13 Alliance (11)

The Holy Ranavian Empire has had a lot of foes in its 300 or more years of history. The western lords always saw conflict with the Kingdom of Searis, while the northern frontier had problems with the ogre tribes, as well as the raiders. For the east, the headache was the Commonwealth of Servin-Alania.

At its peak, the empire could muster hundreds of thousands of levy to fight a unified war where all the lords and nobles participated. Such a thing would never have happened if it weren't for the sudden unification between the grand duchy of Servin and the crusader kingdom of Alania, and the war following suit.

The frontier war as it was called, made the empire, for the first time in its history, mobilized its entire levy reserve at the grand total of 200 thousand men. Such numbers hadn't been seen since the old days of the Alaric Empire when they ruled the continent.

The myriad of men were all concentrated on the eastern frontier, leaving the other borders of the empire neglected and vulnerable. During the war, Kingdom of Searis occupied the March of Genstad, the empire's most western territory. The northern raiders plundered the rich league of cities that were harbored on the Northern sea, while the Holy Temple of Ranavia itself in the south was besieged by the Alaric Empire Remnant.

The empire had some of the heaviest infantry in the continent, its knights numbered in the thousands. The commanders were scions of the leaders back at the golden field alliance. Yet, they could barely make a ground against the Commonwealth. Each victory by the heavy imperial infantry was shattered by the winged hussars of the Commonwealth. Each defeat in the hands of the eastern levy of the Commonwealth was avenged by the volleys of imperial crossbowmen.

The war itself took a toll on the men on both sides. Attrition and plague took the most lives while victories over destroyed cities did little to improve morale. Luckily, Calenon didn't participate, both sides ignored Calenon due to father's policy of isolationism. The emperor respected the old hero-general, while the Commonwealth feared the repercussions of angering an arch mage.

The war ended with an honorable duel between the knight-emperor Reginald of Ranavia and the king Theodore of Servin-Alania. It was a tie, both opponents were killed during the fight, from the wounds inflicted by their duel partner. It was over, a pointless war ended with the death of the two nation's leaders, over the mountain of corpses of their subjects.

Now, the grandson of Theodore, King Gustav II was standing right in the white hall of Castle Calenon, chatting with the vassal of his grandfather's enemy. Father greeted him warmly, as much as he could.

He looked older than when I last saw him, his skin was more loose, his eyes lacked life and his mouth spoke dry. As if time accelerated for him and he is now several decades older than he was supposed to be.

The man in front of him was the opposite. His bulky figure towered over father's. His clean unscarred face looked livelier with the presence of his lush facial hair which blended well with his fair skin. He wore clean chainmail armor, decorated with a lion sitting on a rose symbol, the coat of arms of the Commonwealth.

His face hid the fact that he was around 40 years old, he looked like he was in his twenties. His laughter made echoes in the hall, attracting everyone's attention to him.

Gustav was talking with mother and father. I couldn't hear them talking over the endless murmurs in the hall, but it was something important due to the presence of a scribe. Mother looked very uncomfortable there, maybe because her adopted 'son' was also there. Runford had always glued to my father ever since that day.

What was interesting, was his close familiarity with Gustav. Both looked like a pair of siblings, their behavior when around each other made it clear. Whenever Gustav made a statement, Runford would make a snarky comment about it, then they both laughed. They both bantered with each other and had an inside joke only themselves knew.

When the final disgruntled elder was brought to the room, and everyone was present. Father signaled one of his guards to hit the floor with his dual-blade, a sign that everyone should be quiet.

The crowd did exactly that. I sat myself at an elevated balcony just like in the council chamber, but it was a lot more pristine.

"Everyone! Today I would like to inform you of our new alliance with the Great Kingdom of the Commonwealth of Servin-Alania. Due to the predicted bipolar nature between the candidates for the next emperor, I saw it necessary that Calenon wouldn't be caught in the crossfire, and thus, I saw this alliance as a necessity for the Realm's survival."

Father's monotone and sickly voice made its way to every ear present in the hall.

"Me and his royal majesty would discuss more about the terms in private and it would be relayed to all of you as late as next week"

He cast a glance at me. I couldn't predict what he was thinking in his sickly state. When I looked at him and then Runford besides him, the latter cast a smirk.

"That is all, thank you"

As father and the Commonwealth entourage exited the halls into father's private section of the castle, the realm erupted in screaming.

"What was he thinking??!"

"Is he mad?!"

"Allying with the barbarians?"

The idea of a vassal allying with his liege's enemy was something none of these elders could predict nor comprehend. The guards then told the attendees present that they were dismissed

Furthermore, the elves and other imperial nobles made every chance they got to call the eastern nobles with the most derogatory of nicknames. Names like 'the exiles' 'barbarians' and 'pagans' were use sparingly to describe them.

It was hard to believe that we both followed the same continental pantheon.

A sudden footstep crept behind me, based on how heavy it was I already knew who the owner was.

"The realm would be more divided in the future. People loyal to the empire and knew the tyrannical nature of Runford will rally in your banner. While the Commonwealth are behind Runford, supporting him."

It was Yendeir. The man was walking steadily in his full elven battle armor. I could see his bald head even though he was wearing a helmet.

"It seems Runford doesn't have many allies here. Even the pragmatic elders are beginning to doubt him, his connection with the enemy of the empire made them warry of the consequences of letting him on the throne"

"Pragmatism relies on a show of force, your highness. Who could show themselves as the stronger one would garner the support of many, and trust me, a lot of people are pragmatic about the succession of Calenon"

I darted my eyes at him, his persistence and stubbornness is something to admire. "I know what you're trying to say, Master Yendeir. You're trying to convince me that the support of you and your retainers would be necessary for me to win over the population"

His sly smile was impossible to hide.

"Exactly your highness"

"I hate to admit it, but I really need an army to stand ready at a moment's notice. Father's condition could change at any moment from bad to worse, and we should have the initiative"

"Yes, precisely your highness" He was waiting for my confirmation like a child waiting for his mother to say yes to playing outside.

"Then, I need to start preparing for it immediately"

I walked past him. His face, which was full of flowers just a moment ago was now hollow, shocked, he glared at me.

"You'll need me, your highness!!"

He screamed as I closed the door behind me.

He had the force to rule, he just needed the blessing of his liege. Handing over my power of command to him would make him, effectively, the new ruler of Calenon. I can't bargain such a thing.

Runford's alliance with the Commonwealth was certainly a problem on the outside. But, secretly, it opened an opportunity that was beyond my reach before, but now, it was graspable. By allying himself with the enemy of the empire, he had made the empire his enemy.

I visited the scribe room, which wasn't far from the main hall. The room was empty, the writers of documents were busy with documenting father's meeting with Gustav, it was perfect.

The room was full of stacks of papers. Some of them were stored neatly on the shelf, while others were left lying around the floor. Documents about surveys, copies of important books and ledgers, they were all here.

However, I was not looking for a document, I was looking for a clean empty sheet of paper.

The thing was situated in the center of the room. A clean paper made from linen rags. I took it alongside a wrap to keep it sealed.

Then, I stormed out of the room and back to my private chamber. I locked the door and made sure there were no animals with a glowing tint on them spying on me in my own room. Wasting no time, I took a quill and began writing.

===============================

Yohan climbed on my window as the night began to get colder. It was impressive considering that my room was on the 4th floor of the castle and the fact that he was a 75 year old man. He wore his Spymaster outfit, a pure black suit that hugged tightly to his body.

"You were calling for me, your highness?"

"Yes, Yohan, I want to ask a favor from you"

"What is it you require of me?"

"Take this to the Capital of the Empire, Richtersfelden, and made sure that it was opened and read"

"Any specific person you want me to send this to?"

"Yes."I smiled satisfactorily at him.

"The emperor"