As we approach King Raigus's palace we are greeted by the leader of Granic's army, General Tahar. General Tahar had fought one battle against the Kingdom of Nah, just before we became the strictest of allies. With only fifty soldiers and a handful of archers he managed to route a battalion of Nah's warriors. From there his legend only grew as he time and again proved his cunning on the battlefield. He was a bit too practical for politics, so I steadied myself for a very blunt and very short conversation.
"King Tritus, I'm surprised by your cunning, but it won't help you if you decide to go to war with Granic!" He seemed passionate and a little too eager for battle. Dittroth found his hand on the hilt of his sword although he knew it would do him no good. Dittroth learned everything about battle from Tahar and his teacher was still his superior in skill and cunning. "King Raigus will give you a chance to explain yourself."
"I will not disappoint," I returned, catching General Tahar a little off guard with my confidence. He still remembers me as the young kid who tried to back out of training with him. It was a new tradition for the Kingdoms of Nah and Granic to have their princes train with each other's generals as a sign of trust and to build a stronger military alliance.
King Raigus's palace is as splendid as ever, gold plates climbing marble pillars. Lush gardens with exotic plants from all over Rybia. Grottoes that held water so blue you knew it came from the Land Sea. And his servants, beautiful women who had sworn to serve his house and no other. He treated them as daughters not slaves and although they were all fond of him and felt like family they never forgot their place. Between King Raigus and my father I have two of the best leaders to learn from and Queen Reva to guide me when they cannot.
"I fear your father has lost his son," King Raigus appeared out of a garden I could have sworn was empty not a moment ago. "After all the blood he and I shed together, forming this alliance. After all the times I welcomed you into my home and watched as you became a brother of sorts with my own son, Prince Heifel. You attack my son as he hunts on my lands leaving a scar across his chest!"
"I swear they were not from the Kingdom of Nah, nor did we hire mercenaries to attack my closest friends," I motioned and Dittroth brought up our prisoner. King Raigus looked as if he understood in a moment what was happening. His demeanor changed, but he was now even more serious. "We were attacked by a large group of mercenaries who were dressed as Grangians but after the battle I knew they were lies. They died far too easily."
"As did yours," King Raigus smiled and I knew he trusted me again. "The problem is greater than this battle. The rumors are swirling and escalating on the peoples tongues. Many nations I've spoken with believe the other or one of us is behind the tensions. I fear it is only a matter of time before someone strikes first. And unfortunately it must be us that strike the first blow. Have you interrogated him yet?"
"Not thoroughly." Dittroth smiled at his captive who tried to cower but found himself locked in a firm grip. "But we do know that the man who hired him wore a long black cloak and had one green and one blue eye."
"And a gray beard and a walking stick with a balled eagles talon?" King Raigus asked, searching for a matching answer.
"Y-y-yes. But it wasn't a balled eagles talon, it was a human fist." The mercenary answered as he hoped to avoid being tortured. I will never forget the look on King Raigus's face. The sorrow the stretched across his face is something I will not forget anytime soon. He nodded his head as the answer was right and had confirmed his suspicions.
"It was the Kingdom of Elstat. The man who bought these men's services is the personal advisor to King Barkra." King Raigus was distraught, the events of the times were triggered and he saw it as he stared out his window next to his favorite garden. One of his servants brought him a cup of hot tea to calm his mood. "They were never completely happy with our alliance and I'm afraid they've taken drastic measures to protect themselves. They did not act alone and that is how we will make our first move."
He motioned for us to follow as his guards took our prisoner to the dungeons. We made our way to his war room to discuss what needed to be done. I was also intent on asking him about his news from around Rybia. I wanted to know how quickly tensions were spreading. We came at last to a room not unlike my own war room. It was a windowless room dominated by a large map complete with the topography of Rybia. This made ever strategy more effective since you could see and feel the hills, mountains, forests and rivers and you knew better how to advance your armies. Prince Heifel was already there looking over the map of Rybia with numerous armies positioned throughout the map.
"I knew it wasn't you," Prince Heifel said without looking up. He trusted me more than his father, but perhaps it was his father's wisdom that made sure that I was still an ally. "Again, I am sorry for the loss of your father to illness. His counsel and respect would be much appreciated in times such as these."
"Thank you," as a King I had to hold my chin high, but inside I still missed my father terribly. I knew my duty to my country was important, but I wanted to make sure that as he watched over me that I become a great ruler so I can earn my seat alongside him and the generations before us.
"His death was poor timing, but we cannot think about that anymore." King Raigus commanded the room with his presence. He motioned for me and General Tahar to join him by the map. "Our sources within the Kingdom of Elstat have informed us that they have made an alliance with the Rangers."
"They're trying to split us down the middle. If we had fought they could have simply waited out the war, but with us united they must pick who they're going to attack first." General Tahar eyed the map and then pointed to a position close to the borders of Granic, Elstat and the Rangers. "Our scouts saw a small force right along here. It seemed to be a mixture of the two forces, but we didn't think much of it at the time because their relationship has often included short term military alliances. Now with their attacks we can't allow them to be so close to our borders."
"Agreed," King Raigus turned to me and looked me over. I could still see some distrust with him, but it was fading with a thought. "King Tritus, I want you to lead a small force with my son, Prince Heifel. I want the two of you to crush this force. After which we will send diplomats to both Kingdoms and demand an answer for their actions. In the meantime we'll prepare our armies and I suggest you send word to do the same."
"I'll make preparations immediately," I said not knowing of any other course. As Dittroth and Tahar looked over the size of the force we were going against Jounas motioned for me to follow him just outside the room.
"Are you sure about this Tritus? We are about to wage a war and yet the motives in everyone's actions seem to be hidden." Jounas was concerned as a friend and as a Royal Battle Mage of the Kingdom of Nah. I sympathized with his sentiment as I did not want my first days as ruler to be shadowed with war. "I can't seem to figure out how a war can break out all over Rybia from something as simple as drought and food stores needing to be rationed."
"Try going without two meals per day and tell me if you don't become a little paranoid. Throw in that not every Kingdom or tribe treats its people as we do and panic can easily settle in." Jounas nodded in agreement as I spoke. No one has ever accused him of being a coward, yet he was adverse to battle because he always wanted to find a better way. "King Raigus's counsel is wise. We fight one battle and then offer up a truce, showing the evidence that we have of their deceit and demand to know where they got their information that we were plotting against them. Maybe by doing this we can get a lead as to who are the puppeteers."
"Their reach does seem to be far. Do you have any ideas about who would want open war across Rybia?"
He met my gaze and nodded with agreement. We both suspected the Raja to have some part in all this, but it is never so simple. Someone is pushing them to be a part of all this for they have never acted alone. Any kingdom or tribe that was caught for tricking all of Rybia into war would face extinction, so who could be responsible for this? I have a lot more searching to do, but for now I must prepare for war and send for my Kingdom to do the same.
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