Flame

Nearly a thousand hoof marks dotted the fair snow. It was a good thing that today was a windless day or else the horses would have been neighing nonstop due to cold.

After passing through the gate of Nirvana, they separated into three. One party was led by Erik. They will be further separated as half of them will go to Solon with Freya while half will go to Greenwater with Erik.

Another party was led by Leopold. The former King, with the assistance of Braun and Henry, will march to the East to solve the ongoing crisis with the rebellious nobles.

The last party was led by the King and the Queen. They were bound for Holm in the south to strengthen Lucia's rule and to levy more soldiers from the Vanadian populace.

Before going on their separate ways, Timothy, Erik and Leopold met in the middle of the three parties.

"Make sure that Greenwater is shining like a curved shield when I go there by the end of the season" He told Erik who now looked like a real Marquis. His clothes were truly that of the high nobility and his posture was gallant. The golden chain that dangled on his chest was well pronounced.

"Hah I'll make it so that General Marvin will compose another song about Greenwater's recovery"

"Cocky. I like it"

Timothy looked at his father.

"I've already given Rupert the medicine Lucia personally made. She said it'll help lessen the biting pain of cold nights and mornings. Just ask him for it. Lucia also prescribes for you to drink tea every sunrise. Calgarian would be preferable" Timothy said to his father. Seeing him shiver due to the weather was painful. He was old. He should be resting. But nobody could solve the problems in the east better than his father.

"Bah. It's just cold. The weather can't stop me from cracking some nobles' skulls"

"Just do me a favor and stop being stubborn"

"But I'm not old... Fine. I'll drink my medicine. Tell the Queen that I'm grateful. In return I'll really bash some nobles' skulls for you"

"I prefer you not" Timothy gave a flat chuckle "So you know what to do?"

Leopold took a small note from the pocket of his coat. He held it in front of Timothy

"The list of friends and enemies you gave me. Don't worry I got this"

"Then may the Omniscient be with you father"

"May the Omniscient be with you son" Leopold smiled.

Timothy also made his farewell with Erik. He clucked his horse into motion and the three of them went to their separate ways. Timothy turned his head one more time and could only distinguish his father by his white hair at the distance.

After reaching Lucia's side he smiled bitterly towards her.

"Are you sure about this?" Lucia asked

"I am. Although it breaks my heart, I need him"

"I mean... about going with me rather than with him"

"Well I can't just let my wife solve her Kingdom's problems on her own right?"

Lucia lowered her head. "Thank you Tim. For going with me"

"Think nothing of it. I'll miss you anyway. Besides..." Timothy looked towards the mass of soldiers going east.

"He's going to be alright. He is Leopold Castonia remember? Men tremble in fear just at the mention of his name. I trust the capability of my father"

"I see" She nodded a single nod "Then shall we go? Holm is still days away"

"Yes" Timothy answered. His signaled for the party to advance. In just a short while hundreds of horses trotted in the snow.

*********

It was already dark. Vernice put his weight on his cane and trudged. He was not old. He had been in this world for a mere forty summers. He had seen men of older age with better legs. It was his weight. He was too heavy for his legs to support his body. Without the cane his bones would probably crack. So even though it made him look ridiculous, he carried a cane whenever he goes.

He knew that people were talking on his back about his weight. He knew the names they called him. Pig, swine, Earl of lards. So many names and so many insults.

But Vernice would always just let these insults pass. He cannot be petty. He was an Earl and he must set an example to his subjects. Those are just words anyway. Words hurt for a while but if you just hold your breath a bit, the pain will vanish.

He was on his way outside. He needed a gulp of fresh air as he was exhausted by the stressful encounter with Ivan and the old man. Evil people, he thought. How could they cause this nonsensical crisis? How could their conscience stay silent while people were starving to death?

It was disgusting. Timothy was a thousand times better than Ivan. It was just right that the crown went to Timothy. If the original plan of succession was followed then Vernice doesn't even want to imagine what will happen to Castonia under Ivan's rule.

He took the seal of Leo's Tear from his pocket. He fiddled with the thing, feeling the unique figure of the lion inside the teardrop.

"Brothers" he mumbled in silence and sighed.

Castonia surely is facing a tough year. First the Tulosan invasion. And then the civil war followed. And now the foolish Prince Ivan is destroying Castonia from within. It was as if the Omniscient had some sort of beef against the kingdom. Nevertheless Vernice was confident that Timothy will one day bring order, peace and prosperity to Castonia. That day might not be tomorrow but it will come.

After a few dozen steps, Vernice found himself outside. The air was fresh. The snow beneath his boots emitted audible crunches.

But it was cold. The seldom blows of wind rattled his body. His fat was thick and yet he still felt cold. Vernice was again reminded of the people of Anthapis. They wouldn't survive this cold without warm food, thick clothing and a stable roof above their heads. He was secretly providing them food and clothing out of his own pockets but there were more than a hundred thousand people in Anthapis and he cannot support them all without the cooperation of other nobles. By then end of the snow season thousands would surely die.

Vernice made his way to the lone Wisteria tree in the garden of his villa. The beautiful flowers were still scheduled to bloom in Spring so the tree was still far from exhibiting its lovely form.

Just a few steps from the trunk of the tree, Vernice noticed that there was someone leaning against it... and smiling sinisterly towards him. It was the old man who was with Ivan earlier.

"Pleasant night Earl Vernice"

"Pleasant night" Vernice replied in a flat hurried voice "I guess this spot's taken for tonight. I'll just go back inside"

Vernice was about to turn around when he was stopped by the old man's chuckle. The old man shook his head.

"No, no. There's no need for such a thing. I'm not stealing your spot. I'm just here because I wanted to talk to you"

"Talk to me? We have already talked. I told you that I'm joining your game against the King"

"Oh right. Our discussion about the serfs and the landowners was fruitful. But we are not going to talk about that. We have a more... significant topic for tonight"

Vernice sensed danger so he put his two hands on the top of his cane. The top of the cane was a detachable blade he could use whenever his life was in danger. If this old man attempts something funny, he would have to defend himself. He was not an agile man but his weight translates to strength.

"I guess I'll get another juicy bit of your knowledge old man. Tell me, what is it?"

The old man was silent for a while.

"What if I told you that the world, your world, will soon be engulfed in chaos? Would you believe me?"

"Eh. Another doomsday prophecy. Throw that garbage in the pits. I have not respect nor need for prophecies of old men"

"But it's true Earl Vernice. It's true" the old man repeated in an almost whispering manner. "But it's not doomsday. It's more like a reset. A cull of sorts. And we will be responsible for it."

"You? Responsible" Vernice laughed "It seems you've gone senile. You are but an old man"

"Not just I Earl Vernice. I have comrades. We call ourselves the Council"

"Such a name. The Council. Tell me old man, what can you do? You are but an old frail man."

The old man smiled "Assumptions. Sometimes correct sometimes wrong. We assume using what we see, what he hear and what we feel. But senses don't reveal the whole picture. Be careful Earl Vernice. Wrong assumptions can get you killed"

He held his arm out towards Vernice. Slowly, he opened his palm.

It started as a flicker. And then it grew and grew into something Vernice's eyes could not believe. A ball of flame was floating on the man's palm.