The Great War: Chapter 46
Tough decisions to make
The high ceiling of the throne room takes Jae’s breath away, brazers alight with bright red flames as their chains gently sway in unseen wind. The obsidian throne of the king sits atop a tall pedestal, a steep series of steps leading up to the cold, empty seat. But why is the throne empty so late into the cycle? Where’s the king?
“This way,” the guard that escorts her says, waving to a small doorway to her right. Taking a deep breath and tightening her grip on the sealed scroll in her hands, she does as she is directed and strides across the vast, empty room towards the doorway.
This is her first time inside the castle, but only her second time meeting the prince and his guard. Hopefully they won’t mind the intrusion.
She steps into yet another grand room occupied mostly by a long table and series of chairs. The table’s white cloth is neatly laid out to the point no crease or fold is left in it, though its surface is absent of food or drink. At the far end of the room stands the prince in his purple garb, his guard in his black robe, and a boy she’s never seen before painted in shades of warm orange. They’re looking over some sort of brown piece of paper laid out before them, though when the tap of Jae’s shoes fills the space the three look up at her with an interesting collection of confused faces.
“My prince,” she says, holding the scroll up for him to see. “A message for you.”
“Bring it here,” the prince says, waving her over.
Jae makes the long walk to the other end of the room in complete silence, the three pairs of eyes following her all the way. She passes on the side of the unknown boy, keeping her distance from the glower of the guard on the other side of the table. Flashing him an awkward smile, at least trying to be somewhat friendly towards him - he must be some sort of important royal official or the son of one if he’s here - she hands the prince the sealed scroll.
Wordlessly, the royal takes the scroll from her and turns it around in his own hands gently, inspecting it from every angle. No doubt he already knows that this may or may not be from the Guardians. But he doesn’t appear to be terribly troubled by its existence.
“Thank you,” he says at last, turning away from her.
“There’s a change it could be a forgery,” Jae warns him. The prince just lets out a huff and shakes his head.
“No, it’s real. Thank you for your concern though.”
Jae can only nod and back away from the table, promptly returning the way she had come. Had he been expecting that document? Is he going to open it without his father present? She can only wonder as she is led quietly back towards the castle’s large entryway.
Using his thumb, Samuel cracks the wax seal and unrolls the length of paper. His heart still flutters with unease as he scans the document, even though he already knew what it was the moment that healer walked in.
By the order of the Great Champion of Light, leader of the Guardians, In the wake of the death of King Cero of Korodon, the following demands are made to his heir, Prince Samuel of Korodon: 1. A retraction of the declaration of war against the empire of Light 2. The permittance of Guardian occupation of the island of Korodon and all settlements under its banner 3. A meeting with the Champion of Light to discuss the future of the kingdom of Korodon Announce your intentions to the citizens of Korodon within the next 7 cycles. This is your one and only offer of peace. The Light is always watching.
“What is it?” Ezra asks, leaning forward with eyes full of curiosity.
“The Guardians have made their demands,” Samuel answers, passing the paper off to Devin so that he, too, can look it over. The advisor lets out a low hum as his eyes flicker across the flowing script.
“Right to the point,” he mumbles, looking up. “I assume if none of the demands are met, this war will continue on how it is.”
“What demands?” Ezra inquires, lifting himself up onto the table as he tries to peer at the paper for himself. Devin holds the document close to his chest, reluctant to give it to a lowly librarian.
Samuel waves his hand reassuringly. “Go on, let him read it. He’s in on this, too.”
With a smile, Ezra snatches the document from Devin’s hand and retreats back to his original position, turning the paper this way and that as he deciphers the writing for himself.
“Ah, yes,” he sighs at last. “Pretty standard demands.”
“‘Standard’?” Devin echoes.
“Basically, if you don’t swear allegiance to the Guardians, they’ll come and crush us,” Ezra nods back, looking to the prince with a worried frown. “But even if you do that, there’s no promise that they’ll leave us wizards alone.”
“I would imagine that meeting with the Champion would be my last chance to bargain for that,” Samuel says. He folds his arms and stares down at the map laid out before him. Astria is so big; there are islands out there even larger than Korodon. The Guardians control most of them. The wizard’s little kingdom is one of the few remaining independent nations left in the world, completely surrounded by Guardian rule. Any more mistakes, and he’ll loose everything that he has left to his family’s lineage overnight.
If he were to side with the Guardians, what would that future look like? Would he be turned into a puppet or a martyr? Would they honor any promises they make or would they simply finish what they started in secret all those years ago?
“The Guardian’s aren’t ones to play fair,” Ezra reminds. “Killing the king was a calculated move.”
“There’s no need to make a decision now, Sam,” Devin adds lightly. “Seven cycles is more than enough time to think this through.”
“When is Mathew due to be released?” the prince only asks.
“Within the next cycle or two.”
“Good.” Maybe once he talks to Mathew, he’ll find the answers to his burning questions. And then he’ll have to make his speech. A speech he’s been dreading, yet which is long overdue for him to make. One that will determine the future of the island of Korodon and all that call it home.