Sweet Waters Throne

Chapter 45: Chapter 4

The distance is cruel especially between two hearts yearning for each other and ready to do anything to be together. The day Artemis returned back to the capital it was a celebration to Aurora who waited for so long to feel Artemis in her arms.

They dined privately and made love for two days straight. Artemis was barely seen at court for those two days and the fact that he gave an order not to be interrupted, no one dared to – not even his sister.

“The war can wait” its what Artemis replied when Lord Balon came knocking at his chambers for an important message he had to deliver.

“I’m afraid this one can’t, Your Grace. We are going to need your presence in the council chambers as we speak”

Artemis sighed and then nodded “Alright my Lord, I shall grace you with my presence in no time”

“Thank you, Your Grace”

Lord Balon curtised and then walked away. Artemis shut the door and walked back inside, he was shirtless with a knee length white piece of cloth.

.....

He and Aurora had a moment, brief and silence but sweet. They didn’t talk, Aurora was aware of Artemis’s duty as a king.

“Tell me about the war” Artemis reached out for his black trouser and attempted to put it on.

“I can’t really tell... it’s vague”

“What do you mean by vague? Do I win or lose?”

Aurora sat on the bed. She seemed troubled by the question Artemis asked her. Her thoughts wandered around the room, hitting one corner after the other. She was there physically but sadly her mind was elsewhere.

Until Artemis shrugged her off. “Aurora!” and that’s when Aurora looked at Artemis. “Where did you go?”

“What?”

Artemis finished putting on his cloak, and then his crown “It was as if you weren’t here... Transported to God knows where. Are you alright?”

Artemis was concerned, he went to sit close to Aurora. His eyes so calm, in perpetual motion yet so pleasing to stare at.

Softly and slowly, Artemis held Aurora’s hand. “It’s alright, you don’t have to figure it all out by now”

Aurora objected “Sadly I do my love. And I can’t figure it out by my own, I have to meet my grandmother”

“Your grandmother?”

“They say she was a witch. But you and I know she wasn’t, a seer is what she was”

“How do you know that? You are the one who told me your mother kept you away from her. She wanted to hurt you...”

“I don’t think if she did want to hurt me. My mother is alive and well, Mrs Gibilis told me so and I must find my grandmother or I’ll never breakthrough and be a seer”

Artemis was confused “Breakthrough?” he asked.

Perhaps it was all too much for him, and Aurora knew it better that it was way too much for Artemis to understand. Hence she urged him to go and listen to his council and they might resume what’s left of it later.

The council chambers now had a new guest, king Vaith of Santagar. They are usually six inside with the inclusion of the four, Lord Balon, the hand of the King and His Grace himself. Being new to the council chambers and the corridors of the Palace, King Vaith was amused by everything he saw.

“I must admit the walls of Blackmount must be the highest I’ve ever seen” King Vaith started the conversation as soon as Artemis walked inside. “I’m flattered Your Grace”

“Get used to them Your Grace, it’ll be your usual home” replied Artemis with a smile.

“My usual – what do you mean my usual home Your Grace?”

“My sister, princess Aeryn has accepted your hand in marriage. She confided me yesterday”

A huge smile escaped King Vaith’s lips and he lowered his head just a little bit, a show of respect.

“I will treat her right Your Grace, you have my word”

“And I will be sure of your word because she’s not going anywhere. You will wed her and reside here in the capital, inside my palace...”

Lord Balrus was t expecting that. He wanted to speak but suddenly Artemis stopped him “If you say one more word about my sister Lord Balrus then be assured it is the last you’ll keep your tongue”

The air suddenly changed inside the council. Even Lord Balon forgot what he really called out the king for, it seemed he was so angry about something but he wasn’t sure what it was.

“Your Grace I apologise if I have -” Lord Balrus pleaded.

“For the respect I have you my Lord I suggest you don’t speak about my sister ever again”

Lord Balrus bowed “My apologies Your Grace” he said but still he had lots of questions as to what happened, and how come he was the villain in the story.

Per the king’s mood King Vaith didn’t object nor added anything to what Artemis decided. He assured Artemis to support him in the coming war by summoning his army after he marries Princess Aeryn, although when he offered to take Aeryn to Santagar for a tour as their new Queen. Artemis strictly denied and he said unless if he goes with her.

“My sister is my biggest priority, and responsibility left to me by my father. I swore upon my father’s death bed that I will protect her, look after her and make sure she’s settled and happy”

“I will make her very happy Your Grace that I promise you”

Artemis scoffed “You don’t even know her Your Grace” he said to king Vaith. “But I will give you the benefit of the doubt and trust you with her, you mess this up, you and I will go to war and let me assure you Santagar is like a bee comparing to my kingdom. I will squash you to the ground!”

Well, things weren’t looking so good for King Vaith and Lord Balrus who somehow felt as if perhaps someone had been saying words to the king. Artemis wasn’t like his usual self, he was wroth with everyone in his council.

Then onto more important matters, Lord Balon talked about the upcoming war. They discussed men they had, houses which pledged allegiance to the king’s motives and supported his decision whether to declare war or remain silent.

Artemis made sure to call upon a royal emergency which included every house in Maldonia, even those four ones which he didn’t visit to make a journey to the capital. The war was already upon them and denying it won’t make it go away, as Lord Angun said.

No matter how calm Artemis looked on the outside, he was sure stressed about the war. It hadn’t been a year yet and he was already called upon to battle.

These distresses he made sure to discuss them with his sister, princess Aeryn out in the gardens.

“It took father ten years before he settled out to his first battle. And then another ten before the recent one, the war of the elves. I hadn’t been a king for even a year and yet here I am... preparing for my first battle. What do you think mother will say?”

“She will be proud of her son heading to battle”

“Or she might think I’m cursed”

“No she would never think like that. Our mother -”

Artemis intervened his sister’s speech “What happens if we lose?” he asked.

The question clearly showed how terrified Artemis was of the outcome. The road was uncertain and the end wasn’t clear. The flames Aurora spoke of, it would be good if she could see from which side they come from. Was it Prophis or Maldonia?

Aeryn noticed her brother’s fears of the war. But he wasn’t supposed to be fearful after all he was the king.

For so many years kingdoms have faced defeat when the King is scared. The morale of soldiers depends on their king’s courage and strength to lead them to victory. Most of the kings even attempt a one on one fight between themselves and their enemies, the one who loses and die lose the war and his army.

However, many of the kings who go to that extent of demanding a combat are usually good with their swords. Possibly the best swordsman in the realm.

Artemis well... he wasn’t that good. He may have lasted during all the wars but not because he was the best fighter, but because he was always surrounded by his men who guarded him.

An open combat would have him dead in two minutes, Aeryn knew it, Artemis himself knew it and even Aurora knew that even though she never openly doubted her lover’s swordsmanship.

“We cannot lose brother. Blackmount has never been breached, fo thousands of years. If the elves didn’t even get to our gates, then believe me no mere mortal can. You shouldn’t trouble yourself with such thoughts brother, Maldonia is strong and the men will fight till the end. You will emerge victorious...” finished Aeryn and then she pulled Artemis onto her for a tight hug.