Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 85: Power corrupts

ROCKSTILL

1014 AF LIGHTMONTH

Today seem to be another hectic day in the Court of King Adrian the newly crowned king in Alan

"Your Majesty, a messenger has come bearing news," informed the king's attendants.

Adrian frowned and then he sighed

"Bring him to the throne room," ordered Adrian as he entered the royal hall and took his seat. I have not grown accustomed to all of this yet, he mused, fiddling with the throne's armrests.

"What news do you bring us?" he asked as the messenger entered the room.

"Your Majesty, Lord Arial has returned to the East bringing five thousand troops with him. He achieved victory in his campaign and was successful in getting the Blacktons's fealty. They will now continue Arial's work in the South along with the Three Brothers, Ales, Lonne and Trouts who have also raised their banners in solidarity with the Blacktons. In a year, the South will be completely subjugated."

Adrian nodded and smiled.

"Is there anything else? How about the West?" he asked.

"We have not encountered any problems in the West, Your Majesty. Through his connections, Lord Summersill has been gaining most of the nobles Houses' fealty."

The king nodded satisfactorily. The Vermont's have helped me greatly in achieving progress, he thought.

"You may leave now."

The messenger excused himself and once he had left, the king's courtiers entered the throne room to offer counsel to Adrian.

It takes a few moments for them to lined themselves. They look at each other and then one person come to the front.

The first to speak was one of his courtier, Baldwin.

"Your Majesty, we should build another castle." Adrian trying to ponder the reason and finding himself lacking he ask

"Why?" Adrian asked.

"This castle belonged to the Rodan family who were slaughtered in the bloody Feast. It is a bad omen to live in a place where so many perished, not to mention that this castle is a laughable abode not fit for a King," Baldwin explained.

"Laughable!" some courtiers protested.

"Do not forget that you are speaking to the King," Silas countered. He is standing on the opposite side of Baldwin, his eyes sharp and piercing.

Baldwin ignore the opposition and continued, taking Silas words as his reason

"And that is why Your Majesty should build a new castle, magnificent and imposing, to show the common folk that Your Majesty are the King," insisted Baldwin.

Some of the courtiers gulped. They know this is not really about the castle. Silas frowned.

"How big?" Adrian replied. He could somehow understand the thoughts of his courtier which is why he is testing hi with this question.

"Bigger than the Vermont castle and grander, You Majesty." Baldwin then looked at Silas and smirked.

Suddenly, the court turned tense. Some of the courtiers do not want to get sucked in this debate.

"Are you implying something, Baldwin?" Silas said, his tone cold and accusing.

"I imply nothing Lord Silas"

Silas glared at Baldwin.

The young Counsel, whose patrons were the Vermont family, had been sent by Arial to Rockstill to help Adrian with all matters of the Court.

He comes from the East where the Vermont influence is the highest.

Silas look at Baldwin and shakes his head. Then he said

"Your Majesty, you are free to build a castle if you wish, but where will you find the resources to do so?" he asked staring at the king. "The Kingdom treasury? Your rule has yet to stabilize and you can only collect taxes from your subjects in the West and in the East. May I also remind you that the East is under the control of House Vermont."

Then turning his attention to Baldwin, Silas added, "Where will you then get the gold Baldwin to build a castle?"

"The King can order the Vermont's to fund the construction of the castle," Baldwin assured.

Some of the courtiers gulped. Either Baldwin is an ignorant person, which he is not, or the Court is trying to rein the Young Dragon

Nobody wanted to get in the bad side of the Vermont's right now but they are also alarmed at the growing power and influence the young lord of the Vermont could command.

This matter has always been a sensitive subject in King Adrian Court

Meanwhile Silas sneered

"Order? Order the Vermont's?" Silas repeatedly laughed. "You think the Vermont's will heed this order? They do not take orders from anyone. And you believe that they will continue to help us after such insult? Our king is in a precarious position. The Vermont is the backbone of the formation of the Kingdom. You want to doom our King, go ahead. Try to restrict them and see how they react. They can easily switch allegiance to Alderam, Lord Baldwin and then our own heads will be hanging outside the city wall. They will not help us if you persuade the King to order them give their most potent weapon, gold. That is an insult to their family. And what do you think they would do when the King disrespect their family. The King is lucky to have a loyal supporter. But how loyal would they be when you anger them?'

Silas was about to continue but they were stopped by the shout of the King.

"Enough of this!" yelled Adrian, clenching his fist. "Do not make any assumptions Silas. I have no intention of disrespecting House Vermont."

"Forgive me Your Majesty," continued Silas, "but I fear that Baldwin's counsel is dangerous and unsound."

"I will decide whether his counsel is good or bad, not you!" interjected Adrian.

"Of course, your Majesty." Silas said lowering his head

"Lord Baldwin, building a castle is a good idea, but only after we gain stability," Adrian declared as Silas smirked at Baldwin.

The matter was laid to rest and the conversation shifted to other pressing issues such as the establishment and enforcement of laws, the expenditure of funds, the court's expenses, the local economy and the war effort.

They also discussed whether the king's brother, Alderam, would accept the truce that was offered to him.

Everyone believed the truce to be the king's effort, but it was Arial who had masterminded the plan without Adrian's permission.

The king acknowledged that it was a good idea, but would have preferred that Arial discuss it with him instead of making a unilateral decision.

With Arial at the forefront, Adrian felt that this war was no longer his to fight.

The news that the Blacktons had sworn fealty to Arial and not the crown had pricked the king's ego, and since then, many other lords had also sworn their loyalty to the son of Lord Aries Vermont.

Adrian pondered over his situation, his hands resting on each side of his throne, soon his face became rigid, his jaw clamped tight, his teeth grinding.

"Your Majesty?" one of his courtiers asked.

"Go on with your report," the king replied.

The courtiers continued to discuss matters of the court while Adrian tried to regain his composure.

At first, he had welcomed the Vermont's support and was grateful for their continued loyalty.

They were his strongest allies, but as time passed, he felt used and ridiculed.

He was the anointed king, yet all he could do was to follow their instructions.

The Blacktons's whispers had spread throughout the realm: the king did not fight his own battles, but it was the Vermont's who lead his campaigns.

Gratitude had been replaced with dissatisfaction and anger in Adrian's heart. Angry at whom? He was unsure.

At himself for not being brave enough?

Or at the Vermont's who had received all the glory? Keep calm, he thought to himself. A familiar voice summoned him back from his musings.

"Your Majesty, should you we prepare to greet Lord Arial in the East?" Silas asked.

"Why should the King greet him? He should greet the King!" Baldwin exclaimed.

This was the final straw for Adrian.

"Am I a royal subject or am I the King!?" he yelled, his eyes red and his hands trembling with uncontrollable rage.

Silence fell upon the throne room as the king rose from his seat. His face is hard and his eyes is cold.

"I will rest in my chamber," he said, "Inform me of any important issues that may arise. You are all dismissed."

The courtiers exited the throne room while Silas remained, staring at the king.

"Something wrong Lord Silas?" Adrian asked.

"No, Your Majesty."

Silas began to walk away, then suddenly stopped in front of the door.

"Your Majesty, may I offer a piece of advice?"

"Advice?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Fine. Let me hear it."

"Power corrupts the soul your Majesty."

"Wha"

"Just remember that, your Majesty, when you are dealing with the Vermont's. Never let power control you." reiterated Silas as he walked out smirking.

Adrian was left dumbfounded as the door closed.

*************************************************************************