A gentle knock echoed through the wooden door of Lord Mordian's chamber, startling him from his musings. He approached the entrance, his curiosity piqued, and pulled it open to reveal a sight that stole his breath away. Standing before him, radiant as a moonbeam, was none other than Stiora, Lord Wemblewin's cousin and the lady who had filled his thoughts.Lord Mordian's eyes widened with surprise, and his voice caught in his throat. "Stiora," he uttered, his tone a mixture of disbelief and awe. "What brings you to my chamber at this late hour?"Stiora met his gaze with an enchanting smile, her emerald eyes gleaming with a mischievous twinkle. "Lord Mordian," she began, her voice as soft as a lullaby. "I have heard that you are a very good poet, and upon my passing, I sensed the stirrings of inspiration emanating from within these walls. I come seeking a glimpse into the depths of your poetic soul."A hint of skepticism flickered across Lord Mordian's features. "But why would you see

King Lauihnio's eyelids grew heavy as he drifted off to sleep. His mind was still racing, pondering the affairs of the Kingdom despite the dissolution of the rebellious faction, of which he was supposed to find solace in, but soon he was consumed by a dark nightmare.He found himself standing on Bauthinian soil, gazing upon a horrid sight. Corpses littered the landscape around him, and blood flowed like rivers in the streets. The skies above were dark and foreboding, and lightning illuminated the sky in jagged forks of electricity. King Lauihnio's heart was in his throat as he heard his wife and children calling out to him.He followed the sound of their cries, only to face a ferocious giant who stood towering over his family. King Lauihnio rose to the challenge and engaged the giant in a fierce battle. He knew he had to fight with all he had to protect his loved ones, and within him surged a strength he had never felt before. The clash of steel against steel filled the air as thei

Lord Garthine Polion, his face etched with concern, broke the silence that engulfed the study room. His voice was measured but laced with a tinge of somberness as he began to deliver his report on the state of the Bauthinian military."Your Majesty, based on an intense census conducted throughout our armed forces, we currently have a standing army of over twenty-one thousand men," Lord Garthine began, his eyes locked with the king's. "However, it pains me to inform you that two thousand of our soldiers are still grappling with severe injuries sustained in our recent conflict against the same Brothlander. Additionally, three hundred brave warriors have suffered the loss of limbs, resulting in amputations."A heavy silence settled over the room, the weight of Lord Garthine's words pressing upon King Lauihnio's heart. The reality of the toll inflicted upon their troops, the sacrifices made in defense of the realm, struck him deeply. The king's expression grew increasingly disheartene

Lord Mordian leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a fiery conviction born of personal experience. "Your Majesty, I have witnessed the prowess of Arab Azarian mercenaries firsthand. They are potent and capable warriors, honed through years of battle and conflict. I fought alongside them during the Elerian civil war when I served King Raggi of Eleria."He paused, a hint of nostalgia flickering across his features. "Their mastery of the sword is unparalleled. I have seen them carve through enemy lines with ease, their skill and discipline inspiring fear in their foes. Their presence on the battlefield is a force to be reckoned with."The king listened intently, absorbing Lord Mordian's words. The image of these battle-hardened mercenaries grew more vivid in his mind, their potential as a formidable addition to their forces taking shape."However," Lord Mordian continued, his tone turning more cautious, "we must also consider the downsides of hiring mercenaries. Their services come at

With resolve in his heart, King Lauihnio stood up from his kneeling position and took a seat upon a golden stool that had been prepared for him. The weight of his troubled mind and weary soul pressed upon his shoulders, but he refused to succumb to despair. Instead, he chose to seek guidance from the grand cytix priest of Laoia, the revered Paulio, who resided within the sacred walls of the temple.The chamber was filled with an air of tranquility as Lauihnio gathered his thoughts. His valiant efforts on the frontline in the Battle of Harenia, in the previous conflict with the Quanians had scarred both his body and soul. The horrors he witnessed on that fateful day had etched themselves into his consciousness, fueling his nightmares and tormenting his waking hours.Summoning his trusted advisor, Lord Cantrio, the king commanded, "Prepare an audience with the grand cytix priest, Paulio. I must seek his counsel and unburden my troubled mind. He is the voice of the divine, and I trus