Chapter 3: The Rise
The word was spread around the entire nation how their king killed the Chief General and dismissed the law system that was responsible for maintaining peace and harmony in the nation. Though when people heard that it's the king now who would do justice, all the thieves and murderers left the nation because they feared what happened to the old man could also happen to them or perhaps even worse than that.
In the following week the crime rate in the nation significantly dropped. The tales of Ozimaynads was spread across the continent. His administration eventually realized that truly before Ozimaynads became king their system and nation was broken and in very bad state.
'I support our new king. He is capable of doing good for the nation', said the finance minister to education minister.
'Yes, he is capable. Now the only thing that is to be done is to fix our broken education system', replied the education minister.
After his first week was over, Ozimaynads called a meeting of ministers.
'What do you think?' asked the Finance Minister to Artezist.
'About what', he replied.
'The meeting, of course'.
'To be honest, I really don't understand what is going on in the mind of our majesty. He is so young and yet took over the nation and made such big decisions that actually benefited the nation', Artezist answered.
'You worry too much, Lord Artezist', smiled the Finance Minister. 'Remember the new king is raised in that hell and I don't think anyone can outsmart him. Also, King Brail too became king at a very young age and yet did establish himself in front of the entire continent'.
'You are right', Artezist sighed. 'I am just over thinking'.
Everyone gathered in the meeting room and sat on their respective places on the circular table. Ozimaynads was already there sitting. Artezist stood up and greeted the king, 'Good Morning, my lord' and then turned toward the ministers and said 'Now, let's start today's meeting'.
Ozimaynads stood up this time on his place. A serious look on his face that almost scared everyone sitting on their chairs. Artezist then sat on his place and was ready to listen what the king wanted to say.
'A very bad morning gentlemen', Ozimaynads said. 'Ah..Just kidding. Good Morning everybody. Today's meeting is about a very serious topic and therefore I wanted to lighten up the mood of you all. Well, can anyone tell me how many years it has been since we last fought war or expanded our land'?
Everyone looked confused and somewhat scared to tell the answer.
'It has been 18 years', Ozimaynads broke the silence. 'Since my birth, there has been no attempt to expand our territory thus making us incompetent and weak in the entire continent.
Do you know what people of other nation call us? They call us scared rats, peace lickers, people who abandon the war, scared bastards and what not and whose fault is it. Let me tell you, it all yours. Look at you all, except for Artezist your tummy fat is tearing your clothes. Most of you are lazy and do nothing. These 18 years our growth was zero. Do you understand how big of a deal this is? Anyone of you'.
'My lord we are extremely sorry', Artezist spoke up. 'We could not do anything because it was the orders of King Brail to keep silent all these years'.
'So, why are minister required in a kingdom. What is the use to keep you all if you cannot correct your king and tell him what's right?'
'We tried, my lord', said the Finance Minister. 'We all tried. Economy was down all these years. The treasure was decreasing but still king was not going to change his decision'.
'Well now I will change everything around'.
'But how my lord?' asked Artezist.
'For over a century now Balheru-Jerokio is trying to win over our land. This nation is our biggest enemy at the time. They may be silent for past few years because of my father but now that they know that he is death and that I have replaced him, he will take a chance and attack on us. They might have started to prepare for a war', answered Ozimaynads.
'We have a strong army, advance weapons, more skilled soldiers than them and we can very well beat them', said Artezist.
'Here is where we will fall. We have to be a step ahead of them'.
'But how?'
'Friendship with Ceres'.
As soon as he said those word, many ministers sitting over there frowned.
'Ceres is also our enemy, my lord', said Artezist.
'Ceres hates Balheru-Jerokio and they are at war even before us. Two families fighting over the same throne, it's interesting. You all know that both the nation were once together ruled by one king but his two sons greedy for throne divided the nation into two and therefore from past 186 years are at war. Ceres is comparatively weak and broken and we will use that to our benefit', Ozimaynads changed his tone. 'We will take help of Ceres to defeat Balheru-Jerokio and then ambush Ceres to take over their land too. We will win both the nations in one strike'.
'But that's against our pride as warriors', said the Agriculture Minister.
'Don't talk about pride. We have already lost that part', he replied. 'If we want to survive in the future we have to do it. If we don't act now in the coming years our nation will be erased from the map of the continent and pride and all will be just forgotten history
I give you a choice. Either join me or resign. I am not forcing you'.
Everyone in the room raised their hand in approval and support of Ozimaynads. He smiled.
Everyone then walked out of the room.
'I can't believe him', Artezist said furiously. 'This ambush will put a dark mark on our nation for centuries now'.
'I think that he was right', replied Finance Minister. 'He is after all thinking for betterment of our nation'.
'Yeah! By destroying our ethics'.
'Maybe', Finance Minister smiled and walked away.
'What does he mean by maybe', Artezist said in utter confusion.
In the coming week a meeting was arranged between king of Ceres, Lord Kirckby V and Lord Ozimaynads in the capital city of Rotourousfelnicol, Poloria[where palace and everything is situated] was being decorated in honor of the King of Ceres. Kirckby V was initially told about the topic of this meeting, that is it is a peace treaty between two nations and that Rotourousfelnicol may present them with many profits and surprises.
The King would arrive any moment now.
At the Southern gateway of the country where they meet Falcon Sea as Ceres was beyond Balheru-Jerokio and the only way both countries can meet was through water. Both Ozimaynads and Artezist were waiting for King Kirckby V to welcome him themselves.
'What are your plans, my lord', Artezist asked.
'Nothing much. Leave everything to me', he answered.
They all saw the ships of Ceres proceeding towards their territory and Ozimaynads gave a smile and said to Artezist, 'Here the prey comes'.
The ships were huge because they were fighter ships that can potentially fire cannon balls from the ship itself. Ozimaynads could also see Kirckby V from the place where he was standing. Both kings smiled at each other from a distance.
Ship of Ceres landed on the south coast of the country and there after the king sat in a chariot placed on the top of an elephant. It was some sort of ritual in Ceres. They even brought presents with them carried by soldiers.
King Kirckby V reached the Southern Gateway and got off the elephant. He was taller than Ozimaynads; he was around 6.6 feet and was huge in size. He wore a big skirt crafter out of tiger skin, wore a cap that had a symbol of eagle on it, a golden vest covered with silk cloth wrapped around his body.
'Welcome, King Kirckby V', Ozimaynads struggled to hug the gigantic king.
'Thank you, my dear friend', he replied.
'Let's go to Poloria, the capital of our nation and celebrate our new friendship', Ozimaynads smiled but then realized that Artezist was also standing beside him. 'Oh and yes, this is Artezist, our Defense Minister'.
'Welcome my lord', Artezist bowed.
They all proceeded towards Poloria. Ozimaynads and Artezist were on their horses and behind them was King Kirckby V on his elephant.
It took them around 2 hours to reach Poloria. When they entered the city everyone was throwing flowers in the air. Every house in the city was decorated with flowers which made them look so beautiful. King Kirckby V looked happy. It seemed that he has seen such a welcome first time in his entire life. Ozimaynads on the other hand had the same stern expression as always. Artezist seemed worried about the king's plan because nobody knew how he was going to put forward the alliance treaty.
All of them after 10 minutes of welcome ceremony entered the palace. Ozimaynads guided the King to the great hall. There was an additional throne arranged on the right side of the king's throne on the lower step. Ozimaynads showed the king his place and sat on his throne.
All the ministers were standing in their honor when finally Ozimaynads told them to sit down.
Ozimaynads began, 'Gentlemen, let me introduce you to our special guest today, the King of Great Nation of Ceres, King Kirckby the fifth',
Everybody clapped in his honor and then Ozimaynads continued, 'Today henceforth I wish that this bond of friendship between the two superpowers will remain unbroken till the doomsday and for the generations coming ahead our friendship will be a good lessons and inspiration'.
Everybody clapped again.
'He is some skilled speaker', said the Finance Minister to Artezist. 'Look at Kirckby, he already looks impressed'.
'Yeah, you are right, Kirckby has totally fallen for our majesty's trick', Artezist replied looking impressed.
'Now if you all will stand in honor of this glorious day which is the beginning of good times', Ozimaynads stood up and so did everyone.
Every person in the room was standing looking happy. There were public outside the palace gathered to listen though Ozimaynads was not that audible for them.
After all the drama done by Ozimaynads, he requested King Kirckby to proceed in the meeting room and that he has to take one of his trusted soldier or minister with him. Though no minister came with him but the King's Guardian was with him and was going to attend the meeting. On other hand Ozimaynads choose Artezist to come with him.
It was all going as planned. Kirckby V was totally fallen for Ozimaynads and now considered him as a dear friend. When they were going to the meeting room both the kings started a friendly conversation.
'You are very young but that's not your weakness, Lord Ozimaynads', said King Kirckby V. 'I also hope that this alliance and our friendship should remain unbroken for next hundred years'.
'Thank you, Lord Kirckby V', Ozimaynads replied. 'You are very humble. You know, I feared that you might not like me as my image is tarnished by people who ran away from here out of fear'.
'No no, you earned my respect lord Ozimaynads', Kirckby V smiled. 'I wish I had a son like you. I have five sons but none of them are as good as you are'.
'Thank you again, Lord Kirckby V'.
All of them reached the meeting room and four chairs were arranged for all of them. Ozimaynads and Artezist sat down but only Kirckby V sat down not his guardian.
'What happened, your loyal person won't sit down?' Ozimaynads asked.
'I am sorry Lord Ozimaynads', the Guardian answered. 'I am not allowed to sit beside my king as it will be an insult'.
'Lord Kirckby V, please tell your loyal to sit down. We are after all humans and position should not matter in certain cases', Ozimaynads said.
'But Lord Ozimaynads, he is my Guardian and they don't sit with the king', Kirckby V replied. 'It has been our culture'.
'I am sorry, Lord Kirckby but giving respect to the person dear to us doesn't make us less of a King'.
'Hmm, you are right Lord Ozimaynads. You opened my eyes', Kirckby then turned to his Guardian. 'I order you to sit beside me, my friend'.
'As you wish my lord', and the guardian sat beside king Kirckby V.
Then they all got straightened up and Ozimaynads started the conversation, 'See Lord Kirckby, apart from our friendship I called you all the way from Ceres to my nation was because of the war. See Balheru-Jerokio has been a major pain in both of our lives from centuries now. I want you to help me to defeat Balheru-Jerokio'.
'But why do alliances with us when you can singlehandedly take down Balheru-Jerokio yourself?' King Kirckby asked.
'Yes you are right but I am thinking much ahead of it', Ozimaynads smiled. 'Just imagine how much we can accomplish if we were to fight war together. No nation or empire in the entire continent would dare to speak up against the united us. Balheru-Jerokio is just the starting, I am thinking of winning the entire continent'.
'You indeed think far ahead of time', Kirckby smiled. 'I am impressed but what if we later fight each other for the land?'
'I assure you that won't happen from our side and even if it happens from your side we will resolve the problem as friends through negotiation not by war. For now our enemy is common and so is our goal'.
'Nice, I feel like I know you from years even though we just meet few hours back', Kirckby smiled again. 'So when do we attack'.
'The moment you step your foot back in Ceres, send a message. You will attack from your side and I will from mine'.
Artezist took out the map and kept on the table.
'See Balheru-Jerokio is stuck in middle of us two. They won't be able to defend from both sides and that will become our advantage'.
'Nice!'
'So, a deal?'
'Of course, it's a deal', Kirckby caught Ozimaynads hand and shake it symbolizing their trust and agreement.
'Now please stay in our royal guest room as you must be tired from all this traveling'.
'Of course'.
Everyone stood up and proceeded outside. Ozimaynads showed the king his room and went off with Artezist.
'Do you think my lord that he doesn't suspect us?' Artezist asked.
'He is a fool', Ozimaynads laughed. 'He thinks that I will maintain our friendship and agreement. Let us once win the war with Balheru-Jerokio then I will break his trust and him completely'.
'Glory to you, my lord', Artezist replied.
Follow me on instagram authorprathitd
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone