Note: This concludes Book 1 of the Aquosvegna Trilogy. Thank you for reading!
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To War, with Courage
The King stared hard at the map of the entire kingdom that hung on the wall of the War Room. It was a massive map, covering the three walls of the square-shaped room. At the center of the room, a white, huge rock formation served as a table with several smaller rocks shaped as chairs around it.[not for sale or printing]
Behind him, Celsus, Theveus, Rivius, and Xyril waited patiently for his instructions after delivering their reports.
About an hour ago, Leif [not for sale or printing] authorized the dispatch of scouts to spy on Aimon under the guise of the masking spell.
The reports they received through telepathic communication with the scouts' echoes were depressing. In the past hour, Aimon had taken control of Polarus after killing Narno and destroying its palace, in much the same way as he did the other stewards.
More giants were spotted scattered all over Antartica, where Aimon was presumed to be hiding. Estimated to be fifty in number, they were [not for sale or printing] now equipped with armor and swords. Based on the preparations the scouts witnessed, Celsus calculated a major attack on the Castle of Aquosvegna in less than twelve hours, and only because the Gigantors were not fast swimmers.
The Aquaeans were already prepared for battle. Jarl's Red Forces combined with Celsus' army and a handful of soldiers left from other protectorates almost totalled twenty thousand. They still outnumbered the Gigantors by a huge margin, but Leif was not taking any chances.
The fact that Aimon was raising more and more dead Gigantors left an unsettling feeling in his stomach. That meant his magic [not for sale or printing] was growing more and more powerful each day. With all the Crocus and his mother's Black Diary at his disposal, there was no telling how many more he planned to resurrect.
And how about Jarl's sabre? What did he plan to use it for? No one knew the extent of the sabre's power and how to harness it. Even Oric expressed his doubts that Aquilla had knowledge about it, and therefore, it was highly unlikely that the sabre was mentioned in the Black Diary. Xyril had only just begun sifting through his countless books for the sabre's history and found next to nothing.
Aimon said it was the next best thing to the Trident. That meant that with the right spell, he can use the sabre for his sinister plans.
Leif prayed he can retrieve the sabre before Aimon finds that spell in his mother's book.
There was also the matter about the Mother Crocus. He cannot let it fall into Aimon's hands. He had to find it first before Aimon. But to find the Mother Crocus, he would need the Grimoire, which was in Sebastian's possession.[not for sale or printing]
And then. . . there was his son.
There were so many things he had to accomplish in so little time and with so much danger. How he wished Jarl was here.
Theveus interrupted his thoughts. "My King, I apologize for the intrusion, but I just received word that Ullu, the Steward of Indius region, had pledged loyalty to Aimon. His troops are now preparing to merge forces with the Gigantors to attack the Castle." [not for sale or printing]
Leif's mouth tightened as he clenched his fists just as tight. Ullu must have done so under threat of death and destruction. Aimon had turned Ullu against him instead of killing him like the other Stewards because the Indius region, aside from being the smallest protectorate and the easiest prey, [not for sale or printing] was nearest to the Castle of Aquosvegna, and therefore, would require shorter attack time.
He was sure Aimon was hoping too, that he will not command his troops to kill their fellow Aquaeans.
So, it had come to this. Aquaeans killing fellow Aquaeans.
He drew a heavy breath. "Rivius, prepare the first line of defense. Gather your men and tell them who they are going to fight. [not for sale or printing] If anyone refuses, send them back inside. I will not condemn them. But every one who wishes to defend the Castle and the world we live in at all costs are welcome to be my ally."
"Yes, my King, it will be done," Rivius replied with a bow.
Leif faced his loyal officers. "Gentlemen." He raised his right fist with his knuckles outward. "Do I have your courage?"
The men lifted their clenched hands, too, and answered in unison, "You have our courage, our King!"[not for sale or printing]
"Then to war we go. For Aquosvegna."
* * * THE STORY OF AQUOSVEGNA CONTINUES IN
AQUOSVEGNA:
THE MOTHER CROCUS
