Chapter 6 - The First Maneuver

Chapter 6 - The First Maneuver

The first light of dawn bathed Sky's castle in a golden hue. Elion, sitting in the throne room, gazed at the rays of light that passed through the huge stained glass windows. The shadows danced on the stone floor, creating an atmosphere that was both peaceful and disturbing. The young king knew that this fragile peace was just a facade. The nobles of the north and south, led by Count Alrik and Baron Tharen, plotted in the shadows, seeking to undermine his authority.

Elion had always known that his reign would not be easy. Becoming king of a weak and impoverished kingdom was already a huge challenge. But facing corrupt and divided nobility made the task even more complex. Yet he was not a man to shrink from adversity. War, whether fought on a battlefield or in the corridors of a palace, was a war he intended to win.

The sound of rushed footsteps in the corridor pulled Elion out of his thoughts. The door of the throne room opened abruptly, and Veyla burst in with her face stretched out. Behind her, a young officer in light armor followed in a hurry. Elion sat down, his eyes piercing.

"Veyla?"

"Majesty," she answered as she bowed. "There is movement in the north." Count Alrik ordered the mobilization of his troops. He claims that these are simple military exercises, but our scouts report that they are heading towards the border."

Elion frowned. He knew that Alrik would not take such a decision lightly. A military exercise in the midst of reform was a direct provocation.

"How many soldiers?" he asked.

"About a thousand men. Heavy riders and a unit of archers. It is not a show of force, but a threat."

Elion slowly got up, his black coat slipping along his back. His gaze darkened as he assessed the situation. A thousand men were not enough to carry out a frontal attack, but it was a clear warning: Alrik was testing his reaction. If Elion did not respond firmly, he would lose face before the whole kingdom.

"What is Tharen doing?" he asked.

"Nothing for now, but it remains silent. Too silent," added Veyla.

Elion smiled slightly. He knew this kind of tactic. Alrik issued a threat to assess the king's response, while Tharen waited in the shadows, ready to strike at the most opportune moment.

"Prepare an answer," said Elion. "Not a military demonstration. A targeted strike."

Veyla stared at him, uncertain.

"Majesty?"

Elion approached her, her staring burning with determination.

"We're going to send an elite unit to the north." Not to fight head-on, but to wreak havoc in their supply lines. If Alrik wants to play war, we will show him what it means to challenge a king."

Veyla nodded, her expression becoming serious again.

"Who should conduct the operation?"

Elion thought for a moment. He needed a trusted man, able to maneuver quickly and discreetly.

"Kain."

Veyla opened her eyes wide.

"Kain?" He's loyal, but..."

"But he's also the best." He knows the northern terrain better than anyone. He will know how to strike fast and disappear before Alrik understands what's going on."

Veyla bowed.

"He will be informed immediately."

Elion watched her go, her mind already focused on the consequences to come. He knew that this first maneuver was just a prelude to a much larger war. But he was ready. He would show no weakness.

Three days later, the first reports reached him. Kain and his unit had hit an Alrik supply caravan in the night. The horses had been released, the chariots set on fire, and the provisions destroyed. Alrik's soldiers had tried to pursue Kain, but the unit had vanished into the forest, leaving behind a trail of confusion and anger.

Elion was reading the report in his private apartments when the door violently opened. Countess Aurelia entered with her face closed.

"Elion!"

He put down the parchment and raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"Do you know?"

"That Alrik's supply was sabotaged? Yes. That was my order."

Aurelia stared at him in disbelief.

"Do you realize that means war?"

Elion got up and approached her, her gaze impenetrable.

"The war began the moment Alrik raised his troops." He expected only a defensive reaction. But I never intended to play defensively."

Aurelia stared at him for a moment before smiling slightly.

"You're more dangerous than I had imagined."

"I am not dangerous, Aurelia," Elion answered with calculated coldness. "I am prepared."

A week later, tensions went up a notch. Alrik demanded a hearing before the Royal Council. He presented himself at the castle with an armed escort, but Elion gave nothing. The meeting took place in the great throne room. Alrik, a broad, bearded man with a war-year-old face, advanced to Elion's throne.

"Majesty," he growled, his eyes squinted. "Your men attacked my supply lines. It's an act of war."

Elion, sitting on the throne, looked down on him.

"That's a warning."

"A warning?" Alrik clenched his fists. "You have no right!"

Elion stood up slowly, his ice-cold gaze piercing that of the count.

"You mobilized an army at the border. You violated the laws of the kingdom by threatening peace. I didn't start this conflict, Alrik. It's you."

Alrik sat down, his eyes black.

"This is not over," he spat.

Elion smiled.

"No, indeed."

Alrik turned around, furious, and left the throne room. Once the door was closed, Aurelia approached Elion.

"You just launched an open war."

"No," said Elion, his dark stare fixed on the door. "I just won it before it began."

Elion knew that Alrik and Tharen wouldn't give up so easily. But now the first blood had been shed. The war was on the march. And he was going to win.