Fires of Fate

Chapter 5

Ten years had passed since Caledon, who had now taken his birth name of Alexandros, had reclaimed his identity as the lost prince of Aranth. On one bright and sunny day, an entourage from Sarnith docked near Aranth's shores. Menarion, king of Sarnith, led the group and requested permission to retrieve the remains of Eridan warriors who had fallen in a past conflict.

As was the custom in Aranth, Alexandros was responsible for ensuring the visitors were treated with the utmost hospitality. The Sarnithians were delighted with the warm welcome they received. Before they departed, King Menarion expressed his gratitude for the prince's kindness and extended an invitation for Alexandros to visit Sarnith whenever he pleased.

Several months later, King Eldros of Aranth began to mourn the absence of his sister Hesion, who had been kidnapped by the Eridans when Therion, the strongest Eridan to live, attacked Aranth. Determined to rescue her, Eldros assembled a squadron with the mission of recovering his sister, who was now held in Virelios. The King allowed the use of all necessary means to achieve their objective and appointed Alexandros to lead the mission, aided by Icarion, prince fo Draeros.

With the divine intervention of Elysia, the winds blew the Aranthian fleet swiftly toward the Sarnithian coast. Alexandros, recalling Menrarion's generous invitation, decided to visit Sarnith and strengthen diplomatic ties with the kingdom while also giving his troops time to recover before continuing the journey to Salabus.

King Menarion was overjoyed by Alexandros's arrival and welcomed the Aranthians with great pomp, eager to demonstrate the best of Sarnithian hospitality. Proud of his beautiful queen, Elira, Menarion ordered her to don her finest attire and be presented to the visiting Aranthians.

Alexandros was stunned when he laid eyes on Queen Elira. She was breathtakingly beautiful, and in that moment, he knew she was the one the goddess Elysia had promised him long ago. What neither Menarion nor Elira knew was that Therion, god of desire, was watching, his bow in hand, acting on Elysia's behalf.

Elira, too, was captivated by the sight of Alexandros. He was more handsome than any man she had ever seen, even surpassing Menarion, who had long been considered the most beautiful of all the rulers of Erid. But Alexandros possessed a nearly divine beauty that cast a shadow over Menarion. As Therion's arrow pierced Elira's heart, she suddenly found herself consumed by a powerful love for the Aranthian prince.

In the days that followed, the king of Sarnith hosted lavish feasts and banquets in honor of his Aranthian guests. But far from the watchful eyes of Menarion, the flame of passion burned between Alexandros and Elira.

During one of the banquets, a messenger arrived from the island of Kyress, bearing news that sealed Elysia's promise to Alexandros. Kaeron, Menarion's grandfather and the king of Kyress, had died. Menarion was required to attend the funeral, and so he left his guests in the care of Queen Elira.

No sooner had Menarion departed than Alexandros and Elira surrendered to the passion they had been suppressing. Their forbidden love ignited into a consuming flame, and they made the fateful decision to flee Sarnith together.

Before their escape, Alexandros raided the treasury of Sarnith, overwhelming the few guards who stood in his way. The city, however, soon realized what had happened and moved to stop the lovers. Despite the Sarnithians' efforts, Alexandros and Elira managed to flee.

As they sailed away, they believed they could find happiness together. But unbeknownst to them, the god Arion, lord of war, followed their trail. The love between Alexandros and Elira would not bring peace, but rather destruction, death, and war to the lands of Aranth.