Thursday, September 11, 2008, 3:22 PM
ROAD TO WAR [1]
Road to War [1] : Unification of Taxzn
Author's Notes:
I hope this chapter will provide a basic introduction to my fiction. =P Tag please.
Castle Foyer, Cerity Praha
Elerd Kingdom
William's Year 642
"Our Kingdom has never enjoyed such long-lasting peace before. We will celebrate the 400th peaceful year next month throughout the land. We will again, pray to the Great Dragon to bless eternal peace and prosperity upon our land.
"Furthermore, Northern and Southern Taxzn will be gaining independence. Both nations have agreed to dismiss the two Provisional Governments on the 'Day of the Celebrations'.
"On the other hand, I regret to inform you that the Peace Treaty between both nations is expiring on the Day of Celebrations. The new terms of the Treaty has been discussed. The President and I, the King, will be signing the renewed Peace Treaty on the Day, at the border between Northern and Southern Taxzn.
"Words of our wise King, in honour of the Great Dragon. Hail!"
The people cheered as the Royal Announcer read out His Majesty's speech at the Castle Foyer. They waved the Kingdom's flags, wore headbands with patriotic slogans, and shouted "Hail!" to show their patriotism out loud.
Peace between the nations was just a facade. You would never see a Rogwel walking along the streets in Elerd, or vice-versa. You don't hear the leaders saying "Both sides are going to disarm!"
Well, maybe they said "We will discuss about disarmament" and came back, talking about other terms of the Treaty, and never mentioned anything about disarmament. Why?
Very simple: They didn't intend to stop fighting.
But the people didn't think much. They believed in their leaders, very much.
- - - - -
William III smiled gently as he looked out of the small semi-circular window of the King's Study Room in the castle, down at the crowd who stayed behind after the announcement, cheering and hailing his name out loud.
He returned to his work and smiled again. He was looking at a piece of paper, and this piece of paper had a lot of significance. He was looking at the renewed Peace Treaty. He looked up, and stared into the ceiling. For the third time, he smiled again, feeling proud that it was his family line that started the long-lasting peace.
But then, he frowned. William knew war was inevitable. One day, the people that cheered and hailed for him, most of them would suffer. The beautiful plains of Elerd's sacred land, would once again turn into unpleasant scenes of gore.
This day, was going to come soon.
The renewed Peace Treaty just wasn't going to work out.
Just as William was pondering, his favourite Court official stepped in. It was Romius.
"Brother, I brought you some soup," he said.
"Thanks."
Well, they weren't biological brothers. They were sworn brothers. Romius was the elder. William and Romius knew each other since young. They enrolled in the Royal Academy, studied together under the Saint, and played together frequently in the castle yard.
Just before William succeeded his father's throne, Romius became a feudal lord. After William ascended the throne, Romius was further promoted to be the head of the feudal lords - the Premier.
"Brother, I suggest you not to go to Taxzn next month."
"Why? We have agreed to sign the Treaty. And my presence is compulsory."
"It's not safe!"
"I know!"
Then there was a pause. They looked at each other and William continued, "If I turn up, and sign the treaty, at least we can prolong the period of peace. If I don't turn up, the Rogwels take it as we're rejecting their so-called sincerity, and then there would be tensions, and then there would be war."
"They are not sincere in the first place."
"That's what we think. For all you know, they desire peace as much as we do."
"You're giving yourself excuses to run away from war. You know that we must fight."
"Whatever it is, I am going to Taxzn and my mind is set!"
"But.."
William interrupted with a strong tone. He didn't allow Romius to continue. "Lord Romius! This is my decree. You are to bring the instructed amount of soldiers to Taxzn with me as Royal Guards next month on the Day of Celebrations!"
"..."
"Lord Romius, do you heed?"
Romius didn't give an answer. He was seriously pissed at William, but seriously concerned.
William, however, was getting impatient. "Lord Romius, do you heed!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Romius replied back with a powerful tone immediately.
"You're dismissed... Hmph!"
Romius stomped out of the King's Study. A messenger entered the room at the same time. He was curious, but he proceeded to do his job.
"Your Majesty, a message from the President!" reported the messenger.
It read:
Dear King William III of the Elerd Kingdom,
I deeply regret to inform you that the previously agreed Peace Treaty cannot be signed on the 400th International Day of Celebrations. This is because Southern Taxzn recently is experiencing severe economical change. Several counterfeit organizations have been found to circulate fake Xat, the Southern Taxzn currency that the Southern Provisional Government introduced to stabilize the economy back then.
As a result, the Southern Taxzn's economy progress came to a complete standstill as trades between Rogwel and Southern Taxzn have been suspended to investigate the counterfeit incident. As soon as the investigation is over, we will come together to discuss the new date of the signing of the Treaty.
I sincerely apologize for spoiling the celebratory mood.
Regards,
Head Maestro James VII of the Republic of Rogwel
William was shocked.
He sat in his chair, drumming his fingers on the desk, tapping his feet on the floor. His heart was racing. His mind was whirling.
War was coming sooner than expected.
[to be continued...]
- - - - -
Episode II
Flashbacks
Posts!
Author's Words [1]
Road to War [1]
Road to War [2]
Road to War [3]
Road to War [4]
Road to War [5]
Road to War [6]
Author's Words [2]
Flashbacks [1]
Flashbacks [2]
Flashbacks [3]
Flashbacks [4]
Flashbacks [5]
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