“You thought we’d come here and miraculously fix all of our issues, didn’t you?” Despite his words, his tone wasn’t accusatory.
I sighed and tore my eyes away from the window of the carriage where the Elyrian countryside was hurtling past, the trees and farmland a blur. I focused on my friend’s face, noting the worry etched in his brow. Or perhaps that was just age. Both in our early forties—I was forty-two and Alois only six months older than me—we weren’t necessarily young anymore, the weight of our positions and pasts beginning to show in little lines of stress and sun.
“That easy to discern?” I finally said.
Alois laughed. “Respectfully, Rohak, I’ve known you our entire lives—from the time we were street rats stealing whatever we could to feed ourselves, through military training, and now. There is no secret you can keep from me, brother.”
There was so much history between us that we became a formidable pair—first as a fighting unit in the Elyrian military and now as politicians. We always knew the other’s next move, next step, next thought, and our individual strengths disguised each other’s weaknesses. It’s probably why so many of the Northern Territories flocked to be in an alliance with Alois—there was no perceived weakness.
Except for Alois’ nearly fanatical affixation with the Keepers and their Matriarch.
No one, apart from the company of Mages who accompanied Alois and I on our initial campaign some fifteen years ago, knew the real reason for the strife and animosity between the Keepers and the Northern Allied Territories. Alois disseminated a carefully crafted coverup for our presence in the Valley, claiming that the Keepers housed a dangerous artifact and were planning on using it to wake the gods in a bid to control Elyria. Alois is nothing if not an incredible orator, and the people of Elyria took his word as gospel.
“He is a Truthsayer, after all, and with his abilities, why would he lie?” they reasoned.
And the partial truth wasn’t necessarily far from the real reason we were in the Valley. Therewasan artifact of the gods held by the Matriarchs, but that was only the beginning of it.
The more Kaos whispered to Alois, the further convinced he became that all the Keepers, not just the remaining Matriarch, needed to be eradicated.
It was the only thing that would provide “balance” and pave the way for Kaos to escape his prison.
The whole thing set me on edge.
In direct response to Alois’ elevated measures, the descendants of Solace started launching more brazen and deadly attacks against allied territories and cities. There were a few Border Territories in particular that were sustaining heavy losses—both civilian and Mage—just for voting in favor of one of Alois’ policies. They weren’t even a technical allied state, and the Last Keeper’s rebellion had launched what appeared to be a small-scale invasion after what they perceived to be a breach in neutrality.
It was all a complete mess. A clusterfuck of epic proportions.
I was jolted from my musings when Alois kicked my boot lightly with his.
“You disappeared into your thoughts again, Rohak. If I didn’t know you, I’d think you were a Keeper with how often your mind leaves this place.” There was a slight edge to his jest, and I smiled to pacify him.
“You were right, Alois. I was foolishly hoping that this whole trip would somehow fix everything, or at least bring us some sort of clarity. I feel like there are more questions than answers at this point.”
“Yes. Especially about Ellowyn.” He was still fascinated and fixated upon the girl, though gods knew why.
I found her almost unbearable.
Polite almost to a fault, seemingly carefree, and content to let others make decisions for her. The girl had no backbone, and I despised it. No one isthathappy all the time, especially taking direction from other people. The way her mother directed her, both physically and verbally, left me stunned.
I speak better to my horses, and they are beasts.
But Ellowyn seemed entirely accepting of her place within her family, dancing with a multitude of men as they came searching for a chance at betrothing themselves to the tall, smiling blonde. She even pulled one of my Mages off the wall and away from his station at one point.
I still must speak with him about leaving his post and becoming distracted on the job.
And the worst part of it all was that she had snared Alois in her web. He was enamored with her, completely fascinated. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the futures surrounding her, or if it was simplyher. Either way, it had Alois distracted and territorial.
“I found her wanting,” I said.
“Of course you did, Rohak. If she’s not your True Bond then you want nothing to do with her. But this isn’t about you. It’s about me. It’s about our kingdom and the future of Elyria.” Alois leaned forward in his seat, resting his elbows on his knees as he spoke.
“You’re infatuated with her. The feeling will pass,” I said.
“Perhaps. Or perhaps she’s more than an infatuation,” he pressed.
“You heard her father; she’s publicly betrothed to that unknown heir from the South. Even you don’t possess the ability to separate that type of agreement. It’d be a serious breach of power and completely unwise to treat an ally in such a way, especially in our current situation.”
He huffed and leaned back again.
