CHAPTER 41: ABDICATION

With Valerius’ execution fulfilled, Veltharion returned to the seat of his power within the Ember Court.

There he sat and had the House elders draft a letter to be delivered to Dawnhaven.

This time he ensured the messengers would not say something foolish and have themselves detained and executed.

After all, he needed to end this war quickly, but in a way that still made his house look strong.

The reason for this urgency was simple enough. The other houses had seen the damage his army had suffered, and the number of Ignarion Magi slain in the battle with Dawnhaven.

The security of his house, and its position as a Great Power among the Human Realms would be determined in the coming days.

To put it simply, the jackals were coming now that they smelled the lion bleeding.

And he did not have the time to care about a petty grievance with Dawnhaven.

The letter contained demands for surrender, and of course stipulations regarding the guaranteed safety of House Ferrondel. Or I should say it’s future.

It demands however, were that the current head of its house, and its lady assume full responsibility and present themselves for judgement.

The letter entered Dawnhaven’s great hall, with a messenger far more timid than the last time. He didn’t dare look Lord and Lady of House Ferrondel in the eyes.

His head was bowed, and his spine lowered in utter submission.

Never raising it until commanded to do so. Even as Malveris spat upon him from his seat perched above.

"What is this madness? Veltharion thinks I will offer him my head, and that of my sister to appease his petty wrath? His son started this nonsense, and now I must pay with my life? Proposterous."

The envoy stammered and stuttered, trying to formulate his thoughts, despite the inward terror that gripped his heart.

"Wi... With... With all due respect... My Lord. House Ignarion has the means to burn your lands to cinders... It is simply a matter of when, not if."

Caedrion stepped forward before his father could chastise the Envoy’s arrogance. A smug smirk upon his lips as he pulled the glove off his hand in dramatic fashion.

"Truly now? How long will it take Veltharion not replace the number of Spellswords I slew outside this city’s very gates? A generation? Two? That is before he can even begin to lay siege to my home a second time."

Caedrion stepped forward, closer, and closer as the Envoy began to sweat more profusely with each word spoken.

"In six months my army will be double his size, and far more capable. Then how will he burn my lands to cinders? No, I think we will not surrender. Instead, I will let House Marvik, Serevant, and Caltrisse keep his attention while I muster the strength to force his neck beneath my boot. Go run back to the Ember Court and tell your master this."

A loud snap crackled in the hall, and then the envoy vanished. Leaving Caedrion to sigh, as he placed his glove back upon his hand once more.

"How tiresome..."

Aelindria quickly appeared from behind the pillar, running up to her man, and grabbing his hand. Interrupting the scene as she did so with a formal announcement.

"Mother, Father... I have decided... I wish to help Caedrion with his studies... I know my place is not on the battlefield, but I can’t sit idly by anymore and do nothing as he handles it all on his own. Let me share his burden and help him forge an army worthy of the Architect’s name!"

Malveris and Sylene glanced over at one another, and nodded in silence, all the while Aelindria’ voice echoed in Caedrion’s head.

’Little brother, don’t you dare deny me, or I’ll make your life a living hell every night until you relent!’

Caedrion could only smile wryly as he too nodded his hand in silent understanding.

Ultimately, Malveris and Sylene came to a decision about the whole situation, as if they had held the entire discussion between themselves with their minds.

"Very well, I have decided. You two are both adults now, and are married. I have sat on this throne as a steward for many years. I have built little in my time as Lord of Dawnhaven, and have only been able to maintain what I inherited to the best I can. Caedrion, my son. You have proven more capable than any of your forebearers in recorded history. I see no reason to occupy this seat when it should belong to you. I hereby abdicate my position as Lord of House Ferrondel, and name you, my son, and sole heir. Caedrion Ferrondel as the new Lord."

The announcement was stunning. Truly, Caedrion had not expected his father to make this move.

It left him with so many questions. But the looks that his father, his aunt, and his wife all gave him. Showed that the decision was not contested among any of them.

He had always known he would one day be Lord of Dawnhaven, but he had not expected it to occur for many years still.

He could only steel his heart and accept both the duty and responsibility given to him in the here and now.

"Very well.... I swear by the Architect and all our ancestors that I will reign as Lord of Dawnhaven and do all that I can to protect the realm and expand the might of our house. And I will start by fulfilling my promise to House Ignarion. My first act as Lord is a call to arms. Let every man and boy capable of bearing arms without current employment enter the service of Dawnhaven through its Army... For the first time in ancestral memory, House Ferrondel marches to war!"