Chapter 27:The Kingdom of Vincol

The Wolves on the Horizon

“Your highness, the treasury is running low.”

A man in a regal outfit announced his message with a grim tone. There was no flattery, there was no appeasing, there was only a form of malice that one could feel when they stared at one another. However, as the princess of this country, she has to maintain her reputation. Especially, now that her uncle had left for the frontlines. Now that the fences are down, the wolves and the predators will now emerge from their short naps to hunt the sheep. The only thing remaining to protect the herd would be the sheepdog, the leader, the guide, and the protector. Yet, the sheep are oblivious as they have their own needs to attend to.

Kalo: “ I see, do you have the report?”

“Certainly.” The man handed over a document to Lillianne. She looked over the document and studied the outside for traps or other nefarious devices before opening the document when handing it over to Princess Kalo.

Kalo’s eyes read the document, easily summarizing each interaction. Yet, something felt wrong. The numbers did not add up. However, without hard evidence, there was no wrong. Kalo glanced back up at the man, catching the small smirk he had as he looked back at Kalo.

(How brazen are these nobles… to act while Uncle is gone… However, with Uncle gone they will begin to move. Presenting a chance to strike...)

Kalo’s expression remains normal, there was no change as she placed the document down on the side.

Kalo: “You may leave.”

“As you will.... your highness.”

As the man left the room, Lillianne came towards Kalo’s side.

Kalo: “Lillianne send for Lan Runeheart, discreetly”

Lillianne: “As you will.”

Lillianne touched upon her wrist for a brief moment as if she was adjusting her wrist cuffs. Shortly, afterward, she resumed her daily tasks with ease.

***************************

Lan Runeheart walked into the office and knelt down.

Lan: “Your highness, I have the documents that you requested.”

Kalo simply nodded and looked at the documents that Lillianne received from Lan Runeheart.

Black Markets are on the rise.

Weapons and goods are sold in high quantities.

Remnants of the Kingdom of Lanners could be found.

Orphanages are defunded.

Duke Thim is normal, nothing of note.

Territories within Duke Thim’s vassals are suffering more than usual.

Monster attacks are more present within Duke Thim’s area.

Duke Marmaduc continues as normal, however, records from the nobles are inaccurate in calculation and are suspected of hiding fraud and deception to the crown.

General Selis is continuing as normal maintaining peace in various city-states and addressing problems.

The records were summarized into her mind. Kalo focused on remembering the small details and the information. Eventually, she crumpled the piece of paper into a ball and she clenched her hand around the piece of paper. A small ember lit up from within her fist, slowly ashes began to fall from the gaps of her fist, little by little as she slowly released her grip.

Kalo as if mindless, gazed at the ashes that slowly fell on the table. The soot staining the clean tabletop. Lillianne took a white rag and did a clean sweep over it. All the stains are gone, all of the ashes that had piled on there have disappeared magically, as the rag itself has reverted back to a pristine white color.

Lan Runeheart knelt there staring at the Princess with awe, yet as soon as Kalo’s head moved to look at him. He looked back down with embarrassment. Kalo didn’t mind the looks however she had something else preoccupied within her mind.

Kalo: “ Lan Runeheart, what do you think about this kingdom?”

Startled by the sudden question, Lan thought for a moment. It was a debate within his mind for the few seconds he was given before it was considered disrespectful to the royalty. Lan having come to a decision spoke out with a gentle tone.

Lan: “The kingdom is beautiful, bright, and enriching to the traveler’s eyes…”

Kalo continued to look at Lan as he momentarily paused in his words as if he was trying to force out his words.

Lan: “The kingdom, however… is disgusting on the insides. As a mere commoner, I say this with your permission… oppressed and disgusted by the nobles within this system. Certainly, there are good nobles, however, the chain of power has weakened between nobles. They are catered by power from the royalties, they are blinded by their newly founded powers, or they would abandon everything to satiate their desires… I, with great fortune, met a noble. A noble with an amazing personality, he took me in as a student. Allowed me to rise through the ranks without prejudice… he had protected me. If he had simply given me kindness, I would understand… however he had given me a new life. Yet, as I entered within the palace, his kind heart had passed. His words followed me, to continue onwards…. with passion and love for the kingdom. He loved this kingdom and its people. He was not overly rich, he lived a humble life, and he enjoyed his life with the commoners. Although this had earned the ire of the other nobles, he continued to live his life… there was no disdain in his eyes as he looked upon his people. Compared to the nobles that I see here, many are blind, jaded, and even insensitive. This is my view and my thoughts of the kingdom.

Kalo remained silent as she looked at Lan, his head down, his hands were shaking and his fists were gripped tightly. He had said his piece against royalty, truthfully however analytical with no soft spots.

Kalo thought about his words. She closed her eyes for a rest as she thought about Lan’s words,

(The people… humans are both good and evil. Regardless of how many good-natured humans there are. There will always be some that turn, and there are always some that are dyed in pure evil. Evil and good have no boundaries, as humans are subjected to their own views of right to wrong. We don’t have any set laws built within us like the demons nor the truthfulness of the beastman. We are deceitful, selfish, and sometimes compassionate but that’s our way of life. Weaker than the demons in both magic and power, weaker than the beastman, weaker than demonic beasts… however, humans have the most war potential against the other races…this matter is similar to the nobles. Some good, some bad, and some

Kalo: “How would you change this?”

Lan’s body shook at Kalo’s words, for they were slow and serious.

Lan: “I do not know… for I am only a commoner. Who was just competent enough to remain in this scene.”

Kalo leaned back, she thought about Lan’s word. He knew his position, he knew his limits in power, and he had a goal within his heart. Although there was always the possibility of him being tainted by the deep dark desires that he has yet to discover. Yet, as of now, he had the qualification.

After Lillianne gave him a note to read. He studied the words with vigor, his eyes became more determined as his thoughts removed the fear from his consciousness. Having read his piece, he handed it back to Lillianne with respect. He knelt down and gave his salute with the fist on his heart and exited the room.

Kalo: “Zen what do you think about him.”

Zen emerged from behind the curtains, his footsteps were silent as he came to Lillianne’s side before speaking.

Zen: “I sense no distrust… I felt admiration for you. Your highness.”

Kalo: “ Zen… what do you think about this kingdom.”

Zen: “... I do not know. I’m not trained in the arts of politics.”

Kalo: “A person that lives within the kingdom, and dies for the kingdom. From life to death, a person who lives in this kingdom for their whole lives have ought to have opinions for the betterment of the kingdom.”

Zen: “I have not taken the time to think about the kingdom… I have simply tried to live my life.”

Zen stood there, his voice was a little down as he replied to the Princess. His answer, he felt they were severely lacking for the princess’s status.

Kalo: “ I see.”

Kalo left the conversation at that. For a person that came from the bottom rungs of society and to climb to become a trusted aid of a famous general, yet to have no opinions on the matter, showed that some people were focusing on their own lives. They left the thinking to royalty, the nobles, and the educated class.

********************

Night has set, the sun has gone below the horizon line, leaving the moon to glow within the dark skies.

Princess Kalo continued to read and sign some documents as Lillianne watched over her.

Lillianne: “Your highness, I believe this is the time to retire for the night.”

Kalo: “I am almost done, give me a few minutes…”

Lillianne: “Celes…”

Hearing Lillianne change of tone, Kalo set down her pen and looked up at Lillianne who smiled as she placed a warm wet cloth over each of Kalo’s hands and gently massaged it.

Lillianne: “Work is important, however, there is always a time and place for rest. For the negligence of one’s own health leads to the collapse of life, whether it be physical or mentally.”

Kalo: “I understand… simply, there’s too much to ponder about. However, every time I think about that matter… there are more obstacles… and with more obstacles, there is more paperwork. The enemies are relentless, they are skilled at making trouble. However, each move they take…. there will always be a leader. I can’t help but be excited about the possibility of finding a weak point. Although this is part of work, however, this is also my war.”

Lillianne simply continued to tidy up the paper that Kalo had done. She knew which ones were important based on Kalo’s habit of placing each paper in their respective places.

Lillianne: “Wars are not done in a day…take your rest.”

Kalo stood up from her chair. She felt her back in pain, her wrist felt tired. However, her wrist felt rejuvenated from Lillianne’s earlier massage. She looked behind her, through the windows of her study, past the beautiful garden that she loved to watch, the grand castle walls, and eventually into the bumbling town that continued to shine within the dark skies. Visions of fire, visions of flying dark creatures, and the knights holding back the darkness on the walls.

Kalo closed her eyes at that sight. Her title as the prophetic mage may sound reassuring, however, to pick at the realities of the future and the past is difficult, some are real, some are not. The future has many paths, yet also many obstacles to her vision. For fate is a fickle beast, that cannot be chained to one single path.

Kalo opened her eyes once more, a tear slowly flowed from her eyes as she continued to stare out the window. A shadow of a man with his back to her slowly walked away. His cape was tattered, his arms were bandaged, yet his body was slightly slouching down as if he was carrying a heavy burden. Kalo looked at his tired back once more before the image faded away.

(He’s tired… but he continues to persevere.)