by T. Sae-Low
As Aric and Melody silently made their way back to his chambers, the thoughts of what had just occurred played over and over in her head. If I were to ever upset this monster, even in the slightest, I could end up at the bottom of that pit myself, she thought. She touched her blood stained dress as a reminder. The next time this could be my own. She could see Aric sneaking glances at her every so often, and although he was in front of her, she could still feel the insidious smirk stretch across his mouth as he snickered to himself. If only this night would end now, she silently prayed.
“Aric, I’ve been looking for you,” a voice boomed from behind them. “The king has summoned us to the war council. I checked your chambers, but your servant informed me that you were dealing with a prisoner? What business is that of yours?”
“Unlike you, Xander, I choose to deal with problems with swift and resolute action. He attempted to escape, he was caught, and so I decided to end his life. The problem was solved.”
“Did you read his report before you went ahead and executed him, Aric? I know you didn’t, but if you had, then you would’ve realized that he was more important to us alive. We captured him after the battle of Edessa in the Disputed Lands. He had knowledge of the Renzai Empire’s secret locations east of the River Fate. That knowledge could have proven extremely advantageous to us.” Xander spoke with calm, but stern clarity that always aggravated Aric to no end. “And now he’s dead and useless to us. How many times has your brashness and inability to see beyond the tip of your sword cost us in this war? You’re always so—”
“Shut the hell up, Xander!” yelled Aric. “I don’t need you, nor anyone else to scold me like a child! You have your methods, and I have mine! Don’t stand here and lecture me on the merits of diplomacy.” Aric’s face began to turn red, and the large vein on his forehead throbbed ferociously.
Xander stared at him blankly. “You’re a prince of the Vicedonian Kingdom, third in succession to the greatest kingdom in this world… start acting like you know what that means, Aric. Now, let’s go to the war council before father has us both punished for making him wait.”
Aric wanted to continue arguing his point, but knew Xander was right about making the king wait. He bit his lip and walked briskly away.
The two sons of King Maximus II left Melody standing alone in silence. Thank goodness for Xander. He is a true hero of the kingdom, and will one day become its greatest king yet. The citizens of Vicedonia worshipped Xander as their savior-to-be. They proudly claimed him as their first son, which always infuriated Aric when he heard it chanted in the streets. Xander was taller than the average soldier, with short-cropped black hair that matched his jet-black eyes. He wore silver-steeled armor covered in blue trim, with the Vicedonian insignia crested upon his shoulders. Vicedonian armor was much stronger and bulkier than their enemies’. Due to the pure physicality of the kingdom’s soldiers, they could wear such armor and still maneuver deftly on the battlefield.
Xander’s skills in combat had already become a thing of legend as every army he had led had yet to suffer defeat. He was King Maximus’ favorite son too; everyone in the kingdom knew that. He was loyal to his family, even to Aric with all his faults. Devoted to his wife and his two young sons. He was simply… perfect, thought Melody as she made her way back to Aric’s chamber, wishing that Xander would visit her dreams tonight.
The war council was assembled in the Great Hall adjacent to the throne room. As Aric and Xander entered, they could already hear the vehement bickering of Dontos, King Maximus’ oldest and most respected advisor, and Constantine, the retired general from the Second Great War. Constantine no longer commanded troops, but his wealth of knowledge and experience proved a great asset to King Maximus. King Maximus thought of both of them as brothers; too bad the same couldn’t be said of their feelings towards one another.
“Such a strategy is the idea of a fool!” shouted Dontos. “To mobilize both the Third Unit and the encampment at Sargatum towards Lake Raphia would leave us completely vulnerable. The enemy could easily march right up to our gates if they so desired. Sargatum has always been of utmost importance on surveying their movements. Only an idiot would decide to uproot them and send them to a battle that they simply cannot win!”
“Dontos, the only thing that matches the length of that ridiculous beard you keep is the emptiness that sits between your ears, you relic!” retorted Constantine.
“Watch your words, Constantine! You may have proven your worth in the Second Great War, but your contributions at this war council have not been useful for decades!”
Constantine simply guffawed at that notion and was about to open his massive jaw in response, until thankfully, the entrance of the two young princes halted everyone in attendance.
The door guard announced loudly. “My lord, Prince Xander and Prince Aric, as you requested.”
“Thank you, soldier,” answered the king.
“My sons, the war council has… how would you say… been having a difficult time deciding on the best strategy to deal with Lake Raphia. Perhaps you have an opinion that may sway our elders here,” spoke King Maximus with his calm and friendly yet stern voice.
Aric looked around at those in attendance. He already heard Dontos and Constantine doing what they do best. Dontos was looking frail as ever with his white beard nearly touching the ground; he held his wooden cane in his right hand and was clothed in a silk robe of purple and blue. Constantine was nearly ten years younger than Dontos, but that still placed him well into his sixties. Tall and broad in the shoulders, in his prime Constantine’s presence on the battlefield alone would send enemy soldiers fleeing. He was taller than most and wielded the largest axe Aric had ever seen. The axe was now housed in the armory, for nobody since had been able to wield it. Aric had tried to lift it once in his youth, failing miserably and thinking to himself that he’d be better off trying to lift Atlas’ celestial spheres. Constantine today was still physically impressive, but his massive shoulders were now matched by the girth of his stomach. He still had the white and black stripes running down his beard, a sign of his noble house. He shot Aric a quick glance that made Aric smirk. Aric had always been fond of Constantine, impressed by his fighting prowess, but more so by his quick temper and desire to act.
The hall was circular in design, with a giant map of Eos carved into the center of the floor. The king sat atop a throne at the head of the room, while Dontos and Constantine sat below him. Captains from each of the eight legions sat around the table, clad in their own unique colors and insignia. Markus, the Fifth Legion captain dressed in purple and green, his helmet shaped into a Phoenix. Octavius, the Eighth Legion captain garbed in orange and blue, a Chimera emblazoned upon his shield. Around the table Aric’s eyes went, noting each captain. The only figures missing were the four generals, and the Third Legion captains who were currently out on missions.
All legions within the Vicedonian army were capable combat soldiers, far more skilled than their average enemy, with the exception of the Renzai. But within the Vicedonian army itself, it was the Third Legion that excelled in combat. The largest collective by far, it was divided into four units. The First Unit was currently battling Renzai troops in the south, the Second Unit controlled the foothills of Kih Bayar, the Third Unit defended passage around the Dark Forest, and the Fourth Unit was currently engaged in battle at Lake Raphia.
Aric began, “I would agree with General Constantine in his assessment. The time to strike is now. The battle at Lake Raphia has been at a standstill for months now. Only the pure strength of a full assault will suffice.”
Constantine belted out a jolly laugh that always seemed so out of place given his formidable appearance. “Your own son, our prince even agrees with me, King Maximus. I think the matter is settled.”
“Nothing is settled, you dumb brute,” proclaimed Dontos. “Prince Xander has yet to offer his suggestion, and his is the one that bears any weight in this matter.”
Aric’s stare bur
ned a whole through Dontos, but Dontos was unfazed. Ever since he was a child, Dontos could not stand Aric. He saw Aric as the thorn in King Maximus’ side, with his incessant crying and emotional outbursts.
“My king, general, and captains of the war council, both Dontos and Constantine have legitimate cases. The time to send reinforcements to Lake Raphia is soon arriving. But, we cannot afford to move Major Kymon’s forces from Sargatum, as they are our only means of tracking the enemy’s movements.
“But they’re the closest to the battlefield. Any other legion would take weeks to march that far north,” interrupted Aric.
“True, they are the closest, but they are needed where they are. The Third Unit is currently with General Arges housed just outside our walls, blockading the only path around the Dark Forest that leads into our territories. They are second closest, but they also cannot be committed; even if they are the most decorated unit in our entire army.”
Everyone was listening to Xander with full attention.
“The enemy at Lake Raphia is led by General Yagar. As you are all well aware, his presence, knowledge, and skill in the art of war make him equivalent to ten war heroes of old. He alone is commanding the troops there that stymied General Steropes and his advancement. Despite being outnumbered two to one at the onset of the battle, he has forced a standstill.”
Xander’s eyes glanced towards Aric before continuing. “No… numbers simply will not work against him. He has the geographic advantage and knows how to prevent a simple attack by numbers. We need to flush him and his forces out of Lake Raphia. We need to create a distraction large enough to capture his attention. The only way to do that gentlemen, is to posture by sending our remaining legions in a full-scaled march towards the enemy headquarters. The only place of more importance to General Yagar than the resources at Lake Raphia is the headquarters of the Renzai Empire itself. Once he realizes the danger to his homeland, he will have to choose between defending his post and returning home. I am of the belief that he will abandon his position. Once his troops have fled, we will redirect our forces up towards Lake Raphia and seize control of it. ”
The room went quiet at Xander’s suggestion. Members of the war council stared back at one another, unsure of what to make of the proposal.
“So we march at first dawn?” asked Aric.
“No,” replied Xander. “Full preparations for this assault will take weeks, if not months. There can be no mistakes.”
“Weeks? Months?” retorted Aric angrily. “The time is now! Father, mobilize the troops immediately!”
King Maximus pondered deeply, fingers rapping the arm of his chair. The room held its breath as it awaited his decision.
“We will do as Xander commands. Begin preparations for the assault. The attack will begin at Xander’s behest.”
Aric couldn’t take the embarrassment. Once again Xander had humiliated him, and this time in front of the war council no less. Aric stormed out of the Great Hall and headed straight to his chamber, seeking out Melody.
Chapter 6