[Music Recommendation: Castle of Glass ~ GnuS Cello]

Adric, now back in Avon after his visit to Orion, sat on the throne, his chin resting on his hand, weariness etched on his face. The ministers spoke one after the other, their words dragging on. Adric’s eyes lazily scanned the room, searching for a break from the endless talk.

"We shouldn’t go to war!" one of the ministers raised his voice. "We all know that we are yet to recover from the last one. I suggest we back down now and give them what they want."

Another minister, who was clearly not pleased with the idea, retorted, "Back down? Over my dead body! I have served the Crown since the time of King Fidelis. Avon has never surrendered, and it won’t change now!"

"Minister Fraser, we are not talking about your pride here or whatever you believe. Times have changed, and we should move with them. In the times of King Fidelis, we had our soldiers complete, which enabled the kingdom to win its wars, but right now..." The minister who was talking paused, shaking his head sadly before he continued, "We have lost men, and we can’t risk it. If a war starts again, Avon would be left bare. Think about what will happen if our adversaries attack us."

Some ministers nodded in agreement, while others mumbled their disagreement.

"You think it ends with just surrendering? If you think so, then I’ll have you think again! First, it starts with just one land as a treaty, and next, they want our women, food, jades, and ports. You should know better!" The one named Minister Fraser pointed at the face of the other minister, and soon their argument started again.

Adric exhaled. He had been thinking about the war the whole time, and somehow each minister had a point. Proposing a treaty would reduce the risk of bloodshed and them losing any of their soldiers. But the thing with treaties was how tricky the idea was. It always starts with taking a land or a part of the kingdom, then ultimately the opposing kingdom starts getting greedy and wants more.

"Your Majesty, please tell us. What are we planning on doing? We can’t have the war right on our doorsteps before we make a move, right?" one of the ministers asked, and others nodded in agreement.

The ministers became quiet, all their eyes and focus now on Adric, who had a bored look on his face.

"Your Majesty," Rowan, who was standing behind him, whispered.

Adric raised his face, "Oh, I’ve been waiting with bated breath for your collective wisdom to shine through... I guess I had too much hope." He sighed before he continued. His eyes scanned the ministers, and he noticed that Nicholas was not among them.

"After the first attack on one of our borders," Adric started, "we requested more men, and that’s when the Queen’s army arrived. Yet even with the army, we are unable to determine the outcome of the war; that’s if Avon would win or take a huge loss. So a treaty was proposed."

When Adric said this, the ministers who were in support nodded happily, while some murmured against it.

"Your Majesty, we can’t have Avon surrender shamelessly. We should fight them! If they bring the war to our doorstep, then it means disrespect. Let us strike with equal ferocity. Steel for steel," Minister Fraser pointed out, his body shaking as he spoke.

Adric moved his head to the side. "I hadn’t thought war to be a peddler, hawking its wares from door to door. How... convenient." When he said this, the minister cleared his throat.

"Minister Fraser, do you hold war to be a trifling matter? A mere bagatelle?" Adric asked, his eyes intently looking at the ministers. "War is more than just fighting for the dignity and pride of a kingdom. It is a bitter game where kings and generals dance while the common folks pay dearly."

The royal courtroom became calm, so calm that even the faint sounds of the dried rustling leaves outside could be heard inside the room.

"These soldiers leave their families behind, their loved ones, the warmth of their homes for a cold ground, putting their lives out to protect the people they love and to protect you all. Minister Fraser, I heard your son just got married. Let me ask you, are you willing to let him leave for the war with us?"

Minister Fraser touched his neck, taking a step back. "Your Majesty, he is my only son and the heir. I’d want him to have a child with his wife to take over—"

Adric chuckled. "And yet you propose war. I am obliged to leave with my soldiers. Did I not only just marry a few moons ago? And out there, I’ll expect the soldiers to lay their lives down for me so I can return back to my Queen."

The thoughts of leaving Oriana behind had churned Adric’s mind for days, even when he was with her, and he could only wish for something different to happen so that Avon wouldn’t have to leave for war.

"I have tried proposing a treaty with this kingdom that keeps asking for war. It’s a kingdom far off in the West, and their name is Eridor. If there is anything I can do to make sure I don’t lose my soldiers to the cold hands of war and I get to cherish my wife in our early days, I will do just that. And if any of you think your pride won’t accept it, then come to the Royal Store, pick up a sword, and arm your entire family. Fight for the sake of Avon and all its past Kings. Your name shall never be forgotten," Adric’s words had a note of finality in them, which none of the ministers was brave enough to challenge.

All his life, he was never worried about the outcome of any war. But not right now. He loved Oriana so much and wanted to stay with her until their hair turned grey, both of them having children and loving each other like their lives depended on it. And he knew it wouldn’t be possible if he should leave the palace for war. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"I will send another letter to Eridor, asking them what they wa-" Before Adric could finish his statement, the door to the royal court was pushed open, and General Malcolm walked inside. His strides exuded confidence, but worry was etched on his forehead.

"Your Majesty," Malcolm bowed, getting down on one knee as a sign of respect to the throne. When he raised his face, he said, "Eridor has conquered Valonia, and now they’re on their way with all their armies to the heart of Avon. If we are going to attack then it’s now."

Adric closed his eyes. The inevitable had finally happened, and he knew just dialoguing wouldn’t stop it. If Valonia was already conquered, then Avon was next. When he opened his dark brown eyes, he said to Malcolm,

"It is time."