Epic Unearthed Read online

  Chapter IX

  Politics and Trust

  As soon as Daygun is observed entering the Atlantean Senate Chamber Hall, a servant runs to retrieve Emperor Aten. The Prince waits, and will say nothing to the council until his father’s returns. Everyone in the room wants answers, but the Prince knows he needs his father to help control the Senate. Daygun also realizes he does not have the right to make speculations on what he saw in the Ladonean Empire without his father’s presence.

  The Atlantean Emperor has regrouped his thoughts and breathes deeply before entering the Senate Hall. A servant opens the door and two grandmasters walk in alongside Aten. The councilmen stand as he enters. The room is still as the Emperor moves toward his son. Daygun stands at attention and salutes his father.

  “What is so important to bring the Senate and councils together?” Aten asks.

  Everyone awaits Daygun’s response. The Prince looks very concerned, and can hardly wait to tell what has been troubling him. Urgently he says, “With the flooding rains, I had no choice but to go through the Ladonean Empire to attend this summit; I had to make good time. My garrison came across an army twenty miles from our borders and twenty miles outside the Sabathean Empire, near the Crayloran River. Obviously, the Ladoneans are exercising their military. I fear they are preparing to invade either Atlantis or Sabathea.”

  Aten replies reassuringly, “Melercertis is asking us for a unified effort to take Sabathea. In the last year, there have been at least a dozen border skirmishes between those two. Melercertis is having trouble with his Northern territories and cannot use his full military might for a preemptive strike.”

  Daygun replies, “It is my opinion that we cannot trust the Ladonean Empire. What are Melercertis’ full intentions? This could be a trick or diversion.”

  Aten says, “The Ladoneans want east of the Alber Mountains, and will give us the west in the joint effort. The land is exactly what Atlantis had before the Great War. If we take the Sabathean Empire together, it will be one less empire for Atlantis to worry about.”

  Respectfully, Daygun asks his father, “If everything is in our favor, why would the Ladoneans not want more? This all seems too easy.”

  Aten pauses then replies, “It is part of the negotiations. True leaders do not make decisions at the first talks. It will take many more negotiations before our empires begin working together for each other’s benefit. The Ladonean Emperor is providing an incentive for us to agree in this conquest. They need the resources in Sabathea, and also want our advisement and technologies to more efficiently produce their trade.”

  With great emotion, Daygun says, “I do understand. Melercertis is giving too much too soon. Before he was an emperor, he was a tradesman. A former person in that field would have sought a better bargain before ceding everything in the first talks.”

  Aten nods, breathes deeply, and replies, “I agree. Daygun, you will be a great leader for this empire one day.”

  Daygun stands at full attention and says, “Thank you, my Lord.”

  The rest of the council is silent. Aten turns to Glasor and asks, “Do you have anything to add to this?”

  Glasor strolls to the middle of the room and loudly replies, “Yes, my Lord. Our council is evaluating every aspect of this conquest to strengthen our empire. If we take Sabathea, the act will benefit our civilization. Like Prince Daygun mentioned, we cannot trust the Ladonean Empire. If Melercertis should be overthrown in the near future, we may not have this chance again. Because Sabathea is growing quickly, this may be the only chance we will ever have to regain our land.”

  Emperor Aten walks to the head of the table. He starts to say something, and then stops to regroup his thoughts. He wants someone to oppose the idea of an alliance with the Ladonean Empire. Listening, he tries to make out what the Senate is mumbling under their breath; they are still arguing quietly about the results of such a conquest.

  Aten finally says, “So, the best thing to do is form an alliance with Melercertis. I believe it will be our mistake to not seize this opportunity. After the Great War, our empire was demoralized by the inhabitants of the continent. For the last twenty-six years, we have licked our wounds. This is a good chance to return pride to our people.”

  Gavis, one of the main Atlantean generals, throws a map on the table and says, “The bulk of the Sabathean military is on the east side of the Alber Mountains. The Ladoneans will absorb the majority of fatalities. Their military will take years to recover. Should the Ladoneans decide to betray us in the future; the alliance could be to our advantage in the future.”

  Aten replies, “I agree, and I have no indications of betrayal from Melercertis.”

  The Atlantean Emperor looks at Ryeland, one of his best young generals, and asks, “Ryeland, what are your thoughts?”

  Ryeland is very strong, six-foot tall, with black hair, and brown eyes. The young general is the son of the Masabaian King, and has moved up the ranks to general without his father’s influence. He has been friends with Daygun since the age of twelve. They both have learned from one another to become great warriors and generals. On social matters, they see their environment differently, yet respect each other’s thoughts of how to solve problems.

  Ryeland studies the map and says, “Life is nothing but a gamble. Many Atlantean soldiers will die so that future sons and daughters will have opportunities to grow. If this is what the Ladonean people desire, we should accept the agreement. In the past five years, Atlantis has been concerned with Ladonea and Sabathea. We have to assume that they are as apprehensive of us as we are of them. The potential for a war with the Sabathean people has steadily escalated. This is a good opportunity for our empire to attack. The alliance will remove one of our threats. In the future, we can concentrate our military on the Ladoneans if they decide to start a war with us.”

  With a reassuring voice, Aten replies, “I understand, but it is as you said before. We must take a chance now before it is too late. This is an opportunity which we cannot ignore.”

  “What do you think, Son?” Aten asks Daygun.

  Daygun replies, “I repeat, I do not trust the Ladonean Emperor, but I will agree to anything you decide. You are my father and Emperor. I am a servant to protect our people.”

  Aten shakes his head and says, “I do not believe in Melercertis’ cause either, but for our children’s sake, we must take this opportunity. I will further discuss the alliance with Melercetis. He is staying for your wedding and wants to see the games. Other than that, Daygun, you are up for grandmaster in two days. In little over a week, we will also have a new member in our family. Kaydence has captured my heart. I feel fortunate that she will be a part of our family.”

  With an uneasy look on his face, Daygun says, “Yes, my life is about to change; I am ready. I have gone into battle many times, but I think I am more afraid of marrying than of dying. In preparing for the games to come, I have learned a great deal from last year’s competition.”

  Aten looks at Daygun and says proudly, “You were born ready. You are my son. Take one step at a time. With the games, winning is good, but losing is sometimes better. In marriage, you will lose all the time, but that is part of being a man.”

  Puzzled, Daygun replies, “I don’t understand.”

  Aten tries to show he is a father as well as an emperor, and says, “Losing battles is part of the game. As long as you live and learn from your mistakes, you win from losing.”

  Daygun is embarrassed, and replies, “Father, I shall retire for the day. May I do anything else for you?”

  Aten smiles and says, “No. With the competition coming up, I hope you dream of swords. Always remember, you’re a man whether you win or lose.”

  “Ryeland, are you also going for the grandmaster?” Aten asks, glancing at the young general.

  Ryeland stands at attention and replies, “Yes, Sire.”

  “Two of my best swordsmen are here with me. Ryeland, you have a great deal of discipline and talent;
your division says good things about you. You’re a true leader,” Aten says with pride.

  The next day in the palace gardens, Daygun and Ryeland practice the art of sword fighting. In the Atlantean Empire, almost nothing is more important than being a grandmaster. The two friends are in good condition and spar for hours. Afterward, while drinking wine, they think of the people they will spar against at daybreak.