Chapter 26: Unexpected Visit
Four years seemed to pass quickly to Marius, Borak, himself and Pyra became the best of friends. Borak continued to loved Marius as his lover. And Pyra fell in love with one of the young sons of one of the lords of the Highland Kingdom. Peace reigned between most of the kingdoms. Pyra's father was now one of the richest men in the Kingdom due to producing the Arquebus solely for Movan's growing army which now was over three thousand strong, in veluca alone,and more in the strongholds of the Lords of the Kingdom.
Movan's once blond hair was now turning grey in places and Movan grew older, and his health worsened almost daily due to an unknown illness, and the council was busier than ever trying to fill in the gap of their missing king who due to his health couldn't attend the council sessions, which left marius to rule over the kingdom, and attend the council meetings. It saddened Marius to see his father in such a state after accomplishing many things in his life. The doctors gave Movan another year to live, before he succumbed to his sickness.
Marius sat bored as the council argued on whether or not to continue the build up of military forces of the kingdom. Clais was arguing that the build up was beneficial to the kingdom, while the Mountain Clans men were arguing that it was harming the kingdom's coffers and the civilians and that the Kingdom should demilitarise and focus on more civil matters such as building improved roads and bridges.
"Both of you make valid points, Clais strengthening our military might is a priority to maintain defense of our Kingdom which teaters on the brink of being conquered since we are only a small Kingdom and not Large like the other Kingdoms." Marius said wisely. "However In times of peace as the Clansmen have said it is important to maintain the infrastructure of the Kingdom. In times of war we need our roads to get our armies where they need to go quickly and urgently, as well as maintain supply lines for the marching army. I believe to benefit both sides we will stop recruiting for a while we have a force of nearly ten thousand already amassed and on standby, In times of peace we shall use those soldiers to keep the roads kept up and clear, as well as help to build new ones."
"That I can agree to" Lord Regas said nodding. "The roads in the east are terrible and often have fallen trees or rock slides blocking them."
"It would also give us a force that could hold off any invaders if need be until the rest of the army is assembled." Birk said with a smile. " You will make a fine king one day Marius, how is your father?"
"Then begin drafting the plans for this, as for my father he still lies ill in his bed." Marius said as he stood from his chair at the head of the table.
"And with that this meeting is adjourned." Clais said hitting his gavel on the table.
The council began to file out of the room, Marius remained rubbing his eyes as he often did after the meetings.
A man dressed in strange clothing appeared in the doorway, a man who wore Red armor with raised shoulders and a flame emblem in the center of the leather chest armor.
"And who might you be?." Marius asked suspicious .
The man in the red armor walked forward and smiled. "You do not need to know my name all you need to know is my purpose for coming to your primitive continent. Said the man.
"The what is your purpose?" Marius asked annoyed.
"To deliver a message." The man said raising one of his hands.
From the man's hands a small flame formed which grew. Marius's expression turned grim then he glared at the man.
"You are one of those firebenders." Marius said as he looked at the flame. "I would call you a sorcerer if I had not been informed about your abilities."
"So they are here, interesting then would you mind giving them a message?" the man asked. "It will save me the time of having to track them down."
"Let's hear it." Marius sighed. "Seeing as I have little choice at the moment.
Another flame formed in the man's hand then he stepped forward and a fireball came hurling toward Marius. Marius who was caught off guard knew he couldn't dodge in time as the flames smashed the table into splinters and came toward him. Marius shielded himself with his arms as best he could. when the flames hit they lit Marius's arms on fire and the force of the blow knocked Marius back from the chair. Several guards rushed in, but were blown back as the fire bender blew them back, and walked out of the council room. Marius's head hit the back wall, and he fell unconscious but could feel the burning sensation on his arms as he fell to the floor.