cut from the spy network's cloth.
It was Stella and Royce's turn.
" With Kora focusing on the harvests, I will be making more rounds in the west and east as well. There is a need for new wells and irrigation and trying to create a reservoir for the east. Ludis?" Ludis had just entered the room again and rolled a map out on the table. Pointing to lands that bordered Ben's home of Althan, she indicated a small valley.
" There is a lake here that could be expanded. With a little help, it could create a better reservoir, and with some … adjustments we could provide an almost consistent supply of water to the east even in drought." Pointing to the eastern side of the Kingdom.
" With a proper dam in place here and here -" Ludis indicated to other areas,
"These will be more than sufficient to create a reliable water supply." Royce, his mouth full of the lamb he had turned into a sandwich-tossed his own reports on top of the map.
"We still have no official evidence on the death of Cade, and Cade and Sara's trials have been completed. I now have 8 new battalions recruited and trained, they are ready to take the castle soldier's place, and will be more than enough to dissuade troublemakers while we are away. I have decided to promote Rickard. He has proved steadfast, and even if he is quiet, will make a great 4th in command." Royce intended to accompany Stella, and since Kora and Ben would be traveling together, Ludis also decided to attend and assist with the water supplies. Malik nodded his approval of the promotion and looked over the reports.
I have also arranged to accompany you all. The steward is more than happy to run things in my place here, and many of the nobles have requested I review their lands in person. I have received news that the construction to the south is ready to begin. So, we will all campaign together, starting west -" He indicated a border -" And moving south, then east. This will bring us through the construction site, and from the south we can cut up to Ben's land and straight for home." He finished dragging his finger over the map, and - curious, Kora looked at the map. Pointing to the southern area where Malik had indicated construction, she asked -
" What do you intend to build here, so close to the sea?"
"Isn't it obvious? A port! It would severely open trade among the nation, and I could see it becoming a grand city." Ludis stepped forward, a dusty scroll in her hand.
" Our records indicate that our ancestors once had a massive port there, and that its destruction was the turning point towards the downfall of the Old Empire. Not much else is known about it, though." She spread the scroll out, and Kora slowly ran her fingers over the sketches of what was once her southern port city.
"It was called Varsa. And its destruction was the starting point of the war." She whispered softly; images of the destruction she had seen in the wind still fresh in her mind's eye. Even 1506 years later, she could still see that grubby piece of parchment in her hand, and felt the grief squeeze her heart.