[Scene Loading…]
[Location: Godfrey Estate - Godfrey Palace]
[Date: July 30, y. 485 of the Fourth Age]
Zeke spent the entire night in the library with Sampson, poring over ancient tomes and scrolls by candlelight. Maps of noble territories lay spread across tables, genealogy charts hung from the walls, and stacks of political treatises surrounded them on all sides. The butler proved to be a surprisingly thorough teacher, his knowledge of Athian politics both expansive and precise.
"House Reinfir controls most of the eastern trade routes," Sampson explained, pointing to a region on the map. "Their sigil is a silver crow on purple. They've had territorial disputes with House Stragga for generations."
"And Stragga has the golden serpent on green," Zeke recited, committing the information to memory. "They control the iron mines in the south."
Sampson nodded approvingly. "Very good. Now, what about their alliances?"
By the time dawn's first light filtered through the high windows, Zeke's mind brimmed with information about every major and minor house in Athia. He'd memorized sigils, family lines, territories, and the complex web of alliances that bound them together or set them against one another.
As the clock struck six, Agrian entered the library. Dark circles under his eyes suggested he'd slept no better than Zeke had. Without preamble, he began the questioning.
"House Torlane. Sigil and holdings?"
"Black boar on orange. They control the northern forests and the lumber trade. Currently allied with Houses Duvray and Westmoreland through marriage."
Agrian nodded, his expression giving nothing away. "House Blackwater's dispute with the crown?"
"Taxation of their pearl fisheries. They claim ancient rights exempt them from the new tariffs established three years ago."
The questions continued for nearly an hour, covering everything from trade disputes to military capabilities to marriage prospects among the noble houses. Zeke answered each query with growing confidence, occasionally stumbling but never giving up.
Finally, Agrian closed the book he'd been referencing and studied his younger son. "You've learned more in one night than most nobles' children learn in years. Impressive."
The rare praise warmed Zeke more than he expected. "Thank you, Father."
"Don't thank me yet. What you're about to witness in the Capital is the ugly underbelly of Athian politics. It isn't pretty, and it certainly isn't fair." Agrian's expression hardened. "Pack your things. We leave in an hour."
As Agrian left, Sampson began gathering the scattered materials. "You did well, young master."
"Better than you expected?" Zeke asked with a half-smile.
"I never doubted your capabilities," Sampson replied, "only your willingness to apply them." The butler hesitated, then added, "If I may be so bold—this journey might present an opportunity."
"What kind of opportunity?"
"Leoncrest Academy lies just beyond the Capital. The premier training ground for knights in all of Athia." Sampson's voice remained casual, but his eyes were intent. "The 34 Trials are administered there."
"The Trials that Artax completed?" Zeke frowned. "But I'm not—"
"Not what? A Godfrey?" Sampson raised an eyebrow. "The same blood flows through your veins, young master. Perhaps circumstances will arise where that becomes significant."
Before Zeke could respond, a servant appeared to help him prepare for the journey. Sampson's words lingered in his mind as he packed, a possibility he'd never seriously considered.
The journey to the Capital took four days by carriage. Athia's landscape unfolded before them—first the rolling hills and forests of the southern lands, then the vast central plains with their patchwork of farms and villages. Rivers cut through the countryside like silver ribbons, connecting the various regions of the kingdom.
Athia was a rather large country, positioned in the northern part of the continent. It was bordered on the north mostly by mountains and frozen tundra, along with a few small nations that carved out their existence in the harsh landscape. To the west lay an immense desert with several smaller nations scattered through the arid region. To the south and east were nations of more comparable size and power: Lisandria with its vast navies, Ta'land with its mysterious magic academies, and the Kingdom of the Blue Desert with its unparalleled cavalry.
During the journey, Zeke absorbed every detail he could from his father and brother. Agrian, though stern, proved a wellspring of knowledge about Athian politics, while Artax shared insights from his time at court. Their conversations often continued late into the night at roadside inns, illuminated by firelight and fueled by the urgency of their situation.
"The Godfrey Estate's position near the southern border has always been strategic," Agrian explained on their third night. "Our knights have historically been the first line of defense against invasions from Lisandria and beyond."
"Which is why we've developed a reputation for martial excellence," Artax added, his voice still carrying pride despite his injury.
"And why certain houses distrust us," Zeke concluded. "They see our military strength as a threat to the internal balance of power."
Agrian nodded, something like respect flickering in his eyes. "Precisely. Some have even spread rumors that we collaborate with foreign powers rather than defeat them—absurd allegations designed to undermine our position."
On the final day of their journey, the Capital appeared on the horizon, its white walls gleaming in the sunlight. As they drew closer, Zeke couldn't help but stare in amazement. He'd heard stories about the Capital his entire life, but nothing had prepared him for the reality.
The walls themselves stood nearly a hundred feet tall, crafted from white stone quarried from the eastern mountains. Just outside the main gates rose an immense statue of Emperor Lorian I, founder of modern Athia. In one hand he held an unsheathed sword, in the other an olive branch—symbols of his motto: "Peace through strength." The statue must have stood two hundred feet high, and Artax mentioned that at night, bonfires were lit in the statue's eyes, visible for miles across the plains.
As they passed through the gates, the city opened before them like a living tapestry. Unlike the fading grandeur of the Godfrey estate, the Capital pulsed with vitality. Streets wound between buildings of every size and description, from humble shops to towering mansions. They passed countless fountains and statues, each commemorating some hero or event from Athian history.
The carriage navigated through broad avenues and narrow alleys, sometimes barely squeezing between buildings that seemed to lean toward each other across the street. In other areas, the city opened into grand plazas where hundreds of people gathered to trade, socialize, or watch performers.
"There," Agrian pointed as they rounded a corner. "The Senate Building."
The structure dominated the central plaza, its massive dome rising above all surrounding buildings. Columns supported the front facade, and wide stairs led up to bronze doors large enough to admit giants. The sight of it sent a chill down Zeke's spine—not from fear, but from the sudden realization of what was at stake.
As their carriage stopped at the base of the stairs, Agrian's expression grew grim. "Remember what I told you. The Senate is not a place of honor or justice—it's a battlefield where the weapons are words and influence rather than swords and shields."
"Stay close," Artax added, his face equally serious. "And watch your back. Not everyone here plays by the rules."
Zeke nodded, squaring his shoulders as they climbed the steps. Unlike his earlier visits to the Capital, which had been filled with sightseeing and entertainment, this was a mission with the family's future hanging in the balance.
The interior of the Senate Building was even more impressive than its exterior. They entered through the bronze doors into a vast rotunda, the domed ceiling rising hundreds of feet above the floor. The walls were decorated with intricate murals depicting scenes from Athian history, and light streamed through stained glass windows high above.
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The Senate chamber itself was bowl-shaped, with tiered seating arranged in a semicircle. Hundreds of senators in brightly colored robes filled most of the seats, each garment chosen to stand out from the crowd. Above them, galleries packed with civilians watched the proceedings with varying degrees of interest.
At the center of it all stood a raised platform with a podium, currently occupied by a portly man with an elaborate robe and a ceremonial gavel.
"And now, we will hear from House Stragga, regarding a territorial dispute on the Black River," the man announced, his voice carrying effortlessly through the chamber despite its size.
"That's Duke Minziar," Artax murmured to Zeke. "Current Master of Ceremonies. Not our friend."
"Come," Agrian said quietly. "Stay sharp."
They made their way down a side staircase to the main floor, where several people waited with scrolls and documents, presumably preparing to present their cases. As the Godfreys approached, the waiting nobles drew back slightly, several turning pale at the sight of Agrian.
Duke Minziar caught sight of them and visibly stiffened. He quickly interrupted the ongoing presentation. "I apologize, but this debate will have to be placed on a temporary hold. We have some important guests here today, it would seem. Dropping in without an invitation is Agrian De'Godfrey, and his two sons! Please, welcome them to the stand."
The tone carried false cordiality, but the underlying hostility was clear to everyone present. Agrian ascended to the podium with measured steps, his face a controlled mask of dignity.
"Thank you for that introduction, Duke Minziar," he began, his deep voice filling the chamber. "I particularly appreciated the note about dropping by without an invitation." His tone darkened as he continued, hands gripping the podium. "It just seemed to me that doing things without an invitation was how you operated around here! I certainly didn't receive an invitation when you filed an injunction to dissolve House Godfrey lands!"
The room fell silent, senators shifting uncomfortably in their seats as Agrian continued.
"I didn't receive an invitation when you filed an injunction to break the line of inheritance between myself and my children! I didn't receive an invitation when you filed an injunction to formally reclassify House Godfrey as a formerly noble house! I didn't receive an invitation when you filed an injunction to seize House Godfrey money held within the Central Bank, or when you filed an injunction to loot House Godfrey's vaults."
Duke Minziar stepped forward, his smile oily and insincere. "Please, you must understand. You yourself voted on a similar issue back when House Floghast collapsed."
"That was fifteen years ago," Agrian countered sharply. "The last of their family line, who, I might add, died of old age at 110, had just passed away. I still have two living sons, both of whom are capable of continuing the family name. This is unprecedented in the history of our kingdom, and I will not stand for it!"
From the upper tiers of the Senate, a tall, thin man in sand-colored robes rose to his feet. "Your family line is broken," he called down. "The charter of House Godfrey states that the patriarch of the House must be a warrior, having completed your little 34 Trials."
"And Artax has done so!" Agrian's voice rose to a roar. "Lord Hobbson, you go too far."
"And has now had his aura broken," Lord Hobbson replied with a dismissive shrug. "He is no warrior, not anymore."
"You forget that I didn't complete the 34," Agrian countered, slamming his fist on the podium.
Lord Hobbson smiled thinly. "No, we did not forget. You were granted a dispensation, as was your father before you. The excuse of the 'curse' of House Godfrey ends here. You do not have an heir who meets the requirements. The Senate judged that you were to be dissolved. That's the end of the story."
Zeke watched his father closely, admiring the way he maintained his composure despite the obvious provocation. There was a strategic mind at work behind Agrian's apparent anger.
"Oh, is it?" Agrian's voice dropped dangerously. "Then I'd like to hear the beginning of it."
"Word came back that your boy... Arjax? That sounds right. Word came back that Arjax had been killed." Lord Hobbson affected a concerned expression. "We were all quite relieved when we heard that he had survived, merely had his aura broken, but still."
"And what day did you receive that report?" Agrian asked, crossing his arms.
"Ahh... I don't know." Lord Hobbson shrugged with exaggerated nonchalance.
"Well, let me illuminate something for you." Agrian pulled out a document from inside his coat. "You received word of my son's death on July 1st, and you voted to dissolve our lands on the 2nd. That's remarkably efficient governance."
Lord Hobbson simply shrugged again. "Can you blame us for—"
"That, though, is nothing compared to the speed of the messenger who brought you the message," Agrian interrupted. "Do you have his name? I'd like to hire him myself."
"What do you mean?" Lord Hobbson's confidence wavered slightly.
"Well, my son, Artax, was attacked on June 30th, three hundred miles from this very chamber." Agrian's voice was dangerously calm now. "They didn't make it to the nearest village until that night, and given the weather up there, it's likely that the messenger didn't leave until morning. According to these reports, the messenger then showed up here at exactly 9:00 am, which means that at worst, he traveled three hundred miles in four hours. That seems like the sort of messenger that I'd like in my employment."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the Senate. Duke Minziar puffed out his chest and stepped forward, attempting to regain control of the situation.
"Are you insinuating that someone in this Senate hall had something to do with the dragon attack? That someone was able to..." He laughed derisively. "That someone was able to convince a dragon to do their bidding for them?"
The chamber erupted in laughter at the absurdity of the suggestion. Dragons were forces of nature, not tools to be manipulated by human schemes. When the laughter subsided, Agrian spoke again, his voice low but carrying.
"No. But I do think it possible that my son may have been given incorrect information, leading him into a trap instead of into a rescue situation, which is where he believed that he was going."
The accusation hung in the air, causing several senators to rise from their seats in outrage. Some began to leave the chamber entirely, unwilling to be associated with such proceedings. Duke Minziar approached Agrian, speaking quietly enough that only those on the podium could hear.
"You're going to have to play politics better than that, Godfrey, if you want to stay afloat," he muttered. "I will have your land."
Raising his voice again, the Duke brought his gavel down forcefully. "The fact of the matter is that we've already voted! House Godfrey will be dissolved, as you do not have an heir who can fulfill the charter that you yourself are bound to. That's the long and the short of it. Case dismissed!"
The gavel struck again with finality, and Duke Minziar lowered his voice once more. "Now get out of my sight. Scurry back home, and see what you can do to hide your fortunes before we come for it. You have no way to resist us anymore."
Zeke looked at Artax, seeing the barely contained fury in his brother's eyes. The injustice of it all was staggering—not just the attempt to dissolve their house, but the likely conspiracy behind Artax's injury. They had orchestrated the perfect trap: arrange for Artax to face a danger beyond even his considerable capabilities, then move to strip House Godfrey of everything while they were still reeling from the aftermath.
In that moment, Zeke saw with perfect clarity what needed to be done. The pieces fell into place—Sampson's comments about Leoncrest Academy, the family charter requiring a warrior heir, the obvious gap in their enemies' strategy. They had accounted for Artax's defeat but had dismissed Zeke entirely.
Their oversight would be their undoing.
Without hesitation, Zeke stepped forward, his voice ringing out through the chamber.
"I will complete the Trials!"
Every eye in the Senate turned toward him. Zeke felt a momentary flutter of uncertainty, but it was quickly replaced by resolve. He moved past his father and took the podium, standing tall despite the hundreds of eyes fixed upon him.
"House Godfrey needs a warrior-heir," he stated firmly. "I will complete the Trials."
Laughter rippled through the Senate, but Agrian silenced it by snatching Duke Minziar's gavel and rapping it sharply several times. When the chamber quieted, Agrian addressed the assembly.
"Will you accept it?" His voice thundered through the hall. "If he completes the Trials, if he does what is required, will you accept it?"
Lord Hobbson rose again, still smiling. "What a move! The second-born son, trying to take the inheritance of the first? This is incredible!"
"No!" Zeke's response was immediate and forceful. "I accept no inheritance."
A confused silence fell over the chamber as all eyes—including those of his father and brother—focused on him with renewed interest. Zeke drew a deep breath and continued.
"I will not take the place of my brother. I will be my brother's sword. He cannot fight; I will fight in his stead. He is the rightful heir, and I will do nothing to stand in his way. I will complete the Trials on his behalf. My honor will be his."
The declaration hung in the air, unexpected and therefore powerful. Duke Minziar sputtered incoherently, clearly unprepared for this development. Agrian seized the moment, rapping the gavel again.
"Will you accept it?" he challenged. "Will you honor the spirit of our laws, or will you continue down this unlawful path? Will you invite challenge and war?"
It was mostly bluster—everyone present knew that House Godfrey, in its current state, could offer little military resistance. But the public nature of the accusation, combined with Zeke's unexpected offer, created a situation that would be difficult to dismiss without appearing transparently corrupt.
After a tense silence, Lord Hobbson sat down. "We will accept."
Like a wave, the phrase spread through the chamber.
"We will accept."
"We will accept."
As the acknowledgment rippled through the Senate, Zeke felt the weight of what he'd done settle upon him. He'd just committed himself to a challenge that had nearly killed his supremely talented brother—a brother who had trained his entire life for it.
Agrian turned from the podium and passed Zeke, pausing briefly. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into," he murmured, then added more softly, "But thank you, my son."
The simple expression of gratitude filled Zeke with a warmth more powerful than any Emblem's effect. He stood straighter, watching as his father and brother descended from the podium. The Senate was already moving on to other business, but the outcome of this confrontation would reverberate throughout Athian politics.
As they exited the Senate Building, Zeke found himself between his father and brother, both of whom appeared deep in thought.
"That was well done," Artax said finally, breaking the silence. "Unexpected, but effective."
"They never considered you a threat," Agrian added. "That was their mistake."
"And now?" Zeke asked.
"Now we prepare," Artax replied. "The 34 Trials are no simple challenge. They've broken stronger men than any of us."
"We'll need to arrange for your training immediately," Agrian said, his mind already working on the practicalities. "Leoncrest Academy is the obvious choice, though they may resist admitting you."
"I'll handle that," Artax offered. "I still have friends among the instructors."
As they reached their carriage, Zeke glanced back at the Senate Building, its dome gleaming in the afternoon sun. He had entered it as the spare son, overlooked and underestimated. He was leaving as House Godfrey's last hope.
He would fulfill his brother's role and reclaim their family's honor.
All he had to do was try not to die in the process.
[Scene Close]
[Active Quests:]
[Infodump: Learn about the 34 Trials]
[Training Montage: Train to begin 34 Trials]
