Steel and Mana

Chapter 392 – King & Sovereign

The deck beneath King Edric’s feet vibrated as the Knight's Errand began preparing to lift off, causing him to grab onto the nearest railing as hard as possible. Even being inside of the airship, he was afraid he would just fall off somehow. Still, no matter his fears, he couldn't stop himself from standing still, staring, watching as the ground slowly disappeared, along with the city and the melting snow.

Below him, the rebuilt stone walls shrank into lines while his castle, which was the only safe place he had known for more than a decade, became an insignificant speck down under him. Looking into the distance, seeing green slowly poking through the snow made him sigh, shaking his head.

"From up here... it looks peaceful." His heart ached at the thought. All that made up the kingdom... was gone. Irrevocably gone. He shouldn't even be a king but just a bastard who had to be hidden away. Yet, he suddenly was thrust into the role of a king of a destroyed land. But, as fate would have it, now there was a chance to recover Markoth. To set it on a path of healing.

Determined to put his people on that road exactly, he exhaled, his breath fogging in the chilly air that was permeating through the whole airship. Flying upwards towards the clouds, he realized that winter wasn't over yet here, and its coldness was ever-present.

"Monsters..." He chuckled, looking around as a few Avalonian attendants passed behind him, checking instruments in their hands, something that they called a pocket watch. A clock that could fit into one's pocket. He only knew of the ones as big as a tower... something that was long destroyed in Markoth. "Monsters," he thought again. Wasn't he in within one? It certainly felt as if he was standing within the belly of some tamed beast.

While chuckling, King Edric turned back to the view before him and gasped. They had finally breached the clouds, and the view was akin to seeing heaven.

Above it all, the world was a boundless ocean of light. The clouds stretched below them like a never-ending sea of fluff, rolling in soft waves that sparkled like the foam atop a filled mug. The sky overhead was but a piercing blue that seemed to stretch forever, mixing with the clouds on the horizon. It was... a different world.

"I had a similar reaction the first time when I got this high," a voice interrupted, making the king shudder and hurriedly recollect himself. Turning towards the arriving man, he saw General Oleg approaching him.

“Yes…” Edric replied in a hurry, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s… beautiful.”

"The only thing that remains, no matter how high you go, are the mountains." Oleg joined him at the railing, looking towards the north, where they could see the tip of the ridge of the endless mountains.

"But we could just... fly over it."

"No," Oleg smiled, shaking his head. "We wouldn't be able to. Get close enough, and you will see that they will stretch into the sky—endlessly."

"So you tried..."

"We tested it." The general told him calmly, "It is also why we don't have flying monsters coming through, so it is not a bad thing!"

The king said nothing. He simply stared towards the horizon, taking it all in. What would Avalon be like? He didn't know... but he also didn't try to imagine it. Well... not every part of it, that is. He was sure that whatever he tried to think of would be not even close.

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King Edric didn't know how much time had passed. After getting used to the smoothness of the airship's sailing, feeling like a gliding bird in the sky, he only woke up to the rumble that their slow descent sent through the ship. He knew it was the sign that they finally approached their destination, beginning to sink below the layer of clouds below them.

Without thinking, he hurried up to the observation deck, watching the now white, foggy, foam-like passage through the clouds... And then, at last, it came into view.

The land of Avalon.

It wasn't what he expected, as it was... just... normal. He thought of seeing hundreds of Knights guarding it or walking around its massive towers and walls, probably having flying people or something. But no. It was just like any other city, at least from this high above. Then again, that thought was quickly thrown out as they got closer to their destination.

It wasn't hard to tell that the city was alive with activity, especially compared to Markoth. Yet, even from this distance, the hundreds, if not thousands, of moving dots didn't make it feel chaotic. It looked clean and organized—structured in a way that made it feel purposeful. More importantly... There was no rubble, no ruins, no smoke from burning homes.

"Wait..." He furrowed his brow because there was smoke.

But it came from something going surprisingly fast along a road-like route. Dragging behind it, there were so many carriages it made his jaw drop. What was that? What could be so strong, so quick to pull that many carriages? He didn't know, but suddenly, he did believe that the Avalonians not only destroyed the monsters but maybe even tamed them.

While watching, the Knight’s Errand continued to descend toward a platform on the city’s edge, probably prepared for their arrival. As for how they knew ahead of time that they were coming, the king couldn't tell, but that part didn't surprise him. As if announcing its presence, the ship blew its deep, resonant horn as it approached. First, it began lowering the four Knights it was carrying before making another round, finally landing at its predetermined position.

"It is like a different world..." Edric muttered, gulping, his mind trying to overlay what he was seeing with what he knew... and the two were polar opposites.

A few minutes later, dressed in the best clothes he could bring along, he was standing with General Oleg, waiting and watching as the Knight's Errand lowered its ramp, letting the outside, altogether distinct air rush in, hitting King Edric's senses like a hard slap. There was so much in it that first smell that he momentarily felt disoriented.

"Let me say this as the first official," The General turned to him, “Welcome to Avalon, your Majesty.”

"T-thank you... General." Edric took a breath, stuttering a little, forcing it down—and then he stepped forward into the light of the strong, spring sunshine.

After squinting and adjusting to the bright light, he noticed that a proper delegation was waiting for them at the bottom. There were the same black-armored guards but also officers in stylized uniforms with high collars and immaculate, polished boots. They weren't standing on mud or dirt roads; the whole place was made of stone, smooth, clean, and organized.

Just like the city behind them. Suddenly, King Edric felt like he was a peasant, walking into a noble's court, unprepared, bringing shame to his whole family. His clothes were dull... patched... cheap.

"Don't be intimated." the General, coming up behind him, gently patted his shoulders.

“I'll try... But...” he murmured, more to himself than to Oleg.

“People here won't belittle you." he continued, walking alongside him, "If they learn your story, your people's plight, I will bet they will even praise you. Considering it all, you survived despite everything. That is a feat that would be and will be respected here. So... straighten a little, King Edric. Your people deserve it. You do, too."

He wanted to say something, to smile a little, but by then, they reached the bottom of the ramp, and the others began welcoming him into Avalon. It turned out that the greeting committee consisted of Avalonian ministers, along with a lady named Louise, who he learned to be the Sovereign's mother.

Edric wanted to bow, but the woman quickly stopped him, instead leading him into the city and asking question after question, all related to how his country fared in the past decades... economically speaking. The sudden, almost interrogation-like back and forth only ended when his nose made him distracted enough to subconsciously step away from the delegation.

A moment later, he found himself holding something sweet-smelling after a vendor handed him a cup of something warm. It was tea, he realized, and after taking a sip, the sweetness of honey burst across his tongue like a forgotten memory. He nearly choked on it.

“You’ve never had honey before?” Louise asked, amused but probably also just asking about possible resources his country may have. That was the feeling Edric got from her questioning before.

"N-no, I had..." the king stared at the golden liquid in his cup, his eyes glistening a little. “But Not in... so many years.”

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I was waiting for the King of Markoth to arrive inside my palace. I had just finished a meeting with my ministers, going through our winter harvest and discussing the upcoming plans we would submit to the next Union meeting when the news came that the Knight's Errant was approaching the city. So, I sent my mother to welcome him, trying to get a picture of what to expect before bringing him into the palace to meet with me.

The poor man looked like a lost kid when he was led into the throne room. He totally did... I could see lines on his face that reminded me of those veterans in my old life who reached a point where they were allowed to leave the military. But none of those people were whole again... ever. As for his clothes... it told me enough. Not because it was worn beyond reason but because it was too big for him. He was way too thin for it.

“King Edric Vaelor of Markoth,” I said, walking down from the dias, standing before him, and reaching a hand out towards him. "Welcome to my Avalon.”

"T-the pleasure is mine... Sovereign Leon." Edric hesitated for only a moment before taking my hand.

"I read the reports my people sent back from your kingdom, but those are just words on paper. I would like to hear the whole story directly from you."

"I can only repeat what I wrote, My Sovereign," he began, starting to recite his pledge to us and to my kingdom when I raised a hand, stopping him.

"No." I smiled, "I don't mean to hear you grovel before me, King Edric. We are both responsible for our own people, and I understand why you bow before me. But you don't need to. Asking me is enough... We are people who live beside the hole that leads into the monsters' nest. I understand your plight... I won't make you bow before me. We carry the same burden. Now, come, let me walk you in!" I added, patting his shoulder and leading him into my home, "I was about to have lunch with my family. Join us! I will introduce you to my wives and children, and then you can slowly tell us all that happened since the first monster broke through."

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I think the informal way I welcomed him helped a lot. It took an hour or so, but he loosened up by the end, telling us a lot about Markoth, their history, and how the kingdom was before the first long winter. Were they perfect? Of course not. They were in a very, very long civil war, one that honestly... felt justified. And he didn't argue against it either. I could understand why, as their previous kings were like a mix between the Theocracy and Ishillia. But, then again, it wasn't something that warranted a complete destruction.

Speaking of that... Their apocalypse didn't happen in just one winter. It was the second long one that made them kneel and almost die out, which showed that the people of Markoth had a type of hardiness that could be rebuilt—reignited. Reforged. If we can save them and bring them up to speed, they will be capable of withstanding the future. It won't be cheap, but it is necessary.

“You came here seeking aid,” I said after we were outside, walking through my garden, helping our stomachs work after lunch. “And I am well aware you have nothing to offer in return for our help, for our resources, for the lives we may sacrifice for your country."

"I know..." he said, lowering his head before raising it again. "We only have ourselves to offer."

"I am not trading with humans." I chuckled, shaking my head, "But I would appreciate a loyal friend in the future."

"Sovereign...?" He asked, stopping, looking at me, waiting for me to continue.

"Avalon is willing to help," I said plainly, reaching out and grabbing his shoulder, squeezing it. "But we can't fight your battles. I am willing to help you stand up and make you into a strong ally. I only ask for one thing..."

"Whatever it is, My Sovereign." He said, eyes beginning to be filled with tears.

"Be loyal. I value loyalty over everything, King Edric. As long as you remain loyal to Avalon... My city will stand with yours as defenders of the continent."