CHAPTER 3: NEW ALMEKIA Written by: Janus_Senpre Starring:
Lance	Gereint

--- Sacred King Calendar, Month 8 , Year 216 ---
-- Castle Camelford --

Prince Lance stood at the end of the enormous meeting hall of Castle Camelford. Looking absently through the tall window, Lance fingered the pommelstones of the twin short swords that hung from his waist.

(Too many things are happening at once... It has already been a half year since Zemekis started this chaos... and here I am, standing here without any thought as to what I should do...)

Before the heir of the Almekia kingdom could deliberate any further, the twin doors to the grand meeting hall burst open in a flurry. An astonished Prince Lance turned to see a determined Gereint standing within the doorway.

"My Prince, may I have a word?" the experienced retainer asked.

Prince Lance nodded. Smiling, he thought inwardly about just how lucky he was to have the loyalty and friendship of such an extraordinary man. He directed his attention to the gruff and unmannerly Rune Knight that crossed the rouge carpets of the meting hall toward him.

"My Prince, I bring word to you that the country of Iscalio... led by King Dryst has fallen."

Prince Lance looked shocked.

(Fallen...? How...? So soon...)

Inhaling deeply, Lance opened his mouth. "I did not think that such a strong country as Iscalio would fall so soon... How long ago Gereint? By who?"

Steadying himself, the bearded knight displayed a dark and solemn expression upon his face before speaking. "Iscalio fell about a half month ago... All of its lands are now occupied by the Esgares Empire..."

(Esgares!)

Gereint continued. "Swordmaster Esclados... my master... led the campaign against Iscalio and with the help of a team of assassins, the Priest Knight Corps, and a few choice others, he managed to incapacitate the country within mere months..."

Prince Lance barely managed a nod. He chose his words carefully for he knew of his retainer's past relationship to the old and dreaded swordmaster.

"What happened to King Dryst? What are the status of the knights who served him?"

"As far as our spies know... everyone simply disappeared... no former knights of Iscalio have been reported recruited in the service of another country... and the whereabouts of King Dryst and his inner circle are currently unknown..."

Lance's face was grim. "I see..." Lifting his head back up to Gereint, he reassured him with a youthful smile. "Is there anything else?"

Gereint's tense face softened. With an sudden change in voice, Gereint added, "No my prince... that is all." Turning around, the armored knight proceeded to walk back towards the doors of the hall, his crimson cape billowing behind him.

Already lost in his thoughts, Lance's daze was broken to the sound of Gereint's voice as he trailed through the great twin doors of the meeting hall.

"We are all here for you Prince Lance... Do what you think is best."

Lance slumped into a nearby chair, the words of his mentor ringing through his head...

(What should I do...?)