Chapter 3

Ethan's world was a blur. His uncle's will weighed heavily upon his shoulders, while the envelope that Bartok had left him sat on his desk, looking back at him like a bad omen of the future he was not yet ready to face.The sun had barely risen when Ethan received his first call from the government of Veldoria. It was a strange, distant voice on the other end that spoke with the authority of one who had spent his life in control. The man introduced himself as General Eddard Vorn from Veldoria, and he wasted no time getting to the point."Mr. Grayson," the voice had said, "we need you in Veldoria. The situation here has got pretty bad. The country is still recovering from the chaos left by the previous regime, and there are factions vying for power. We need you to step forward and take your place as our king."Ethan was frozen in shock, his breath caught in his throat. He had expected the call, and knew that someone from the government would eventually call him, but to have it actually done was a reality he couldn't ignore. He had no idea how to be a king or even a leader. He barely knew how to balance his checkbook, let alone rule a country."I. I don't know if I can do this," he had whispered, his voice quiet. "I'm not prepared. I don't even know anything about ruling a country."The general's voice softened; it still remained firm in an edge that could cut without too much pressure: "That is why you must come, Mr. Grayson. You may not be ready, but the people of Veldoria are ready to follow you. We have waited too long for a leader. And if you refuse them, we shall fall right back into the hands of those that would drag us backward.The words of the general stuck in his mind as Ethan, pacing back and forth, felt the pressure build up. Every second that ticked by felt like a ticking clock, reminding him how he could not overlook this for much longer.After hanging up the phone, Ethan plopped himself into his lazy boy, staring out the window at the city below. Traveling to a country he had never known existed before all of this, a place that he knew knew nothing about, was crazy. He wasn't a politician or a military strategist, just a guy trying to make ends meet.But for all that he wanted to run away from the responsibility, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was no other way out. The people of Veldoria needed him. His uncle had placed him in a position where there was no other choice but to agree.Later that day, as the apartment grew quieter, Ethan found himself standing in front of the mirror, examining the man staring back at him. He looked just like everybody else, yet he now carried the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders. He was the heir to the throne of Veldoria, a country that had once been ruled by a brutal communist regime and was now rebuilding. It wasn't a position anyone would envy, but it was his. And whether he liked it or not, it was about time to man up. Ethan really didn't know what to do, but one thing was for sure: he couldn't do this on his own. He needed guidance. He needed someone who knew how to deal with all of those things-politics, diplomacy, war. He needed someone like Hugo Bartok.The advisor had been clear: he was there to help, but it would be Ethan's decisions to make. The future of Veldoria depended on him, but he couldn't make those decisions without understanding what the country was facing-a country he knew nothing about.Ethan took his jacket and was out the door. He wouldn't be staying in San Francisco anymore. The world was calling, and he couldn't just sit around ignoring its call.--- Traveling to Veldoria took a whole day, during which Ethan's mind had gone wild. He had to read up on this country's history and try to become familiar with its culture.Veldoria was a land of contrasts, a country forged in war, shaped by struggle, and scarred by the years of abhorrent government. Its people fought hard for their freedom, and now they looked to Ethan for guidance in this new era.Finally, as the plane came down towards the airport, Ethan looked out the window into the landscape below. Green mountains gave way to sprawling forests, and these, in turn, to a sprawling city, which seemed to be a mix of old buildings alongside new ones.The capital, the city of Taranis, was a mix of European influence architecture: towering glass buildings sat side by side with old stone structures, many of which are being rebuilt. Despite the beauty of the landscape and the ebullience of the city, there was tension in the air. The country was still recovering from years of fighting, and the scars from the past were all around easy to see.Ethan's plane landed, and he stepped out onto the pavement; immediately, he felt the intense heat of the Veldorian sun. He didn't have the faintest idea of what was waiting for him. There was activity all over town, yet there was that undertone, a hint of waiting for something, or more specifically, for someone.Thrown into a waiting car, as the minutes ticked by driving through the city, a feeling of anxiousness beset him. The future of Veldoria was cast into his untrained hands; he was not sure if he was ready for what lay ahead.The car slowed down as they approached a huge structure: the Royal Palace. The architecture was impressive, though it now wore the signs of time and age after being great for so many years. It stood in their faces for the war-torn history of their country and a promise toward a new future.Ethan's heart was racing as they drove up to the entrance. He had no idea what to expect inside, but one thing was for sure everything was going to change.