THE GRAND OLD

PART 13: HOPE AND FLAME

THE GRAND OLD
PRESENTED BY DELFUX STUDIOS

Aric Thalor stood at the edge of the camp, staring into the growing dusk. The last rays of sunlight bathed the hills in a soft glow, but to Aric, it was just another day in a long, brutal fight for survival. His camp, once small and scattered, had grown into something resembling an army. Tents stretched out as far as the eye could see, soldiers and civilians alike moving about their duties, all drawn to him by the promise of something better-food, shelter, protection. But more than that, Aric knew, it was hope they followed.

Hope that he could be the one to finally unite them, to bring peace to a land torn apart by the ambitions of broken men. Yet, as he gazed at the faces of those who looked to him for leadership, he felt the weight of his responsibility pressing down on him like a boulder. He was no emperor, no noble. Just a man who had seen too much suffering and decided it was enough.

The crunch of boots on gravel behind him signaled the arrival of Gaius, his second-in-command, a grizzled veteran who had fought in the last days of the Valerian Empire before everything had collapsed. He saluted as he approached. "Lord Thalor, the scouts have returned."

Aric nodded, turning to face him. "What's the report?"

"They've confirmed it. Erik's forces are crumbling. His people are on the brink of revolt. The fires in Leopardsburg have driven many from the city, and those who remain fear him more than they fear us."

Aric frowned. Erik. The man had once been a legend-a hero who many believed would restore Valeria to its former glory. But something had changed in him. Aric had heard the stories. The Senate's betrayal, the fall of his father, the way his family had splintered into factions vying for power. It had driven Erik mad, twisting his purpose from one of justice to vengeance.

"We should strike soon," Gaius continued. "Before Erik can rally what's left of his legions. The people are starting to come over to our side. They believe in you, Lord Thalor. They believe in what we're doing."

Aric crossed his arms, his gaze turning distant as he considered the next move. He had always believed that the best way to unite Valeria was through the hearts of its people, not through the sword. But Erik had made things complicated. Aric had tried to negotiate with him once, years ago, before the fires, before Erik's descent into madness. But the man was unreachable now, consumed by his hatred for the Senate, the nobles, and anyone who stood in the way of his so-called "purification."

"How many legions does he have left?" Aric asked.

"Not many. A few hundred at most, but they're loyal. He's promised them the old glory of Valeria returned, but they're hungry, and supplies are running low. If we strike, we can overwhelm them."

Aric's jaw tightened. "And the civilians? How many are still in the city?"

Gaius hesitated. "Too many. If we attack Leopardsburg, there will be casualties. Erik has turned the city into a fortress, but it's the people who will suffer if we storm it."

Aric's stomach churned at the thought. He had sworn not to become like Erik, not to bring destruction and ruin to the very people he sought to save. Yet, if he did nothing, Erik would continue to rule by fear, and more lives would be lost in the long run.

"There has to be another way," Aric muttered, more to himself than to Gaius.

Gaius stepped closer, his voice low. "My lord, Erik is beyond reason. He's burned the city, his own people, and now he's waiting for you to come to him. He wants this fight. He's daring you to take the city. If we delay, he'll just continue to dig in. We need to act."

Aric closed his eyes for a moment, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. He wasn't like Farengar, ruling through fear and brutality. Nor was he like Theodorus, content to carve out a kingdom while the rest of the world burned. He wanted to be better than that-to be the kind of leader Valeria needed, not just another warlord looking to grab power.

But Erik left him no choice.

"Send word to the commanders," Aric said finally, his voice steady. "We move at dawn. But no unnecessary bloodshed. I want Erik's forces isolated. Capture, not kill, unless there's no other way. And the civilians... get them out, as many as you can, before the fighting starts."

Gaius nodded. "Understood, my lord."

As Gaius turned to leave, Aric caught his arm. "And Gaius... if we take Erik alive, I want him brought to me. No one else touches him."

The veteran gave a short nod and left, leaving Aric alone with his thoughts.

Erik. The name still sent a chill down his spine. They had once fought side by side against the Senate's corruption, but now they stood on opposite ends of a crumbling empire. Aric didn't relish the idea of facing him, but he knew that Valeria's future depended on it. If Erik wasn't stopped, the fires of his madness would consume everything.

The wind picked up, rustling the canvas of the tents around him as the camp settled in for the night. Tomorrow would decide the fate of Leopardsburg-and perhaps Valeria itself. But for now, Aric could only wait, knowing that the hardest choices still lay ahead.