IN CHARGE

Valerian arrived at the capital of Scoln and he was warmly welcomed by glances from the masses.

The horses continued to walk through the streets as they approached the gates to the courtyard of the imperial palace.

The gates were opened once the guards beheld the Queen ahead followed by the messenger and the four rode in.

Eventually the horses stopped in front of the stairway that led to the main doors of the palace.

At once, Valerian descended from his horse Electra and strode towards the Entrance.

As he passed, the maids and other servants in the hallways bowed and curtsied.

The messenger led the way to where he was certain the King was.

Along the way, Valerian who was familiar with the palace overtook him and headed to the King's Chamber.

He was certain that it was there the sick King lay.

Once he approached the doors, he did not need to announce his presence but the guards opened the doors.

Immediately, Valerian walked in only to notice the presence of his Mother and sister both seated on either side of Sian.

He was laying nearly lifeless but awake in his covers.

There was a piece of clothing on his head.

"Soren." His mother called him by his old name.

"Mother." Valerian replied as he walked over to her.

The two hugged and kissed each other on both sides of the cheek.

"Sabrina." Valerian said and travelled over to his sister and did the same.

The two then pulled apart and he started to scrutinize his bedridden brother.

"What is wrong with him?" Valerian asked.

"He came up with a fever three days ago, he hasn't been able to leave the bed since then.

We are uncertain the cause of his poor health." The Queen mother said in reply.

Valerian looked at Sian who stared at him.

"Finally, you are here." Sian said.

"Of course, I came immediately I received the News." Valerian replied.

"There is so much going on and I barely have the strength to control any of it." Sian said.

"What is it that I am hearing about this Nefarian conquest of Endra?" Valerian asked.

"The Nefarian troops landed by surprise three days ago and captured the Western part of Alfrenso." The Queen Mother replied.

"We received the News of your Victory over the Darians and at the time there is no one I can trust to temporarily lead my armies.

I can not risk the Nefarians capturing more of our lands before they strike the capital.

Yet at the same time I am unable to do much given that I am so I'll." Sian replied.

"I told him that it was unnecessary to summon you.

I still object to this decision and if you are doing it it is without my support." The Queen mother said.

"Mother, please consider the lives at stake here." Sabrina said.

"I am and one of them happens to be my own son's.

The reason that your father strived that at least you do not really see real war was to protect you from it.

You can't simply walk into it's jaws this time around." The Queen mother said.

"And I can't stand here and watch at the same time while the Nefarians advance.

I can run from the war but not for long because I can't be sure that once they have annexed Endra, Scoln won't be next." Valerian said.

"There are other capable generals in the military that are strong enough to lead the armies to our defense." The Queen mother said.

"But non of them do I trust more than my own blood." Sian said.

"I think that Sian is right mother." Sabrina said.

"And what if your brother is unable to survive the battle, what if he dies not make it?" The Queen mother asked Sabrina.

"I will mother, at least you should believe in me." Valerian said.

"I can't believe that Conelm would let you come and ride to fight in war." The Queen mother said.

"He didn't." Valerian replied.

The Queen stopped and looked at her son a little bit disappointed.

"Is he even aware?" The Queen mother asked.

"He could at least by now, I left Scoln before even informing him or seeking his consent." Valerian replied.

"Just stop." The Queen mother said.

"You alone are going to be responsible for the outcome once this war is done.

You are his consort and his Queen you can't simply abandon your duties worse without the consent and the say of your Husband." The Queen mother said.

"My husband wouldn't have let me sit and watch my people perish, I am also positive on that." Valerian said.

"Alright then, you may do as you please but being Queen you must remember to submit.

Reacting on your own could bring you dire consequences and I do hope it does not affect your marriage negatively." The Queen mother said.

"There is no need Mother, we should not focus on that at the moment.

For the time being, let us look at what we should do about this war." Valerian said.

"But are you sure that the rest of the soldiers are willing to cooperate with you?" Sabrina asked.

"He comes in my name and I shall give him my seal.

That way, they will all possibly listen to whatever it is that you will tell them." Sian said.

"Alright then, I suppose we should react as fast as possible, let us not keep the people waiting too long." Valerian said.

"Yes." Sian weakly replied.

At once, Valerian turned around and at the same time he departed from the room.

The Prime Minister of Endra was summoned to the palace later in the afternoon and he arrived almost immediately.

Once there, he was given an audience with Valerian and the King altogether.

The King ordered that he issued a notice that Valerian his brother and Queen consort of Scoln would lead the Western troops in battle against the Nefarians.

At once, the Prime Minister had the News spread to all the printing houses throughout the land.

The Notice was pinned throughout the land and the masses of the Endran people gathered around them to read the notice from the palace.

            THE KING'S ORDER

HIS ROYAL MAJESTY KING SIAN HEREBY INFORMS THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE KINGDOM OF ENDRA THAT FOR THE TIME BEING, HE PLACES HIS BROTHER QUEEN VALERIAN OF SCOLN IN CHARGE OF THE ENDRAN TROOPS.

HE SHALL HEREBY LEAD THE COUNTRY INTO DEFENCE AGAINST THE NEFARIAN TROOPS AND HE IS APPOINTED BEARER OF THE ROYAL SEAL.

SIGNED BY

HIS MAJESTY

KING SIAN.

It read.

Most of the people instantly began murmuring amongst themselves as the News reached the generals in the land.

Meanwhile, Valerian had a white and gold military uniform being made for him and his horse was being covered in armour.

He spent the rest of the day in the Imperial palace sewing a 'V' with wings on to a white background in navy blue thread.

He covered the lining and the ends of the fabric with golden thread and linings.

Eventually he sewed it tightly to a long golden pole.

His Uniform was fitted with the symbol that identified him as a member of the most Noble and Royal order of the Garter.

Along with it were a few other medals to identify him as the Commander in Chief of the Endran army in the time being.

Once the uniform was completed it was presented to Valerian who studied it very well.

Gerald and Helren turned up into the room where Valerian was stationed at the moment.

"Are we interrupting your Majesty?" They asked in Unison.

"No." Valerian replied.

"I was just thinking about something at the moment." He added.

"What should we do next at the moment?" Helren asked.

"Prepare." Valerian replied.

"For?" Gerald asked.

"My departure." Valerian replied.

"And the war?" Helren asked.

"We are going for it and at Dawn we March West with the reinforcements." Valerian replied.