Chapter 3: The Seat of Faith and Power
The five City States of Galdoa response based on their faith. The fallen city of Stavos worship Stav, the god of East Sea, the Stavian Sea. While City of Augrun believe in their god the father of all, Zaevioun, the god of all creation.
Also, the faith of whole Galdoa shared one common god, the goddess Galthea, the Mother of all, the wife of Stav, and daughter of Zaevioun, to which Galdoa got its name from.
Based on the myth, Stav that embodies the sea and Galthea that embodies the land had their twin offspring. The older is their son Thalleos which embodies the high mountain ranges at the west of Galdoa, and the daughter is Thallia that embodies the calm and graceful bay that connects to violent Stavian Sea and ends at the foot of the harsh Thalleos mountains.
Most of which worship the Twin are residents of Lethos, Acob, and Anbiel that depend on the mines in Mt. Thalleos, harvest from Thallian Bay and irrigation from the rivers connecting to it.
The same faith was shared with the plains of Zeia that exists beyond the other side of Thallian Bay and at the other foot of Mt. Thalleos. This foreign land of Zeia are in constant trade with Galdoan cities and having diplomatic ties despite some differences in faith and traditions. They were known for having their Pagan Temple of Harnea as the seat of faith and power. Harnean Templars serves as the army and governing bodies to lead both the Zeian lords and the people.
The temple of Harnea serves as the House of All Existing Thrans (gods) allowing the citizens to worship all and display their faith only with the guidance of the templars. In a way, people of Galdoa constantly compare it to the fallen city of Stavos.
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At the Anbiel residence,
The Lady of Anbiel household, Lady Rithean, received a letter from his brother, a High Templar of Harnea.
"To my dearest, Rithean.
It has come to my ears, that you successfully give birth of a healthy child this time. O lovely sister, I want to express my joy right by your side but it is such a shame that I could not right away. I assure you that I will be there at the day of his naming. Please wait for me by that day.
Your loving brother, Erron."
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In the outskirts of Anbiel land,
Lord Cressos and his men chases out the remaining scouts of Calmanans.
Commander Igon noticed something,
"Milord, it seems that Calmanans at the Acob are up to something. I heard it from Lethos merchants during the evacuation.
There is a circulating rumor that the goal of Calmanans are the ruin of Stavos. Those primitives are using small boats and travel through the river of Galea to the east coast back and forth carrying the wealth left beneath the Stavos ruins. Maybe that is the reason why few of their soldiers are left around here."
"So you mean they were concentrating their workforce at the east? Those stupid barbarians, what could they get from there? Rubbles?" Commander Fahr interrupted with his men laughing with the idea.
"Even if it is true, all we had to do is take back the City of Acob. We will then occupy it and force Lord Acob to be controlled by me. With my men and his remaining influence, we could gather enough power to end Calthos once and for all!" the Lord concluded.
(Calthos - capital city of Calmanans in the plains of Mican region)
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A month has passed and on the day of his child's naming, Lord Cressos plan to mobilize his men and attack the City of Acob occupied by Calmanans.
Meanwhile, the Zeian Templars of Harnea led by the brother of Lady Rithean, Lord Erron finally reaches the city of Anbiels.
"With this kind of environment, I doubt the lady could raise his son at ease. Milord." Ban, the second-in-command Templar stated.
"The brewing war could be stressful for her but we are not in the position to do anything, Milord." Amiren, the secretary Templar said trying to contradict with the opinion of Ban.
"No one would dare question my position if I would like to. Remember that, Amiren." the lord of Templars, Lord Erron irritatedly replied.
"I'm aware of your might, Milord. Please forgive my insolence." Amiren grovel in fear.
Ban who could not read the room added,
"If not only for the Pontifex's decision, Lady Rithean would be happily living back in Zeia and will not be married to that impotent lord,"
"I should have slitted that Bald's neck (Highest Templar) when I had a chance," Lord Erron murmured with a scary look on his face.
Amiren who heard such rebellious words decided to close her ears and play dumb to avoid the wrath of her lord.
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As soon as both reached the residence. Lord Erron had talked with his brother-in-law, the lord of Anbiel.
"It's been a long time, isn't it Lord Erron."
"I could say the same brother, Lord Cressos."
the two exchange greetings with intense tension in the air.
"Congratulations for finally being a father. I sincerely mean it."
"With that number of army you brought I could not feel the same way. Ha. Ha. Just kidding." Lord Cressos sarcastically replied.
"Well, seems that hostility between us is inevitable, brother-in-law. So let's get to the point. I will lend you my help. In exchange, let my sister and the child back with me to Zeia."
The Anbiel Lord expected it but was not satisfied,
"You want to take my family in exchange of taking few heads of barbarian? Seems like I'm making you a favor than you making me one. Give me an assurance. Proclaim my child as a living Thran,"
"Living Thran?! Are you sane?! You want that child to be treated as a god? With that kid mixed with your dirty blood?!" the Lord Templar turned mad from just hearing the idea.
"Why not? I am not the only one who could gain from this. It is not uncommon for templars like you. I know you, people, do the same with the rest of Zeian heirs of the Pontifex. My son is also a Zeian, so not much of a problem, right?"
"Tsk. Keep your end of the bargain. No one will know this plan and you will take the truth to your grave. I will be his guardian in Zeia, and you could use his name to wage war but you will have no right to take them back."
"It's good that you're easy to talk with. See you on the battlefield. I will take my leave, my younger brother, little Erron, HA. HA. HA." Lord Cressos left with a smug face to anger more the mad Lord of Templars.
And the deal concluded with the hidden truth no one could fathom till the end of time.