Kapitel 41: Chapter 41

Lord Balrus watched as Saigon struggled while hanging from the rope until his neck broke. Then, Lord Balrus ordered his men to push Saigon from the balcony but he was dead already. As things got heated in Maldonia, in Prophis, the cold war between the siblings rose up. King Castellan organized a meeting with his lords and condemned his brother, Prince Ambrose of treason and ordered his head.

"My brother took my men and marched to Maldonia to join the rebels, my enemies. I call out for an emergency, the bells must ring for a week as we prepare for battle." Castellan gave out the orders.

The bells rang two times that day, Prophisians were alarmed of the incoming war. Suddenly, it turned out to be the biggest news in the whole realm. It was Maldonia against Prophis. Lucian Mithandir's position in House Horriss as a guest of Lord Aethelind was taken as if he is supported by the realm and the King. And also the news that Lord Aethelind had given Lucian ten thousand Maldonian men to fight his battle persuaded every house that Artemis knew of it.

Three months in and Artemis was on his sixth house of his royal tour, the house called Green Town ruled by Lord Grimwald. His fifth house was House Old City ruled by Lord Gandalf Squire and let's say it didn't go as planned. Lord Gandalf ruled the Old City which was the ancient part of Maldonia dating back to the first king of the kingdom. The city was ancient and so was its alleys, markets and houses. The people of the Old City complained they were forgotten by their king when it came to civilization and services.

By that count, Lord Gandalf had his own proposal. "Your father, King Luca Arteides denied us the honor of a visit on his first royal tour as the king of Maldonia, Your Grace. We are the forgotten ones, so they call us." He said. Unlike what Artemis expected, Lord Gandalf was younger than him. He was only one and twenty.

"I believe he had his reasons, my lord."

"Did he?" Lord Gandalf sipped his wine looking so arrogant and full of himself. A bad boy he was.

"I'm the king now. We should put all matters of the past to rest."

"Indeed, Your Grace. This brings me to the most important thing I have been dying to tell you ever since I heard you'll be coming to my house. I would like to ask you for my sister's hand, Lady Aryan Squire. Let us join our houses together and of course... my lions."

Artemis looked at his Hand, Lord Balon. And then at King Vaith. When he didn't get any signal from them, he turned to Lord Akirbus and Lord Angun. Lord Akirbus immediately intervened to help the king.

"My lord, I fear the wedding proposal you've put in front of the king is impossible. The king is already betrothed. Although, the crown is gracious for your..." Lord Akirbus tried to make a point.

Lord Gandalf quickly hoped up to his feet. "If you won't wed my sister, Your Grace. I'm afraid I'm of no help to you." He said and barged outside of the council chamber.

That was a loss for Artemis since House Old City was his only hope if he was ever to have a vote. At that moment, he had only two votes to support him and three which were against him including his uncle. Perhaps Lord Gandalf was what they claimed he was, "young and impulsive" and also arrogant. Lord Gandalf didn't throw a welcome party for Artemis. He neither showed any sign of respect nor acknowledgement of Artemis as his king.

When they boarded the royal wheelhouse to continue their journey, Artemis was still wroth about his experience in the Old City. "He didn't even look at me, nor addressed me as his king, not even once. I should abdicate him as the Lord of Old City and place another lord who is well mannered."

"I'm afraid that's not possible, Your Grace. Even for you." Lord Angun advised.

"Why? They are under my rule, aren't they?"

"Yes, but each house is as independent as they have been for centuries. I wouldn't advise going after Lord Gandalf..."

"He's an arrogant child," Artemis made his point.

"A child with an army of more than two hundred thousand men sworn to him and ten mighty lions. I wouldn't advise being at odds with your lords, Your Grace. We need them." Lord Akirbus stated the facts and for once they were silent.

Lord Balon and King Vaith had their own secrets after attending a pleasure house in Cooperstone together. They formed a brotherhood and the tour turned strangers into friends.

"I hope House Green Town does provide the unification I'm looking for. Lord Grimwald is a good man, isn't he?" Artemis expressed his concerns. He was exhausted after months of constant moving.

Lord Angun replied, "Indeed, Your Grace. He and I had an acquaintance before. I think you should leave the matter of the vote to me, I will speak to him."

"You honor your king, my lord."

Lord Angun and Lord Akirbus looked at each other as if they were keeping something from the king. Artemis noticed it quickly and asked straight away. "What is it?"

"I'm afraid we have to turn back after Green Town, Your Grace." Lord Angun was the first one to speak plainly.

Lord Balon was shocked. "Why?"

Lord Angun ignored him and turned his attention to Artemis. "We have received a letter from Lord Balrus. Your uncle, Lord Aethelind is housing Lucian Mithandir at his city and his five thousand men as we speak. He's also promised Lucian another lot of his men to fight the battle in Prophis."

"He did what?"

Lord Akirbus intervened. "That's not all, Your Grace. The new king of Prophis, King Castellan Taelin has issued a war emergency after his brother, Prince Ambrose Taelin fled the King's City and took with him two thousand men to House Horriss to join Lucian Mithandir."

Artemis sighed and then leaned back on his seat. He was confused at everything that was going on, and most importantly his uncle's recklessness which had brought the realm to war. He panicked, "Prince Ambrose is here in Maldonia? In my kingdom?"

"Let's not panic right now, Your Grace..." King Vaith intervened. "How about we end the tour in House Green Town and get back to Blackmount, I'm positive you will have more control of the situation from the capital."

"Well-spoken. King Vaith." Lord Angun for the first time agreed with King Vaith. "We should get back home."

The news of the death of Saigon shocked Princess Aeryn to the point she had to sit down the moment her lady maid informed her. It was early in the morning and she was preparing to call out the lords of laws and justice for what she thought would be, "The doom of Lord Balrus, the Maldonian king without a crown." As he so styled himself. However, it was fitting for the most usual saying which stated, "Lord Balrus knows what you had for breakfast a week ago" and that's because of his spies famously known as rodents. Lord Balrus named his spies rodents because of the nature behavior of the rodents, being sneaky and always climbing the walls looking for something.

The devastation had Princess Aeryn out in the garden by afternoon dressed in her white silk dress with long sleeves. The dress left most part of her upper body in display, hence she opted for a black scarf around her chest. The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming and everything looked so clear. Aurora was having a chit chat with Lord Barlus, she came to ask if the rodents had yet found her mother and if they had delivered the letter.

"Nothing to worry you my dear, my rodents have never lost their way." Lord Balrus assured her. Then, he caught the sight of a very somber princess making her away around the garden.

Aurora turned to where Lord Balrus was looking and she didn't seem so pleased seeing the princess. "She hates me you know. And if you were right about Saigon being her spy, I'm sure she's plotting something right now." Aurora expressed herself while her eyes glued at the princess.

"Hate doesn't scare me, my lady. My own father hated me."

"Do you really think she wanted to use Saigon against you?"

Lord Balrus sighed softly. "Let's wait for His Grace's return my lady, and the war is upon us. You were right... a war is coming."

Both Lord Balrus and Aurora left the garden still conversing and just the sight of the two looking happy made Princess Aeryn wroth. She hated the two, especially Aurora and the fact that Saigon mentioned her before he was found dead just added fuel to the flame. But how could a young and beautiful woman like Princess Aeryn be filled with hate? Her mother, Queen Haisa was a very warm hearted woman with the most beautiful smile. She was widely known for her generosity and many Maldonians praised her for charity events.

This deep desire to destroy anyone loyal or close to Artemis is what made princess Aeryn bitter. She felt like she was the one who should be close to her brother and not anyone else. Princess Aeryn believed her brother should listen to her, and only her if he were to succeed as King. Days were closing by before Artemis's return to the capital and yet still Aurora was in the palace waiting. Devastated and heartbroken, Princess Aeryn penned a letter to her uncle, Prince Arcadia again although this time she had a different reason to reach out.

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