Tale of Four

Soft words echoed throughout a dimly lit cell. Knelt in the centre, under the sunlight that pierced through the barred window at the top, lord Elvissia knelt, as a priest stood behind him, holding a holy book.

"Repentance. Repentance..."

"Faster." The priest curtly said, staring deeply into his back.

"Repentance is salvation. Repentance brings us close to the Lord." The priest nodded, flipping the page of the holy book. Staring out the small window, Lord Elvissia saw the sun peaking through and softly smiled.

"Who is our teacher?" The priest asked.

"Azwald", Lord Elvissia said without hesitation.

"Why is he our teacher?"

"For his tears are a lesson."

"What is the lesson?"

"Pride is a sin," Elivssia said. Hearing the man’s footsteps echo as he paced around, he carried on. "Arrogance is a sin. Ignorance is a blessing. His crimson tears are a warning, and we must learn from them."

"Correct." Lord Elvissia took a deep breath and nodded. The man behind put down the book and reached into a bucket of water. Pulling a soaked rag out, he reached around Lord Elvissias face and wiped his it, removing the fake drawing of bloodied tears on his face. Lord Elvissia allowed it to happen, clasping his hands and closing his eyes.

"May my blood serve as a lesson." As he spoke, the priest carefully scrubbed his cheeks, making sure not to interrupt his prayer. "May it emulate his tears. May salvation come for all, may your grace and fury reach them." The priest stepped back, finally finishing, but Lord Elvissia carried on, "My soul, my body, my everything belongs to you. I strive to achieve your will, and pray for mercy when I fail." The door opened behind, but Lord Elvissa paid it no mind, continuing, the newcomer staying silent, seeing him.

"Your nobility is true. Your grace is true. Protect the ignorant, guide the lost, punish the heretics. I shall follow your will, I shall be your fury, I shall be your mercy. Praise be thy Creator."

"Praise be, thy Creator." A charming voice spoke from behind. Lord Evlissia smiled and stood up. Looking to the priest who was with him, he nodded for him to leave, getting a bow in response.

"My son." Alone, Lord Elvissia took Gabriel into an embrace, stroking the back of his blond hair. "Why have you come?" Staying silent for a moment, Gabriel returned the hug and sighed before breaking from it.

"I don’t understand why you pray down here?"

"I mustn’t surrounded myself with luxury all the time. I must learn the struggles of all men and women, no matter their status." Lord Elvissia raised an eyebrow once finishing, urging Gabriel to get to the point.

"Word has come. I didn’t wish to interrupt you, but it is rather important." Handing the letter carrying the seal of the Silent Chamber. "The Blackwells have declared for Anton following Prince Brandon’s declaration. Additionally, this will be the final letter from the Silent Chamber. The King has begun his purge of Prince Brandon’s loyalists within the Palace, and he started with them."

Taking the letter, lord Elvissia slowly read it and smiled, "Spread word of our declaration for Prince Brandon. King Anton has betrayed his vows to the Lord and, therefore, forfeits his right as king. Declare Prince Elias a Kinslayer, and denounce any legitimacy he may claim."

"Father, we already know many will disagree with that claim. No one will deny the Kinslaying, but King Anton abandoning his vows." Gabriel shook his head. "Lord Daywatch has already sent word of scouts around the Waterway." He carried on, "War isn’t coming. It has arrived." Lord Elvissia smiled and gently patted his son’s cheek, beckoning him to follow. Leaving the cell, they climbed a dark staircase and opened a wooden door, which led to a glamorous hall, full of religious icons. Gold and silver lined the furniture, and a velvet carpet created a path.

"War is always inevitable, Gabriel. Humans are greedy creatures who don’t understand the blessing of peace. As long as greed exists, war will continue. This war, on the surface, is a just cause. A father avenging his son. But underneath it, not so much." Lord Elvissa’s voice was calming as he spoke, a gentle presence surrounding him as he walked. From around, servants dressed as clergy bowed when he and Grabiel passed, each with a soft smile.

"There is no need to teach me this, Father." Lord Elvissa shot him a glare. "I’m not claiming I know more than I do. I already know that the war is a pretext for ambition and preexisting feuds. I am simply saying, our summons was delayed. Lord Daywatch will hold, but he will struggle. It’s obvious those war mongers in the Valleys and Hills will have already begun mobilising. We should have begun earlier."

"I know my boy, but I can’t move armies without just cause. If I preach peace and move armies before a war is declared, the hypocrisy is clear to be seen." Gabriel frowned but said nothing and sighed.

"Fine. What of the Blackwell problem?" Lord Elvissia’s calm presence suddenly morphed, his face twisting in rage and disgust, before he took a deep breath and calmed himself, his easy presence returning with it.

Bringing a necklace to his mouth, he gave it a light kiss and muttered a prayer of forgiveness before speaking, "Dogs." The calmness in his voice was eerie as Gabriel froze up, hearing the deep hatred in the back of it, "Worshippers of a failed usurper." Grinding his teeth, he brought the necklace to his lips again and kissed it before asking for forgiveness once more, "Prince Brandon may have hidden his ambitions, but I understand them clearly." Looking into Gabriel’s eyes, he nodded, "Exterminate that cursed power. Exterminate the legacy of their false God."

"Father..." Gabriel said in shock, having never heard such unfiltered disgust. Even if it was masked by his soft tone, it was clear to him. "You can’t be proposing such a horror."

"We enact the Lord’s will, Gabriel. The first King’s actions were a half measure. Whilst that accursed power exists, the Heretical God they worship can always return." Lord Elvissia placed his hands behind his back and clenched his fists, trying his best to regulate his emotions, "We are the Lord’s mercy, but we are also their fury. Wipe. Them. Out."

"Why?" Gabriel asked, unable to understand, "What is it you have not taught me. I beg you, father. I understand that one mustn’t learn what they shouldn’t, but the same applies to you. You mustn’t order an action without giving the truth. You are not the Lord; you do not have the privilege of allowing me to be ignorant."

Lord Elvissia took a deep breath and looked at Grabriel for a moment before nodding. Speeding up, he led his son towards his office and let him in. Walking towards an armour stand, he reached out and touched the breast plate with a loving caress before reaching up and grabbing the helmet. Its face, carved to show the expression of a mournful man, crying out. Attached to the top, wrapping around, a golden crown of roses, woven together, hiding the thorns beneath.

"Do you know why Azwald was given the crown of roses, Gabriel?" Lord Elvissia didn’t look up, staring at the death mask of Azwald, etched into the helmet.

"It was meant to be a message. He was perfect and beautiful on the surface, but hid his sins." Lord Elvissia nodded.

"His perfection was real, for a time. But he was a sinner, and his arrogance was two-part. One part was that he believed he knew better for humanity than the lord, but there was another part." Gabriel’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at his father, "The second part was wiped from history, past to two people by the Lord’s decree, to forever be taught to their descendants. One of those was us, the other was the founder of House Azmon, Azwald’s brother."

"Father, surely you jest."

"Have I ever joked with my faith, Gabriel?" His words caused Gabriel to gulp. Closing his eyes, he placed the helmet back on the armour stand and turned to his son. "The second part was his befriending of a saint of a heretical God, believing he could mend the schism before it came. The Lord ordered him not to intervene, yet he continued to do so." Lord Elvissia took a step towards Gabreil and looked down at him. "The name of that saint. Can you guess it?"

Gabriel felt his mouth go dry and took a step back, "Blackwell."

"Saint Valentine Blackwell. First Blood King of the Twin Peaks. Saint of a false God who shall not be named." Lord Elvissia took another step forward, making Gabriel take one back, "They carry the power of this heretical God in their body, my boy. I do not call for their extermination lightly; it pains me to do so, but they have refused the lord Mercy on numerous occasions. When a dog is rabid, it is merciful to put it down. They have already lost their mind after all."

"Father. There must be-" Lord Elvissia raised a hand to stop him.

"Azwald said there must be a way. His way led to this Heretical God revolting against its creator. How many died because of Azwald’s arrogance? Prince Brandon is wrong about why he wishes to destroy the Blackwells, but he is correct in the end result." Gabriel looked to the ground and took a deep breath.

"I understand. But father. May I ask one more thing?" Lord Elvissia nodded, "Why do they hate the Cosmatons so much? We both know the history and the feud." Lord Elvissia looked up and shook his head.

"You do not need to know yet."

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