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Three weeks later

Nearly a year had passed since the Great Eyris Siege, two years since the start of the war. The life of Learanians had gone from pleasant, to chaotic, to the verge of annihilation. But they managed to survive and suddenly the entire country was struck with a bolt of humility. They began to rebuild their country and way of life, and with the help of their allies, began to force the enemy out of their land. They have achieved much and yet there is still much they have to do. Their enemy does not stop. They will never stop. And Learania will never stop fighting back.

Within Eyris castle, Learania's top government and military leaders had gathered to take part in a war council. King James sat at the head of the table with Lord Zeon at his left and Lady Nino at his right. Next to Lady Nino, Sir Rath was currently speaking, giving an update on current standings.

"...And so, reconstruction in Eyris is nearly complete, roughly half-way in Sires, and a fourth of the way in Arajudia. Reports on other cities and villages will be given once received." Rath looked around the room at the other crew as well as King Cyric and Songhua, whose cooperation and teamwork seemed to have come naturally. "Reports also show that a large majority of citizens have moved back to where they were living before the invasion. The only city left occupied by our enemy is Pentheus. Our forces, along with Estarcian troops led by Captain Horatio, have engaged the enemy there, but the battle has been long and difficult. Starving them out will be impossible while they still have access to the sea. Our naval capabilities are severely limited, we have only a few ships, as most of our resources have gone towards reconstruction. We are currently sitting on a stalemate."

The papers before him were set aside and then he looked back up, this time making eye contact with those who weren't often seen in their meetings, such as General Valkeria and Captain Vatara. He was also reminded of the absence of Lady Isadora, who had resigned. "...We are here today to reform our strategy. Hopefully, with all the minds here, we can establish a new plan. Now, firstly, I would suggest we-"

"P-pardon my interruption, but there are people here seeking an audience with the king..."

Rath glared at the guard who had intruded. "Send them away, we're in the middle of a war council."

The soldier scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yes, well... it's just that... they say they're from Sentria, and..." He paused, as if what he had to say was something spectacular. "One of them is claiming to be... the rightful king of the royal Khayri line..."

"..." Rath sighed. "That's not possible, they're dead, these people are just intending to make a disturbance. Send them away."

"It's amazing really..."

A mere mutter caught the attention of his two vassals, who seemed to be rather on edge about the whole situation. Who could blame them? Here they were in a foreign nation, one they only knew second hand information they had been fed only a few weeks ago. Though they tried their damnest to hide it, exhaustion was obvious to his eye. He knew them, right down to their natural body language. It was a front that they had assumed for the sake of their cause, a sign of their resolve. A smile was hidden in approval, for his knowing would be kept to himself. It had certainly been a long journey...One made only harder with the grief that still lingered in his heart.

"The people here are persistent, resilient in every sense of the word. I can only admire their tenacity."

In truth, he was only making small talk as they served out their time in waiting. But the fact remained that it certainly was a valid point. The Learanian people faced a whole different constant from his own, a seemingly overwhelming and unrelenting opposing force. But they found themselves an equal in their actions, as seen by this stalemate.

It was one of the scraps of information that they had been able to collect during their charge to the capital, in between rests in towns still under construction. There had been some difficulty getting a question in when most were absorbed in their work, most records either stored in a secure location, destoryed, or just plain lost in the confusion of the past strife. But even a horrendous gather information check- er...Investigation could at least bring the history of the conflict to light. Some had remained silent, though Amir could only understand why...However, others had reported with pride in their hearts. This was a grand trial that the country had withstood, a testament to the people and the ruling body.

Speaking of which...

Amir greeted the approaching guard with a welcoming smile, ready to get the audience started. Though the possibility occured to him that they might be refused, it wasn't a possibility that he was going to allow. If anything, there was still the proper channels to go through.

Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

The trio was lead into a secluded room, most likely for the privacy of the war council, and announced to the crowd there. He answered in turn with a polite bow, rather shallow with the angle, to show respect. At least there was some use to the occasional etiquette classes he had been forced into.

"I thank you for at least hearing us out, I imagine that our story is rather hard to swallow. I am indeed heir of the Khayri line, though I will not allow my words alone to speak for it. I present to you the sword of my family, rightful possession of the king of Sentria. Feel free to take it from my person if you wish to examine it, I know better than to draw a weapon here. "

The sword, still sheathed in its scabbard, was withdrawn from his belt and placed at the end of the table to be retrieved. Straightening himself up to address the council, he gave a somewhat unsure smile.

"Shall we continue our discussion or does the council require anything else of us beforehand?"

"I am Amon. Vassal to Lord Khayri."

A young man bowed his head and put a callused hand to his chest in respect for their audience. But he kept his eyes fixed straight ahead.
Short and curt. That's all he could be right now. Though he kept his voice relatively low, and spoke with seriousness, it took a fair bit of extra effort to rise above his exhaustion and keep his legs from locking.

Amon had been on edge ever since he left, and the tension he felt now was a sort he was no stranger to. He could scarcely relax as they left their hideaway, and always kept his eye open for marauders as they crossed the desert. He couldn't stop to enjoy the more temperate climate of Learania as they traveled, for fear he would falter and fail at a moment's notice. The sights blended together, and drifted to the side. Perhaps a subject for another day, but not one that earned much thought at the time.

And he stood as tall now as he had then. He noticed his surroundings more as they were taken before the council. He scanned their audience, noting their variety. It was actually a rather interesting sight. And he wasn't expecting their king to be so young either. Though their combined gaze did strike him hard, as it would have anyone. Especially with their tenuous evidence as the subject of their scrutiny. Amon couldn't say any more than what he did, though he wished he could.

With all of his nervousness, Amon wouldn't be surprised if he was the most exhausted one there. But he assured himself with much more powerful thought that he would be the last one to fall. The well-being of his lord drove him, and called up whatever energy he needed from within. His presence reassured him, and his admiration for those around him was an admirable trait in itself.

Amon did not waver.

While the two vassals introduced themselves, Lord Zeon was eying the sword in Rath's hands in utmost curiosity. He waited until they were finished talking before speaking up himself and not letting anyone else respond. "That sword..." he uttered, looking at Rath. "Pass it here."

As the sword was passed to him, the lord gracefully handled it, giving it the care that one would think an important relic would deserve. He inspected it thoroughly, noting every detail on it. Carefully, the lord removed the blade from the scabbard and inspected it again. "...Intriguing." he finally said, as he sheathed the blade and set the sword on the table in front of him. "I know the sword in question. It's a uniquely curved blade and is said to be greatly effective against cavalry and those with thick armor. And at the very least... I can say that this is, in fact, the royal sword of Sentria." He looked to James. "Perhaps we should hear what it is these people desire of you."

So his mother's gift would at least allow them a respectable audience...Bless that woman. Now it was up to his talking to convince this King Medici to take up their cause, though it wouldn't be easy by the sound of it. A king isn't swayed by a trinket alone, he needed further proof than this...But that's where his argument came to a sudden halt.

What to present?

But that was it, nothing had been preserved in his line other than the sword as proof of his legacy as far as he and his company was concerned. It appeared that his words would have to suffice for now. There was something about this King Medici that he found inviting, almost as if he could identify with it. The words, with him, would come simply enough. All he needed to do was speak truthfully.

"I hope you don't mind if your wondrous meal is put aside for a moment, King Medici. Our intentions are simple enough to announce, but rather difficult to bring to the table. My father, the previous rightful king, has recently passed away. My people lay in hiding while our homeland is engulfed in conflict in the hands of bandits and thieves with the world changing around us. We've heard of what has been going on beyond our walls, of how Learania has withstood the challenges and hardships forced onto it. All we wish to bring to the table is a request and a promise. Please, help me liberate my country, bring it back on track to being the prosperous region that I know that it can be. The Bandit King needs to fall and we can only do that with a major power backing us. Skilled as we are, we lack the man-power and the resources to do as such on our own."

Amir turned his gaze once more to James, back from scanning the crowd, before adjusting himself in his seat. Formal matters always left a bad taste in his mouth, but it was a necessary evil for this situation. All apart of the hopeful job-to-be he supposed. "I am here to swallow my pride and throw myself into your debt and to all here. Even in my ignorance of the powers as they are now, I know you will at least deliberate our request in all fairness. In return, the Sentrians, or rather the true citizens who fight under my banner, are your allies and your comrades without hesitation. Please, give it some thought over the meal that you have graced us with."

"And thank you for hearing us out."

"His eyes do not lie, that is certain." Cyric spoke after examining the young King of Sentria from head to toe. He turned his attention back to his Adlian friend who was happily chowing away at the food in front of him. "I detect no hostility or false intentions that these three may have...However" He paused, sitting up straight as one of the attendant placed a cup of tea and a bowl of soup in front of him. "I can not help." The air thinned just as he said that and all eyes suddenly turned their attention to him. He suspected as much, but Sir Rath knows for a fact that if it was help that could be provided, Cyric would jump on the spot.

"Tomorrow, I return to Estarcia. Since we have reclaimed Arajudia, Mordache has centered their attention on Estarcia and Estarcia alone. They plan to attack soon and I am unable to waste time and Cornelius can not handle them alone." If this was not the case, Estarcia's King would indeed help Learania and Sentria's claimed royalty. However, Cornelius, as skilled as he may be, is not capable of preparing the defense of his entire kingdom. He is but one man, and Estarcia needed their King as well as all of his units. Cyric gave a light bow, feeling a little guilty that he could not do much to help. "Please accept my deepest apologies...My country needs me. I can only afford to have my captain, Horatio aid you. That is all the help that I can provide."

Marina had sat silently for the entire meeting. This was a meeting of the biggest names this side of the war, and it was certainly nothing to sneeze at, nor act like a complete a** in. In all truthfulness, she really had no business being there, but Tibarn was, and these days there were few places he went that he didn't drag her along with him. Her hands were steepled, fingers crossed, listening intently to everything everyone had to say. Even Amelia.

"You know," she abruptly spoke up. She could feel the room icily hush around her, as though it were shocked that the lowest-ranking person in there dare speak. "It might be best if Learania had a strong presence in the recovery and reconstruction of Sentria. It'd improve our image. The other countries might be willing to help us out, too." She nodded casually at Songhua, taking a deep breath before continuing. "And, you know, it'd send a message to Mordache. We're getting rid of the guys aiding the bandits, and we'd be telling them not to fuc-- iiiiiight with us. We need to send that message, that if anyone dares to mess with us, we'll retaliate. And we will win."

"And," she continued, lowering her voice a bit, "if we wanted to make this personal, Rath. You could get some revenge on Charolais by getting rid of the guys holding Sentria hostage. You know she's got to have at least a few of her best vassals in Sentria if they really have any presence in holding the country. If we kick them out, it'd be a major blow to Mordache beyond getting rid of their infantry. And bandits anywhere, not just Sentrian, but anyone, will think twice before they attack us again." She cleared her throat softly, settling back again.

"At least, that's my two cents."