The New Year festival was a joyous occasion for the small Oriaet kingdom. While they were not the largest or wealthiest Kingdom in the central lands of Ibbariea they were certainly the most secure due to their location snuggled between a ring of mountains. A single port city that was upstream of a mighty river fed by all the valleys and mountains around it. It doubled as their capital and the gateway to the rest of the Kingdom. While threats could still make it through the maze-like passes and mountains to the north and east of the mountains there was no reason to risk such a trek. King Gaberil was a powerful mage-warrior who managed to keep his small nation independent or vassalized from other nations simply by being far too annoying for other nations bother conquering. The cost to take them would simply be too much.
Every year a comet would streak across the sky signaling the new year. The Pantheon of the Gods blessing a new year in the realm of Ibbariea. All races and nations as far as he was aware celebrated it, even monsters.
King Gaberil watched his son court one of the noble daughters. He could see his wife smiling; she had desperately wanted grandchildren now that their three children were older and she had begun to be restless.
"Orria might bless our nation with a grand-princeling soon enough darling. Eston seems to have taken a liking to Duke Leo's daughter" King Gaberil teased his wife.
Looking at him she smiled. "Don't tease me like that Gabe! You know that I have been having problems since our youngest is no longer young enough to give love to their mother like before. They always get so standoffish to any cuddling I want."
Gaberil gave his wife a mischievous wink. "Or we could have another, maybe tonight my love? I'm sure Orria wouldn't mind blessing the Kingdom with a Princess."
"Gabe! Not in public…, but if Orria is fine with it…maybe you will get lucky on this New Year's evening, but I'm gonna need some more wine before I start praying for another."
A hearty chuckle escaped his lips as he looked at his mature vixen of a Queen. "I can toast to that." raising his glass he smiled as she raised hers and looked him up and down taking a sip.
King Gaberil looked up at the sky as the comet began its streak across the sky. Every year he was reminded how good it looked from the city's plaza. As they looked up King Gaberil's eyebrows furrowed as he saw something unusual. While the comet was blue and white a streak of fire seemed to be plummeting towards the ground as if it had broken off from the comet itself.
Standing up he walked forward as the festive cheers and celebration seemed to slow around him as King Gaberil's gaze fixed upon the anomaly streaking through the sky. It appeared foreign against the backdrop of the familiar celestial event they witnessed ever year. The king's sharp eyes tracked the fiery object's descent, his mind racing to make sense of this. Was this an Omen from Orria? Did they do something wrong?
In the midst of courtship Eston, his son, noticed the change in his father's demeanor. "Father, what is it?" Eston's voice carried a mix of curiosity and concern, mirroring the expressions of those gathered.
Ignoring the sudden hush that fell over the festivities, King Gaberil, known for his swift and decisive actions, motioned for his guards and advisors discreetly. His gaze remained fixed on the descending flame, now growing closer to the ground with alarming speed.
The streak, once distant and ethereal, now became a tangible threat hurtling towards the kingdom. Panic crept into the hearts of those witnessing the scene King Gaberil could sense, whispers of apprehension spreading like wildfire through the crowd.
Gaberil's instincts kicked in; he hadn't ruled the Kingdom this long by being a slouch or indecisive. "Clear the square! Move everyone to safety!" he commanded, his voice carrying a clear aura of authority. The guards swiftly moved to usher the crowd away from the square. It was essential that panic not settle into the populace by any decision he made.
As the fiery object drew nearer, King Gaberil could discern its trajectory, predicting its potential landing spot. It appeared to be heading beyond the city outskirts, in the direction of the northern territories.
"Which noble is in charge of the northern territories?" Gaberil said out loud. Several of his advisors scrambled to discuss.
"We believe it belongs to the Garet family. A minor noble family who are under the Braun family."
Braun's family was one of the three major houses in Oriaet alongside his own.
"Get me Duke Braun immediately, we will prepare a caravan myself and the Prince will go to the northern territories."
Looking towards his wife who had concern written all over her face. "Damn I was going to have such a nice evening too!" he thought to himself as he marched towards the royal family palace guards in tow.