To Drown in Power(And Re-Emerge Heartless)

The Throne Is Where Good Men Go To Die

The war camp was always chaotic, but this much shouting wasn't natural.

"Urgent news," he barely heard over all the irritated yells of everyone else.

He hoped it wasn't bad news. They had just begun this war council, he wasn't prepared to deal with the havoc that could ensue.

The urgent shouts of the, he presumed, messenger were now accompanied by the dull percussion of horse hooves hitting the ground. Definitely a messenger then. He was not ready for this.

"I have pertinent information regarding the situation at the Infis Estate," the messenger announced to the guards outside the tent, evidently out of breath. The Infis Estate had only been a thorn in his side since he was crowned. Sometimes he just wished it would go back to what it was a year and half ago.

The thick flaps of the tent were pushed open and the blinding rays of the setting sun flooded in followed shortly after by a scrawny kid. They were so young.

"Your majesty," they addressed, trying to compose themself between quick breaths. Caeles, how young were they? "The insurgents have overthrown the Infis Estate and are now claiming allegiance with Aquilo,"

After, this is bad. This was very bad. Sivic was in major trouble.

"Thank you," he said measuredly, trying to contain his panic. How the After had the insurgents taken the Estate that quickly? This was bad. "You are dismissed,"

The messenger scurried out of the room, sensing the rising anxiety and tension as everyone processed the information.

"Entirely overthrown?" one of his advisors asked no one in particular, prompting an onslaught of questions and shouts from the others.

"The Estate was well fortified though," another one chimed in.

"An allegiance?"

"Did Aquilo help them then?"

"Why Aquilo?"

Xien, help him deal with this madness.

"Everyone quiet," he commanded harshly. He really wasn't ready for this. "I need actual advice, not senseless arguing. Noram, any thoughts?"