Two years after Prince Heiko witnessed the death of his father during the 91st Battle of Tyton, and subsequently, the defeat of his kingdom, he was sent to the gates of the victor, armed with nothing but empty words and a command from his elder brother to form a treaty of peace. 

Two years after General Celestino Adesso released the arrow that felled the great king of Simo, he is presented with the youngest of his sons. Though barely a man at seventeen summers, the prince was far from wet behind the ears. In fact, his tactful yet brazen form of statecraft vaulted him far beyond his years. Coupled with his draconian mannerisms, and a knack for callous pleasure, it was only a matter of time before Celestino caught a whiff of something sinister. 

But Prince Heiko was no fool. He was betting heavily on that sharp nose. He wanted a sense of dubiety to gnaw at the general. He needed to create mistrust in his elder brother in order to build credence in himself. Because he knew of Celestino Adesso, and of the illustrious king he served. He knew they wouldn't trust him over his elder brother any more than they would trust a raincloud to bring sun. He knew that to those men, he wasn't honorable, and because of that, he was forced to play the games he was known for. The ones that conspired in the dead of night, the ones that spoke no words but shifted kingdoms. The ones that could obtain the allegiance of General Celestino. Little did the young prince know, however, allegiance was not all he would obtain. But no matter how much Heiko wanted to offer the man what he desired, he could not - not while bound to the gods. 

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Hallowed Be

“The wicked king?” Cele asked, instead. “You speak of Ingo.” 


“And you avoid my question,” Aisha replied. “Such doesn’t bolster your cause.” 


The general knew anything negative spoken would mean he could no longer count on her help into Simo. Still, his suspicious nature always got the better of him. 


He wasn’t expecting the Isaris’ smile. “You think. That’s a funny way of saying ‘you know’, general. Your exploits were well known to the late King Gotthard.” 


“It’s true,” she continued, noting his uncertainty. “And when he saw you on the battlefield, he was honored - dare I say eager. That is the way of most Achterecht’s. The worth of their life is measured by the glory of the warrior who fells them.” 


A sentiment that he knew, in his bones, was true about the late king. It could be gleaned by any soldier who merely took a good look into those dark Simonese eyes. Which made Cele wonder… 


The Lull Before - Part 5