Enlightened Empire

Chapter 418: Present and Future (End of Book 6)

With the signature of the ʼAntila Peace Agreementʼ, ripples of peace spread throughout Medala.

After half a year of unrest, Sachay was the first to escape the clutches of war. Once Antila was taken and the Arcavians had surrendered, the King of the South continued to travel to the estates of each rebellious lord to force the old families of Sachay into submission one by one.

Shortly after the southern kingʼs new constitution had been forced upon his lands, peace spread to the central kingdom as well, as Pacha consolidated his power and the Ichilias licked their wounds. Only the north, which had never been at war throughout this period of unrest, had remained unaffected by the peace in the south. Though of course, that didnʼt mean that they didnʼt care about the events in the remaining kingdoms.

”Thus, it appears as if the foreigners have completely retreated from Port Ulta, and Lord Vareo has surrendered, in exchange for the guaranteed safety of his familyʼs position at the head of their estate. For now, it is unknown what deal was struck between the foreigners and the southern king, though we believe that they were guaranteed continued trading rights in return for a swift peace. Although we have attempted to confirm as much with the foreigners, they claim to be unaware of the actions of other foreigners in the south and supposedly cannot tell us any more details.”

In a brightly lit room in the lordʼs manor of Challwala, the largest port city in northern Medala, a warrior named Inkasius, dressed in a white robe, stood at the foot of a series of steps and recited the northern kingdomʼs intelligence to those sitting above.

Though strangely, the master of the manor was not present to hear it. Lord Betucio, Governor of the North, had long been banned from joining the meetings of the kingdomʼs leaders. Much to Inkasiusʼ chagrin, Governor Betucio had criticized his kingʼs orders one too many times and had caught the ire of the Chutwa scholars. Though of course, Betucio would have never arranged his room in such a disrespecting manner had he still been present.

The remaining leaders of the northern kingdom were only two. Both sat on white stone chairs high above, five steps elevated from Inkasiusʼ position, and half covered in shadow, which allowed them to look down on him.

”As always, those foreigners are false snakes who act in a two-forked manner. Only their ancestor worship is good about them,” complained a middle-aged man with a long beard and bushy eyebrows from above. Although he was a figure who was so unknown that Inkasius didnʼt even know his name, he sat right next to the King of the North, Amautu Titu Pluritac, who wore the same dress, and complained just the same.

”Those barbarians surely believe that they are better off working with those southerners, rather than with us. As always, we appear too weak in front of the unlearned.”

For a few seconds, the king tapped on his armrest, before he finally addressed the warrior at the bottom of the steps.

”Has the problem of the bandits still not been resolved, disciple?” he finally asked.

Another unsavory Chutwa custom.

These days, no one was allowed to get close to the King of the North unless they were his direct disciple. Inkasius didnʼt understand it all very well, since he had no interest in the Chutwa nonsense. Still, he swallowed his pride, wore the robes and learned the rituals. After all, he would much rather pretend and stay close to the center of power than be one in a sea of warriors with no ambition.

However, the kingʼs question was a problem for Inkasius, since the answer wasnʼt something Amautu would want to hear, and he knew what had happened to the kingʼs last ʼhead discipleʼ.

Thus, the warrior tried to lower his head in response. However, not a single word came from the two people up above. Despite the warm spring temperatures in Medalaʼs north, he felt a chill infect his bones. Finally, he had to bite his teeth and reply with the truth.

”Great Master, this useless servant has already sent out many hunting groups to catch them. However, these bandits seem to know of our arrival every time, often before we move out. Each time, they hide in local mountains and forests, where they cannot be caught, and they remain there until our own hunting parties leave once more.”