V2 Chapter 5: Shepiran on fire

The next morning, Lanxer traveled around Shepiran on carriage to see how people would react to such event. Surprisingly, it was not as terrible and chaotic as Lanxer has imagined, even when a stray star fragment plowed a great crater on an unfortunate farmer’s winter onion field to the south of Shepiran and burned the entire field to the ground. Levy made a similar comment regarding how calm the people of Shepiran was, solidifying to Lanxer just how different the culture in Shepiran comparing to Kingscrown. Lanxer was sure that at the very moment, the people of Kingscrown were flooding the ground of the Great Temple like an army readying for war, waiting for the priests of Sinintee to put their anxiety attack to stop with some riddled wordplays and prayers to the Great Sinintee.

Around noon, a fatbird arrived at the guesthouse where Lanxer was staying in Shepiran. As Lanxer received the fluff-ball of feather from Levy’s hands, he felt the demon in his stomach grumbled loudly. Lanxer closed his eyes, calming himself by combing his fingers on the fluff-ball of feather inside his palm.

The fluff-ball cooed as Lanxer used his bony fingers to stroke it in rewarding gentle rhythms. Amidst the loudness of his own heartbeat and the grumbling of his stomach demon, Lanxer heard the vivid sound of the sap-coated metal tube being unplugged in Levy’s hands and the sound of the content inside the tube being unrolled. He then heard the sound of the decoding needles and quills being put to work as well as Levy’s sincere prayer to Eogaill, asking for the .

Lanxer continued to stroke the cooing fatbird as he waited for Levy to finish decoding the letter, preparing for the worst news.

Lanxer brought only ten pairs of fatbirds to this campaign. Levy kept two pairs with her at all time, Hados five, and Krady three.

The fatbird was a special breed of bird that Lanxer has selectively bred from the domesticated Star Swallows inhibiting in the coastal area of Neversummer and the wilderness of Starfell Island. Due to its bushy feather coat, the fatbird looked like a ball of feathers when it had its wings folded. The thickness of the fatbird’s feather coat allowed it to live through the coldest days of Neversummer and even survive the worst of blizzards. The fatbird can travel an incredible distance due to its unmatched ability to glide through the air like no other bird. Its ability to deliver letters put even the best breed of carrier eagles or homing crows used to shame in term of speed and reliability.

The art of using homing birds to deliver letters was one of the greater wisdom that the intelligent races of Escana learned by watching the extinct titans. That was a common knowledge that even an average peasant would know because it was mentioned regularly in the foundation myth of the current titan-free world of Escana, passing from one mouth to another, generation to generation.

That’s what made these fatbirds unique, they were not homing birds. They were selectively bred and trained to deliver packages via magic signals, the first of its kind as far as Lanxer knew.

Despite the effectiveness of the fatbird in the past war campaigns, Lanxer has never implemented the fatbird’s letter service into his network of spies installed in Zard for three reasons.

The thickness of the fatbird’s feather coat despite being a great advantage in the coldest region of the northern realm became a liability in Zard. Its thick feather coat tired the fatbird out during spring, summer, and autumn, practically an entire year. That was the first reason. The second reason was due to the great population of the Zardian breeds of mountain eagles that lorded over the central plains of Zard. Anything flies on the sky that is not a dragon or an eagle is considered food for these Zardian mountain eagles. Therefore, the practice of homing crows in Zard was a dying art. These delivery crows rarely reached their destination. It was for the same reason that Lanxer could not use his fatbirds in Zard. The third reason was the conspicuous golden and white color coat of the fatbird. It attracted attention.

The cooing fatbird inside Lanxer’s palm was one of the five pairs he gave to Hados. The fact that Hados committed to using the fatbird instead of the delivery eagles spoke of the urgency of the news.

In a crisp voice, Levy read the message she has decoded aloud, “News from the north, the Warden of Madukat has escaped the city, leaving the city in the charge of his housekeeper…”

Lanxer immediately cut in, “Escape, which direction?” He has already known that he could not expect anything from Bloodbeard and his marauders. Thus, he expected them to execute everything incorrectly one way or another. But, their number and their savagery would contribute significantly to the cause of White Winter in the end. Lanxer was using them as sacrificial pawns and baits on the grand scheme. Alongside, he used the opportunity to test out the effectiveness of the Philosopher Stone and the newly developed military-grade magic. However, Lanxer did not expect that the Bear of Madukat would abandon his people for his own safety despite hearing about his ineptitude and cowardice through the annual reports.

“Silver Snow,” Levy replied.

At that moment, Lanxer’s thought became a multi-headed serpent slithering in the dark. A small serpentine head slithered toward a report that Lanxer has read while he was down with pneumonia, a marriage pact that binds the future of a noble house of Silver Snow to the Bear of Madukat. This serpent head was so small and insignificant that Lanxer was not even worrying about it.

Silver Snow would not move for the Bear of Madukat. However, even if Silver Snow would, it would be too late. Entarii would have succeeded the throne by then and declared every Warden who was not on his side a traitor to the throne. Silver Snow would have no legitimacy to lend their troops to the Bear of Madukat, not when Entarii has become the King of Zard and secured his sit within the king’s office.

Another serpent head split the darkness within Lanxer’s head, pondering if Silver Snow would be reckless enough to go to war without its two greatest allies-the mountain and forest tribes inhibiting the Spine, and the dwarves of Starfell Island. Lanxer assumed the worst. If that situation came to reality, White Winter would have to fight a war on two fronts, A worrying thought, Lanxer mulled. He was confident that he could rally and mobilize the army of the nine dukes faster than Silver Snow could with its army. Lanxer was confident to command the situation on two fronts with his established communication network. However, it would be an extremely risky gamble.

Maybe that would be a good opportunity. Within the darkest depth of his mind, another serpent head crept out, slithering. Lanxer, however, immediately chopped this serpent head before it revealed much of itself in the light. He surmised that such thought was born from his regret for not being able to launch his attack on Zard according to his schedule and complete terms. Otherwise, he would be able to steal the army from the nine dukes, conquer Zard and secure the throne for Patocli, all at the same time.

This is not the right time, Lanxer clicked his tongue, telling himself to not take unnecessary risk. Lanxer took a deep breath and asked, “What else in the letter?”

“Bloodbeard stepped down from being the leader of his marauding band and a person who called himself the Prince of De Aa Lionse has assumed the leadership of the band. This person saw through our schemes to use Bloodbeard’s force as bait. Together, they intended to meet Hyrios’ force at the Bundor Bastion.”

Suddenly, an alarming spark went off in Lanxer’s mind, “Hang on, you are telling me that Bloodbeard submitted his position to this person. It’s not a revolt?”

“That is what this letter says,” Levy confirmed.

He’s not the type of person who would make this kind of decision. Lanxer furrowed his brows, recalling the time when he approached Bloodbeard and talked the bandit lord into launching an invasion at Zard. Also, he should realize that meeting Hyrios at the Bundor Bastion is a death wish. Lanxer found himself confounded by the strange news.

DE Aa Lionse…Where is this place? As Lanxer was thinking along the line, “This is his banner,” Levy passed a small sheet to Lanxer.

Lanxer held the piece of paper within his palm and stared at what appeared to be a golden flower of five hands on black theme. On the black banner, strange writing which Lanxer has never seen before.

Lanxer tested his memory on the names of all the existing kingdoms in the northern realm and even the ancient kingdoms of old. He has never heard of the kingdom with the name De Aa Lions. Lanxer started to wonder if this self-proclaimed prince came from one of the nomadic tribes that became hostile to Hyrios. Regardless, this person has managed to not only convince Bloodbeard to give up his authority but also saw through Lanxer’s intention in using Bloodbeard as a sacrificial chess piece. Then, why is he siding with Bloodbeard?

“Our spy also says in the letter that this person seemed to have an affiliation with the Greyscale.” Levy added and the demon inside Lanxer’s stomach started wreaking havoc.

Why would the Greyscale involve in this matter?

“Pass me the letter,” Lanxer commanded and started reading the message that Levy has decoded. He learned nothing new about this strange prince of De Aa Lionse beside what Levy has read to him. Aside from the news regarding Bloodbeard’s band of marauder and the prince of De Aa Lionse, Lanxer saw the report of Regan failing his assassination attempt on King Thrainian IV.

Not a problem, Lanxer thought. From the beginning, Lanxer did not dare to pin his hope on Regan in pulling that assassination off. He has already convinced Entarii to prepare his faction to declare war against his father for legitimacy the throne. Hyrios would be accused of holding Thrainian IV hostage in Madukat, Not a problem.

Lanxer was more intrigued as of why this prince of De Aa Lionse decided to fight with Bloodbeard’s marauders in the Bundor Bastion. That’s a death wish, Lanxer thought, trying to find any reason to explain why someone who has the ability to see through his scheme and intention would make such a decision. He could not. Thus, he kept preparing for the day when his army would enter Shepiran and waited for the next fatbird to come to shed more light on this prince who came out of nowhere.

Lanxer waited patiently and waited and waited. He continued to wait even when the time the entire flower city erupted in chaos with the tales of Hyrios’ treachery from all manner of sources and witnesses. Many of Lanxer’s spies flooded into the city, assuming the guise of traveling nomads who managed to witness the battle of Hyrios’ army and King Thrainian IV’s army at the Duciran hill. Some assumed the guise of refugees who saw Hyrios’ rebelling army at the western border of Zard and managed to escape with their lives.

Step by step, his schemes and tactics came together in front of Lanxer’s eyes. And yet, the fatbird he was expecting never come. He kept waiting until that day came.

Inside the walls of the Imperial Barrack, Entarii declared the second prince was in the league with Hyrios, A bunch of treacherous subjects who betrayed the throne for ambition, as Entarii would say. He used the fact that nomads of the Great Plain called Hyrios the King of the Plain and provided many other pieces of evidence against the second prince and Hyrios. He purged those who dared to question him on the spot and before long armed the entire Imperial Barrack to enter the granite wall, putting the second prince and his league of traitors to the sword.

Since Azurus- Lanxer’s local spymaster was the gatekeeper of the granite wall, Entarii’s passage would not be denied. At the same time, Egan’s slaves started a massive fire in the Golden Serpent Gate and the city guards were directed there to douse the fire. The fire was a signal for a slave revolt that Egan has planned across Shepiran. Chaos ensued on the streets. Slaves rallied against their slavers and masters, putting them at the end of the angry pummeling fists and choking chains.

Patocli and Hados with the disguising army galloped toward the Shepiran’s gate of Great Bear. They all wore the golden dragon armor of the Imperial family and bore Thrainian’s standard, looking beaten-up and battle-weary. Their armors dimmed and their standard dirtied by fire. One of Lanxer’s local spies shouted to the gatekeeper to open the gate with his Shepiran’s accent, telling them that the king’s condition is critical and he is required royal healers to save him. Since the gatekeeper of the Great Bear gate was already bribed for the task, he eagerly opened the gate whether or not such great reasoning was spoken.

Patocli and Hados entered the city with two thousand riders, telling the gatekeeper to keep the gate open, “More will come to put order back to Shepiran.”

Lanxer’s local spy led Patocli’s army straight to the Dawn gate of the granite wall to unite with Lanxer. Lanxer split his force into two. One would enter the palace to reinforce Entarii’s army fighting within the wall of the palace. The other unit spurned their horse toward the Dusk gate, securing it to make sure no royalty or loyal ministers of the king would live to the end of the day.

Around dusk, when the fire has been doused and the songs of clashing steels have stopped, Entarii sent his royal messengers to shout his Imperial Edicts throughout Shepiran to reestablish the order. He declared Hyrios a traitor to the throne. He informed the public of the death of the crown prince, the queen, royal consorts and the other member of royalty died in the massacre. He put the blame regarding the royal massacre happened inside the granite wall to the second prince who instigated Hyrios to rebel against the throne.

When the moons rose above the horizon, Entarii sat on a bloodied throne, declaring himself the rightful king of Zard, supported by the surviving ministers of the king.

Lanxer rested his creaking body within Egan’s guesthouse, as usual, staring at the night sky through the open window. At his side, Levy was working on all manners of documents since Hados has been brought down by his pneumonia around noon.

It was a full moon night. That night, Lanxer was not the only one who noticed the absence of the red moon on the sky. The red moon of Kharigan appeared during autumn and remained on sky until the last day of winter. On that night, on the sky, there was only two moons, the dark moon of Da Noira Marthias and the blue moon of Azurus. Even the day after that, Kharigan did not appear.

No matter how long people waited for it, never again the red moon Kharigan would hang above the night sky of Escana. Instead, a strange ring of red crowned around Da Noira Marthias appeared.