18 18: Terms of war

"So, you want to help me get my rightful throne back." Rinomve said, sitting in one of the leather chairs across from the carved desk that dominated the otherwise plain office space.

"Yes, I am." Ivailo said, sitting down in the chair behind the desk.

"Why?" Falael asked, taking his seat. "You have explained some of your motivations, but why did you write to us?"

"The Oblivion Kappa killed my mother in their ritual sacrifice, as you know. Since I ascended to the throne, I have wanted to avenge her." Ivailo replied. "What you do not know is that many of the former members of my court did not like the idea of going to war, especially not when Amaris became a member of the high court." This seemed to interest his guests.

"Why not?" Rinomve asked.

"They dislike her for two reasons. The first is that she is a vampire. Before I was emperor, a vampire ruled us. He was not kind to us werewolves, often torturing us both with cruel laws and laying hands on us. So, I killed him." Ivailo explained. "The second reason the lords did not like Amaris is because she is the biological daughter of the last emperor. When he was killed, it inadvertently forced her into slavery. They knew of her existence and were only willing to support me if I killed her."

"And you could not do it, am I right?" Falael asked. Ivailo took a deep breath.

"None of her siblings were as cruel as her father, and her mother taught me to read. That, and the quality of the interactions, gave me enough confidence to take a risk and make her my friend."

"That is an enormous risk for someone of your standing to take, especially when your reign is not based on family lineage."

"Yes, but it is a chance that I am willing to take."

"Why?" Falael asked.

"Because I love her."

"Does she know that?" Rinomve asked.

"No."

"Then tell her." Falael said. "Because if you leave it too long, it might end up being too late. It almost was for me."

"Thank you for your council, but I believe I asked you here to help plan for battle?"

"Indeed, you did, and all we have done is sit and talk about you. I think," Rinomve turned to his best friend. "That we should tell him our story." Ivailo leaned in closer.

"I think that is a great idea. Why don't you start?" Falael asked.

"I was born in Thoasia." Rinomve said. "In the capital city, Valdedo. I don't remember it, unfortunately. When I was just a few months old, the Oblivion Kappa invaded, killing all the members of my family, excluding myself and my aunt, Envano." He took a deep breath, as if the next few words were the most painful things he would ever say. "The lords and ladies of Asharia were supposed to avenge the death of my family, but they did not. So, my aunt took her anger out on Falael's family, killing all but my best friend." He took another deep breath. "So, to make up for what my aunt did to Falael's family, I helped him and Grace to overthrow my aunt."

"How did you two meet Grace?" Ivailo asked, curious why such a being like a human would want to overthrow a monarch.

"Rinomve's aunt wanted to kill her family for two reasons." Falael said. "The first, Grace's father, who Grace has only had a relationship with for the past few years, was a servant of his aunt who had significantly disappointed her. The second, I was working as a deputy in the town that Grace lived in with her mother and younger brother and sister. Envano wanted to kill me, but first she had to flush me out. The Melarins were caught in the crossfire in both instances."

"So, we all are victims of the greed of the Oblivion Kappa." Ivailo sat back in his chair. "Are the two of you prepared to go to war?"

"I think it is time for me to go back to the home that I should have known." Rinomve said.

"Alright." Falael sighed. "If Rinomve wants to reclaim his throne, then Asharia will support him."

"As will Acad." Ivailo confirmed. "Though I would like a much more formal agreement, one that would bind all three of our countries together."

"I think we can agree to that."

"How about binding our countries through marriage?" Rinomve asked.

"I have no intention of marrying you." Ivailo said in disgust. Rinomve just laughed, as if Ivailo had made the greatest joke in the world.

"I never meant for us to marry, no. I thought we arrange for our children to marry." Rinomve said. In all honesty, Ivailo thought. It was not the most awful idea in the world. It's not like they were doing blood rituals together.

"That sounds like a perfect plan. Let's just plan out the future for people who do not even exist, and give them no say in it!" Falael exclaimed, exasperated that this was even an option.

"Do we really have any other option? It is not like we have any other bargaining chips." Ivailo pointed out.

"Fine, we will marry our children to each other's children." Falael relented. "But Grace is going to freak out when she hears."

"Whoa! Slow down!" Grace said as she desperately tried to catch up to Amaris. Amaris paused. Her time at Craester Castle had helped her speed and strength increase, probably because she wasn't being worked to death and was eating much more than a single bowl of weak porridge.

"Sorry, sometimes I forget my strength."

"That is okay." Grace said cheerily. "We all do at one point or another. You have such a beautiful castle here, I can see why you love living here."

"Thank you, but the beauty of the castle is not why I love it here." Amaris said, smiling.

"Then why do you love it here?" Grace asked as Amaris lead her through the archway that lead to the gardens, finishing up the tour of the castle.

"I love the people here. Since I came here, most people have been nothing but kind to me. Yes, there are people who hate what I represent, but the emperor and his sisters have treated me better than anyone had ever treated me." Amaris said, admiring the sea of roses that stood in front of them.

"What do you mean, about people hating what you represent?" Grace asked quizzically.

"I am a relic of a time that was extremely painful for the werewolves, and my very existence can threaten Ivailo's position as emperor if I choose not to support him." Amaris explained.

"Do you think that you ever will?"

"Considering that he helped me buy my way out of slavery, and gave me a home and job afterwards, no." Amaris took a deep breath. "I hate what I represent and want my actions to reflect what I believe."

"And what is that?"

"That we can live, vampires and werewolves, together, peacefully. That crimes against one mean crimes against both. And slavery is a crime."

"Is that why you suggested your emperor write a letter to Falael?" Grace asked.

"Yes."

"It was a smart move."

"Why?" It was Amaris's turn to be confused.

"Because Falael and Rinomve were already planning to invade Thoasia." Amaris nodded.