Age of Kings 1066

POV Rio

It had been a few years since the attack, and I was taking a walk for the first time without an escort. Hatterene and Kirlia were terrified for my safety, and only very recently could I finally go somewhere without an escort. Those deemed good enough to watch me were only Hatterene, Kirlia, and a fairy named Navi. And, yes, Navi is just as annoying as the real one from my past life. It took me a whole month before I was allowed to use the bathroom by myself. But thankfully, Hatterene stepped in to stop everyone from following me like a stalker with no understanding of personal space.

After the attack, I was slightly disabled. Hatterene told me that I was poisoned using Mage's Bane, which is a nasty poison designed specifically to kill mages and magic users. I was fortunate that I had used a spell to reduce the poison so soon after I was hit, as once it settles, it can't be healed using magic and must rely on the body's natural healing processes. If you use magic, it causes excruciating pain and can even worsen the damage. 

"Hey! Listen!" Navi tells me.

I wince as Navi comes from nowhere to tell me something.

"Ugh. Yes, Navi? Is there something you need to tell me?"

"The lady asked me to get you. You have been out for too long. She is worried," Navi flies erratically to express her feelings while she speaks.

"Sigh. Okay, I am heading back now."

I wait for her to leave, but when she doesn't, I just sigh and start walking back.

'I guess old habits die hard.'

POV Radovid

I tap my fingers on my throne and check the time again.

'She's late.'

I didn't like it when people were late. It was quite displeasing. But since it was my only friend, I would give her a little slack.

'If she has good news. And a good reason for being late.'

I look to my Chancellor.

"Where is Xena?"

Before he can respond, the doors open, and I hear the person I just asked about.

"I am here, my lord. Apologies for being late," Xena said while running towards me. Xena was a Dwarf of quite advanced years who had served me for almost 50 years.

"I presume you had a good reason to be late."

"Of course, my lord. I was confirming information that will be of most importance to you," She says while bowing slightly.

"Have you found the location of those assassins?"

"Yes, my agents confirmed where they were last seen and further talked with the leader of Valenwood to confirm that they were last seen there. Unfortunately, they are already dead. And the villagers threatened my agents if they didn't leave," Xena said with a conflicted face. This causes my Marshal to react.

"That's treason! Do they not fear we will respond in kind?" Kratos says with anger in his tone. Kratos was a half-giant that has served as my Marshal for several years. He was known as the Fear Eater due to the fact that he seems to grow stronger the more others fear him.

"They gave the reasoning that the assassins were pretending to be under the orders of the Duke and even had paperwork saying they were. Then the Lady of the Woods gave a clear threat. Which made them fear any outsiders for fear of being massacred by her. Apparently, the assassins went into the Lost Woods," Xena calmly responds.

"Are they insane? It's suicide to go in there. Even we don't go in there without prior notice and permission," said Sergios, my Steward. He was the only member of my council who came from a noble household. 

"I went and confirmed it myself, the Lady of the Woods left the corpses of 11 mutilated assassins without armor, and fused with trees. It was gruesome, but an effective reminder. When I went there, I was told the whole story, which explains why they refused my agents. Furthermore, I learned why the Lady of the Woods was so angry. The villagers had told the assassins where Keira Draconis lived in the forest," Xena said with a hesitant face.

"My... Niece? She is still alive? She vanished nearly 40 years ago."

"I am afraid not. She passed away a few years ago," Xena said with her head lowered. But I caught what she said.

"You mean she wasn't killed?"

"No, she died to a curse. And that isn't the most important, she had a son." Xena's words cause the entire court to freeze.

"A... A son? Are you certain? Does he still live?" I ask with hesitation and a small sliver of hope.

"I-I can't say for certain. But I can say that Keira Draconis was seen with a child that looked just like her on multiple occasions in the village of Valenwood," Xena said.

"Valenwood, if I recall, the leader of that village should be Faendal the elf, correct?"

"Yes, he has been the leader for the past 123 years," Xena said.

"Hmm, I do not recall him ever giving a false report before. But you said you can't confirm if this boy is alive."

"Correct, I would have to venture into the forest, and given the attitude of the Lady of the Woods right now, I thought it unwise to do so right now," Xena says with her head held low.

"Retrieve Geralt."

Xena bows, then leaves to do as I asked. Kratos then speaks up about his displeasure.

"Regardless of his reasons, Faendal still threatened the lives of agents of Concordia. That can't go unpunished," Kratos said.

"Not necessarily," My Chancellor Aerin intervenes. He was just an ordinary human whose only notable feature was that he was a strong proponent of peace over war.

"Since Valenwood is a border village, it would be given greater autonomy and would more likely answer to Treebeard over the Duke. The Treaty of the Great Oak, signed by Radovid II, clearly stated that the border villages would be a co-ruled region and that any form of punishment must be approved by both sides and that matters concerning the Lost Woods take precedence over the orders of the Duke," Aerin stated with confidence.

"Hmm, yes, I recall that old treaty. If that is the case, then we can drop this matter."

My statement caused Kratos to drop the matter. Then we only had to wait for a short time before Xena came back, but with Geralt. Heralt was a white haired Half-Elf who had served as a champion of Concordia for over a century and was the go-to expert when it came to monsters, undead, and other less mundane things.

"Geralt, I have a mission for you. It is of the utmost importance."

"I am ready to serve my liege," Geralt says while kneeling.

"Go to the village of Valenwood and then into the Lost Woods and find if there is a child of my dynasty living still in those woods. If so, then attempt to bring him back. You are to set out as soon as you can. If the boy is dead, then report back to me. If he lives, but the Lady of the Woods refuses to let you take him, come back and tell me. His life is of the utmost importance to Concordia. Protect him at all costs, and do not let anyone stop you when you are returning here. Am I clear?"

"Yes, my liege," Geralt gets up and begins to leave. Once he leaves, I look towards Xena.

"Have you any news on your failure?"

"I have tracked down where the assassins came from, but more importantly, I discovered where the gap in our defenses was and how long they had been there," She says while giving a guilty face.

"Who cares how long the gap has been there! Just tell us who it is so I can prepare the war plans," Kratos speaks with righteous fury.

"It matters because of how long it has been there. It has been there for nearly 150 years." That number causes even me to pause.

"But... But how is that possible? Surely no secret can be kept for that long," Aerin spoke.

"I checked it myself, it is accurate. The gap was made 148 years ago during the reign of Radovid IV. And worse yet, the one who held this secret for so long is the Vatican," Xena drops yet another bomb.

"That shouldn't be possible, we have always kept a close eye on the events of the Vatican. And no leader stays alive for that long, even here. Which means that at least 3 generations of Popes would pass through the Vatican. No secret can be kept that well and for so long."

"My thoughts exactly, my liege, which is why I checked it myself over a dozen times. Every lead I have leads to the Vatican. The assassins were from Wallachia, but they received training from a visiting Bishop from Rome. Said Bishop died mysteriously before returning to the Vatican. The assassins were all selected from the most zealous men who wouldn't hesitate to die before being captured. The papers they had were forgeries also manufactured in Rome in a small shop that burned down two days after we searched it. Most of my agents were killed, and further, they have cleaned up any remaining loose ends," Xena said with a face of frustration.

Everyone looked worried about what this meant, and even I was not certain what to do with this.

"Keep investigating. And keep a close eye on the events of the Vatican, but more specifically on the Pope. I hear the Holy Roman Emperor has fallen out with the Pope. There are also rumors that the world is getting active again. We must review the entire Duchy and make sure we are prepared should an invasion come."

My council all nod and they are dismissed to begin their duties. I stay in the throne room to think about what our next actions should be.

'I hope that boy is alive. I am not sure how much longer I have.'

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Authors Note:

A look into the council of Concordia. Only one member wasn't introduced, and that is because they haven't technically taken up their position yet, and instead, the previous Sybil is teaching them. And yes, Geralt is based on Geralt of Rivia. But they are quite different. I use characters I know as a basis for what they look like, and maybe take a few character traits from them, then make a new character with that. Until next time, Ciao.