Absolute Sovereignty-Chapter 20: A Thirty Day Reprieve

A hush fell over the Grand Conclave, the weight of Kaelen's challenge pressing down on the assembled royals and nobles.

The Emperor, his expression unreadable, remained silent for a long moment, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the gathered elite. The fate of two kingdoms hung in the balance, a decision that could reshape the Dominion.

Finally, he spoke, his voice echoing through the hall. "What say you, my esteemed colleagues?" he asked, addressing the rulers of the other kingdoms. "Do we allow these two to engage in their... contest of strength, or do we intervene and impose a more... measured solution?"

The rulers exchanged glances, their expressions carefully neutral. They knew that this was a test, an assessment of loyalty by their cunning emperor. A misspoken word, a poorly chosen alliance, could have dire consequences.

The smartest move was neutrality.

Queen Lysandra of Velarion, her face pale and drawn after the execution of Selene, remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. The events of the night had clearly shaken her, the loss of her close friend and commander still raw.

She had no desire to further involve herself in this conflict.

Warlord Kren of Scythis, his imposing figure radiating an aura of barely contained aggression, grunted his approval. "Let them fight," he rumbled, his voice thick with the accent of his harsh homeland. "If the Ash Prince wishes to offer his kingdom on a silver platter, then who are we to deny Xarnis such a... generous offer?"

The other rulers echoed his sentiments, their words carefully chosen to avoid any direct challenge to the Emperor's authority. They were eager for the entertainment, a distraction from their own internal power struggles.

A war between Caldris and Xarnis would weaken both kingdoms, leaving them vulnerable to further manipulation.

"If the prince and the king are so eager to prove their strength," Duke Goran of Drakhar declared, a sly smile playing on his lips, "then who are we to deny them such... noble aspirations?"

The Emperor nodded slowly, his gaze returning to Kaelen. "Very well," he said, his voice echoing through the hall. "It seems the will of the Conclave is clear. Prince Kaelen, King Erric, I grant you your... contest."

Kaelen bowed his head, his expression carefully neutral, masking the satisfaction that flickered within him. His gamble had paid off.

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"Are there any terms, Prince Kaelen?" the Emperor asked, his voice carefully neutral.

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Kaelen replied, his voice carrying across the hall. "If Caldris is victorious, then it will assume total control over Xarnis, its resources, and its people, with the other kingdoms being disallowed to take any form of resource after the battle ends. I am sure the king understands that these terms must be met before such an exchange can truly be done fairly."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the assembled nobles.

This was more than just warr, it was a bid for conquest, a chance for Caldris to rise from the ashes and reclaim its former glory. This small chance had now begun to form its own ripple, and that single pebble of defiance had begun to grow its own waves as many now eyed what was soon to be known as the most exciting conclave, ever.

Kaelen continued, his gaze steady,

"Secondly, a thirty-day preparation period will be granted, starting from this night. During this period, neither Caldris nor Xarnis is permitted to engage in any direct acts of aggression against one another, nor are they permitted to engage in any underhanded attempts to manipulate the resources or relations of the opposing kingdom. This period is meant for preparation of the armies and not to try and break the other before the time has come. If anyone fails to abide by this, the emperor will have just cause to deal with them as he sees fit."

He paused, letting his words sink in.

"And finally, Your Majesty, the Imperial powers are not allowed to intervene in the conflict, whether directly or indirectly. This is a matter between Caldris and Xarnis, and its outcome will be decided by our strength alone. No outside interference should be tolerated and any form of support or opposition should not be taken kindly by his majesty. After all, this is an exchange between kingdoms and not a full-blown war of empires."

The Emperor considered Kaelen's terms for a long moment, his gaze thoughtful. He turned towards Erric, his voice sharp.

"King Erric, are these terms acceptable to you?"

Erric, his face flushed with anger and impatience, waved a dismissive hand.

"Of course, Your Majesty," he sneered, his voice laced with arrogance. "Nothing this... boy says can stop my inevitable victory. Let him have his little games. It will only make his defeat all the more... satisfying."

The Emperor nodded, his gaze sweeping across the hall.

"Then it is decided, before all present at this Grand Conclave," he announced, his voice ringing with finality. "One month from this night, Xarnis and Caldris shall go to war. The victor will assume total control of the other's kingdom. Let the gods decide their fate."

The remainder of the Conclave stretched late into the night, the usual formalities overshadowed by the shocking turn of events. Whispers and hushed conversations filled the hall, the assembled elite struggling to comprehend the implications of Kaelen's audacious gamble.

The night had taken a complete turn, a drastic shift away from the carefully orchestrated political theater that everyone had expected. And at the center of this maelstrom of chaos and anticipation stood Kaelen Verath, the Ash Prince, his gaze calm and steady, his expression betraying nothing.

He had taken a calculated risk, a desperate gamble to save his kingdom. And while many still dismissed him as a reckless fool, there was one thing they were all certain of now: the Prince of Ash was far more than they had thought him to be.