User blog:Goldentrash/The Thunder Rises

𐌷𐍂𐌴 𐍄𐍂𐍉𐌽𐌿𐍄 𐍃𐌴𐍂𐌱𐌴𐍄 THE THUNDER RISES





Two equestrian men over looked a wide green plain, dark gray clouds covering the sky, casting their shadows onto the hilly and fertile land.

"It amazes me," Daethlan said.

"What?" Natilus replied.

"All this earth, for one man,"

"Ah, yes," Natilus nodded. "Many do not appreciate, nor can even comprehend, the weight of being a ruler"

"You flatter me, squire," Daethlan said.

A short burst of air forced through Natilus' nose as a smirk appeared on his face.

"What do you think it means to be a ruler?" Daethlan asked.

"I cannot say, your grace. I learn by experience," Natilus replied.

"Some men experience all there is, yet do not learn a thing." Daethlan said. "I don't mean to offend you, squire."

"None taken, your grace,"

Both men continued admiring the landscape before Natilus turned to Daethlan.

"Are you anxious?" Natilus asked.

Daethlan paused for a second. "Yes. Edwin is a shrewd negotiator, and I haven't known him long. Hell, he's been the ruler of Wesfent longer than I have been King," Daethlan confessed.

"I see," Natilus agreed.

Before the two could make any more small talk, a sizable group of about ten to twenty men on horseback began approaching from the west. Three of them were carrying argent flags charged with a lion rampant, vert, clawed gules. Edwin halted his men behind him and took the lead among the group. He jumped off his white horse as Daethlan mimicked him.

"Your grace," Edwin greeted, kneeling.

"Edwin of Wesfent. Why the arms? Do you not trust your king? Daethlan returned.

"Oh, I do, they don't, Edwin replied. "Anyway, to what do I owe this pleasure of meeting with the King of Cytchland?"

"You know," Daethlan replied.

"Well, I'm afraid I cannot lower my levies, if that is what you met me for..."

"Why is that?"

Edwin laughed.

"The King of Cytchland doesn't know why we are at war with Cheria. With all due respect, your grace, let me educate you on this matter. You see, Cheria attacked one of my castles. Do you know what it was called?"

"Aelforhold," Daethlan replied.

"Oh! So you do know why we are at war with Cheria, splendid!"

"Yes, frankly it does not concern me. End this squabble with Cheria. I will see to it you are compensated for the damage to the castle," Daethlan said.

"No, money is not what we're after. Well, I mean it is, but we want more from Cheria," Edwin replied.

"Revenge?" Daethlan asked.

"Close, but we will let you see for yourself," Edwin replied.

Edwin climbed back on his horse while Daethlan remained on the ground.

"We will speak soon again," Edwin said before ordering his horses to ride back west.

"We will indeed," Daethlan muttered under his breath.