The Dreamer's Fall

Chapter 8 - Thanatophobia

Arthur was stunned but kept his head clear. During his childhood tutoring, the names of Ollerin nobles and their territories were hammered into his head, yet he had never once heard of a territory called Helagaust.

He wasn't too thrilled about being forced to go to war, even though his father made it sound like he would just be there for show. However, it would be a different story if he was granted land.

"I've never heard of that territory." Arthur said bluntly.

"That is because it doesn't exist yet." Edward replied as he pulled out a geopolitical map of Nithe and turned it to face Arthur. "It's here."

Arthur felt the blood drain from his face as he looked to where his father's finger rested. The location was the southernmost region of Bern that bordered the Helrian tribes.

'This is just murder with extra steps!' Arthur raged in his thoughts.

He would be forced not only to go to war but also to try and rule over people who had recently been conquered. Not to mention that those people worship Minaan, a god who only responds to prayers when humans are sacrificed en masse.

Worst of all, if Senna's bedtime stories were to be believed, then the Helrian people just south of his new territory were horned humanoids that ate naughty children.

Of course, that was only a bedtime story, but considering they occupy the position of Ollerin's boogeyman, they certainly wouldn't be pleasant to share a border with.

Edward waited for Arthur to come to terms with his new reality before speaking once more.

"You'll be given twenty thousand Riis to develop the land along with a dozen men who will act as your personal guard. After the war, Baron Iken will lead the levies back, so you need not return. This is the deed to the Helagaust territory; keep it safe and keep it quiet until after the war."

'A pittance and twelve bottom of the barrel guards...' Arthur lamented as he looked over the title.

It looked genuine and even had the imperial seal stamped on it, but it wasn't like Arthur was an expert on such matters. He had no idea if it was real, but arguing with Edward wouldn't solve anything.

"When do I leave?" He asked.

"Eight days. This is the list of names of your new personal guards, and here is the bond for the twenty thousand Riis. Bring it to the steward when you're ready to receive it." Edward replied as he handed Arthur even more documents.

Arthur quickly looked over the list of guards and found that he didn't recognize any names except Foster's. Unfortunately, if Foster was on the list, it was truly bottom of the barrel, as he feared.

Arthur didn't care about the title or the territory anymore. The only thing on his mind now was fleeing the Revan lands before being forced to go to war.

He would have gladly accepted land in Ollerin despite it being less than what he deserved as the rightful heir to a wealthy marquis title. However, managing the Helagaust territory with so little money and so few men was a death sentence.

Arthur had saved nearly six thousand Riis from his allowance over the years. When added to the twenty thousand he had just received, it was more than enough for a single person to live comfortably for the rest of their life.

As Arthur turned to leave, his father's voice sounded out once more. "It is a matter of fact that you shall die should you choose not to act upon this opportunity that I've granted you. You may think you can run, but as long as you breathe, Duke Yor will find you, and he will kill you.

"Your only path forward is in Helaguast, a territory that would be a death sentence for the average thirteen-year-old boy without backing."

Edward had seen through his plan to run, but his so-called opportunity would leave him just as dead. If both paths lead to death, he'd instead take the path he chose for himself. Ignoring the warning, Arthur marched on toward the study door.