West of sumaka.
Nero alphs.
Soran arjen was sitting besides the old man in his robes with a slight change in His usual expression.
Both of them were sitting silently as if they were waiting for someone important and stayed calm throughout the several hours.
They were sitting in hall of ashen but soran was not sitting in his throne but a normal wooden chair. The old man was sitting on ground with the support of his wooden staff, his head slightly lower. It almost seemed like he was sleeping but he was aware even in sleep.
Soran looked towards the large golden brown gate several times. His expression becoming more and more eager as the time passed.
The hall of ashen was huge but somehow with soran and the old man, it still seemed small.
Soran tried to distract himself with caressing his sword crownbreaker several times. The old man half closed his eyes and was in a meditation state.
Suddenly, they heard a faint knock through the golden brown large gate.
Soran immediately stood up and shouted loudly "come, on in".
The large gate was opened with the help of two ordinary looking knights.
A figure emerged through the door looking burly and strong. He head a thick beard with green eyes and his face had one small scar through his eye. He was wearing a black soft cloak which was long and reached towards his legs. He had several swords on him, on the back, on his side of legs and two large blades on his waist. He had sleek nose and his hair was tied back up in a warrior style of west. He had a big build Towering even soran, although his body was covered in cloak and huge black armour but it could still be seen that he was a strong warrior.
Soran approached him and paced forward in excitement but still looking nervous.
Soran said with a low voice "king Alambus, how lovely it is to meet you once again".
Alambus looked at him with his dark green eyes and smirked sarcastically "yeah, lovely indeed. The last time that we met, we were at each others throats".
Alambus added without any thought "I am going to be very honest, I almost didn't want to come here but this strange old man of yours begged me and sent me several letters pleading me to visit Nero alphs".
Soran lowered his head slightly saying "king Alambus, I know that what I did last time was nothing short of a cowards act. I was a boy filled with rage and boiling blood".
Alambus smirked looking down at soran.
Soran added "I was under the idea that I will be able to conquer the west alone but I should have known that attacking you first was not a very wise decision on my part".
The old man slightly smiled and Muttered under his breath "he is finally learning".
Soran added without any malice in his tone "the thing is, warriors of west are not known for their unity. All of them want to be conquerors even my father taught me that.
Under the impression of my father's teaching I thought I would become this great conqueror who would rule the west alone at top but I was clearly very wrong".
Alambus smiled and said "the west cannot be ruled by a single king until as long as I am here".
Alambus looked towards the old man and then back at soran.
Alambus said with a smile "all my life I had this one goal to unite the kings and warriors of west, hell even the several tribes and creatures. All of that for only one thing, to destroy the south of sumaka".
Soran smiled with obvious shine in his eyes "well of course, every single king of the west wants that but no one is willing to work together to execute it".
Alambus narrowed his eyes and did a low grunt agreeing with soran.
Alambus said with his rugged voice "but why now? What changed your ideology ever so suddenly? I remember the last time you attacked me and well obviously you lost but you still damaged my army quite heavily. As much as this crushes my ego but you did good for the first time".
Soran looked proud and smiled "it's an honor to receive high praises from the best king of sumaka".
Alambus laughed and said "far from it".
Soran turned a little serious "I am not going to lie to you king Alambus. The thing is as much as I want to destroy south like you there is also some selfish reasons involved".
Alambus slightly nodded and said "I see and what are those?"
"There is a king in south called lucien Karsen, that bastard has everything I ever wanted. A voice that is a hell breaker and is exceptional. A princess of lunaverth that I wanted to marry all my life is currently being in talks of marrying that same mad idiot. The legendary sword that every kingdom wanted is also in his grasp. Gods can be cruel but I won't be that person who would sit around and sulk all the time while he gets all of the things I want", soran explained with slight pain in his voice.
Alambus listened and finally spoke "As always it's a matter of power and love".
"The very thing that corrupts every warrior and every king of sumaka", Soran replied with a sense of tone that exuded self awareness.
Alambus slightly lowered his head and nodded "I didn't take you as a kind of king that would draw his blade over love and affection, power I can very well understand".
Soran replied with slight softness in his eyes "I saw her once on my trip to South when I was impersonating as one of the workers. She seemed lonely and pure, she sat by the lake all alone with beautiful flowers in her hand. She was covered with all kinds of beauty not just outer but also inner and reflective. The reflection of the Princess in the lake was as pure as she was in her physical form, soon after I had to run away because some kings found out and they tried to chase me. Even when I was running away from those kings, in all those chaos and bloodshed all I could think was of her face. A face that reflected loneliness,beauty and a sense of want for freedom".
Alambus looked at him for a few seconds and paused before replying "I can understand very well but it can also become your weakness. Think of it as a driving force not as an obsession".
Soran smiled and said "of course, thanks for the advice".
Both of them looked at each other and laughed a little.
Soran asked "tell me king Alambus, are we on the same side?"
Alambus paused for a few seconds looking both at the old man sitting at the back and soran who was waiting for his answer eagerly.
Alambus slightly nodded and said slowly,
"Destruction of south is near, once we ally with each other they will tremble even at the sight of us. Let's destroy those bastards and make the west unite".