Whispers of the Gods

Chapter 20 Mundy III

Father's team was not very large, only a few dozen guards, some servants from the palace, cooks, translators and scribes.

The four of Monty were staggering in the carriage. They had been traveling for a week, heading north from Madkalin, passing through the empire's Midell City and Kongtide City along the way.

"Did you tell her?" asked the mother to the father.

Di Ya was wearing a silver velvet robe with golden embroidery patterns, her hair was tied in a low bun, and her long pale golden hair was draped behind her shoulders.She has the same blue eyes and elegant nose as Ellen.

"With whom?" Vigrich asked.

"My sister," Dia said.

"Of course," Wigrich said lightly, "the messenger I sent should have arrived in the Hall of Ashes a few days ago, and the Queen knew we were coming."

"I'm referring to the matter of proposing a marriage contract." Dia looked out of the carriage, where Zhuo Ke, who was wearing a dark brown leather jacket, was riding on the horse. "Did you tell her?"

"Not yet," Wigrich shook his head, "I want to meet her first."

"Isn't that decided yet, Father?" asked Monty.

Monty had felt sorry for Vivaria's Queen ever since he had learned of it from his father.

Although he knew that this was a political marriage, just like his father and mother in the past, but the queen was like a lily inserted on the throne, trapped there and could not escape, but the fragrance of the flower attracted more and more bees and butterflies and flies.

Elected ruler by the nobles with ulterior motives, not because of her ability, but because of her incompetence.

Looking at this kingdom with a short history, the seven kings all ruled under the shadow of powerful nobles, and the actual control area was only the two territories of Hall of Ashes and Castle Black.

There were also kings and nobles like Narciz I who were unwilling to be at the mercy of others to fight against, but in the end they only got deposed and exiled.

"They're going to get married," Wigrich said. "I just haven't decided what terms to ask."

"Conditions? What conditions?" Dia asked.

"The weaker Her Majesty is, the more opportunities we can take advantage of." Alan leaned on Di Ya's shoulder and said to her.

Di Ya looked in disbelief, "She's just a little girl!"

“A little girl can’t be a ruler on her own,” Wigrich said. “We’re helping her.”

"Turning my sister into a puppet? Is this what you mean by helping her?" Dia asked angrily.

In fact, from the moment Lozaria took the throne, she has become a puppet, Monty thought.When she chose her husband, she used herself as a bargaining chip.

"Every nobleman wants to take advantage of the weak queen, she is not safe now," Wigrich argued.

"So we have fallen to this point?" Di Ya was not persuaded, "Using a little girl?"

"You can't be a fragile little girl and a good queen," Vigerich sighed.

"Have you heard from Rudomir Corva, father?" Monty interposed.

"The queen's brother? No." Wigrich shook his head, "He doesn't seem to be in the Hall of Ashes."

"I've heard he's a good fighter and leader," Mundy said.

"That's right," Vigrich agreed. "His 'Black Army' is Vivaria's best army."

"So he's a threat to us?" Allen asked. "As the eldest son, he will not be satisfied with his aunt's succession."

"No, Rudomir is not that kind of person," Dia patted Allen's head, "he loves her little sister just as much as he loves me."

Seeing how close his mother was to Allen, Monty felt like an outsider.

"Love doesn't conquer everything," Allen said, "especially the desire for power."

"Don't be so pessimistic," Monty said to Allen, "They're a family."

"Of course, brother." Allen smiled.
-
That night Emperor Hastza's troops arrived at Fort Ernor.

As the entrance to the Kingdom of Vivalia and the Great Plains, Fort Ernor is located on the Igmer Road, the only way for the empire to go north.

In the "Apostasy Rebellion" three years ago in 120, the nobles of Vivalia supported Leon of the Koval family as the king and declared independence.

The empire, which is fully resisting the attack of the eastern rebels, is unable to fight on two fronts. In addition, there is a castle that is difficult to capture like Fort Erno. The cabinet of the young emperor Igomel V had to accept Vivalia's request .

Fort Elno has two gray curtain walls of limestone bricks connected by a dozen towers.On the inner wall, there are four taller and larger towers distributed in the corners, each of which is a shooting platform with a ballista.

Its outer wall is surrounded by dug ditches, and the only entrance on the front is the drawbridge and gate at the main entrance, which are protected by dense arrow slits and murder holes.

The family flag of the local nobles fluttered on the tower, and it was a standing red bull.

"This castle looks impenetrable," Mundy sighed.

"Falling Star City is also impregnable," Wigrich said, "but it was still captured, it just required a different approach."

"Who's here?" the guard guarding the gate shouted to the procession in front of the drawbridge.

"You are fighting with the Emperor and Guardian of the Hastza, Lord of Madkalin City, Restorer of the Hastza Empire, Peacemaker of the South, Patron of the Amber Knights, Defender of the Faith of the Star Gods His Majesty Vigrich I, the ruler and Lord of Starfall City, speak!" Vigrich's guard Ega Dolman shouted towards the gate, "We look forward to your master's reception!"

The guards exchanged glances, then stepped aside to either side of the gate. "Lord Yarus is waiting for your arrival."

After crossing the drawbridge and two city walls, Wigrich's team came to the square courtyard inside the castle.

The whitewashed walls and stained glass windows of the great hall looked out onto the courtyard, where the castle's servants were running about.

The groom led their horses to the stable on the left, and the servants stopped what they were doing when they saw Monty, bowed and stepped aside.

"Welcome, Emperor of the Hastza!" said the leading noble in the courtyard in Hastza.He looked about five or sixty years old, bald on the top of his head, with black and white hair.He has brown eyes, a high nose, and a mustache.

"I am Yarus Perk, the Duke of Ernoburg and the lord of this castle." The nobleman bowed deeply.

Yarus is wearing a dark green high-necked silk tunic, with a red cloak tied diagonally across his left shoulder.On the legs are brown trousers and black pointed shoes.

"This is my sons and daughters, Albin, Suerlin, and Ottilia." Yarus introduced, and his children bowed deeply to Vigrich.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Master Yarus." Vigrich said. "As written in the letter, we will stay in your castle for one night and leave for the Hall of Ashes tomorrow."

"You can stay as long as you want, Your Majesty." Yarus smiled obsequiously. "I invite you to dine in the hall with your noble family."

"Of course," Vigrich said, "Vivalia's venison has always been my favourite."

(End of this chapter)