Battle of Echelon 6

After a prolonged meeting, the king and queen bid farewell to Lord Silas. They decided that their next destination would be Vikra's residence, driven by the desire to gain insight into his plans. Seated side by side in their ornate chariot, the monarchs engaged in a hushed conversation.

"I find it hard to believe that Vikra, who is married to my own sister, would harbor intentions of betrayal," the queen voiced her doubts, her brow furrowed. Lord Silas' revelations had cast a shadow of uncertainty.

"People change, my dear. Vikra's past has shown a propensity for deviousness. Silas may have valid concerns, and I believe it's essential to explore them further," King Athan replied, his tone unwavering and resolute.

As the wheels of their carriage rolled steadily, the journey to Vikra's castle seemed interminable. Eventually, the towering gates of the castle came into view. The sight prompted a herald to blow a horn, a ceremonial gesture signaling the royal presence. Within the stone walls of the castle, Vikra caught wind of the approaching chariot. Swiftly, he cleared his chamber of attendants, directing them to depart in haste. He knew the King and Queen were en route, and he wished to be prepared to receive them in privacy.

Vikra stood alone in his chamber, the air heavy with anticipation. He adjusted his attire, ensuring every detail was in order. The fate of his standing with the royal court hung in the balance, and his demeanor needed to reflect the gravity of the situation. The room seemed to hold its breath as he waited, his thoughts a whirlwind of strategies and potential outcomes.

The resounding horn signaled the arrival of the royal chariot at the castle's entrance. Vikra's heart quickened, and he composed himself, ready to face whatever inquiries or accusations the king and queen might bring. He walked to the grand hall to greet them, his face a mask of hospitality and deference.

As the imposing doors swung open, revealing Vikra standing there in an attitude of respect, King Athan and Queen Thana alighted from their chariot. The king's gaze bore into Vikra, assessing every nuance of his expression and stance. The queen's eyes held a glimmer of uncertainty as she regarded her brother-in-law.

"Vikra," King Athan's voice was measured, devoid of any warmth. "We've come to discuss matters of great importance. May we converse in private?"

"Of course, Your Majesty," Vikra replied, his voice steady. He motioned for them to follow him, leading the way to a more secluded chamber where they could speak freely. The tension in the air was palpable, a silent acknowledgment that their conversation could reshape alliances and allegiances.

Behind closed doors, the fate of kingdoms hung in the balance as Vikra prepared to address the concerns that had drawn the royal couple to his doorstep.

Vikra offered them a seat, and they all sat down.

"How is my sister?" the queen asked Vikra. But before he could answer, Isabell appeared unexpectedly.

"I was not informed of your coming, Thana," Isabell said, bowing her head respectfully to the king and queen.

Vikra motioned for his wife to ask the maids to bring some drinks, but the king declined the offer. "We haven't come for drinks this time, perhaps another time," he said. The queen continued, addressing Isabell, "Isabell, you haven't visited me or your niece at the palace. Can you tell me why?"

Isabell hesitated for a moment, her mind racing to come up with a believable explanation for her absence from the palace. She knew she had to be careful with her words.

"Well, Your Majesty," Isabell began, trying to sound as sincere as possible, "I have been busy with some family matters and other responsibilities that required my attention. I truly regret not visiting you and my niece, but please know that I have had you both in my thoughts."

The queen looked at Isabell with a hint of skepticism. "Family matters, you say? I hope everything is alright. Family should always come first," she replied, her tone softening a bit.

Isabell nodded, grateful that the queen seemed to buy her explanation. "Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. I will make it a priority to visit soon."

The king, who had been observing the conversation, finally spoke. "It's good to hear that, Isabell. Family is indeed important. Now, we have some matters to discuss with Vikra. You're welcome to stay if you wish."

Isabell glanced at Vikra, who nodded reassuringly. "Thank you, Your Highness. But I don't want to intrude on your important discussions. I'll take my leave for now."

With a courteous nod to the king and queen, Isabell excused herself and left the room. As she walked away, she couldn't help but feel relieved that she had managed to avoid revealing the true reasons for her absence. However, a sense of unease lingered in her mind, wondering if the king and queen had truly believed her explanation or if they had seen through her carefully crafted words.

Meanwhile, Vikra focused his attention back on the king and queen, ready to address the important matters they had come to discuss. The atmosphere in the room was tense,

As Vikra tried to find the right words to describe his view on the prophecy, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. He had never put much stock in prophecies and believed them to be nothing more than myths and stories. To him, the idea of the Earth being united under one ruler, especially a female one, seemed far-fetched and unrealistic.

"My king, the prophecy is a mystery that we are waiting to see unfold," Vikra finally replied, trying to choose his words carefully. "As for your daughter, I do not doubt that she will make a fine leader. You have my full support in whatever decision you make regarding the succession."

Queen Thana let out a relieved sigh, glad that Vikra's words seemed to clear him of any suspicion from Silas's accusations. However, King Athan still had a lingering doubt in his mind.

"But you never spoke up to defend my daughter's succession to the throne," the king said, his voice tinged with concern.

Vikra looked directly into the king's eyes, trying to maintain his composure. "My lord, you are the king, and whoever you choose to succeed your throne will have my firm support. I believed it was not my place to intervene in matters beyond me, I trust that when it's time, I will place the crown on her head."

The king nodded, understanding Vikra's position. He appreciated Vikra's loyalty to the crown and his willingness to support the chosen successor, but a part of him still wondered if there was more to the story.

"Very well, Vikra," the king said, his tone still somewhat guarded. "I hope you understand that I must consider all perspectives before making such an important decision."

Vikra nodded respectfully. "Of course, Your Highness. I understand completely."

With that, the king and queen continued their discussion with Vikra, exploring various matters concerning the kingdom's stability and prosperity. Despite the lingering doubt in the king's mind, he appreciated Vikra's input and valued his counsel as a trusted advisor.

As the meeting progressed, Vikra made sure to carefully choose his words, not revealing his true thoughts on the prophecy or his own aspirations for the throne. He knew that navigating the complexities of the order required a delicate balance of loyalty and discretion, and he was determined to play his cards right.

As the meeting came to a close, the king and queen bid farewell to Vikra, thanking him for his time and insights. Vikra bowed respectfully and watched as the royal chariot departed from his castle.

Once they were gone, Vikra was left alone in his chamber, deep in thought. He knew that the prophecy's fulfillment could bring about significant changes in the kingdom, and he couldn't help but wonder about his own role in shaping its future.

For now, he would bide his time and continue to play the loyal advisor, concealing his true ambitions until the opportune moment arose. The game of thrones was a complex one, and Vikra was determined to emerge victorious in the end.