Chapter XIII Disappointments
3rd Era, 845, 10th of Lost Souls
Sepheran Kingdom
Province of Skyhail, Sepheran Capital of Sephera, Royal palace
Vaeylon Vale
So this was Lady Elisabeth. His wife-to-be. His ebony black steel boots clanked as he stepped forward on the marble floor. He bowed curly and she curtsied, a bit clumsy but he didn’t mind. She was obviously nervous and possibly still unnerved and scared. He had to explain everything after he introduced himself.
She was wearing a beautiful blue and red gown with a slight cleavage and sleeveless. Her long hair had the same hair color as him and her blue eyes was equally beautiful. Her skin fair and she was very attractive. To think of it, he thought that he had met her before, but she was but a little child and he a teenager.
“I am Duke Vaeylon of House Vale my lady,” he introduced himself. “Ruler of Ivarhelm province and firstborn son of Duke Aemon Vale.”
Her throat muscles tensed and she swallowed.
“I, am Lady Elisabeth of House Cantillon my lord. I-I am honored to meet you. But…I-I didn’t expect to meet my future husband under these circumstances.”
Her eyes didn’t keep eye contact with his for very long and he didn’t push her on it.
“Yes, forgive the sudden change of guards. House Vale’s knights are more fitted to guard the palace during the new circumstances.” He smiled slightly.
“W-what is happening? I-is this the…” she paused. Apparently she didn’t want to say the word.
“Coup?” He offered, his warm smile hoping to make her feel better.
She nodded awkwardly.
“Yes. Our fathers have begun the grab for power. This was my first stop, to secure the capital and ensure your safety. I, eh…I was worried about your safety, and is happy to see you safe.”
That comment made her blush and a little smile took over her lips. Her stance eased a little and she looked a little more comfortable.
“Would you join me outside? I don’t want you to have to look at the blood and bodies.”
She nodded and hooked her arms with his and he led her outside. A knight hung a bear cloak over her shoulders since it was still cold. The snow had melted but it was still quite cold. He led her out into the yard and stopped at the bottom of the palace’s main set of stairs leading to the entrance. He noticed her fiddling with her fingers nervously as he led her down the red stairs. Fifty knights was committed to different tasks around them, assuming palace guard posts and securing the palace after their assault. They took care of those who had lost their lives.
She took a deep breath.
“You…you said this was your first stop Lord Vaeylon. Does this mean you will leave?” She asked, almost in a whisper.
He nodded.
“Aye my lady. I’m afraid I must make for House Stark territory when Skyhail and the capital is secured.” He momentarily looked at the partially clouded sky. A cloud was covering the sun for the moment. “I’m sorry this is on such short notice.”
She was yet to look at him since they walked outside.
Vaeylon mentally noted that his brother and members of his personal guard of knights followed a few paces behind.
He saw Lady Elisabeth’s eyes wide and she turned to him and titled her head up to his level, her hands clenching his armored arm in what seemed as a simple reaction when something entered her mind. Something important.
“Is Tiberius okay?” She asked swiftly with an emotional voice.
Looking into her blue eyes he recognized the tension in her muscles. Small but notable changes that he picked up on.
“Lord Tiberius Darbonne?” He asked for her to confirmed.
She bobbed her head up and down immediately.
He turned to his half-brother and beckoned him over. He now remembered he had put his brother on checking into that before but when Lady Elisabeth arrived they hadn’t gotten around to it.
“Which folk of important was captured?”
“A good number of Lords from minor Houses, a representative from House Ice, most members of the Council and Lady Praetoress Amelia Gail,” Draegon informed his brother.
The King’s mother, Vaeylon noted on the last.
“But not Lord Praetor Augustus Gail or Lord Tiberius Darbonne.”
“No. Master-at-Arms Uther Gail is also missing, and Spymaster Karthgar. Looks like they escaped before we took the palace.”
Vaeylon nodded and turned to Lady Elisabeth. She looked like she wasn’t sure if that was good or bad news. Relieved that he wasn’t wounded but confused if the rest was good or bad. There must be a friendship between them. if not more? He shook that thought out of his mind and put his left arm around his brother’s shoulders.
“My lady!” He started with a loud and proud voice. “Let me formally present my brother, Draegon!”
Lady Elisabeth curtsied, somewhat awkwardly.
Draegon drew a gauntlet through his messy hair and put on his most charming smile.
“No need for that my lady,” he said and bowed. “I should really be showing my respects, not you. Vaeylon is too kind. We are more half-brothers than pureblooded brothers. I am Lord Aemond’s bastard. My mother was a mere tavern wench in Rivertown until my dad was drunk. Just think of me as Knight Commander Draegon the Bastard. That is what they call me.”
She blushed slightly and Vaeylon hid his amused expression.
“It is an honor to meet my brother’s wife and Queen-to-be,” his brother continued.
3rd Era 845, 13th of Lost Souls
Sepheran Kingdom
Province of Vanderhold, city of Ironforge, Royal Warship Mule of the Coast
Victus Gail
He didn’t mind rain normally but this downpour was awful and it had been going on for more than a day. The usually impressive harbor city was hidden in the heavy rain and the population seemed gone. Staying in their homes and probably only going out when they had to work or do something else. Because he still heard people yelling, the hammering of blacksmiths in the harbor district and the crew and soldiers was unloading the supplies and equipment. His eyes landed on a carriage with a large escort of Household guards and knights. As usual Master-at-Arms Uther Gail had dispatched an escort that was exaggerated. He guessed at least one hundred and fifty men. Likely more and he wasn’t even counting his escort from the ship.
Surprised caught him when he spotted his father from the main group by the carriage. By his side was Master-at-Arms Uther Gail and Spymaster Koyvin Danseraeu. What were they all doing here? They had things to do in the palace in his absence.
“Father,” he said in a monotone voice. “What are you doing here?”
His father was tense. His face muscles was tense as he appeared to think of his answer. Otherwise his sickly father looked rather well.
“Victus,” he said in a low voice. “I am not the bearer of good news my son. Treason has befallen the realm in your campaign up north.”
Victus found himself frowning confused. He felt a little worried but he pushed those feelings away.
“What are you talking about? What happened?”
“My son, the Kingdom is divided and a fear Civil War has begun, in everything but the word,” his father Augustus explained. “House Vale, Artois and Cantillon has taken up arms against us. They are putting Duke Vaeylon Vale and your supposed Cantillon wife on the throne.” Surely seeing the shock on his son’s face he added,
“The whore excuse for a lady you wanted to marry has claimed the throne and is about to marry a Vale. And it gets worse boy, it gets worse.
Victus was speechless. His mind was racing in shock. He was mending bridges with them and…no, no they couldn’t rebel. What reasons had they? He hadn’t seen Lord Markus Cantillon as a man ambitious enough to do something like this. He hadn’t appeared treasonous. Did it sneak passed him? he’s King and should have seen that coming.
“Your Excellency,” his uncle Uther said, catching his attention.
Victus swallowed, staring at his father.
“W-what do I…what do I do?” He was desperate and had no idea what to do or where to start.
“I hate to trouble your mind further boy,” his father started plainly. “Tiberius Darbonne has declared to press his own claim for your crown.” He gestured for Victus got get into the carriage. “I have ensured House Cassius, Mormont, Ice and Mede’s support. Many others is sitting neutral, waiting to watch who is going to be victorious.”
His father gently shoved his son into the carriage and followed.
“We’re going to Gail Hall Castle in Heartfall and you will crush the rebellious traitors from there.”
Lord Koyvin and Lord Uther followed them into the carriage.
3rd Era, 845, 13th of Lost Souls
Sepheran Kingdom
Province of Skyhail, Sepheran Capital of Sephera, Royal palace
Elisabeth Cantillon
She had always feared to have a huge wedding with hundreds of people watching. After she was supposed to marry Victus she was terrified to be wedded as hundreds or thousands of nobles watching and then march out of the Cathedral to face tens of thousands of commoners. She had breathed out for a moment, until Vaeylon rode into Sephera and told her they should be wedded within three days and her terror returned. Thankfully they only had a handful of witnesses present and she just thanked all the gods of the Council of the Heavens for it.
She deeply regretted that her family wasn’t there. Neither her father, little sister or big brother. Not even any of her cousins was here. Closest to family was her childhood friend Cassandra in the background and her husband’s half-brother Draegon.744Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes8QXFc5b3
