[POV: King Barthol Van Stones]
The grand hall of Sunstones echoed with footsteps and whispers. Four days had
passed since Solaris envoys arrived, bringing accusations and evidence I still
doubted. Now, nobles, trade partners, and allies sat before me, awaiting the
council to begin.
I drew a deep breath, my hand gripping the armrest. The hall's jeweled walls
glittered under torchlight—the symbol of our trade's glory. But today, that
glory felt fragile.
"The council begins," I said slowly. "Speak, nobles. Tell me, what path
should Sunstones take?"
Lord Cedric Halberd, an elder noble with snow-white hair, rose with a heavy
voice. "Your Majesty, Solaris commands ten thousand soldiers. We have only
five. If we resist, we will be crushed. It is better to yield, to keep our
trade alive."
I stared at him. His words made sense, but they tasted bitter.
Lady Mirabel Dorne, the most powerful spice merchant, stood swiftly. "The
evidence they brought is false, and Your Majesty knows it. If we yield,
Sunstones will wither slowly. We will become puppets of the empire, no longer a
hub of trade. I choose resistance."
The hall erupted. Some nodded, others scoffed. I restrained myself from
striking the gavel too soon.
Renard Veylor, master of the river port, spoke hesitantly. "If we yield, at
least the ports will remain. But… Veritas stands here. They swore to guard the
trade routes. Will they truly uphold that promise?"
My gaze shifted to the two men from Veritas. They rose with dignity.
Councilor Thaddeus Veymar declared, "If Sunstones yields to Solaris, the
world will descend into chaos. Only two routes remain: Veritas, or Stormwatch,
which is impenetrable. We cannot allow Solaris to control them all. Veritas
will send two thousand troops. That is our vow."
Commander Lucien Draemont added, his voice like steel, "Solaris is vast,
yes, but their strength is scattered. With Veritas, Sunstones, and Riverbend
united, we can resist."
Some nobles cheered, though not all were convinced.
Then Riverbend's envoy stepped forward. Lady Arwen Luthiel bowed
respectfully, her voice resolute. "Riverbend stands with you. If Sunstones
chooses to resist, we will send one thousand soldiers. Do not let Solaris
conquer the world with threats alone."
I studied her, searching for deceit, but her eyes were clear, filled with
resolve.
The chamber erupted again.
Lord Selene Marrow shouted, "War will destroy us! Better to live without
honor than to die in vain!"
Lord Alphon Grell, commander of the western fortress, retorted, "Better to die
with honor than live as slaves!"
Voices clashed, the hall trembling with their cries. I sat in silence,
watching each face—some fearful, some furious, some uncertain.
I lowered my gaze. In my mind, I saw the common folk of Sunstones: merchants
in the market, children at the docks, miners carrying gemstones with
sweat-soaked backs. They were absent from this hall, yet the choice made here
would decide whether their bellies stayed full—or whether they begged on the
streets.
Sunstones was built on their toil, not only on the words of nobles. I
remembered my father, the former king, who always said: "A merchant king must
know when to bargain and when to pay in full. But never sell your honor, for
that is a price no gold can redeem."
His words echoed as I looked back at the nobles shouting.
The false evidence of Solaris still lay on the table. I had read it again
and again, searching for truth. The more I looked, the clearer its flaws
became. Yet… Solaris had the power to force lies into reality.
Amidst the clamor, I caught a whisper: "Valoria has already declared war on
Ethereal. If they lose, the world will change. If they win, Ethereal may
vanish."
I closed my eyes for a moment. Two great wars could erupt at once. Sunstones
stood at the center, and I had to choose its path.
But today, I gave no decision. I let the debate flow, hearing every voice. I
knew that a single sentence from me would determine whether Sunstones
submitted… or resisted Solaris.
[POV: Arthur – Valoria]
That same day, far to the north, Caelora's palace was silent as envoys from the
Union of Kingdoms in Veritas arrived. A silver-sealed scroll was handed to me
with solemn respect.
I broke the seal carefully. The words inside were brief, firm:
"The Union of Kingdoms acknowledges Ethereal's crime. We leave judgment and
punishment entirely in Valoria's hands."
I placed the scroll down slowly. Before I could draw a breath of relief,
another letter arrived, sealed in black.
"Come. We are ready to take on Valoria."
I smiled faintly. Not with joy, but with memory.
On Earth, when I once wrote code and the screen froze, the program
unresponsive, I struck the keyboard, refusing to surrender. Every obstacle, I
faced with stubborn resolve.
I looked out the open window, the wind carrying the distant cheers of my
people, still shouting their support for war.
"Very well, Ethereal," I whispered. "You want war… then war is what you shall
have."