War Council

As Claude returned from the plaza, his worries only grew. Between the herald and the Tribunal, despite the herald's warning, he chose to bury it for now, knowing turmoil would come.

While Claude traded wits and words with the Tribunal, his father the King, was not idle.

King Aldric stood in the throne room, awaiting for news from Prince Eric, urgent news.

While waiting the king thoughts of his son Claude, he wants to see his son to grow up safe and away from war and chaos, and to live his life without burden.

As Aldric was thinking that, the doors suddenly opened with Eric rushing in, sweating all over.

"Father, we must prepare!"

"Eric, catch your breath first, prepare for what?" asked Aldric.

As Eric breathed deeply he said,

"The Four Dukes are coming here"

Aldric was shocked to say the least, only a handful of times were the dukes gathered in a single place.

Aldric knew that dark times are coming for the kingdom. Aldric knew they only gathered if war is imminent.

"When are they arriving?" asked Aldric.

"A day or two, they only just sent word now" said Eric with worry.

"Well, ready the guest rooms, and gather my generals." Aldric said with worry.

Eric bowed then hastily left, while Aldric is left alone with his thoughts, once more.

Aldric closed his eyes, remembering the time of peace, the time where his family was whole. Now those times are but a distant memory.

"Oh Olivia, I need you now..." Aldric muttered.

As Claude returns back from the plaza, his worries only seem to grow, both the herald and the tribunal, despite the herald's warning, he chose to bury it for now, for he knows turmoil will come.

As Claude went out of the carriage, he is greeted by a knight,

"My lord, Your father requests your presence at once" said the knight.

"Do you know what its about?" asked Claude curiously.

"I was only told to come and fetch you my lord, nothing else."

Claude simply nods and followed the knight back to the throne room.

As the door opens he sees his father sitting ever so majestic, and along his side, Prince Eric.

What bothers Claude the most, was the gathering of the generals and nobles.

Usually gatherings like these would be all for events, but now, they seem worried, scared even.

Scared enough to make Claude wonder about what's happening.

As Claude was slowly approaching he can hear the conversations,

"My lord, we don't have enough men to send, we're stretched too thin!" said the Count.

"Still, is it not our duty to help those in need? especially within our kingdom!?" said angrily by the other.

"My lords!, you are in the presence of the king, behave yourself!" said the other Count.

These are the three counts under the king, just as the Dukes have their counts and nobles, so does the king.

And for all three gathered and panicked at that, it means trouble.

King Aldric looks so tired with the banter and the arguments, but as he saw Claude, he can't help but sigh a breath of relief.

"My lords, I think we have discussed enough for today?, we'll continue tomorrow when the Dukes arrive." said Aldric.

The nobles bowed silently and left the room leaving only Aldric and his sons.

Claude knelt and spoke with worry,

"Father? did something happened?, it's pretty rare for all the nobles much less the counts to gather."

Eric looked to his father and spoke for him.

"Brother, I know you're not that ignorant of things, but war is coming, and its at the doorstep of our kingdom."

"The one with Osferth?, we are sending reinforcement down there right?" 

"I guess you still don't know, well that's good. that just means that news has not reached the capital yet."

"What news?" 

Eric paused briefly before continuing,

"The Eastern Empire is on the move and on top of that, A rebellion in the west.

Our forces are already divided as it is, we cannot split our armies, it would make Nairon vulnerable to attacks."

Then among the words spoken by his brother, its as if Claude had an epiphany.

"We can't split our army yes?"

Eric nods albeit with confusion

"What if you send me and a small contingent of our forces to quell the rebellion?"

Before Claude could continue his father stepped in,

"And what makes you think that I'll allow you to do that?"

"Father we are at war!, allow me to lead, to prove to you and the people, that I can lead. I am old enough to make my decisions father"

"Let your brother Eric handle such tasks, I need you here by my side, to govern our kingdom"

"But father"

before Claude could utter another word, the king raised his hand in protest.

"Enough! I will hear no more of this, you will stay, and that is my command as your king!"

Aldric insisted on Claude's exclusion from this war, for he knows the peril and the stakes at hand.

Claude simply bowed and sighed, he too knows the peril. yet he can't help but feel like a burden. His brother Eric will go to war soon, and his brother Osferth is aleardy at the southern line.

But what about him?, what about his duty?, his obligations as a prince?.

He took a deep breath and then spoke calmly,

"If that is your wish father, but there is something that I ask of you."

Aldric, though hesitant gave a nod of approval,

"What is it you ask?"

"I wish to attend the war councils from this day onward, I should learn while I still can yes?, I am a prince, I should at least know about the state of our kingdom yes?"

Claude asked his father with a look of determination, Aldric gave a smile, for he now sees Claude maturing, little by little.

"I agree, as prince it is your duty, yes. But, you shall not speak unless spoken to, understand?"

Claude gave a cheerful nod, this has been the moment he's been waiting for, a real responsibility, and a seat at the war council.