Raboanara Royal Castle: Audience Chamber

The Audience Chamber looked its usual splendid self. The floors were mopped and polished, the tapestries cleaned and the torches lit. However the room at an unusually stale air surrounding it today. Maybe it was because the only person moving around it right now wasn't in the best of moods. Jaden paced back and forth almost non stop in the audience chamber. He was nervous and tense, and it didn't help it that if he didn't figure out what to do fast, he may as well lose his Kingdom as well as his own life.

He thought back to the good old days, where he was just a carefree child. Life was so much simpler back then. He thought back to his first encounter with Yubel, when they walked into the gardens and chatted the afternoon away. He thought back to the ball where he and Yubel shared a dance. That was for him arguably the happiest moment of his life. He loved the way Yubel moved, so wild and free, as if nothing was holding her back. He thought about the time Yubel turned into the hideous monster that stood by him constantly, and of course he thought back to the time the two of them shared a hug and warm embrace in front of the sunset.

That was then though, all of that seemed to be ages ago.

When he got word back that his father, the king had died in battle, Jaden was devastated, the man whom he thought was indestructible, would be there for him at the end of the day, was gone.


Jaden eyes were about ready to burst at the funeral a few days later. Yubel stood by him the whole time trying to comfort him. She placed a clawed hand on his head and shoulders and gently patted him, to keep him from breaking down completely.

As the thousands of mourners passed by the body, the all stopped briefly to express their condolences to Jaden. The Prime Minister was next. He walked up to the casket, spoke a few words, and bowed to the former king one last time. He rose and walked over to Jaden.

He was of average height, and looked to be in his mid-forties. The wear and tear of office had so far spared the man from any rapid age change. His face did however, began to show it's age, as there were faint, but noticeable lines under his gray eyes. Like everyone else, he was wearing black robes and hat in honor of the king's passing.

Jaden had only met in a few times, if only in passing. The last time he saw him was a few years ago, and he could barely remember what he was. He did recognize his face.

The Prime Minister approached Jaden, and gave another bow. He looked up, and said to Jaden, "I'm Prime Minister Ramedas, You can rest assured my liege. I'll make sure to handle most of the day to day affairs of the country in the king's stead. He was not only a great king in my opinion, but a great man, and a good friend to me. We looked out for each other like brothers almost, I'm with you here my Lord, I too have lost someone dear to me."

He finished his little speech to Jaden, bowed once more, and filed away. Deep down, for some reason, this man's words meant more to him than anything he had heard so far.

He turned to Yubel again, and started to sob. She knelt down to his level again, and started stroking his back.

"It's okay Jaden, I'm here for you," she whispered softly into his ear.


What was he supposed to do? He had not expected to rule the country for many years, and now he's already doing it when he was barely started manhood.

Right now the fighting had died down, but he knew it would only be a matter of time before the enemy attacked again.

Luckily the terrain was very rugged to the north and the Empire forces have stretched themselves incredibly thin. Jaden was briefed on that a few days ago by the war council, he started thinking that this would be a perfect time to launch a strong counterstrike.

He was lucky that most of his other generals had came back relatively unscathed. Their armies, however, weren't so lucky.

General Berganstan's division had lost almost all his troops, Commandant Markus's troops had been reduced by half, and General Zamaran's troops were still bitterly fighting a guerrilla war after the Fortress of Drakenmor was finally overrun.

Jaden received a letter from an envoy of the Empire. It was a letter for terms of peace, or as one might put it, terms of Raboanara's surrender. Jaden had seriously toyed with the idea of accepting the offer, but it was Yubel who held him back.

"Jaden, if you do this, then your father's sacrifice was for nothing!"

"Yes, I know but, this might be our chance to prevent anymore deaths. I feel that is more important at this point" Jaden replied.

"You don't get it do you, that is the same as admitting defeat! Since when have you admitted defeat?"

Jaden sighed. He had spoken to his advisors, the Prime Minister and military officers. The general opinion was divided. It was no different than Jaden at this point. "You're right, we still have a chance, however slim it may be, there is that chance."

"Now that sounds like the Jaden I know" Yubel said with a smile.

Jaden came back with more confidence than he started out with. Yubel had shown him hope, now he was going to rely on that to defend his country.

He looked at his officers with more determination now than before. When the generals and officers saw Jaden's face and the fierce look in his eyes, they knew what to expect. They were going to push back the enemy one way or another. They were going to defend their country, or die trying.


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