Chapter 36

The rest leg of the tour was going smoothly. After House Horriss, the king's caravan proceeded to House Sea Stone led by Lord Hofun. Lord Hofun and his people are said to be the masters of ships in the whole kingdom. House Sea Stone housed over ten thousand ships and one hundred thousand men in their army. It was one of the strongest house in the kingdom of Maldonia and Lord Hofun was a tiny small man. He was just five foot two and he always joked at how everyone somehow grows taller than him, including his children.

Lord Hofun of House Sea Stone awaited Artemis's arrival ever since the day Artemis was crowned king. He spoke of the late King Luca Arteides with sympathy and proud in his voice. He was so taken by Luca's strength and courage in ruling the kingdom. "Your father was a good king. You are going to be even better, I'm sure of it." He acknowledged Artemis with a bow.

That was after they had a feast in the name of the king. The night was still young and the time for chit chat was always open. Lord Hofun was in his late fifties while his wife was a twenty-five-year-old young woman. He didn't fail to mention to Artemis that his dear wife who he referred her as "My sweet Margret," died four years ago due to some infection. Hence, the presence of a new wife who was half his seniority.

Lord Hofun and Sweet Margret had three sons. The first one, who was the apparent heir to house Sea Stone was Tyrod, the second one Mathew and the third one Yunu. Tyrod was the same age as Artemis. He was serious, he didn't laugh at any jokes his dad cracked. King Vaith leaned on Artemis and made a comment. "It may seem the heir apparent inherited nothing from his father's charming delights. Don't you think so, Your Grace?" and Artemis chuckled softly. These two were getting along with each other so good that it had Lord Balon questioning his authority as the Hand of the King.

Long Angun who sat at the same table as Artemis alongside with Lord Akirbus, he was delighted to see King Vaith from a very powerful kingdom of Santagar forming a bond with Artemis. It would mean a lot for the kingdom, a union between the two kingdoms would do them good. In the midst of the celebrations, the apparent heir, Lord Tyrod of House Sea Stone who was also a knight hence he preferred to be titled "Sir Tyrod" rather than Lord Tyrod, took a stand against Artemis.

"Your Grace..." He stood firmly holding a decorated sword on his hands.

"Lord Tyrod." Artemis replied.

Tyrod presented the sword in front of Artemis. "I have a present for you, Your Grace. I had this forged in the Sea Stone mountain underneath the ocean in your honor." He said proudly.

One of the king's guard took the sword carefully and gave it to Artemis. However, it was King Vaith who took it first and then handed it to Artemis. Even though it seemed like a disrespect, Artemis didn't seem to mind it and he was rather amused by his now estranged friend.

"Magnificent! Thank you, my lord. Or should I say, Sir Tyrod."

"You honor me, Your Grace."

Tyrod walked back to his seat, Artemis handed the sword to Lord Angun and Akirbus to keep it for him. King Vaith again whispered into Artemis's ears, "This is the time, Your Grace. Tell him you want his vote to wed your lady love." He said and nodded his head. Indeed, it was time for Artemis to seek the vote and go against his uncle who assured him he was not getting any vote from him.

Artemis nodded and then he called to Lord Hofun. "If we might have a word, my lord." He suggested. "Alone..." and he added.

"Of course, Your Grace. I'll be honored." Replied Lord Hofun and as usual, his smile was as wide.

Lord Hofun led the way, Artemis followed. It was no secret that whatever they will be talking about, it will be discussed in the council chamber. No one dared to follow them as the king requested a solitude conversation. When the stage was cleared, now it had King Vaith, Lord Balon, Lord Akirbus and Lord Angun. Sir Tyrod and his brothers were at a table a little bit far from the main one.

Lord Angun was up to his usual suspicion and wanting to know more about their new friend and his aim for wanting to be so close to the king. He even quoted the most famous quote. "Everyone wants something from the king." He said this to King Vaith and King Vaith didn't hesitate to tell him the truth.

"You are right, my lord. I do want something from the king. I want his sister, princess Aeryn. I heard she's yet to wed."

"You want to wed princess Aeryn?" Lord Akirbus intervened. He was rather stunned by this news.

"Yes, I'll make her the queen of Santagar. Together, we will rule side by side, as man and wife."

Lord Akirbus wasn't so easily convinced. " Pardon me, Santagar is but a tiny place in the south of Doha. Correct me if I'm wrong, Your Grace."

"Tiny?" King Vaith was pissed off.

"I meant, insignificant…"

"My Lord, Santagar is not insignificant. We are the largest population of soldiers and men of worth."

Lord Angun cut in. "Large? Larger than Doha?" he scoffed. This made Vaith even more angrier than he thought he would. King Vaith felt like he was being harassed in the presence of Lord Akirbus and Angun, perhaps they were jealous of the bond he formed with the king.

"We are rebels who escaped the rule of a tyrant. You will do right by addressing us as a kingdom rather an insignificant." King Vaith had completely changed. His eyes were burning with rage. He was trembling beyond control and he showed his true self who was hiding behind the humble and charming one.

It was good for Lord Akirbus and Lord Angun to see for themselves the type of a man who had declared to seek the hand of the princess. However, when Artemis came back to the table, King Vaith quickly smiled and hid his anger side from the king. He was a good actor.

"My lords... It's a celebration. Lord Hofun has just declared his vote for me to wed Lady Kholin." Artemis was grinning from ear to ear.

"Just like what I said to His Grace, a man should never be condemned for falling in love. Love bears neither title nor wealth."

"Thank you my lord, thank you so much. I won't forget this."

Lord Hofun embraced Artemis. "I am your humble servant, Your Grace." Said Lord Hofun and the party continued.

Now that was Sea Stone. The next house on the list would be Iron Falcon, led by Lord Finnian who had received a letter from Lord Aethelind early on to warn him against accepting the King's decision to wed a servant. However, Artemis had no idea that Lord Finnian was already on his uncle's side. They spent the night at Sea Stone and enjoyed the rest of the celebrations. There was more wine, more food and drinks for almost everyone to eat to their fill.

Lord Angun made sure to secure a private moment between him and Artemis at the corridors of the castle prior to Artemis's time to sleep. He had something to say about King Vaith and his proposal to princess Aeryn.

"He has a temper. I, Lord Balon, and Lord Akirbus witnessed him losing his temper over a joke about his... kingdom."

"Why would you joke about his kingdom?"

"Your Grace..."

"My lord, Vaith is just a guest on this tour. I expect him to be treated with respect as you would treat me. Besides, I haven't made any decision regarding him wedding my sister. That will be Aeryn's decision." And with that Artemis excused himself and walked to his chambers.

All the time, King Vaith was eavesdropping to every word between Artemis and Lord Angun. It was at this time he knew that Lord Angun was someone he was supposed to be aware of, he wasn't a friend and nor was he on his side. But King Vaith didn't need people to be on his side, he just needed one particular person and that was princess Aeryn to like him. The only way that will happen is if he lingers longer for him to make it to Blackmount, the capital.

Well that was Artemis's tour and its mysteries. In Prophis, coronation ceremonies were due and the citizens were celebrating after a new King was crowned. King Castellan, first of his name. The celebrations in Prophis weren't like the ones in Maldonia and that's because of the harsh weather. People would love to gather at the arena and praise their new king — however, the endless winter stopped them from having such celebrations.

This favored Castellan who was inside his chambers with his wife Katarina and their last born son, Barkis Taelin. King Castellan's dreams had come true even when he'd lost all hope of ever achieving them.

"You are finally the king of Prophis, my love. I fear the journey has just begun." Katarina said this to her husband.

"A journey which we will conquer together, hand in hand..." Castellan leaned on and kissed his wife.

"The first thing you should do is find a husband for your sister before she spreads more of her rumors to people. Find a Lord in some far away house and wed her off. In that way, we will stay clear of her." Katarina advised Castellan and she waited for a while to listen to what Castellan had to say.