Alesteria

The day grew hot as the sun rose in the air over the city of Ceron. Balestor, a man of medium stature with black hair, approached the city on horseback. As Balestor looked at the city, he couldn’t help but notice that in the light of the sun, the blue marble of the city shined like the sea. The blue city was built around a plateau in the brown grass of the Plain of Ceron. Ceron was then surrounded by a circular wall. As he approached the gate, Balestor saw the market was in session outside the city gates. He rode among the merchant stalls as many of them tried to get him to buy various trinkets from them. However, Balestor’s attention was caught by a beggar near the entrance to the city. This man was wearing rags and looked as though he had not eaten in days Balestor could almost see the mans ribs. He was surrounded by two guards and a baker, there was some argument that was being settled.

“Give back what you stole!” exclaimed the baker.

“I didn’t steal anything! This bread was given to me by a stranger.” explained the beggar.

The guards did not seem to be believing the beggar’s story. They had their swords drawn preparing to make the arrest. Balestor walked over and removed his hood. The guards immediately recognized Balestor as the High Prince and backed away.

“How much for the bread” asked Balestor.

“2 pieces of silver” answered the baker.

Balestor reached into his purse and pulled out two gold pieces, he told the baker. “Take this as payment and use the rest to get some meat for this man. I trust you two will make sure this is handled properly” he said to the guards. “I will be visiting the butcher to make sure the meat was purchased.”

The two men and the guards departed and Blaster made his way to the castle. As Balestor walked through the enormous streets of Ceron, he was joined by his brother Calestor. Balestor and Calestor were twins. However, Balestor was born first and therefore was then considered the heir to the throne. Balestor was still caught off guard how much his brother looked like him. Except for the small scar under his brothers left eye, it was almost like looking in the mirror.

“When did you get back?” asked Calestor

“Just now” replied Balestor “I was just about to go see father and tell him what I learned amongst the our military forts”

“I was headed that way as well” said Calestor “I got back two days ago. Father sent me to investigate the Sincron border”

“What did you find?” asked Balestor.

“Apparently the scouts from forts Dor and Kor report that the Sincrons have abandoned most of their military positions. We captured a crazed Sincron soldier who claimed his entire unit was slaughtered by Umbraryians.”

“I seriously doubt that it was the Umbraryians” remarked Balestor “the Sincrons must be pulling some trick.”

“Still the news is troubling” said Calestor. “If Sincor intends to marshal an assault, I don’t know if our country is ready for another war.”

Balestor and Calestor continued to the throne room. The Palace of the Light, had been the ruling seat of Alesteria since its founding., and It was a large building that overlooked the entire city. It had five towers. Each tower housed a different purpose of the City. There was the Merchant Tower, the Military Tower, The Great Library, The Royal Bedrooms, and the center tower was where the Council of Officers met to discuss matters of the city. When Imantor, Balestor’s great grandfather, had led the Alesterian people from across the Western Sea. When their ancestors arrived on the shores of Alesteria, Imantor received a vision of the god Militus, that he should move the people east and he would find a great city. It was there that Imantor set eyes upon the blue marble of the city. As he approached the highest level of the city he found a white light, and Militus came to him again and told him to build his palace here. Imantor built a great palace and at the end of construction the white light rose to rest above the central tower and has remained there for 350 years. Imantor named the city Ceron, which in Alesterian means city of the gods. When Balestor was a child he had always loved the story of the Palace of Light. Until he had learned the dark history behind the founding of Alesteria.

Imantor took this to mean that the Alesterians were meant to rule this land that they had come too. Imantor then led a campaign to conquer the native inhabitants and pushed them off their land. The natives were forced then to retreat into their last safe place, the Northern woods. Here the natives had superior knowledge of the woods, and were able hold off the Alesterians. This led to truly bitter relations between the two sides. Until his father reached out to them during the war with the shadowlings of Umbraryia. His father promised the natives all the land north of Celiborl and Fort Cer. This was most of their territory except the Plains of Ceron. The Natives accepted and even allowed the Alesterians to build a sanctuary in the Northern woods where the women and children hid during the war. Many Alesterians were not happy with the loss of territory, particularly the lesser officers in the military. There are many people who believe the Alesterians should conquer the natives and fulfil our destiny to the gods. Balestor had spent time among the natives during the first war, many are his friends. He did not think they were lesser and had just as much right to be here as his people did.

Balestor and his brother entered the throne room. The room was long with a high ceiling. The stone was a darker blue than the city. At the end of the throne room was the golden throne of Imantor. His father, Valestor, sat there, with two royal guardsmen standing at his sides. Valestor was a tall man, with golden blond hair, and piercing blue eyes. He wore a black robe with the crest of Alesteria on it. His hair was long and a small beard existed on his chin. Both sons looked like their father, except they had the black hair of their mother. Balestor looked at his father. His father had lived for nearly a hundred and fifty years but still looked no older than thirty. Some time ago Valestor had become immortal. No one knew how, except for him and he seems to have passed this on to his sons and his wife. Valestor never talked about this, except one time when Balestor asked his father he just said “we will live a long time however, we can be killed by the sword.” Balestor and his brother were 40 years old. It’s still strange looking the same age as your hundred and fifty year old father.

It was at this point that Valestor saw his sons. He got up and issued them a greeting “Welcome back my sons. Come, tell me of your reports.”

Calestor gave his reports of the Sincorn border. Valestor listened intently to his son’s story. When Calestor was done he said “your report is definitely something I’ll want to investigate. That will come later, Balestor tell me of your report.”

“Father our military forts are well supplied. Fort Cad is in full operation and Fort Cer is likewise. However the men seem uneasy. Especially those from Fort Cad who patrol the roads of Celiborl. They report a dark feeling they get while traveling the road. Other than that the men seem well equipped, well fed, and do not have too many complaints.”

Valestor looked at his son and said “I think that there is some connection between the two reports. However, I do not think….”

Just then two men burst through the palace doors. The one leading was Galites, the commanding General of the Army and the other was Milcan, the captain of the royal guard.

Galites spoke “Your Majesty come quickly, our scouts report a Sincorn army approaching the plain of Ceron.”

Valestor rose from the throne and spoke with utmost authority “Ready the men with archers along the wall. Have the Cavalry ready to ride out into the plain.” He then grabbed his sword and signaled his sons to follow and they departed the throne room.

The Alesterian forces were quick to mobilize, the Calvary was already mounted and leaving the city. At its head stood Valestor, Balestor, and Calestor. Behind them was Galites and Artimistor, the king’s brother. Milcan stood behind to command the royal guard. As the company rode out of the city, Balestor was thinking through the possibilities of motives behind this attack. Sincor was a small country to the south of Alesteria. The country had always been at odds with Alesteria ever since the crowing of Imantor. However, it had been 10 years since the last war and Sincor had been tragically defeated. It was well known that the Sincorn King, Ingatus did not want another conflict soon. Balestor could not fathom why the army was marching on Ceron. There was no way they could hold a siege. Especially since Ceron could call upon reinforcements from the other cities and forts. This move was desperate and foolhardy.

Calestor seemed to be thinking the same thing because he asked Balestor “why would Sincor attack us here without attacking our forts to the south?”

“I don’t know” replied Balestor “it seems like a…”

Just then a scout rode up and said “My lords, the carry a white flag. The Sincorn king wishes to speak.”

Valestor quickly said “My sons come with me. Galites and Artimistor stay with the Calvary and be prepared.

The Plain of Ceron was an empty grassland. The only plant existing there was a large tree that had been planted by Valestor to honor the fallen of the Battle of Ceron during the Shadow War. The tree had been enchanted to always have red leaves as a way of honoring the blood sacrificed for peace. It was there that Ingatus was standing. He only had one other person with him. Balestor recognized this man as Antus, the head general of Sincor. The Sincorns were a bulking nomadic group, who favored axes and a unique staff they had blades on each end. They wore armor made out of the bones of a clinte, which was a cat like monster that roamed the mountains of Sincor. Ingatus looked the Sincorn part. However, Antus was not a Sincorn, he was a member of the roaming tribes who inhabited the mountains beyond the Armicon Desert. Antus was brought to Sincor by his mother to test his warrior abilities. Antus quickly rose to a high rank in the military because of his superior strength. Balestor considered Antus a true enemy. Over the past several years there had been a few skirmishes between Sincor and Alesterian forces. One particular battle was along the Sincorn border was truly horrific. It was Balestor’s first command and he was patrolling the border. It was a standard patrol. However within a few hours they were attacked by Sincorns and they slew every single one of Balestor’s men including his mentor from the military academy. Antus was the commanding officer of that attack and when he defeated Balestor he left him there and just said “Not today, little prince. Balestor had sworn from that day that he would have revenge on Antus. It was Antus who spoke first…

” Valestor, the everlasting King of Alesteria, Foe of Sincor, and Friend of the Northern Tribes. Do you agree to a peaceful negotiation?”

The king answered “I do, but tell me what purpose have you marched with a force to Ceron?”

Antus was about to answer but his king cut him off. “We have been attacked the city of Sinro lies in ruins. Our military forts were destroyed. What you see before you is not an army but what remains of our country. Entire villages have been destroyed, entire families have been wiped out, Families that existed long before your tyrant of an ancestor landed here. This attack came from Umbraryia, Tenebris has return, and the second Shadow War has begun. We come here seeking shelter, and we are prepared to work to pay for your generosity, and if Tenebris decides to attack here we will gladly fight by your side.”

“Do you have any proof of this?” asked Calestor arrogantly. “How do we know this isn’t just a trick so you can kill us in our sleep?”

“Peace my son” replied Valestor “We are nothing if not a hospitable people. Militus commands us to be as such. That being said we welcome you to Ceron.” He turned to his sons and said “Balestor go with Antus to the Sincorn camp and help with the move into the city. Calestor go ride a head and inform Galites to ready the city and that I hold him responsible for ensuring a peaceful transition. Also tell the town criers to issue this command. Anyone who harms a Sincorn will be punished as if he harmed an Alesterian.”

He then addressed Ingatus “Come with me and I wish to here in full the tale of the Umbraryian attack.”

And with that the parties departed Balestor went with Antus and they rode to the Sincorn camp. Antus seemed just a displeased that he was with Balestor as Balestor was displeased to be with him. They rode in complete silence to the camp. When they got there Balestor was shocked to see how small the entire camp was.

‘How many survived the assault?” he asked

Antus responded with great sadness “we have a force of about two thousand soldiers and about a thousand more civilians.”

“How many were in Tenebris’ forces?”

“The force that attack Sinro was about ten thousand. We suspected with the vague reports that he has about fifty thousand men at his disposal.”

“Fifty thousand!” exclaimed Balestor “how could he muster a force that size without us knowing.”

“Tenebris is a deceiver. He has hidden much. How? I do not know but there is a darkness that is approaching this land. I fear this may be the end of our country.”

Balestor noticed how sad the warrior was in front of him. This was not the arrogant man that had led an assault that slaughtered his entire patrol. This was man who cared about his people and his country, and that was something that Balestor understood.

“I’m sorry for the loss of so much of your country. We will work to avenge your fallen kinsmen.”

Antus looked at Balestor with a sense of gratitude. “I am grateful for your kindness and the kindness of your kinsmen. I will fight by your side so we can destroy this enemy.”

Balestor and Antus continued on to move the Sincorns to Ceron. When they arrived they were greeted by Calestor. “The Council of officers are furious about the arrival of the Sincorns. They have called an emergency session. Father has summoned us to the Council Chamber. Antus this guard over here has been instructed to take you to your king.”

And with that Antus departed and Balestor and Calestor made their way to the Council Chambers. As they walked through the street Balestor was bracing himself for the council. The council was comprised of himself, his father, his brother, Milcan, Galites, and a bunch of old officers who at one point held various commands. Balestor was quite fed up with the council. They tended to debate in length and did little to actually help the people of Alesteria. His friends Galites and Milcan were equally frustrated with the council. However according to Alesterian law, they had to approve the housing of the Sincorns. Valestor had made enemies with the council by his truce with the Northern Tribes. It was in opinion of some of the older council members that he should’ve gone through them before issuing a truce. However his father was in full legality because of the special powers granted to him during war time. He returned those powers to the council after Tenebris was defeated, and I seriously doubt that they would grant him them again. Of course the council members during that time were no longer alive, but Balestor knew that the council now held similar views. He doubted they would allow this to happen.

The brothers entered the chamber, which was a small room that contained only a circle of small thrones. Each Council member had a specific throne. In fact when a council member died their throne was destroyed and the new council member had a throne built for them. When they entered Suliten, the former commander of the royal guard, was addressing the council “… we will not stand for this. Our king has once again bypassed this council who is the governing body of this city. We will not stand for it. We will not have this barbarians in our city where they can rape our women and kill our children. And this king has now declared that any man who harms a Sincorn, will be punished as if he harmed an Alesterian. He would equate us with these lesser beings. We are the great Alesterians, Descendants of the great Imantor and his forces. We will not stand by while this disgrace to his ancestor leads us to our doom. I vote that we remove this weak king and allow the council to governor.”

“You’re a fool Suliten.” Spoke Milcan “this kingdom wouldn’t even exist without Valestor. He was the one who beat Tenebris and drive the Umbraryians out of our land. What did you do during that war? You hid like a frightened child in the sanctuary with the rest of the council, while stronger and braver men did the fighting. I for one vote for this housing. I have heard the Sincorn report. The threat is real and we must unite to defeat it.”

Valestor rose from his seat and the chamber was silent. “My friends, how can we turn our back on someone asking for help? Doesn’t our god, Militus, command us to take in the stranger? We are bound by honor to help this people. That’s right Suliten, they are people with a culture and women and children. The Sincorns approached us with a banner of truce, they are honor bound to adhere to the terms of our treaty. So I present before you the Treaty of the Plains, which in then spells out the terms of an Alliance between Alesteria and Sincor. It states that now member of either force shall lay a hand on the other, or the punishment will be death no matter their station in society. It also states that the Sincorns will work in the forges to help fund their stay and our war campaign. Also After this Conflict Sincor will remain an autonomous state, but will be in alliance with Alesteria and our lands and resources shall be shared between us. The time to debate is over a treaty has be put forth, will this council agree to it.”

The entire room was silent. After a few minutes all the elder officers raised their hands, except for Suliten. Balestor and the others joined their hands to the elders. Suliten stood up and exclaimed “This is a mistake! You will lead us to destruction! I will not stand for this!” and with that he go t up and left the council chamber. Valestor the spoke to Milcan “have the guard keep an eye on him, he will not let this offensive go unavenged.” Milcan nodded and Valestor said to his to Galites, Milcan and his son “come it is time to hear Ingatus’ story.”

They walked into the throne room and Ingatus and Antus were there with Artimistor. They all sat a small table that had been brought in. It was there that Ingatus began his story. He told of how the Umbraryians had led an assault upon their forts first and had basically cut off the city of Sinro. It was there that they struck without notice and destroyed the city. Ingatus concluded and said “It all happened so fast. We had no chance of repelling them. By the time we knew we had lost it was too late. We gathered what we could and left.”

Valestor looked at the king and said, “This is grave news and it seems that Tenebris is indeed powerful again. However, I do not believe that he will attack here just yet.” The whole room looked stunned and Ingatus enraged said,

“How can you say that? We were completely wiped out. Tenebris could destroy you in an instant.”

Valestor responded “Tenebris was defeated by me 60 years ago. He is a cautious being. He will wait until he is confident that he can destroy me. He will however attack our border to try and cut us off.”

Valestor then stood and said. “Ingatus and Antus, I believe you need to attend to your people.” They nodded and left. He then turned to Balestor and Milcan. “You two I want you to take a team to the Mendric and see if they have seen any sign of the Umbraryians along their patrols. Balestor take your uncle with you, and you can pick the rest of your company. Keep it small as to not attract attention. However Artimistor stay here I have matters to discuss with you first. Balestor do not leave until your uncle joins you at the gate.” Balestor nodded and left.

Valestor then turned to Calestor and said. “Go find your mother and tell her I said you and her are leaving for the sanctuary immediately.”

This order caught Calestor off guard. “Why am I being sent there?”

“You are going as your mother’s protector. I need you there so go!”

Calestor them departed and left Valestor alone in the throne room with his brother