Fires of Fate

Chapter 3

Far in the land of Sarnith, celebrations filled the streets with music and laughter. The grand halls of the palace gleamed under the light of countless lanterns as nobles and citizens alike rejoiced at the return of their beloved Princess Elira. She had been kidnapped by the infamous hero, Thyren, and taken far from her home. But her valiant twin brothers, Castrel and Pollysar, had rescued her, returning her to the heart of Sarnith.

The people adored Elira, not only for her beauty but for her kind heart and courage. She had always been the brightest jewel of the kingdom, and now, as she stood on the verge of choosing a husband, all eyes were upon her. Elira's beauty had become legendary throughout Varynthar, drawing suitors from every noble house across the land. They gathered in Sarnith, their finest garments and proudest words on display, each hoping to win her favor.

King Tandorath, Elira's father, found himself in a predicament. As king, his decision held great weight, and choosing a suitor for Elira meant risking the anger of many powerful houses. Offending even one noble family could lead to unrest, even war. He knew he needed a solution that would appease the suitors, protect his kingdom, and, most importantly, secure his daughter's happiness.

Among the suitors stood Odiran, the clever king of the Isle of Islothis. Known for his sharp mind and silver tongue, Odiran had little interest in Elira's hand. His heart already belonged to Penelia, a woman far less renowned for her beauty but celebrated for her wisdom and wit. Odiran saw this contest not as an opportunity for himself, but as a chance to solve his own problem and secure Penelia's hand in marriage.

Odiran approached King Tandorath privately, offering a plan. "Let Princess Elira choose her own husband," Odiran proposed. "Allow her heart to guide her decision. But before you do, have all the suitors swear an oath—a sacred vow to honor her choice and defend her marriage, no matter the cost. In this way, no one can challenge her decision, and you can avoid the wrath of those left unchosen."

The king, intrigued by Odiran's wisdom, listened carefully. He was hesitant at first, but Odiran assured him that this path would bring peace. In return, Odiran asked only for Tandorath's help in convincing his brother, Icarios, to allow Penelia's hand in marriage.

Seeing the wisdom in the plan, Tandorath agreed. The following day, he gathered all the suitors in the great hall of the palace. The air was thick with anticipation as the king addressed the crowd. "I will not choose the husband for my daughter," he declared, his voice echoing through the grand chamber. "The will of the gods must be followed, and the gods speak through the heart. Therefore, Princess Elira shall choose her own suitor."

A murmur of surprise ran through the crowd, quickly followed by cheers. Those who had feared their chances now saw hope in the king's decision. But the king wasn't finished.

"There is one condition," he continued. "Before Elira makes her choice, each of you must swear an oath. You will respect her decision, and you will defend the sanctity of her marriage with your lives, even if it leads to war. Do you accept these terms?"

The suitors, bound by honor and ambition, agreed without hesitation. The sacred oath was taken, and the ceremony was sealed with the sacrifice of a great white stallion, its blood marking the ground in the name of the gods.

With the ritual complete, the moment of truth arrived. Elira, her heart racing, stood before the gathered suitors, her gaze drifting over the finest warriors and kings of Varynthar. Each one held a claim to greatness, yet none could compare to the one who had stolen her heart.

Among them stood Prince Menarion, tall and golden, his presence commanding. His beauty was unparalleled, his strength legendary, and his charm irresistible. When Elira's eyes met his, her knees weakened. Her choice was made before she even realized it.

Everything had gone as Odiran predicted. He had known that Elira, young and innocent, would be swayed by Menarion's looks. But Odiran's plan was not only about love—it was about power. Menarion was the younger brother of Argamon, the king of Myseria and the most powerful ruler in all of Varynthar. By securing this marriage, Elira would unite her kingdom with one of the most formidable forces in the land. No suitor would dare challenge Menarion, for fear of Argamon's wrath.

With the suitors sworn to their oaths, Elira chose Menarion, and their wedding was celebrated with great joy and splendor. The union of Sarnith and Myseria brought peace and prosperity to both kingdoms, and from this marriage, Princess Hinal was born, a beacon of hope for the future.

Yet beneath the surface, not all was well. Though Elira and Menarion lived in harmony for many years, there were whispers of jealousy, of tensions brewing in the shadows. Odiran, having secured Penelia's hand as promised, returned to Islothis with his prize, his mind always working, always planning. And somewhere, far away, forces stirred—forces that would soon bring an end to the peace that had reigned for so long.

For while the gods had smiled on Elira's choice, they were fickle beings, and the oath sworn by the suitors would soon be tested in ways none of them could have imagined. The threads of fate, once woven, had already begun to unravel.

The winds of war were coming.