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Rebuilding Commoria: {Part 4} Era of Power.
Even from the crumbling foundations of castles and fortifications of ancient origin even from the dirt and mud that was once stained with blood and covered in death even from the brink of nothingness and absolution did we yet rise. All was thrown against us with the expectation to fail the expectation to fall. Fall we did, to our knees as we weathered the storm and fought the beasts. But fail? Fail we did not!
War that has lasted longer than most can remember, battles that spanned entire countrysides and devoured entire cities in their wake. Millions dead, and millions more suffering. The call had to be answered. The call of the true king to stand and fight for his people. Fight he did, from a small force of the last loyal to the Naadar clan. Soon his victories echoed of a time before the darkness before the pain. Thus the rally call began, across the land and through every mead hall.
Civil war is always a dirty business. For you fight those that once were brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. Those that just feel differently than you, those that are still Commorians but are against the ideals of the crown.
Many were forced into the fight by tyrants grabbing for power, grabbing for the infinite in which they were not rightfully set. Conscripts scarred into service out of fear for their family or their land, their homes or their establishments. Imposed taxes by these tyrants nearly broke many as only the few in power of each camp would prosper. The son of Naadar was different he turned away from taxes and called for recruits that were only willing.
Betrayal was constant during this time. It seemed that honor had died in the heart of Commoria and like a cancer it had spread...until no honor remained. The seed however would not dim it would not fade. It had to be held high so that all could see, years this took years upon years as the country was won over again and the rebuilding began. Even then evil tried to sick its teeth into all about them. Causing outbreaks of violence to occur and warlords to rise as if they held some station above the people.
Fifty years it took for this war to end, fifty long years for the king to bring peace and order back to the land that his father had left in darkness. Too long for a mortal. Even though he lived a long life of nearly six hundred years the one known as Fradimeir aged during this conflict for it took all his strength to win it all his willpower to keep everything together. For the people. He gave all so that his people would prosper, nearly dying because of it.
At this point Fradimeir looked up from the parchment he was reading and laughed hard and loud. He had just been reading the historical pamphlet of the civil war they had concluded nearly two years ago. They were still rebuilding of course, that kind of devastation does not get fixed overnight, but the historians were making it sound like he had single handedly saved their land. Shaking his head he grabbed a felt pen and scratched a few notes on the margins of the document. Handing it to the courier whom waited he waved him away and stood up turning away from his desk and looking out the window of his office.
Clasping his hands behind his back he could not help but smile at the sight before him. The grand castle's reconstruction efforts were well under way as were several other construction projects across the land. Most of the townships had been rebuilt and for once all was well across the land.
Whispering a prayer to the gods above and below he hoped that it would stay as such. His agents had been busy outside of the kingdom trying to gain information on his neighbors while he also made diplomatic moves to secure a place for Commoria in the international eye.
Thus far he had not gotten far, some of the lands about had grown quiet and all inquiries to them had failed to harbor a response. Others were out there but slow to move into any diplomatic pondering with him. Perhaps he was the wrong one to do such things, but he was all there was. The one that could have been there to help with such things had long disappeared from him. With it she had taken a piece of his heart. He had finally come to terms with it though feeling that perhaps this was better for her, for her to be free of such things and stresses. He had plenty to contend with in protecting his people and their interests...
Though there was still the cold nights when the moon was bright that would remind him of the gap in his life.
Turning away from such thoughts he let his thoughts move towards other things. For once his forces were at their peak. The economy was doing grand as well. Gold flowed through the treasuries in the land. To those that mattered to he was sure it made their hearts flutter with joy.
Behind him he heard the heavy footsteps of one of his most trusted subjects. Viet, his military advisor and friend. Turning he smiled and nodded to the man as he bowed.
"What reports from the outposts?" Fradimier asked softly.
'All borders are secure my lord, we have heard nothing from our neighbors though we do spy movement from time to time.'
"Perhaps they just wish their space, for now we will give it to them. However the border guard is to be maintained." Fradimeir responded.
With a nod Viet agreed. 'Some of the council members are wanting us to cut all ties with those outside our lands...saying it would be better.'
Turning around fully Fradimeir could not help but show some of the frustration he felt on the subject. It was something the council had been fighting him on recently. A lot.
"Those fools would have us bury our heads in the sand and hope that no one comes and sees us as easy pickings. I have traveled beyond these borders and I know for a fact that ignoring the outside world is the stupidest thing we could possibly do."
Viet laughed at the remark but nodded in agreement. He knew his king had done a lot of things before taking the mantle of kingship. Though he also held some personal fears of those outside their lands. He had seen things during the civil war that would chill him to the bone until the day he died.
'We will just have to persuade the council of your point my lord. I am sure they will follow you no matter where we go.' Crossing his arms across his chest he continued 'We just have to show them that the world is not the horrible place they think it is...the civil war showed them the darkest the world had to offer...and if frightens them.'
Fradimeir slowly nodded. During the war there had been raids of werewolves and vampires from other lands. Seeing the weakened state of Commoria they had taken advantage of its people and preyed upon them. This was the reason his own people did not know what he truly was, for he was sure that many would turn on him for it. Only a few knew of his origins...of his hybrid nature.
Another reason to feel isolated and alone he thought to himself.
"There are dark things out there, but there are also good things. Things and people we need in order to preserve Commoria's future."
Their talk lasted for about an hour, going back and forth on about the upgraded defense systems they were installing and they talked about Viet's family. Afterwards Fradimeir was left alone to ponder.
He thought of the Raven Empire then, how magnificent its streets and buildings had been. It had been a long time since he had even talked with Raven Empire's leader, Morrigan. A strong willed woman that knew how it was to be a leader apart. Smiling he walked out onto the balcony and swung his legs up over the ledge letting them dangle over the air between him and the ground far below.
Perhaps it was time for him to make another visit to that far away place and pay tribute to the empire's fair Empress.
Hours later...
His chief aid stood at the doorway watching him pack the last of his things into a small satchel that he then slung over his shoulder. Dressed in clothing more fit for a traveling peasant than a king he drew the hood up over his head and looked back at the woman standing at the door.
'I can not dissuade you from going alone can I?' The sound of her voice carried with it frustration that she was not being allowed to carry out her duty.
A smile came across Fradimeir's face as he crossed the distance and placed a hand on his aid's shoulder squeezing it softly.
"I need to go alone...if because nothing else than I wish it so."
She almost rolled her eyes at him and then thought better of it. His stubbornness was even keeping this from the guards that were supposed to be with him regardless of where he went. He was king after all what would they do if something happened to him?
"There is no foreseeable danger and if there is I can take care of it. Besides there is no need to take men and women from these lands that could better be focused on serving in the reconstruction efforts."
'As you wish my lord.' Was all he got from her. Smiling one last time he moved around her and left. His horse was already in the stables awaiting him and shortly after that he was on the main road out of the castle.
His destination was Zamora where he had heard the Empress was last. He hoped he would be able to catch her before she moved elsewhere. The journey took several days on horseback with a few ferry rides in between. Soon he was on the border requesting permission to enter their lands.
He spoke with a commander of some sort and revealed that he was King of Commoria...wishing an audience with their empress. Now his fate was in the hand of the men that the Empress trusted in hopes that he would be granted what he wished.
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