The sun did not peak that morning, its glory covered by the sheets of dark clouds hell bent on unleashing more torrents of rain. Peasants walked through the streets, going about their daily duties, while guards walked among them. There was a sudden heaviness in the air, a heaviness that reached all the way to even the noble district, and to the halls of the great king.


    The Throne Room of Aethelria was quite majestic, a white hall adorned with gold spread along its white pillars and walls, with black drapes displaying the symbol of the Aethelria; a sword between a cross mark. However, the throne itself was veiled, the King’s visage hidden behind a translucent white curtain, too dim to see his face, yet clear enough to view his imposing figure…and feel his anger.


    “Explain, one more time soldier.”


    “Yes my liege.” the battered soldier kneeling at the foot of the stairs said, “We lost Rhegar Fort. There barrage of the magicians was too much for us to handle. Eyewitnesses have sworn the appearance of the some members of the Coven among their assault.”


    The King remained silent. “Where is the Marshal of War?”


    “We…” The man swallowed, “We don’t know. I was only sent by Sir Jorran to deliver this report.”


    Silence befell the entire room as the King pondered on the words the battered soldier had just said. The soldier kept his head bowed, feeling the Kings aura rising with every passing second.


    “You may leave.”


    “Yes my liege.” The soldier said, getting up and exiting the throne room.


    “What do you think of this, Edwin?” the king asked his advisor.


    “My King,” Edwin began, “it would be wise to send more troops to Rhegar, however without word from the Marshal of War, it could be a grave mistake.”


    “True.” The King said, “Sir Jorran sending a message means that either the Marshal is currently engaged in combat, or worse…”


    “Sending a scout team would also be disastrous. With the Coven involved, even the best of our scouts would be spotted from a mile away.


    Silence fell once again. The King rose, though not exiting the curtain.


    “And our shadow unit?”


    “No word from them, my King.”


    “Hmm.” The King sighed. Just as he was about to say something, the doors to the throne room opened.


    “King Aethelgard!” The voice bellowed, “A pleasant morning.”


    “Sir Giliard.” The King groaned, “What makes you think you can barge in here like this is your bedroom.”


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    “Oh please,” Giliard said, “Am I not welcome in this place as much as you are? Or will you come out from behind that curtain and hug your little brother.”


    The King guards attempted to stop him, but a look from Giliard made them hesitate. Giliard approached the throne, winking at Edwin. However, he did not dare go past the curtain.


    “Interesting rumors are spreading around about one falling fort. What was its name…ah, yes. Rhegar.”


    “News does reach you slowly.”


    “On the contrary, I was the first to hear of it, if I do say so myself. I just wanted to know what our dear King will be doing about it.”


    “Rash actions cannot be taken with the Coven…”


    “I was not asking you Edwin. I asked the King.”


    “It is just as he said, rash actions cannot be taken. The Coven has been deployed, and who knows what else they have in store.”


    “So what? We wait like sitting ducks? Until they get here?”


    “Aethelria must be fortified if it is to withstand their onslaught.”


    “And be under threat of siege? I’m sorry, but being on the other side of that is not what I’m in for. We must FIGHT!”


    “And lose how many more men? Hundreds? Thousands? If we do not put thought to our actions, we will lose the war before it even starts.”


    "Then deploy the executioners."


    A dark presence fell on the room.


    "EXECUTIONERS?" The King bellowed, "Those mindless monsters that have only murder in their hearts?"


    "It is way better than sending out our own men. The executioners were a mistake of the past. A cruelty that should never have been fathomed."


    "Then what? Send out more men? Send out those from the noble families? How many more should we sacrifice for the sake of the war when we can equally use those that have no will of their own save to fight.


    "So, is this why you sent out the Sleepless knights?"


    "Ho... how?"


    "Do you see me as blind, brother? Or perhaps do you think my ears have dulled. I warned you about involving the Sleepless knights, but you refused to heed my instructions. The only reason you came was because you do not have the authority to command the Executioners."


    "And perhaps it is necessary to utilize them."


    "They are not tools, brother, they are ALIVE."


    "Then they must serve their Aethelria!"


    Silence broke out between them. Even with the curtain drawn, the gaze of the two brothers was intense. Then, as if bewitched, Gilliard turned, not bothering to bow.


    "This is why you are not a good King brother," Gilliard said, "You always chose morality over reason."


    "If all we used to judge our actions was reason, then the world would be a heartless one."


    “Another brotherly quarrel.” A full plated knight said, immediately Giliard walked out. Giliard turned to her and sighed.


    “What do you want?”


    “All my life I have never seen the King angry, not even in the worst of situations, and yet you manage to do so with a mere couple of words.”


    “The king does not want to take drastic measures, still clinging to our old honor and pride.” Gilliard said with disgust.


    “While I understand those things are getting in the way of our war, we still need to remember that it was because of the absence of pride and honor that we committed atrocities on our own people.”


    “And yet, in that period of time, we won.”


    “True. At the cost of many other problems.”


    “What do you want Odessa? Did Lilith send you?”


    “Why of course she did. The Pendragons just want to make sure that the Aethelgards are at the best of health. We cannot have a King and his successor being stressed out in such difficult times. The presence of friends helps heal pains.”


    “Fancy words do not suit you, Odessa. Now out with it.”


    Giliard did not need to see that Odessa had put on her smile from underneath her winged helmet.


    “This is a warning from the head of the Pendragons. If you do not get your game together, you can be so easily replaced. Most of the noble houses are already questioning your competence. Do not give us reason to same.”


    "You talk about honor and pride yet threaten me so callously."


    "Threats? I only bare a warning." Odessa said as she left, "The other houses, well, they may have different ideas