Year: 40 YBP
Location: Château Ego, Worcester
I worried that I could have a heart attack like High-Commander Skybreak with the way that it pounded with excitement. The war was over. We had won. Now, it was time to make it official. The room chosen was the Hall of Ego – the room where the Earldom of Narciss was declared to be a sovereign region of Empyrea. With its high ceiling, large table, and paintings of the various rulers of Narciss looking down with playful smiles and steely glares, it could not have been a more fitting place to sign the treaty.
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Representatives of every sovereign region of Empyrea – apart from Umbracrest, which stayed neutral – were gathered to finally put an end to the Coalition War after ten years of brutal fighting and millions dead or maimed. The man who sat on a throne with the other unoccupied – the Countess had died young – was clearly Earl Ignatis Ego. Grand Vizier Euphos tapped his staff of office on the ground to announce the signatories and read out the treaty. “Representing the victorious Earldom of Narciss is Earl Ignatis Ego, Lord Maximillian Bigot Ego, Heir to the Earldom; Myself, Grand Vizier of the Conclave Tauron Ellis van der Euphos; High-Exarch Regimè of Worcestershire, Aeroadmiral Empyr of the Grand Fleet, Marshal Scipio of the Grand Army. Grand-Generals Worce, Valour, and Steelraine of the 1st Infantry as well as the 3rd Assault, 2nd Infantry, and 4th Artillery Army Groups, respectively.”
“Representing the Meritocracy of Aqulioria is Meritocrats Worth of Artè and Meritè of Azuri. The representatives of the Technocracy of Vorantis are Technocrats Terc and Nordhein of the Technocratic Directorate of Vorantis. The Theocratic Confederacy of Cerulea is being represented by Seers Pious, Holi, and Serwalt of the Council of Celestial Seer as well as the leader of the Guardians of Celestial Balance, Archmage Dracamir of the Order of the Dragoon.” Continued the Grand Vizier.
“Lastly, those present to witness the signing of the Treaty of Worcester are…” Euphos looked down at the list and took a deep breath, “Lords Argent, Colbat, Stradavari, Cor, and De Gamba. ladies Jennite and Dmitryivanovite. Also present is the Archbishop of Ecclesia, the Servant of the Star. Lastly, we have Prime Minister Archie Primrose of the Pheasantine Republic.”
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The terms were then read out. It was long and boring. The main points to take away are that the Coalition members must pay a lot of money each year until 15 YBP, the Empyrean Games being held in Chalcrystis, the Steamhammer being placed in a museum, the erection of monuments, and a clause that meant that the treaty was invalid If Narciss was attacked by any of Empyrea's six sovereign regions.
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Lord Bigot approached me. “So thou art the famous Grand-General Charles Alexander Worce? My father wishes to invite thou to a meal to celebrate thy accomplishments.” He said grandly.
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I saw an opportunity to gain more from the war and took it. “The heir wants something from me.”
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“I no longer need my father and wish to get rid of him at the meal. I am aware that there is a sword in thy cane. In return for helping me, my first act as the ninth Earl of Narciss will be to make thou the High-Exarch of Worcestershire.” Was what Bigot whispered to me.
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“Thou want me to kill Ignatis?” I asked him, looking around to make sure there were no eavesdroppers.
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“No, I shalt take care of that, I just need someone to stop him leaving and to verify my story of him sadly choking to death.”
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“Very well.”
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Year: 40 YBP
Location: Château Ego, Worcestershire.
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Earl Ignatis Ego shook my hand when I entered the room. He had a weak smile on his face. “I remember thy father; he took care of my late mother…” he mumbled.
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“Your Eminence, I humbly thank thou for inviting me to dine with thou and thy son.” I told the man who whose death I had guaranteed by accepting Bigot's offer.
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“A War Brigadier at the start of the war, and now a Grand-General, such a career!” Ignatis said before he picked up his glass of wine. He looked at it. “The death of Lady Electra was a shame, but I could not be prouder of Maximillian. The Earldom will be in good hands once I am gone, though not for a long time, I hope.” He joked. Ignatis took a drink.
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“Sooner than initially thought, your eminence.” Replied his son.
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Earl Ignatis began to cough violently. “What…have…you…done? I……must…find…Euphos.” He spluttered as he made to get up out of his chair.
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I drew the rapier out of my cane and pointed it at him. “I think not. Thou have ruled from 75 to 40 YBP as a useless fop saved only by his competent underlings. A stronger northeast needs a strong ruler.”
rIgnatis was turning a royal shade of purple. His eyes bulged out, and his veins snaked up through his neck. A horrible gasping sound escaped from his throat as he struggled to suck more air into his lungs. He convulsed and collapsed into his food, the thirty-five year reign of Earl Ignatis was over.
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The now Earl Bigot smiled. “I have arranged for the current High-Exarch to retire early in return for being made a Baron. I have also arranged for Stratocrat Highbrow to be taken care of.”
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I turned to face him, “Thank you…your eminence.”
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4 YAP: Epilouge.
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Rector Charles A. Worce was writing a message to anyone who would read his book that said: “It is of imperative importance that Narciss is never allowed to forget those that bled. The tenth ruler of Narciss will meet the same fate as that of Earl Emeric, Earl Aurum, and of his grandfather, Earl Ignatis. That is to say…Earl Preen and Countess Calliope will die to an ambitious heir or heiress. As I write this, I am dying. The ancient House of Worce dies with me, Charles Alexander Worce (85 YBP – 4 YAP)
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Worce climbs onto his bed. He knows that he does not have long left.
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Charles Alexander Worce can only think about how he can finally rest before he drifts lightly into the embrace of forever sleep. His body goes limp.
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Life goes on as normal in the seven regions. But outside of Empyrea…the Æbyss seethes, and waits for the sevens to align.
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The End.
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