"Victory is soaked in blood."~ Sion, The Undead Juggernaut
More world building chapters incoming.
I feel like I have very few fights in the arcs while it is mostly just talking otherwise. That is just how it is though. Realistic fights are short. However, I did try to make the previous fight a little longer.
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Alain Spiritmight sat on an armchair with a drink in hand. He twirled it around almost lazily as he looked at the man sitting opposite to him. "Why weren't you at the courtroom yesterday father?"
The other man, clearly older, held a drink in his hand as well. "We cannot be bending to every whim of that child. I did not go since it was not necessary for me to go." He leaned back against the chair and took a sip of his drink.
"Mother?" Alain asked.
"If the kingship has to fall to our family... then we must first discredit that boy." She spoke from beside his father. "Maer is right. We have to show our disapproval in a different manner. This is one of them." She placed a hand on the chair her husband sat on. "The nobles will come to us pretty quickly. They are dissatisfied with their current ruler. Changing so many things this early into his kingship? What was the boy thinking?"
Alain sighed, "But I was still there. So was Eileen. Do you know what your actions have inadvertently caused? My presence there and your absence will be taken as you stepping down as head and passing the role onto me."
Maer smiled, "And that matters how? You becoming king is what we have worked toward the entire time. A plan started by my father. Though even he did not expect Catherine to fall in love with the king that quick. They could have had more children... but we put a stop to that pretty quickly."
"Can you imagine how difficult that would have been? Having multiple heirs to the throne?" His mother spoke.
Laughing, Maer replied, "Of course Vale. We even got rid of that thing early on just to avoid any troubles for Alain."
He knew what they were talking about. A brother. He remembered him. He was magical. That alone put his family name in a bad light. Magic did not belong in a noble family. When he had heard of his parent's actions that day, Alain had been genuinely happy. The family disgrace was gone.
Even as brothers they hadn't really interacted much. It was straightforward avoidance and ignoring. They never interacted and any kind of words that boy had with him were rebuffed with anger.
His sister did the same and the youngest sister barely remembered him.
The family had put on an act for his loss. Not only had they removed the magical cancer in the family.... they also had gained a lot of sympathy and support.
"The thing we actually need to be talking about is the messenger." Maer spoke. "Not only does he bring word of an invasion.... he can also turn into a monster?" He turned to his son, "Can you verify this?"
Alain nodded. "Guards and the commoners all say the same thing. Two monsters. There is word of another. The statue by the Durand. Galio. It seems to have moved. Our own people have seen cracks on the statue."
"Monsters and moving statues...." Vale spoke. "What has our kingdom come to?"
"This is all good." Maer interjected. "The messenger is in prison?"
Alain nodded. "I am currently riling up the other nobles to have him be there permanently without a trial but the king is opposed. The messenger surrendering without a fight while only asking for a trial has to honored. Some of the nobles are firmly in that court even if they do not support the king."
"The messenger is playing with us then." Maer observed. "What about his children?"
"They are under watch. Always with the Seneschal or near the king. Occasionally they are left with Eileen. That is our only connection to them." Alain answered. "Though Eileen would never do anything to harm children." He spat out the last words.
"Too soft and carefree." Vale said as she shook her head. "I do not know where we went wrong with that girl."
Maer finished his drink as he reached for his wife's hand. "It is fine love. Her worth is in marriage. That is all. Our first daughter is doing pretty well and her marriage has brought us a lot of benefits. This is similar."
"Eileen will prove her worth one day." Vale replied. "Whether through marriage or through loyalty."
Alain finished his drink and rose to his feet. "The trial will most likely be held and your presence there is important father. A negative decision will harm the king's reputation even more."
Maer nodded then he leaned forward and put his hands together, "Though..... what is this I have been hearing about the weapons?"
"Cursed items that can kill upon contact apparently." Alain replied.
"Like the True Ice weapons of the Freljord?" He asked.
Alain nodded. "Seems similar."
"We will take them then." Maer stated. "Anything to strengthen our side."
"I have already begun the process of claiming them for ourselves father." He answered as he walked toward the door.
He turned back to them and gave them a curt bow, "Father. Mother." And then he exited the room.
The butler stood on the opposite end of the corridor. "Tom has Jaredan been released yet?"
"Yes Milord." Tom answered with one hand folded across his chest as he bowed. "After release he has completely disappeared from Demacia. Him being a spy is most likely true."
Alain smirked. Jaredan had done him and his family a great favor by expediting the death of the previous king and sending the kingdom into turmoil. And Jarvan IV needed to match up to the expectations of not only the commoners but also the nobles and he seemed to be failing to please the nobles.
He walked back to his office and sat at the chair. "Call my sister Tom."
"Lady Eileen?" Tom asked.
"Yes."
"As you wish Milord." Tom bowed and left.
Alain reclined in his chair thinking about his current situation.
The Fortis house was in shambles. Its people devastated at the destruction. Their young lord in medical care. And with all of this Lady Fortis not through lack of effort, couldn't manage everything.
A prime opportunity to enter and take over the family.
The Fortis were known for their battle prowess and their love for the commoners. Having the family under them would raise their own standing as well as gain a couple more nobles on their side.
Battle.
He pushed himself off the chair and walked across his room to the armor set that hung on the wall.
His armor.
The one he had donned only twice.
Once to kill Noxians and the second to kill mages during the uprising.
The rest was all only under training. He was trained extensively, It was a responsibility that belonged to him. It was necessary. If he wasn't strong enough to face anyone in battle, he wouldn't be strong enough to lead as king.
He reached for his blade and picked it up. Thin at the sides and strong in the center. It was a weapon made to kill while also maintaining its strength and durability. Its sides were made of Demacian steel but it had streaks of Petriciterunning through it.
Very few weapons were like this and none of them had Petriciteembedded into the sword itself just around the edges.
A beautiful weapon. Classic Demacian white and silver. The Spiritmight crest embedded in the hilt, pommel and guard. It was his prized possession. One that took two full years to create.
Magebane.
That was the name given to the weapon. Something meant to kill those undeserving to live.
He swung the blade once.
Then once more.
He dropped into a low stance and imagined those he considered enemies. With every swing, they fell. And with the fall of every enemy, his heart grew lighter.
A few more swings later, he exhaled and stood at a normal stance and placed the blade back with the armor.
He loosened his shirt to offset the heat as he leaned back into the chair. His hand reached for the glass and the drink that sat beside it.
Everything was for him to rise to the position of king. All the assassinations. All the plotting. Everything.
And he would do it every single time until he rose to the position of king.
The drink swirled around in his hand as he looked out of the window.
He would be king.