Chapter 44: 35. Unusual Gathering 2
The stirring of chaos ensues. Far away to their land, a gate to a different dimension was opened stirring the eternal slumber of one, who should never have awakened.
Opening, one of its eye, the monster's eyes lurked on this women's face. Drinking on her appearance, it stood tall, grave in its appearance.
"A human..." Suprise engulfed his voice. The one before was an elder, drowning on the carnage wrought by him and his close aides. Now, sealed to its eternal slumber.
The women too, was not, someone feeble or weak.
She once marched as the right hand of a king. Even after her dismissal, she still had her pride, that itself was her accomplishment.
"Oh, What an interesting creature. You interest me, Dragon!" She said in joy trying to incite the dragon's curiosity.
"Why I wonder, my feet had not stomped a petty insect, such as you? If your words bring me no joy, then your ashes will only leave this place..." threatening he stood. He still was a dragon, prideful in nature and here stood a human, who dared disturb his sleep.
"I have a proposition which by far is more beneficial to you, after all, aren't you bored living here in space without anything to look forward to? Then, look no further, I have opened a gateway towards the realm where I am from. This itself should allow you to decipher the possibilities." A glint rose in the eyes, of this evil dragon.
Long ago, there lived a monster, burning villages after villages. Scorching plains, which burned any and all harvest, killing humans and any living organisms dare, to look at his presence with its might. This dragon reigned over the realm once in the age of the gods. But, after they were sealed so too, was the dragon.
"An offering? Then, I accept. What lay of your conditions?"
"An individual to kill. Do anything you want but I want that one, dead" The dragon gruffed showing its acknowledgement towards the bargain.
The Kingdom of Camelot, Banquet Hall:
The time was night but in this ephemeral night, filled with nightmares of those hopeless in time, this establishment was filled with life.
It was an open place, under the starry skies. The individuals present in this night, all had malice intentions in their mind.
The knights, all presented stood, to maintain the sanctity of this gathering, something which never had happened since the coronation of King Arthur.
"Your majesty, it seems we have arrived" The one who spoke was an elderly man, representing the Romans. Since the fall of prince Justinus, Rome had never stayed silent. Using their anger, the individuals vying for the throne, killed one another and at the end left Ethrius, to take the crown. Ethrius was not from nobility, no, he was grand pope, representing the church.
The death of the former prince, added with the crippling economy of the nation, allowed him to seize the crown easily. Now, here with his crusaders, he led them to this banquet, the reason for an enemy, like him to be here was simple. Declaring war is the main reason and so to fulfil this objective, Ethrius is here to sow discord among the nobles and if he is lucky to even add some of Arthur's knights to his goal.
The current political balance in Camelot was a mess. Instead of handing of fiefs to the nobles, now, they employ people of lower classes to fill ranks. This action is quite considerable but extremely unviable. For a noble is taught since his birth, about manner and dignity.
A commoner, laid on street posses, no such dignity and to provide such grand titles to them, felt like a mockery to others. However, for some reason, the nobles around these parts were quiet, disturbingly so. Their pride should force them to protest or even overthrow the king but nothing like such happened.
It either portrays, the vile nature of his rulings or shows commendable leadership skills. There again was a part in him, refusing to believe this. Arthur's fallout with his knights, the advent of a new rival religious sect and merlin disobeying the church, they were all pointing to a bigger picture, something, he still could not grasp.
Breaking out of his mindless thoughts, the appearance of king Alexandria, first portrayed on his mind. Bulky would be the word, he would use. A chiselled large body with heavy armour to support, he looked every bit of a conqueror from his eyes.
Moving on to the next of his contender was Cherise de Troas.
'Rumors of his death was heavily exaggerated.' A man fourth in line for the throne, one who should never have had it in his lifetime suddenly, had the crown on his head. Rumours and rumours, about him, were all around, a mysterious individual but with an in-depth view of politics.
Many, whispered about him, poisoning his entire family. Father, brother and sister meant nothing, if its to gain the throne. Incestuous relation with his sisters, killing monsters with a single strike and drinking the blood of Paintiius, the ancient beast still roamed the streets. Still, his keen eyes screamed, that his ascension has more to do with the young warrior next to him.
Silver armour, in a beautiful and expressionless face. Her strides were noble as if she was the most intricate flower, in this garden but again that face was also a weapon against her enemies. The ashen sword did intrigue him, reminding him of king Arthur's Excalibur once more.
Then, in the corner of his eyes stood families as great investors in this time. Habsburg, Margaret and Haphastes. Monsters they all were, taking pleasure in this gathering. All hoped to see, the standoff between Rome and Britain.
Before his mind could wander anymore, a sudden announcement broke his thoughts.
"King Arthur is now ready to see all of you." With his words, a fierce warrior who was Rome's greatest enemy made his appearance.
Blond- wheaty haired with a beautiful noble-like appearance and the traditional blue armour representing the dragon. The man who issued a challenge, towards them was now in front of Ethrius. The king seemed to be well off.
The hopes in the eyes of these people, when viewed from his expensive carriage, was envy-inducing. He still was Rome's representative, seeing a rival enemy nation live so lavishly brought out the worst in him.
But again, something about her was deeply concerning. After all, King Arthur was known to always fight alone. He, alone, was strong and his ideals allowed, none to stay with him for long. An embodiment of justice that stood as a light for others to follow.
But again an ideal, that betrayed that very light, the moment she became a heretic. The only thing he sees now is a lost soul forever succumbing to the devil's temptation and Ethrius as a noble vowed to the church to free the citizens of this kingdom from her tyranny.
He once again looked viciously at merlin, who was more focused on introducing himself to a purple-haired girl.
"I hope, none of you had problems making it to the capital"
"Thank you for those kind words, king Arthur" The attendants here all made sure to introduce themselves, the great families outside these countries too watched in mockery.
Little by little everyone present in this banquet, started to get comfortable in this place. However,
"Arthur, I want to ask. For what reason might you collide swords with Rome?" Alexandria started his bout.
"The reason is quite simple and not that noteworthy to even be acknowledged. Still, do you wish to know, Alexander?" With a vicious smile, he replied,
"Yes, this great king would like to understand what led the small island nation to attack a large one having twenty times their forces?"
She sat in silence, trying to decipher something from his words.
"A message that the one sender had received very well." She said with a smile as if the entire thing was not even concerned with her.
Cherise spoke now, taking this moment as his, "It seems, we too, had received the courtesy of receiving this so-called, message. Pray do tell, why should not we receive compensation?"
"Compensation?" She asked annoyed with his words.
"Our ships were ravaged without any reason but to simply pass this place. Would you, as a king not pay its compensation?" The expression on her face became devoid of all emotions.
"Would those thieves be associated with the french?"
"First of all claiming, my countrymen as thieves show you narrow-mindedness, King Arthur. What proof do you have of such claims?" Ethrius looked at Cherise, to see if the king of France is dedicated to his words.
"As a king myself, I too cannot overlook this issue."
"Truly said, even our previous emperor was killed unjustly by this 'rightful' king" Ethrius let out his two cents. Each and everyone had similar objectives.
To overthrow the first player in this game.
Rich resources, near-infinite food and a central location between Rome and France, not much was needed as a reason to seek hegemon on Britain. Internally, they all smiled checking this expressionless king from the game.
'How will you respond now, Arthur?'
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