Interlude: First Step

Eriven Relis, Month 11, Day 16, Year A.F 652. The city of Alton, Kingdom of Rosalia.

The sounds of beating drums awoke everyone as I walked through the gates of this small city. The wIndows open up as lights were lit through the dimming sky and an army entered with loud steps.

I look through the carriage window as I hug myself with a smile, "I am so glad I'm out of that cold nightmare. Dont even know if those few days were worth it."

I lean back to the comfortable seat and hugged the warm mantle.

"Well, I'm sure the princess would be happy to recognize your valiant sacrifice." A voice spoke back mockingly to me as he scratches his white bearded chin.

"Oh, your words fill me with relief, general Dane." I said to him with irritation as I glared in his direction, the words cutting deep.

He crosses his arms as he leans back. The reply filled his eyes with amusement. "Of course, anything for the prince of our kingdom." He replies with an irritating smile.

I lean back, annoyed at this perceived loss. "Fine, can you at least tell me why you made such a grand entrance?" I gesture outside as a hundred knights marched into the city, their weapons raised.

"It's easier to do it like this, Prince Eriven. We need to take this city under our influence. And it should become much easier if we show them a bit of force." A middle-aged man spoke before he gives me a small smile.

"Is that so?" I rest my hand on my chin before shouting to the both of them, "Why the hell did both of you even follow me here?" I point to my two mentors.

Dian shrugged with an irritating smile, "Your father thought you weren't good enough to handle this large of an army." A large hit was all i got from his words.

I nurse my wounded heart as I look at the other man. "Is that the same reason he sent you? Count Sariel?"

Sariel caresses his beard as he smile, "Yes, His highness has appointed me to help you and you sister in the administration of a new territory. Because he found your skill to be lacking."

He shrugs, "And since this old man has nothing left to do in his own household, I was more

I hold my heart in an act of wounded pride, "I never thought father thought so little of me."

A smile was all I got before they both replied, "He does not. Why else would he appoint you the leader of this expeditionary force."

A smile was all I gave them before I lean back and wait for us to arrive at the castle.

A beautiful and decorated castle came upon my view as I exit the carriage. It's lit hallways, lighting up to show the beautiful garden my sister had made.

My sister comes out with a smile as the servant makes way. Her green skin lighting from the view and green hair blowing from the breeze all framing her unnerving green eyes.

She hugs me deeply as she whispered in malice, "What level of stupidity made you think of bringing twice the amount of soldiers necessary and earlier than three days."

The two old men behind me only chuckled at my misfortune as they watch my soul leave my body.

She hugs me tighter, nearly choking me. I plead for her mercy, "Please let go. I'll tell you inside."

She pushes me back with a smile, one so sweet, I wouldn't have thought it came from her "I'm so glad you arrived brother. Let us continue this conversation inside."

"Yeah sure, two faced bitch." I give out a quiet murmur before being silenced with her soul consuming glare.

I give a bright smile as I gesture to the door, "Lead on, dearest sister."

We enter the room, one finely furnished and well crafted room. It held all the fineries one would expect of royalty and held a certain regality. I wouldn't expect in such a small city.

I take a seat in front of Eribeth and General Dane and Count Sariel took a seat beside us. She sits down before levelling me with a glare.

"So, brother. What is the reason that you brought forty thousand men. Twice than what we agreed upon the capital." She said through her teeth as it filled her green eyes with intense annoyance.

I raise my hands, hoping to placate the rage simmering within her, "Dont look at me, Father decided to take your plan a step further."

"A step further? How big of a step?" She asked to me in curiosity as greed enters his eyes and I am filled with relief.

"Turning the northern part of Rosalia into a duchy, step." I said to her with a smirk.

Realization fills her eyes as she murmurs, "So that's the reason councillor Sariel is with you."

"Then am I correct to believe that I would be the Duchess of our new holding?" She spoke in excitement as she inches closer to me. Her excitement almost contagious.

The two old men only chuckles in amusement from the display she showed, leaving me to deal with her.

I look at her in thought before asking, "So how was your stay here?"

She shrugs, "It was okay, though my fiance was a bit dull than I hoped."

A smirk came upon her face at thought of her groom to be, "Though it only got easier with such dullness."

She thinks for a while longer before asking, "If he had such a plan before, then why wasnt I informed?"

I rub the back of my head as I replied, "Well, we got new information just after you left. One which we deigned to be too important to send through letter or messenger."

She rolls her eyes, "What could it possibly be? What could have made such a drastic change of plans?" She glares at the two men who look down, "What could've turned from a mere influence into a full on conquest."

The three of us look at one another in nervousness, aware that such a news might be a bit much for her, Count Sariel only coughs before speaking.

"The Bruncian Kingdom has decided to send twenty thousand of their men."

She stops in her tracks before she asks, "The Bruncian Kingdom in Eriva?"

The grave nod was all she needed before crumpling in her seat. I wince at her expression, one both despondent and thoughtful.

"It won't be as bad as you think though, since the tension remains thick on their continent, they won't be able to send any of their powerhouses." I said to her, trying to console her.

She laughs weakly, "I kinda wish you brought more men now."

"Yeah, me too."

Emma Prie, Month 11, Day 16, Year A.F 652. Brieslinian Sea

The smell of salt, the robust waves crashing onto the deck and the sounds of sailors readying for another day of voyage.

Another strand of purple hair struck my face and I give a small smile. I hold it between my fingers and was reminded of the family I had, one that made remember my reason for departure. The succession is now clear and father has scrambled to settle his children all throughout the kingdom.

Unfortunately, no one wanted to marry me, neither duke nor nobility wished to consort themselves with a half breed, sullying their bloodline in the process.

I clench my fist. So he gave me a chance to carve out a territory for myself, with twenty thousand men behind me and the magic I've learned, I'll be more than capable of taking this city for myself.

Now here I am, sent towards a kingdom in turmoil. To be married off to one of their prince. Well that was the supposed plan, but father gave me free reign over this army, one that I intend to make a full use of.

"Captain! How long till we arrive at the city of Aster." I shout to the captain in charge of the ship upon where I reside.

"Five days madam." The captain replied as he bowed behind her.

"Quite early, I suppose." I said to him as I watch the waves crash at our decks.

"It is perhaps due to your help, Princess. Such treacherous waters would have sunk our ships without your help." The old admiral gave a small smile as he walked up behind me as a large wave appears before the ship, ready to consume us in its depths.

I show a small smile, my sword lighting up in power as the familiar pull of magic courses through my body.

The waves grow closer and closer till it was a few meters away from the ship, I merely unsheath my sword and give out a horizontal slash.

The power of which cuts the wave cleanly before a blast of air disperses it back to the sea.