Sweet Waters Throne

59 Chapter 5The note Artemis received clearly stated that Lord Gandalf had officially step aside from the realm. Maldonia isn’t powerful without House Old City as their allies, King Arteides knew it better and that’s why he managed his relation with Lord Visery Squire who was succeeded by Gandalf after his demise.

Without the Squires, Maldonia was weak. And not to say both powerful and rich houses of Horriss and Iron Falcon weren’t in ally with the crown anymore. So in total Artemis lost three powerful houses and it hadn’t even been a year since he was crowned king.

House Green Town led by Lord Grimwald, House Copperstone led by Lord Maurin and House Sea Stone led by Lord Hofun were the only three houses which swore allegiance to the crown and supported Artemis’s marriage to Aurora. Apart from Sea Stone owning thousands fleet of ships, the rest were weak.

The other four houses which Artemis didn’t pay a visit to were House Dark Town led by Lord Jakharys, House Ash led by Lord Leif, House Gravestone led by Lord Hamlin and the House Mines which was famous for all the slaves was led by Lord Leoric.

House Mines and House Ash were owned by the crown hence Artemis didn’t have to worry of ever losing these two. That’s why his father owned the mines and all the slaves who worked there, perhaps this is the reason why King Arteides always told his son “We will never run out of gold, the mines are ours”

The ownership of the mines and all the golds which were stored safely in the vaults is what made Maldonia what it was, a strong kingdom and that’s because with gold – one can get anything they desire including an army.

House Dark Town and Gravestone weren’t civilized and they were very far from the capital. These two houses were so small and they didn’t even have an army to offer nor men, many of the locals there usually leave to find better pastures.

The Dark Town is said to be inhabited by warlocks, and that’s where Visenya was taking Aurora to the city of Aylesbury. Some call it the end of the world because of how far it was. The Dark Town isn’t for everyone, but kings do visit the town just to remember them but not because they should expect an army or any sort of help.

House Gravestone was scarcely populated but densely surrounded by heavy trees and wild animals. Major means of activities for the people there was farming and hunting, they lived in community all together sharing food, water and everything. It isn’t a very pleasant place for one to live.

.....

Of course these two houses would always declare their vote “yes” to the sovereign and that’s because the realm never did anything for them nor did they care.

Hence even with seven votes of “yes” from seven houses which Artemis was sure they were on his side, still he felt empty. Aurora noticed it when she visited him a day before their wedding, it was after the council meetings with his trusted advisers. The four, Lord Balon and in addition to the table were Lord Hofun of Sea Stone and Lord Maurin of Cooperstone.

They discussed the war which was set to take place, the departure of the three major houses and most importantly the wedding of Lady Aryan and Prince Amabel. Artemis’s concern was his uncle Lord Aethelind and if he wins the war.

“He will turn back and make sure I pay for deserting him. I know my uncle my lords, and trust me in this” said Artemis with concern look on his face.

Lord Hofun, Master of the ships advised Artemis “Then we shall stand behind you, Your Grace. Seven houses of Maldonia will fight for you, and we will fight them whether in land and if they even dare to enter the sea... well I dare say I will crash all of them” he said with confidence.

“How many men do they have?” asked Lord Angun.

Well, this question was aimed directly at Lord Balrus and indeed all eyes were on him. They say Lord Balrus knows who you bed with a week ago and he knows what you will eat a week later, that’s how much well informed he was.

After a moment of silence, Lord Balrus spoke up “I could say close to two hundred thousand with the addition of ten thousand slaves King Vaith bought from the Liberty Cities”

Artemis hissed quietly “A traitor”.

“But Your Grace I must say this isn’t a war Lucian Mithandir will win against Prophis. If the Squires hadn’t joined Prophis then a slightly maybe... but with one hundred thousand men from Lord Gandalf and mighty ten lions, I must say your uncle and Mithandir are walking towards their death”

“A good prediction Lord Balrus, but must I remind you of the failed five rebellions the Squires attempted on the crown?” asked Lord Akirbus. “They had thirty lions and their men but they still failed”

Balrus defended his prediction “That was when they intended to fight a whole realm, this time they have joined up with the powerful kingdom. Prophis is as powerful as Maldonia my lords, let’s not forget about King Taelin”

“Lord Balrus is right” added Artemis then he sighed “We lost the Squires and for that the realm will crumble. If Mithandir were to sit on the silver throne of Prophis, then rest be assured he will come for us the first chance he gets and my uncle will lead that fight”

“And if King Castellan somehow manages to win this rebellion, then he will come for us the first chance he gets and Lord Gandalf will lead that fight” added Lord Balrus.

Now the truth was out and reality hit hard on all of them, so either way, no matter who wins things will be bad for the crown.

Lord Balon expressed his thoughts “Either way, we are fucked up” he said in a somber tone. No one replied to him as they were deep thinking about the solution.

That’s when Artemis’s kingsguard walked inside the council chamber “Lady Kholin is here to see you, Your Grace” he said and then curtsied.

The meeting was brought to a half for the day and Aurora was allowed inside. All the lords walked outside and each of them softly bowed to Aurora and they noticed her as their future queen. It was early in the morning and they all had tasks of sending invites and prepare for the royal wedding which was due tomorrow.

Aurora was carrying a small bowel which she covered it with her headscarf, Artemis was excited to see what did his future queen cook for him.

“Let me guess, lemon cakes?” asked Artemis.

Aurora chuckled softly and then she handed the small bowel to Artemis. Artemis gasped “Pigeon pie?” he asked.

“No, it’s custard pie. Go ahead, try it”

Artemis took a small piece of the pie with his right hand and ate it, he moaned at the taste with a smile and that’s because it was so delicious. How lucky he was to actually have a woman like Aurora who knew how cook almost all his favorites dishes.

He reached out for another piece and ate it softly “This is what I needed to cure me of the somberness”

“Are you alright? Why is my husband to be somber just a day before our wedding?”

“I don’t know, you are the seer... you tell me” joked Artemis and took another piece of the pie, there were five pieces and he intended to finish them altogether. “How’s Mrs Gibbilis doing in the kitchen?”

“As you might imagine, going insane is what I can perfectly sum up her situation. The wedding is tomorrow and there are lots of things to do”

“Hm-mm”

“Why are you sad?” asked Aurora especially after Artemis changed the subject.

Artemis reached out for the fifth piece of the pie and put it inside his mouth, now he had two pieces of the pies and his mouth was full. He looked funny and he knew it, hence he tried to tease Aurora with his looks. “Get in here... kiss your king”

Aurora laughed at how crazy Artemis looked with all that food stuffed up inside his mouth, she refused to kiss him and Artemis played around her. They laughed and played around the council chamber like young couples which they were, and when they stopped – Aurora held Artemis so close to her and she assured him that she will protect him.

“After we are wed, I will seek help with my visions. I shall become a seer and no matter who wins the war and decides to come after us, I will see it in my visions and I shall protect you from him. You are safe with me my love, I will not let anyone hurt you” said Aurora.

Artemis felt safe inside his woman’s arms, he was like a little baby inside his mother’s protection. Aurora made his head rest on her breasts and Artemis nearly fell asleep on them, but he did calm down and he was no longer worried. That’s the power of compulsion Aurora had, but she didn’t even know that she had it.