Chapter 16

Hello everyone, sorry for the wait for this new chapter. Lately I have been having trouble with focusing on like one thing. Mind jumping from one project to another and all that. Plus work has been a bitch with lots of over time and little down time sense the start of the new year. Any ways here is the new chapter of this story. I cut in far shorter than I wished seeing as I felt like I really needed to get something out. So sorry if its boring or anything.

Now on the the Q&A

Last Primaris sorry about that I think I got it fixed. But I suck at keeping timelines and often need to go back to remember where I am.

Amerdism I do plan to add something like that at some point in time. Not sure when just yet but sooner or later they will play around with people like that. As far as what they wear I never did go in to much detail about what they were but it's a mix and match. Some traditional Japanese clothes but other Middle East clothes as well but more like fantasy wear like anime and movies and things. Should really put that in more.

mad thought I have thought about that. It would be funny but I have his fate planned out already.

Darknaru3 I wouldn't say deal more like delay. The white walkers are not so much as something they are to worried about but like a fly they have to kill at some point.

Jdota wonderful review. Ah how to answer it will out taking a full page lol. Well first I plan to focus more on the characters in the following chapters and move a bit away from the world building. And ya there is no one else who would dare to date her or anything. Or sure many want Hela but she is intimidating to say the least. Jaereo was an important OC in that I really wanted to show that free expression, art work and speech was a highly regarded in Numenor and what better way than have some who does not shy away from controversy. To me he is the more art type version of Oberyn. Not afraid to push the boundary but with out the man whore thing lol. As for hesitant ya they are but not for any other reason than they don't really know what they are. While nothing short of God can kill them they don't know their limits and while Jormungandr is well above being hurt my those things there if they don't come out to fight there is no way to attack them way up North.

Thu Ha Vu other great review with yours. So I am basically taking Japan cultural with a mix of China and European and anything else I feel like throwing in lol. As for the system they use it is very in flux as I have shown by each Shogun who is basically the Prime Minister having different ways of doing thing still a more stabilize system comes to play. Now we have already seen a small rebellion take place that was put down quickly but sooner or later a civil war will happen. But do to Lelouch and CC immortality the people get to the point of not being able to see a empire with out them. So most civil wars will be against the system and not so much them. The question of what are our rights, why are we being ignore or the politicians failing to live up to their positions and disobeying the Emperor and Empress. I see these happing when Lelouch and CC are not around for long periods of time and greedy politicians do what they do best and make power grabs when they see a opening.

Guest that may not be a bad idea for Achilles. Its food for thought.

Anyways on with the story and just to plug in please give my other stories a read. Currently I have started two new ones the Saints of Marvel which is a story I tell kind of from a past tense way. Not a very popular story so far but give it a shoot and let me know your thoughts. And the other is called The Saga of House Munsö with is a Viking TV show story.

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-Minas Tirith 39 AMH or 48BC-

As he walked the Great Hall and talked with a number of the bureaucrats of the kingdom about this and that Attila couldn't help but look around at all the splendor around him. He was but a small boy when the ambitious project of building a city into the mountain had begun and now after well over a decade of waiting it was done. And while he had better access to the plans and designs of city than anyone else even, he was shocked by how glorious it really was. The splendor of the Citadel alone showed that just looking at the plans was not enough to truly get a feel for how it would all look in the end. The same went for the Merethrond or Great Hall of Feasts which was where everyone who was anyone was currently located.

The combination of pure marble pillars, floors, wall, etc., that were mixed with gold and silver patters spoke of the Kingdom's wealth and power. The masterpieces of artwork that hung from its walls and ceilings showed its cultural and artistic taste. Now Attila himself was never one for such an atrocious waste of material and wealth on something like this but even he could not help but be in awe of it all. Before today he could never understand how people especially, foreigners confused power with outlandish displays of wealth, but he was starting to.

While still a foolish way of thinking to him he was now understanding why his rulers had of taken advantage of it. They hated putting any real effort into anything after all and if they could make people believe they were powerful by just displaying a bit of wealth than they would do so. And from the looks on the faces of everyone it was working. They were equal parts envious and intimidated though they tried not to show it of course but he saw right through it. You don't receive the training he did without being able to do at least that much. While he would be the first to admit he was not the sharpest tool in the box when it came to politics, he could play the game a bit.

Something he sadly had found himself doing sense the end of the tree planting ceremony earlier today. Which he enjoyed watching even if he didn't like how close Hela was to King Stark. But that was just petty jealousy on his part. When he saw her take King Starks hand when he was having trouble digging a hole in the ground where the tree would be planted, he just felt so angry. It was a shameful thing to feel since he knew it was nothing more than a simple display of affection for a friend in need, but he still couldn't help but feel them. Yet he was able to put those feeling down hard because he knew all too well the feelings of pain and sorrow that King Stark was feeling.

Once the tree ceremony was over however any feelings of jealousy were quickly forgotten in favor of annoyance and disgust for the bureaucrats around him. He truly did hate these people and the games they placed. They were parasites as far as he was concerned. Sucking at the tit that was the peoples hard work in order to make themselves rich. The great leaders he knew as a boy where now almost completely gone and in their place were these less men and women. As an army man he typically didn't have to deal with these people but now as a Great General that had little choice but to do so now. While technically military personnel were not to get mixed up in politics it could not be helped. Politics was like a slowly spreading disease that got into everything eventually and there was no cure. Luckily due to his relationship with Hela and his own status as a Great General he didn't need to come to any agreement with these men seeing as only the Shogun could give him commands and only during times of National Defense. Even the Minister of Military Affairs could not order him around but if he wanted to avoid any unnecessary troubles down the line it was important to play nice.

Luckily enough that was not too hard to get along with the Minister of Military Affairs Braergo. An unremarkable man with a less than impressive military career Braergo was one of the old guards from the time of his grandfather. Born just a few years before his grandfather's surrender to his rulers he was what many called a mix breed of Rohirrim and Dothraki. Meaning he was very war like but also extremely loyal to not only his clan but to the rulers themselves.

During his ten-year career Braergo was unable to rise above the rank Second lieutenant. Yet while success in the military eluded him, he did find his place within the bureaucratic establishment. Especially after the rebellion that saw many of the politicians of the time lose their jobs. As the only bureaucrat still in power and with any military experience he was quickly risen to the position of Minister of Military Affairs by the 2nd Shogun. A position he had done well in and saw him retain when the 3rd Shogun came to power. Despite him being one of the main supporters of the Imperial Lions that 3rd Shogun was at currently at odds with.

With all that said however Attila was not looking to speak with him to much tonight and moved on after exchanging a few pleasantries. No Attila's goal was to get the feel of the foreign dignitaries who had shown for this grand event. For an invasion of the lands west of the kingdom to be successful he knew he would need to know what feelings of the Free Cities towards the Kingdom of Sarnor where. And what he found out was that they were mixed.

While the Kingdom of Sarnor's main trading partners were the Free Cities of Qohor, Norvos, and Lorath of whom had dignitaries at this event, relations had become stain as of late. He did know the exact details but after the rebellion they had formed a loose military alliance with each other in fear of retaliation from Numenor. A justified fear since they had all contributed in one way or the other in it. Yet when it became clear that an attack was not coming, things had started to break down pretty quickly. Now they were at the point where Sarnor had closed it borders to their former allies and applied heavy tariffs on their merchants.

It went with out saying those ex-allies where not happy with this, but Attila felt that war was a long way off. While fear of invasion from Numenor had died down it was still there so they were not looking to start anything just yet. Then there was the growing power of Braavos that they had to watch out for. While Braavos did not seem overly aggressive or have any plans to expand their quick rise in power and wealth of its Iron Bank put everyone in the west on edge.

This was good for him since while they were looking over their shoulders at Braavos they wouldn't be willing to aid their former allies when he finally launched his campaign. Not that it would help them if they did come to Sarnor's aid. Most of the land of the Sarnor Kingdom was grasslands, rivers and rolling hills. A perfect battleground for the first army that he was now commanded. He would roll over any army that tried to face him in open battle. Their cavalry was just that superior to anything the Free Cities or the Kingdom of Sarnor could ever hope to field. As proven by his grandfather's last ride that saw a one-way slaughter that only saw a loss of 2146 men and the complete annihilation of the enemy.

However, there was a slight problem with the 1st Army and that being its lack of infantry. Being highly specialized for lighting fast movements the 1st Army only had about two thousand infantry that was mostly used to clean up any survivors left over by the cavalry. These full foot soldiers would not be enough the siege battles that would take place after the initial part of the war. Now while true the housemen could dismount and attack as infantry, if necessary, that was not what they were trained for. Attila saw heavy casualties that would blunt his mobility later on if he used them like that. To avoid this, he had to options available for him. Those being wait till infantry where trained and could be allotted to his army or look outside the army for more men. For a number of reasons, the first option was appareling to him so that left him with only the second one. So, steeling himself he starts to walk towards two of the most powerful men in the kingdom.

Those being Dai-Osho Goranapho and Horifune the two leaders of the Soto Zen School of Thought and ex-leaders of the now fallen Orders of the Heavenly Dragon and Heavenly Path. Well to say they fall was a bit much and would be more accurate to say they adjusted to the changing of the times. After it came out that Kogo-sama practice something called Soto Zen many of the people of the Kingdom wanted to know what it was and how they too could practice it. Seeing the changes that were coming both men had wasted little time in approaching Kogo-sama to learn from her. What came from that was a joining of the two ex-religious beliefs into one school of thought that followed the teachings of their Kogo-sama.

Now a days the Soto Zen School was the main belief in the Kingdom and there forward one of the most powerful entities in it. So much so that the 2nd Shogun fearing their growing power had asked his rulers to pass a law that saw a clear separation between religious belief and government. A law that made it clear no religion was to have any involvement in the running of the kingdom going forward. This did not make them very happy of course but than their rulers passed a law saying all religious institutes could train and have their own standing military force they called a militia to protect said institutes. So long as they did not pose a threat to the Kingdom or attempt to make war on their own and accepted that in times of crisis that they could be called up to defend the Kingdom as a whole.

With that said Attila felt he could get around those laws by exploiting a loophole that he felt was available to him do to him being a Great General. As a Great General along with his right to conduct war as he saw fit, he also had the right to put out a call for a voluntary conscription in times of war or in preparation for war. In this way he could get the force he needed for the upcoming war without or with little backlash and what a force it would be. While there were a number of religions in the Kingdom right now only the Soto Zen School had anything in way of a true standing army. Their Sōhei or warrior monks as the people called them were among the finest warriors in the land and he would know because he had sparred with them a number of times.

While there were only a few now who could best him in a spar he was willing admit that more often than not it was them who gave him the most trouble. Their devotion to the pursuit of inner peace and their martial skill was such that even their worst warrior was more skilled than a lot of your typical foot soldier. Which is not that shocking since group fighting, tactics and stuff was put above individual skill. Victory as a whole was the mind set and glory was secondary. Not that the Sohei were glory seekers that is. If anything, they were more disciplined than those in the army because their way of life and belief called on them to sacrifice a lot. He just wished they had more than five thousand warriors that they could possibly give him.

Still those five thousand would give him an army of 35,000. With while was nothing compared to what the great khalasar of Khal Mengo was a significant army now a days. Sense the fall of the so-called dragon lords of the past everyone in the west was at war with each. Reducing the number of men, they could field in battle as a result. Then with the coming of their rulers and the devastation of the Dothraki and the failed rebellion that number decreased even more. According to the spy reports he had seen the Kingdom of Sarnor total population was just over one million. Which was twice as many as them since the last population census four years ago. Though that number could be far lesser since the upcoming five-year population census was currently being done and they were in the middle of another baby boom. Yet even if the Kingdom of Sarnor still out numbered them in total population they didn't field a real army form what he knew.

They were still using conscripts and sellswords for their fighting force. And there go to tactic was hiding behind their walls hoping to out last an enemy. Which would be both annoying and effective if he didn't have dependable foot soldiers to open the way for his main army into the city. There was a problem however and that was getting the Sohei would not be easy. Why he may have believed he found a loophole to bring them in as part of his army the two leaders didn't see it that way. After a number of talks with them Attila had found that while they were not against a war with the Kingdom of Sarnor they didn't believe that the law would allow them to join it. At least not with out the go ahead from their rulers that they didn't have. If they joined and were found guilty of breaking the law not only, could they be executed for treason but their whole order could be disbanded and executed. An ending they didn't want.

"Dai-Osho Goranapho and Horifune it is a pleasure to see you both here tonight." Attila says and gives a small but respectful bow of his head to both of them.

Looking over at him both men bow their heads in respect as well to the man they believed would soon be a Prince of the Kingdom though a marriage with Princess Hela.

"As it is to see you young Attila or should we call you Great General Attila?" Horifune says to him in good cheer.

While many believed Attila was to young and inexperienced to be promoted to Great General, he long with Goranapho thought otherwise. They had seen the way Attila had been raised with there own eyes and while short tempered he was more than experienced enough to lead an army.

Giving a small chuckle as well Attila says, "Please my good friends just Attila will do in your cases. You have both known me sense I was but a child. It would be awkward to be called anything but my name when it came to you two."

The men laugh good naturally at this but also know Attila is saying that because he wants something from them. They were old hands at this game themselves and knew the boy well enough to know he was only being sociable because he wanted something. Most likely the same thing he had been asking of them for some time now. Attila's ambitions had been known to them for a long time now since the boy was the type to plan ahead. He always knew he would make Great General some day and had been planning for his campaign west for years. So, he had approached them years ago with his plans and how instrumental the Sohei where to it.

In many ways it was a great honor to known how much he needed them but at the same time they were not sure if they should support the boy. While they agreed on many of his points of view regarding the west and how an invasion was needed to teach them to never attack the kingdom again. They didn't wish to be apart of what was in reality little more than revenge. It was not about the so-called preemptive strike against a known enemy or the elimination of what was left of the Dothraki hordes who were growing in number lately. It was all about revenge against those the boy held responsible for the death of his mother. Something they felt they could not condone.

"Very well Attila. Then I most insist you do the same for use. After all tonight is one of celebration and standing on ceremony is not needed for this night." Goranapho say to him.

"Agreed and a toast to tonight, the continued prosperity of our kingdom, and the fall of our enemies." Attila says with some bitterness at the end.

Both men sigh as they hear this and Goranapho says, "Attila we know what it is your want but now is not the time or the place to talk about such things.

Changing languages to the one spoken only by their people that was taught to them by their rulers Attila says, "Now is the perfect time. Our enemies are unsuspecting and have let down their guard down while we have not. If we attack now, we could annihilate the whole of the Kingdom of Sarnor in one move."

"Is the time right Attila or our you just trying to take advantage of the up coming absence of our rulers." Horifune says to him and watches as Attila's eyes widen.

"Don't look so surprised Attila. You are not the only one with inside information on what is going on with the royal family." Goranapho adds when he sees the boy's look of surprise. Clearly, he didn't know that other knew this information.

"Then you most realize even more what an opportune moment this is. With them gone only her royal highness Princess Hela could call me back from war." Attila tells them.

"True but others could question and accuse us of breaking the law when our rulers return. Regardless of any loopholes you believe you have found. What then Attila?" Goranapho asks.

"That will only happen if we are not victorious. As Tenno-sama once told me victory forgives many sins." Attila says to them and that was a fact. Many horrible deeds are forgotten in favor of those who win. Its all anyone cared about at the end of the day.

They look at the boy and think on what he has said. It was a shame that what he said was true, nonetheless they remained unsure if they should send the Sohei into a conflict that was not their own. Yet at the same time if they didn't more of their kingdom's soldiers would die in the sieges against the Sarnor cities. They had little doubt that Attila would break though the city wall but combat on foot was not the 1st Army's strong suit. The Sohei on the other hand excel in both ground and archery combat. They could lower the casualties by quite a bit and most importantly perhaps keep the death rate of the civilian population down. Because this was a revenge war and they very much doubted Attila would distinguish between active participants and innocent bystanders.

Not giving anything away Horifune says, "We will think on it Attila. Till than go and enjoy the night with your lady. Who I believe is looking for you?"

He points out towards the princess. Who has spotted them and smiles before walking towards them.

"Attila there you are. I have been looking all over for you. You promised me a night for just the two of use and yet here I find you talking to these two old men. No offense Goranapho and Horifune." Hela says to them.

"No offense taken princess. We were just wondering ourselves why he was over here talking with use when he could be spending time with the most beautiful women in the known world." Goranapho says to her.

Laughing a bit at the flattery Hela says, "Careful Goranapho if my mother hears you say that she may grow angry in her jealousy of that fact."

Which was untrue. Her mother cared little to nothing about what others thought of her or how she looked. It had just become a running joke for Hela after she blossomed into the woman she was now. Wherever she went she turned heads and was often compared to her mother who was thought to be the most beautiful woman in the known world till then.

"I shell endeavor to do so princess." Goranapho chuckles along with Horifune who was also in on the joke.

Hela keeps laughing with them for a bit more before she takes Attila's arm and says, "Very well my good men. Now if you don't mind, I will be stealing away grumpy here for the rest of the night."

"Of course, princess have a wonderful night." Both men bow to her and watch as she drags Attila away their minds quickly turning back to what the young man said to them.

As they are walking the smile on Hela's face drops and she asks in a more serious voice in the Japanese language, "So how did it go? Where you able to get them to agree to help you?"

With a frown on his face Attila answers, "Not yet. They are dragging their feet in fear of what could happen if they do."

Nodding her head in understanding Hela says, "A understandable worry. They are older hands than us at this game Attila and know the cost of losing."

"True but with your mother and father leaving soon it is the best time for them to join me and gain both honor and glory for their school." Attila tells her.

"Glory and honor are all well and good Attila but it means nothing if you lose everything gaining it. When mother and father leave, I will be the ruling power in the kingdom, but I cannot show favoritism towards you or them openly. My parents will come back one day and when they do it will be up to them to judge them, and they are not so forgiving with those who cross them." Hela warns Attila. While sure he would not suffer any, repercussions for any action he takes while they are gone that didn't go for anyone else.

"Victory forgives many sins Hela." Attila says the same thing he told to Horifune and Goranapho.

"True but only many, not all and only if you're victorious." Hela reminds him.

"You do not believe I can win against our enemies?" Attila asks her in some surprise.

Giggling a bit Hela says, "Of course I believe you can win Attila but what I believe and what they do are two different things. I suggest you first prove yourself to them by dealing with the trash on our western border. While they have had their uses in keeping our armies sharp, they are in the way of our kingdom's expansion at this point."

As he leads his woman on to the dance floor Attila thinks on what she has told him. While he didn't feel like he had to prove himself to lesser men he still got it. He was highly favored by their rulers, and many doubted his skills despite his past achievements. Behind his back there were many who said his rise through the ranks were due more so to favoritism than skill. Which was not completely untrue if he were being honest. He was well aware that he was given special treatment due to his relationship with Hela and how close his family was to the rulers. But that would only open the doors for him. It was up to him to walk through it, which was far harder than most would think.

His every move, word, and decision were scrutinized more than anyone else by Tenno-sama. Who had more to do with the army than Kogo-sama. Hours upon hours of meetings on why he did this or that along with each life lost was a mark against him. No, he had to earn his place in the military and his position as Great General. Still, that didn't change how others saw it and if he wanted support from those same people, he would need to prove he could win on a large scale. And like Hela said the western border and its vermin problem was the perfect opportunity.

But that was enough thinking on that for now he thought to himself as Hela and him started to dance. Right now, he had something more important to focus on and that was the woman in front of him. How that little girl who use to annoy him to no end turned in to the woman she was today he had no clue. True she still annoyed him to no end but that was a small price to pay to have her in his life. Ever since his mother had died, he felt nothing but rage at the world and still did. But in her arms, he felt some measure of peace. A type of peace that made him think perhaps he should forgo his vengeance and just stay in her embrace for the rest of his days.

Meanwhile above everyone else sitting at the high table Lelouch, CC and King Stark watched on. Their eye falling on the young couple. One felt annoyed at what he was seeing, another a bit jealous but happy for his friend and the last amused by the men next to her and wondering if she should be expecting grandchildren soon.

"They make a lovely couple don't think Lelouch." Melvan Stark says to the rulering king of Númenor with a smile on his face trying to hide his jealousy for Attila.

It had been a good day overall for the young king. He had gotten to fulfill a promise he had made to his grandfather before he had died and plant a weirwood at the top of the city in a symbol of friendship to Numenor. Learned the true name of this kingdom's rulers. Well one of them anyways seeing as her ladyship CC said she had forgotten her real name long ago seeing as it held no meaning to her anymore. And he was even able to make some trade deals with a few of the free cities. But still he felt jealousy as he watched Hela and Attila dance together. It was no secret he fancied her despite how hard he tried to hide it.

"That they do Melvan" Lelouch says bitterly. He really did try to put it in his head that his little girl was a grown young lady now and perfectly able to make her own choices, but it was harder to do he first thought.

Giggling from their sides CC says, "That is enough you two. Stop being jealous or bitter about them. You both knew they were going to become a couple long before tonight."

"Yes dear, lady CC." Both say at the same time much to her amusement.

"Anyways Melvan should you really be acting this way. What would your betrothed say about it?" CC teases him.

Shifting a bit in his seat Melvan stays quiet. It felt to much like he was being scolded by his mother. Yet knowing he can't stay quite for long he says, "So tell me should I be expecting an invitation to a wedding soon?"

"Hmmm I am not sure. While they have grown closer, they really haven't said anything about marriage. At least Hela hasn't." CC says and looks at Lelouch who is no longer looking at the young couple.

"Attila hasn't either. Though I get the feeling he wishes to ask her." Lelouch say to them.

Melvan just nods his head at this. Numenor's courtship was confusing for him. On one hand according to Hela arranged marriages were not at all that uncommon here but nor were their abrupt endings. Loose relationships like those in Dorne were how things worked here and their disbelief that children born outside of marriage was not shameful. In fact, to the people of Numenor having children and not taking care of them was thought of as act of disgrace. Almost as much as a coward who runs from battle. You either had what it took to take care of a child, or you didn't and were a disgrace, not worthy of honor or dignity. And that went for the whole family, mother, father, grandparents or whoever. Someone had to step forward to rise a child born out of wedlock or had lost their parents otherwise it would look bad for the whole family.

It was a hard approach to the matter of family but one these people seemed to rise to. There were still orphans but from what he found out they were small in number and adoption as it was called was high. Most orphans were in fact products of misfortune such as both parents being dead and having no kin to speak of. Any ways he had thought about outlawing bastardy do to this. If only because Hela had expressed on multiple occasions having a strong dislike towards it. The only reason he hadn't done it yet was because he didn't have the clout to do so. As a young untested king his decisions were always up to questioning. Rocking the boat so to speak was just not a good idea at this point in time.

"Well regardless they still make a fine couple and here is to their union." Melvan says to them in good cheer.

"Indeed, to my daughter and her hardheaded love." CC says with a smile giggle as his husband says nothing at all.

-POV Jaehaerys I Targaryen-

Minas Tirith the White City, by the Gods how do I describe it. I went there as a youth barely older than 8 namedays old some 60 years ago almost to the date. Set there by my mother for my own safety away from my under the Fool Maegor. I arrived on the crisp the sunrise on the back of my dragon Vermithor. There is no world the describe what I saw when the sun hit the city. Beautiful seems like to small of a word and glorious sounds like an insult to my ears. The way it shined in the rays of the sun it was breath taking. A city truly built to the glory of man and women.

To walk its streets is to be among the most cultured and free-thinking people in the word. And to walk the halls of the Citadel is to be surrounded works of art the likes of which Westeros just can not match. Than to stand before the weirwood tree at the top often called the King's and Queen's Tree you feel so small in its shadow. Yet the moment that will stick with me forever was during a hunting trip with several of the princes of the kingdom we had come riding in from a hunt or horse back toward the main gate. The gate flew open and the mighty horns of the city song out as if say. Behold the Lords of Numenor are home.

I am not of Numenor, and I love my kingdom but never had I ever felt so welcome and at home as in that moment. It sadness me to know that I will never see her again.