Chapter 543

Sylvanthal Capital

“Thank you for reaching out.” King Gryndor’s voice sounded from the communication device set up on the table. “I want to apologise about the Empire just dropping by. I also wanted to thank you for Aranor’s help with the assault on our Duke. I haven’t yet figured out all I can about that attack which is why I was waiting to contact you.” 

“Don’t worry about it.” King Sylvian answered. “Information about that ambush is actually why I am reaching out to you, Aranor recognised the mage.” 

“One of your assassin squads?” the crown prince's voice could be heard, King Sylvian was secretly glad for it, having the future king interact with him while still only being the crown prince would set the tone for their early relationship and this put him in a superior position. “Was it a move against you? What were they trying to achieve?” 

“Not one of ours, at least not anymore.” King Sylvian explained. “Revina, she was once one of Aranor’s students before she defected -” 

“To the beastkin, yes.” King Gryndor’s mind was still as sharp as it had been. “So it was them again, what do they have against Ajax? I don't think he interacted with any of their people, this is the second time they went after him.”

“They used some valuable resources this time as well.” The crown prince chipped in. “ It takes time to train a group as strong as they sent, not to mention the effort of sneaking them past borders.” 

“I don’t think it was something Ajax did specifically that got him targeted.” King Sylvian said. “I think it was just happenstance and collateral damage in their scheme.” 

“Our newest Duke, was just collateral? It seemed to be a very targeted attack for that.” the crown prince pointed out. 

“Oh, I’m not saying it wasn’t Ajax they were trying to take out. But I think their main objective was to start a war, targeting Ajax was just the easiest and cleanest way they had.” King Sylvian said. “In Deepwood they used elven mercenaries, and now again they clearly tried to put the blame on the Empire with the squad they sent, if they were there just for the kill they would have sent a full pack team of nine.” 

“So they want to start a war.” King Gryndor agreed with King Sylvian’s assessment. “We really need to find out what is going on down there.” 

“That still leaves the question of what you want to do about the attack.” King Sylvian said. “How do you want to play it?” 

As much as King Sylvian would have wanted Gryndor to take a shot at the Empire by just staying quiet about the information he had that would have turned out poorly if they revealed it later, not to mention the risk he would have taken by going along with the beastkin’s unknown plans. The option to share the information like this would only strengthen the alliance with Gryndor. 

“That does give us a few options.” It was easy to tell that King Gryndor was pleased, his situation improved considerably.

In the Imperial royal palace

“What is going on?” Sandor asked Roger, the imperial adviser. 

“The Emperor demanded your presence.” Roger said no more as he and the guards marched Sandor, Denisa and even Clark to the private room where the Emperor, his wife and Solderon were all waiting.

“What happened in Gryndor?” The Emperor didn’t yell, he was deliberate. The words could be heard clearly in the silence of the room. 

Clark instantly performed a shallow bow, he was still a champion after all, before he started relaying all the events that happened from the moment they set foot in Lessis.

“You know nothing about the ambush?” Sandor asked, he wasn’t able to keep his composure as well as his father.

“What ambush?” Denisa asked. 

“Duke Hearthbound was ambushed by three assassins the day after you left.” The empress responded, her voice introducing some kindness in the conversation as she pulled her granddaughter in her embrace. “Two beastkin physical fighters and one elven mage. News from our spies in Lessis reached us less than a day ago.” 

Clark was the first to realize just how dire the news was. He couldn’t exactly blame the spies in Lessis either, from the sounds of it they sent back some rather detailed information regarding what took place but considering it took almost as long for them to get it back to the emperor as it took them to return they might already be late in responding to it. 

“Could it be House Septimus?” Sandor asked. “Is this their desperate attempt at clinging to their lands and title?” 

“That is a possibility we can’t rule out, especially considering how humiliating everything went down for them in Lessis.” The emperor considered. “But I doubt it, it's not their style. It's more likely someone is looking to take out the Duke and is using us as scape goats, or they are looking to start a war between us and Gryndor and this was their setup.” 

“Is there anything else we need to know?” Roger asked, he was an experienced and seasoned advisor, he had taken up his position centuries ago and had already learnt the lesson about not looking for details in such rushed situations. “I know everything is happening so fast now that you just got back but is there anything big we might not have heard?” 

“Do you know Ajax is a future pinnacle?” Denisa’s question caused the first twitch in the Emperor’s controlled expression. 

“We know the Duke is extremely strong at an extremely young age, Your Highness.” Roger nodded. “We have already made assumptions that he will become a pinnacle eventually as his strength continues to grow as he gets older.” 

“The timeline has been highly accelerated.” Clark jumped in.  “Even with conservative estimates I have the Duke reaching champion level in the next decade and pinnacle in less than half a century.” 

“What changed? Roger asked. 

“He somehow gained the Skill [Telekinesis].” Clark’s words caused the Emperor and everyone else to fall silent in disbelief, their eyes wide as they took in the information. 

“Should we still have House Septimus send the slaves they lost?” Sandor asked after a moment trying to get the conversation moving again.

“Yes.” The Emperor said with finality. “I also need to reach out to King Gryndor, much as I hate acting from a position of weakness. I can't let someone set us up to take the fall.” 

The Proudrock

“King Proudmane, I have news.” the spymaster bowed deeply as he approached the lion beastkin seated on the throne. “We lost Fenris and his team, more than that they also failed to kill the new Duke.” 

“That’s certainly a waste.” King Proudmane growled his displeasure. “Did they also compromise the main mission with their failure?” 

“I do not believe so, Your Majesty, their enchantments were all activated before the fight ended.” The rat beastkin responded.

“Send out the order for my armies to return.” King Proudmane proclaimed. “Soon it will be time to attack.” 

A long way past the Wild Lands border in a cave on the side of a volcano

“Aurexion!!!” The roar echoed throughout the cave waking the causing the rock to shake and wake the sleeping inhabitant. 

“WHO DARES DISTURB MY SL-” The dragon with black and red scales rose to his feet, anger clear in his voice even as gold and gems were thrown around the cave. The anger in the dragon’s voice quickly disappeared, however replaced with a subdued acceptance. “Dear aunt, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” 

At the entrance of the cave was a dragon twice the size of Aurexion, resting on her head was a much smaller dragon, one that Ajax would recognise as Shifty.

“I’m sorry to wake you up after only five hundred years, dear nephew.” The dragon said. “But you must come with me, I believe I have found a perfect opportunity for you.” 

“You’ve found a source of everburning flame?” The joy and excitement in Aurexion’s voice was so infectious Shifty was smiling, joining in with his cousin’s excitement. 

“I’m afraid not.” The large dragon said. “The opportunity I found for you is not a sure thing.” It was easy to see excitement draining away from Aurexion. “But if you do succeed it would be so much better than even a source of everburning flame.