After leaving Selena's palace, King Fenwise and his son Edward made their way through the winding paths of the Imperial Palace courtyard. The sky was clear, the sun casting long shadows against the grand structures around them. The sound of their boots against the cobbled stones echoed faintly in the quiet. The palace, though grand and full of life, always had an air of solemnity to it, especially during these early hours.
As they neared the library, Fenwise glanced at his son. "Edward, you go on ahead to the guest quarters. I have an old friend I need to visit."
Edward raised an eyebrow but nodded. "As you wish, Father. I'll have the men ready when you return."
With a grunt of acknowledgment, Fenwise watched Edward walk ahead toward their quarters before turning and entering the library. The large double doors creaked slightly as he pushed them open, stepping into the tranquil space.
The library was vast, its high ceilings adorned with murals of ancient victories and legends. Rows upon rows of meticulously arranged bookshelves stretched out before him, with books on every conceivable subject stored within. The air smelled of old paper and polished wood, a familiar scent that always brought him a sense of peace.
His heavy footsteps echoed softly as he made his way through the labyrinth of shelves, passing titles on history, alchemy, and ancient lore.
He finally reached the farthest corner of the library, where sunlight streamed through a large window, casting a warm glow on an old man who sat by the sill, sipping coffee and reading quietly. The man's silver hair was neatly combed, his posture relaxed but with an air of authority that couldn't be ignored.
Without looking up from his book, the old man spoke, his voice calm yet sharp as a knife. "This isn't the hunting grounds of the palace, Fenwise."
A deep, hearty laugh erupted from the king, filling the quiet library. "Vorian, old friend, I didn't come to hunt. I came to check the books on how to cook a bird."
Vorian, the legendary guardian of the Astaroth Empire, smiled slightly but kept his gaze on the book for a few more moments. Then, with a gentle sigh, he closed it and set it down on the small table beside him. He finally turned his attention to Fenwise, his sharp blue eyes filled with both warmth and curiosity.
"It's always pleasant to see you, Fenwise," Vorian said.
Before Fenwise could respond, an attendant dressed in black emerged from the shadows, as if summoned by some unspoken command. The servant bowed slightly before pouring a fresh cup of coffee for the king, then just as quickly disappeared into the recesses of the library.
Fenwise took a sip of the hot drink and settled into the chair opposite Vorian. For a few minutes, the two old men exchanged pleasantries, reminiscing about past battles, old acquaintances, and the days when they were both younger, when the empire was a different place.
But soon, Fenwise's expression grew serious. He set his cup down and leaned forward slightly. "I didn't come just for small talk, Vorian. I came because I need to know—are you aware of the third wife's plans? Her intentions toward my grandson, Zeph?"
Vorian's face didn't change, though his eyes seemed to sharpen. "Yes," he replied evenly, his voice as calm as ever. "I'm aware of Elana's ambitions. She's made no secret of her desire to secure power for herself and her family."
Fenwise felt a surge of anger rise in his chest, but he quickly tamped it down. The fact that Vorian already knew about the threat both relieved and unsettled him. If the guardian of the empire knew about Elana's schemes, then surely others in the court were aware as well. And that meant danger could come from many directions.
"What do you intend to do about it?" Fenwise asked, his voice rougher than he intended. His protective instincts for both Selena and Zeph were flaring, and while he trusted Vorian, he needed to hear it from the man himself.
Vorian's gaze softened slightly, and for the first time since their conversation began, he looked almost weary. "I have already given my word to my son. I will protect the child until he is ten years old, and the time comes for him to take his place in the battle for succession."
That response eased Fenwise's mind. Vorian's promise was not one to be taken lightly. As the empire's most trusted protector and strategist, if he had vowed to shield Zeph, then no harm would come to the boy while under his watch. Vorian's reputation was legendary; even the greatest threats to the empire would think twice before crossing him.
"I'm glad to hear that," Fenwise said, his tone lighter now. "You know how much this means to me, Vorian. Zeph's safety... it's everything."
Vorian gave a small nod. "I understand. And I will ensure that no harm befalls the child while I'm here."
With that assurance, Fenwise allowed himself a moment to relax. But there was more on his mind, more than just Zeph's safety. After a brief pause, he leaned back in his chair and regarded Vorian thoughtfully. "There's something else. Something happening to the north."
Vorian raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for his old friend to continue.
"The situation in Valaria has changed," Fenwise said, his voice lowering as though the very mention of it carried weight. "The old emperor is dead, and his eldest son, Kilon Valis, now sits on the throne."
"Ah, Valaria," Vorian said softly, folding his hands in his lap. "An empire in turmoil, even before the old emperor passed."
Fenwise nodded gravely. "Indeed. But Kilon is no improvement. The man is cruel and lazy. He's known for shirking his duties, pushing off his work, and mistreating his servants. Now that he's emperor, the people of Valaria will suffer even more. And with Valaria being so close to the borders of Avaroth, we're likely to see a massive influx of refugees."
Vorian's expression remained unreadable, though his eyes showed a flicker of concern. "The border could become a pressure point."
"Aye," Fenwise agreed. "It's not just a matter of refugees, either. With tensions rising, any small incident could spark conflict between our two empires. And Avaroth's financials are already strained. We can't support a flood of people fleeing from Kilon's rule, not without aid."
Vorian tapped his fingers lightly against the arm of his chair, his mind clearly working through the implications. "The emperor will need to know about this. If the influx becomes unmanageable, it could strain not just Avaroth but Astaroth as well. Our alliance with your kingdom must remain strong."
Fenwise nodded. "That's why I came to you. I trust you'll relay this information to the emperor?"
"I will," Vorian promised, his voice firm. "We'll do what we can to manage the situation and ensure the relationship between the empires doesn't falter. But this will require careful diplomacy, as well as practical measures."
"Understood," Fenwise said. He took another sip of his coffee, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air. After a few moments of silence, he rose to his feet, signaling that their discussion was nearing its end.
"Thank you for your time, Vorian," Fenwise said, offering his hand.
Vorian stood as well, clasping Fenwise's hand in a firm shake. "Always a pleasure, Fenwise. And don't worry—I'll keep an eye on Zeph and Selena. They'll be safe."
Fenwise gave a nod, his worries somewhat eased. As he turned to leave, he glanced back over his shoulder with a final remark. "Just don't forget to look after yourself too, old bird. You're not as young as you used to be."
Vorian chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Neither are you, Fenwise. Neither are you."
With that, Fenwise left the library, his heavy footsteps fading into the distance. Though the situation in Valaria was troubling, he felt some comfort knowing that Vorian was watching over Zeph.