Chapter 100: continuation 3

King Xerxez wanted to negotiate with the neighboring countries to form a strong alliance. These included Thartherus, Vhorlandrus, from whom they bought explosives and cannons; Peronica, and Latherus. He also wanted to form an alliance with the country of Ossibus to settle the problem in Wendlock.

’After we made an agenda, councils and ministers agreed to put up an alliance to the Ossibian, hoping all current conflicts between the farmers in the land of Wendlock…will be settled. But, I don’t think if I can trust Ossibian… They have powerful entity nestled in their souls. I don’t know what their abilities….but, Elders said, their presence was guided by the Raven’s gaze.’

’I heard, it was Corvus entity who were protecting them.’

“Welcome to the kingdom of Ossibus, King of Thallerion, Xerxez.”

The man in fine attire, spoke, casting a shadow in other corners of the room as they passed, and the unbearable gaze of the Ossibus council leaders, like the icy window outside with a gleaming raven peeking in. The ravens’ cries were faint, piercing the fragile windowpane. ’Hmm, I suspect, we are unwelcome here. The ravens was cawing outside…maybe the presence of Corvus entity were noticing us.’

“As the right hand of the King of Ossibus, I am Lanero.”

Lanero looked at Xerxez’s entire retinue and thought that Xerxez seemed to have an important purpose, as it was the first time the King of Thallerion had visited their country. ’His stance was a bit arrogant, but with formality too.’

“Accept this room for the meeting.”

There was also a fire providing warmth to the people, so it wasn’t too cold. ’I just nodded at him, then look around, and there…I saw the king of Ossibus.’

“Today, we will witness the assembly, between Ossibus and Thallerion… we know, for the past few decades, our country both clashes for the same reason … The land. This assembly were herald by the honorable councils, and important leaders in Ossibus. You may now speak, your excellency King Xerxez.”

“We are here to invite King Matar for the betterment of our nations,”

Xerxez stand as he began to speak, calmly looking at King Matar, who sat silently, surrounded by many important leaders, listening to him.

“We understand the urge of our needs…and thus , everyone fight for the land of Wendlock… Today, I encourage everyone of you, to be part of the alliance….we know, our people back then, didn’t stop fighting each other…but today…me and the leaders in Thallerion decided to stop the violence, by initiating a good alliance for both of us.”

’Yes. After the Moonatorians conquered our land… The Ossibian took advantage, by seizing the land…but, we decided to stop ceasing them, instead, offer them a new set up, an alliance for everyone.’

“I, King Xerxez, hereby acknowledge, the power of alliance, to settle the conflicts of our farmers, in the land of Wendlock. Through Alliance, our country will both benefits and share the land in Wendlock, to prevent future conflicts.”

’As I can see, the councils on this meeting turned furrowed, they mumbling…and then, I stared at king Matar. Behind him, there was a large black wing attached to the wall.’

Some said it was proof of a legend about a large bird in Ossibus long ago.

’And then, there was a man, stood in front of the councils. His face was twisted with frowns.’

“For the good of our nations?”

A man interrupted, as the ravens outside also clamored. “We don’t need Thallerion’s help!” His tone was sharp, like ink spreading dread in the room. With those words, he seemed to be building a wall around the entire border of Ossibus against Xerxez. “We don’t need to work with Thallerion, the abandoned people of Orion!”

’Huh, how such an audacious manner, my brows furrowed in disgust upon hearing his dagger-like mouth. Who is this man?’

The people present gaped and bowed their heads at his insolence. Matar remained silent, like a watchful owl. ’Did King Matar just tolerate such behavior?’

“With all due respect, Prime Minister Fhajo, but this is not the right time for you to speak like that, in front of the King of Thallerion,” Lanero brow was furrowed. ’Oh, a prime minister…hmm, he underestimating my country…he really think…his entity, can stop my dagger.’

“Why don’t you shut up, like King Matar!?”

Fhajo retorted sharply, and then, stare at Xerxez.

“Xerxez, the King of Thallerion, known king, who defeated the king of Moonatoria, such an honor to meet you. Well…you probably don’t know Ossibus, the country that doesn’t meddle with other nations with no Constellar entity protector…unless you prove to us… Orion is in your soul.”

’Hmph, I suspect, this meeting will end nothing, if such person, acting like he is better than anyone… I am not interested to talk people like him.’

“As far as I know, you are not the king of the Ossibians.” He replied, his jaw tightening. “So step aside because you are not the one I want to talk to.” ’….and, I don’t need to prove anything.’

Matar quietly smiled in his seat because Fhajo was insulted. ’What is he planning? Is he just watching and do nothing?’

“If you’re planning to form an alliance to avoid conflict in the Wendlock land, you might be mistaken,” Fhajo said. “Wendlock is ours; before the Thallerion arrived, our ancestors already lived there.”

’What? Pff… how such unaware of the history…Our ancestors in history, was originally lived in Wendlock… The elder said, Ossibian was just migrated in Wendlock, after the civilization in Thallerion was successfully established. Though, in history, they were forcefully expelled but they were so stubborn…they still insisting to seize some portions of the Wendlock, and later, after the Thallerion were conquered by the Moonatorians, they immediately grab a wide portion of the land, except in the temple part where elders are living there. Are the Elders here in Ossibus didn’t ashame about the claim of that prime minister Fhajo?’

“Have you try to ask that claim to the old people here in Ossibus?” Xerxez looked around at the people at the meeting. “If then… speak, your witness about your claim.”

“King Xerxez….” An old man spoke softly. “I regret Fhajo’s behavior, but many Ossibians rely on Wendlock for farming, please—”. Fhajo suddenly cut off the old man’s narration, his voice like scissors.

“Why are you pleading, when Wendlock is truly ours!!!” He was irritated with the old man.

“I want to know the answer of the King of Ossibus.” Xerxez said, his gaze softening on the old man’s worn face, sensing a deeper history of why the Ossibians were allowed to live and farm in Wendlock.

Matar eyes turn into red, like an embers on his iris. As he gazed at Xerxez, an illusion has been created inside Xerxez mind. ’My vision suddenly blurred, like a moving light, retorted into a hazzy visual…and then, there was only a scary scarlet surrounding, the black birds was prowling around at me, like…I was a prey. And then, I saw Matar setting on his grim throne with ravens. He then, turn off the illusion as he begin to speak.’

“In truth, I like the idea of an alliance,” Matar declared, and Fhajo’s eyebrows shot up in astonishment. ’His ability was powerful, he can create mind illusion…is that the power of Corvus entity? His eyes are the testament of the power he possesses. He would be a formidable enemy.’

“But only if you agree to give us the entire land of Wendlock.” Xerxez’s chest suddenly tightened, his own eyebrows colliding like crashing carriages. ’WHAT!!! No, it can’t be…for seven years of their benefiting the land of Wendlock, he still have the guts to win over the Wendlock?…huh— what a madness is he talking about?’

“I came here seeking a better solution for Wendlock,” Xerxez began, his voice dangerously low, “and now you demand the entire area?” He bore down on Matar with an intense stare, seeing no hint of an act or a play. “Are you out of your mind? For almost seven years….Ossibian was benefiting that land alone… you should commanded all your people to stop farming there!”

’Hmph..then, what the point of offering them a good alliance? I aim for a win-win solution for the Wendlock…and now, he wanted to seize the land of Wendlock, entirely?’

“But King Matar—?” the old man gasped, his hand flying to his mouth. Fhajo, too, was struck dumb, his breath caught in his throat. Xerxez surged from his seat.

“If you give us the entire Wendlock, we will give you in return of services… Our ravens are the most intelligent bird, they can help you in many aspects…spying…monitoring…signaling…and even attacking enemies— at anytime.” At the last words, he stared at Xerxez seriously.

’Huh, what madness he really think? Those pest will be a nuisance…it bring nothing but polluting our sky, and destroying our peaceful and quiet environment. I don’t need the service of Corvus entity…Hmm, my elite warriors can do that, too.

“huhh…Do you have any sense of formality?”

“Do you take me for a jester at our meeting?” Matar retorted, his face contorted in a sneer.

“Well, I’m sorry…we don’t need any noise pollution…if you are not going to decide, then…tell your farmers—stop farming!” He heard a collective mumbling and chaos among the councils, but Matar just keep silent while stoically stared at Xerxez. “If we find them…I assure each one of you here …we will initiate an immediate expulsion to the Ossibian farmers!” Xerxez’s reply thunderously, shaking the very air. “Let’s go, comrades.”

Matar suddenly bursts into a flock of raven, with a harsh shriek, and then, fly quickly towards the door and transform into human again. Blocking Xerxez and his retinue to exit in the meeting room. ’Really? He can transform into a flock of raven!’

“If you try to expel the Ossibians from Wendlock, Ossibus will contend against Thallerion!” Matar’s voice, like a raven’s harsh cry.

“Do not threaten me!” Xerxez ripped back, and with the unfazed power of a lion, he strode out. But, Xerxez hand was already at the hilt of his dagger.

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