King Styte walked through the campgrounds, keeping a watchful, judging eye on all of his loyal soldiers.
He didn't want to see them, truthfully. This act, as he thought of it, was more so that they could see him. Their king. Their fearless leader. Here on the front lines with them. Just his presence would inspire confidence among them.
Some of the soldiers whispered, some pointed. Others, more refined men, stood at attention until he passed.
Here at this camp, he controlled over fifty thousand men. He estimated that by sunrise, that number would be near seventy thousand. Only about half of that would be Styte men. The other half was made up of sellswords from all across the world.
His luck had been immense over the past few years when his miners had struck the largest vein of gold in existence. To this day, they still mined it in the Peaks of Moldu, deep, deep in the ground. With this level of wealth, he could soon buy out the support of allies.
Maybe House Ferros? That would be his first choice. The territory, known for its bountiful harvests, would make the perfect ally. A near-unlimited food supply and the addition of nearly thirty thousand soldiers would guarantee victory for House Styte.
House Leandis was just the first step. The first phase of his plan. It was revenge, really. A daughter for a daughter hadn't satisfied King Styte. He would kill Leandis with his own hands for what he'd done.
The overall plan was ambitious, as his council liked to remind him. An empire so big, it took over the world? Separation caused disparity amongst the people. It caused polarity. It caused hate. Which led to wars.
He wasn't conquering the world, no. He was unifying it.
Unification meant peace. This would be the final war. From here to Rothal, even in the Dark Islands, there would only be one ruler.
The Styte line would become royal. Godlike, even.
He felt a wash of pride, just thinking about it.
My name will be known for eternity.
*******
Sir Lucan yawned for what seemed like the hundredth time.
Though he had stood guard outside the king's door for over a year now, he still couldn't get used to this nocturnal lifestyle.
Some nights, like this one, he almost found himself nodding off. It was a war between consciousness and peaceful sleep.
Footsteps echoed from the far side of the hallways and Sir Lucan jolted to his feet.
"Who's there?" He called out with a brash, authoritative tone. No one was allowed down the hallway at this time of night unless there was an emergency.
"It is I, Balian," the familiar voice said, coming into Sir Lucan's view.
Sir Lucan let out a breath and let go of his warhammer's handle. "What is it? I don't think you can be back here."
Balian held up a piece of paper, relinquishing it to him. He glanced over it quickly in the light of his lantern.
"Now? They're attacking now? With what army?" He asked, confused.
Balian frowned. "They seem confident. Styte must have more than twenty thousand men to even consider taking Kaladia."
Sir Lucan nodded. "Must you speak with the king? Now?"
"Yes. I need his permission and the permission of the council to go defend that city."
"He won't like me disturbing his sleep, but I suppose he'll forgive me," Sir Lucan said, opening the door.
"Who is it?" The king asked immediately, before Sir Lucan had even stepped into the room.
"Sir Lucan, Your Majesty. General Balian needs you and the presence of the council immediately."
"Understood. Give me a few minutes and I will meet them downstairs," the king said quietly.
Sir Lucan closed the door without another word. "You should go gather the other council members. The king will not want to wait for their arrival."
"You're right," Balian said, nodding. "I will retrieve them immediately." He disappeared back into the shadows.
Sir Lucan guarded the door quietly, hearing the king speaking quickly to the queen through the door.
The door opened, and he stepped aside for the king. "The council should be waiting for you, Your Grace."
"Let's get this over with."
They made their way down a staircase and entered the council chamber, where a weary group of old men had gathered, all sitting around a massive oval table. The King's Whisperers, they were known as. Seven of them, as always.
Balian stood off to the side looking impatient as the king moved to sit down.
"I hope this is important," the king said. "Is it House Styte?"
"Yes, actually. They are near our northern borders. They seem intent on taking Kaladia soon."
The council erupted in noise.
"Already?"
"Have they lost their minds?"
"Impossible!"
"So much for the alliance…."
"Silence!" The king shouted. "This means nothing. House Styte was never a threat before, and they aren't now. They wish to take Kaladia? We have twenty thousand men there! This is either a bluff or a suicide charge."
"Your Grace, for extra security, I request the use of your army here in the Capitol. Another twenty thousand men and whatever sellswords we can use for little cost. Protecting our border, no matter how small the threat, is the most important. And for this act of treason, breaking an alliance, I could use these men to end House Styte. Your Majesty, I believe this is the best tactic."
The king was silent for a moment, and the council looked on. "Indeed. Balian, you command my army. Set out tomorrow morning with your twenty thousand men. Take House Styte's land in my name."
Balian bowed slightly. "Yes, Your Grace. And the sellswords?"
King Leandis glanced at the treasurer. "How much can we spare, Vylend?"
Vylend looked nervous. "I…I suppose we could raise the taxes on those living within the Capitol."
"Magnificent. Five thousand sellswords should be enough, then," King Leandis decided, ignoring Vylend's very pale face.
"Very good, Your Grace," Balian said. "I will assemble the men. We will leave as soon as possible."
The Master of Agriculture spoke up. "I will begin preparing rations, though this may take a little time. I may not be finished until sunset tomorrow."
"Get it done earlier than that," the king said. "Whatever it takes. We need this army there as soon as possible."
The Master of Agriculture looked as though he wished to object, but he stayed quiet.
"If there is nothing else, I long for my bed. Good night, gentlemen." The king rose, and Sir Lucan opened the door to let him out.
He followed the king from the chamber, escorting him back to his room, where two of the queen's trusted guards waited in his place.
They opened the door for the king, letting him in. "Go to sleep, Sir Lucan. Let these two finish your watch. Tomorrow looks to be hectic."
"Thank you, Your Grace," Sir Lucan said, bowing. "Good night."
The door closed and Sir Lucan set off to his chambers, just down the hall.
It was a modest room, less than a quarter the size of the king and queen's. Still, it was his own. A space for himself and his belongings. It was the place he could take off his armor after a long day of wearing it. In multiple ways.
He no longer had to be so on guard, so hyper-aware of his surroundings, of any potential threats to the king.
Removing his armor, Sir Lucan flopped onto his bed, exhausted.
Yet, sleep eluded him.
War was coming.
*******
Athena sat in the very back corner of her cell, hiding under the darkness. It shielded her, protecting her from the guards just outside.
She was tired. Not sleeping, eating, or drinking water for three straight days would do that to you. Still, this was the final push. Once this was over, she could rest. Yes, that would be nice.
A guard walked past, finishing his routine check on all the cells.
As soon as he passed from her view, Athena scrambled to the front of her cell. From underneath her shirt, she pulled out a dagger.
That man's dagger. The one who had saved her, then let her get imprisoned. Who knew grabbing a man's hand could distract him so much? So much to not notice her unsheathing his dagger.
But it worked. And now she could escape.
Poking the end of the dagger into the lock, she pushed at multiple angles until it fell open. It was her first time using a dagger, but it turned out they could be very helpful.
The lock clanged to the ground, echoing off the dungeon's walls. The guards had most certainly heard her. No point in trying to be discreet anymore.
She gave the door a shove and it squealed open.
"Girl! What're you doin' out there?" A high-pitched voice whispered from the cell across from her. "Wait. Wait! Let me out too!"
She ignored it and took off down the long hallway.
There were footsteps behind her.
"She went that way!" Athena heard her friend from the cell shout to the guards.
She took a right down another hallway and pushed herself up against the wall.
Athena held her breath.
The footsteps drew nearer.
"We know you're down here, prisoner," one of the guards called out.
"Might as well save us all the trouble and give yourself up," the other said.
Athena looked down at the dagger and smiled. It was good for opening locks, but it had other uses.
She stepped out from behind the wall, dagger in hand. "Greetings, boys. Could one of you please tell me where the exit is?"