Orsgadts
Artamea Pillar

Olevander glared at everyone sitting around the large oak table. None of them dared to look at him directly. He felt like he wanted to ridicule those who claimed to be great kings and nobles but this is how they have fallen weak.

“If Anthura rises, not only Orsgadt, the whole of Artamea will be destroyed. I think we've all known it since a dozen years ago.”

“Olevander, you yourself know we have no power to defeat Goenhrad and his sorcerer. How do you expect us to sacrifice our people? We are just ordinary people. Even if we're destroyed, you and the magical world still exist, right?” His Majesty King Theosyes, king of the kingdom of Imperia, upheld his seat. He worried about the kingdom and its people who only had a stone wall with Orsgadt.

“You need not worry about Goenhrad and his magician. That's my business,” said Olevander loudly.

“You are so sure, as if you already have a plan to destroy Goenhrad.” King Theosyes grinned in disbelief.

“Consider that,” says Olevander.

The room was quiet. Everyone stared at the table as if it was their best escape from Olevander's angry gaze. Kings of the three kingdoms and high nobles gathered today to set a pace against Goenhrad.

“Arsyna ready to help. Although my kingdom is the farthest from Orsgadt but that doesn't mean it will be safe from Goenhrad and Anthura.” His Majesty King Zyruone, king of Arsyna, said steadily.

He did not care about the mad witch Goenhrad had nor the threat of Anthura, at this time his kingdom was being attacked randomly by Goenhrad's men. It is not necessary to be as great as Olevander to conclude that all the chaos in Arsyna was the work of Goenhrad.

“Thank you.” Olevander stroked his white beard. Arsyna was indeed the smallest kingdom in Artamea but it is not doubtful that its supporters were descendants of powerful men who had forged many hardships before the kingdom was formed.

“Eimersun is ready for this. If that witch can be overcome and Anthura doesn't fly in the skies of Artamea, I'm sure we can defeat Orsgadt.”'s army His Majesty King Duncan, the king of Eimersun, knew very well the abilities of his troops. Eimersun is victorious not only because of its cultural beauty but also supported by the strength of trained troops.

“I can't help but thank you,” Olevander said.

The Imperia King snorted. Two kingdoms were ready to face Orsgadt but he himself did not want to rashly decide anything. It took him a while to decide what was best for his kingdom.

“I hope you can decide the best, Thenosyes. Artamea will not survive if the three kingdoms are not united.” Olevander knocked on the wooden table three times. Something's being thought about.

“When is Orsgadt's attack plan?” ask Theosyes.

“Soon. I'll tell you.” Olevander placed his right palm on the wooden table. He suddenly stood up. “I have to go,” he said then vanished from in front of everyone.

All the high nobles were told to come out. The room now contained only three kings sitting down.

“Thenosyes, for Artamea's sake, strengthen your resolve.” Zyruone stared intently at her best friend.

“Easy for you to talk. Your kingdom does not border directly with Orsgadt.”

“You do not realize that my former kingdom was confused by Goenhrad? It is only a matter of time for Imperia and Eimersun to experience the same.” Zyruone clenched her hands and gently kicked the table in front of her.

“No one is safe if Goenhrad is not conquered.” Duncan also clenched his hands. He remembered how weak his decision was a dozen years ago. He doesn't want that to happen anymore.

Thenosyes. “I can't answer now but I'll think.” He came out of the room followed by the sad look of Zyruone and Duncan.

“We can't expect it. I think we should prepare from now.” Duncan moved his body. With a serious look he looked at Zyruone. “The fairies also do not want to intervene. I don't know what Olevander's plan is but I hope it works.”

“Yes. Orsgadt had only a few troops but they were an army of cold-blooded killers. We must have five times more power if we want to stop them.”

“Honestly, a big defeat would loom if Imperia did not join.”

“I also caught such an impression. I think we should be more careful from now on,” replied king Arsyna.

“I agree.” King Duncan was slow-mouthed.

“Ah, how is your family? I should have visited you but soon my daughter will take over the kingdom and I have to teach her many things.”

“They're healthy. You know, my daughter's having fun adventuring with her friends. My wife, you know, she's always quiet in any atmosphere. Oh, yes, Mirena is really tough. What about Elric?”

“The young man was busy chasing girls, I guess. It was hard to keep him in the palace. His mother is stressed.” An astonished grin appeared on King Duncan's face.

“Hahaha. I think he's following in your footsteps as a woman conqueror.”

“Like you don't either.”

The two laughed considering how ridiculous the story of their youth was.

***

Theosyes broke the table. He rose up from his throne and walked back and forth. The encounters with Olevander, Duncan and Zyruone upset him. Very clever they take Goenhrad and his magician lightly. The stakes are too big.

Queen Charmaine came and hugged her husband. She knew her husband was worried about something. He could only hug her so that her lover was a little calm.

“I'm fine. Just a little upset. Where's Ellaine?” ask Theosyes to his wife.

Ellaine is their daughter who has just had her seventeenth birthday. He was born just days before the Orsgadt uprising. His body condition was very weak so he and his wife were always worried about him.

“There is in the park with the servants. He's grown up, don't worry too much.”

“Being a father turns out to be more difficult when compared to being a king.”

“Is that? Your Majesty King Thenosyes, you are a great king, husband and father. I say it sincerely,” praise the queen.

King Theosyes stroked his wife's beautiful marble cheeks. There was no one more beautiful than Charmaine. “Of course, you are my queen. Charmaine, I love you.”

“I love you too, My King,” Queen Charmaine closed her eyes as her husband kissed her passionately.

The king looked at his wife. He will not give up all the happiness he has today. If that means withdrawing from the war that will happen, then so be it.

***

Olevander stands on the hilltop of Thorsca near the border of Orsgadt and Eimersun. He looked at the calm blue sky. Ordinary people would not be able to see the protective magic covering Orsgadt's palace but he was Olevander, the barrier was meaningless.

A group of crows flew up and down and perched on a large tree. Olevander blew a small leaf. The leaf darted and then stuck to the feather of a crow. The crow was emitting red smoke from its open beak. A moment later the crow flew and alighted on Olevander's arm.

Olevander stroked the black bird and patted it gently for the bird to leave. The crow returned to his group. Olevander smiles. So far everything has gone pretty well.