The Warrior and the Princess (on hold)

Chapter 4

King Velmar of Bahian, a man in his mid-sixties, entered the room seated in a wooden wheelchair. He was pushed by an elderly attendant and was not accompanied by any guards. Instead of sitting on the throne, the King remained in his wheelchair, which puzzled Caleth. Wasn't the defensive system supposed to be controlled from the throne? Had he misjudged the setup, or did the King simply not see him as a threat? The absence of guards also raised questions.

His uncertainties were soon addressed when he saw Tories approach the King, his sword drawn. The level of trust the King had in his General was evident. Alternatively, perhaps the King was confident enough in the defensive mechanisms that he didn't feel the need for additional protection.

Caleth watched with a mix of curiosity and respect, considering the complexities of the situation and the strategic depth of his adversaries.

"General Caleth," the King began, his voice steady. "It's quite a surprise to have you visit us."

Caleth bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, I apologize for the intrusion. I hope I am not disrupting your schedule."

The King smiled widely, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh, you certainly are, young man," he chuckled. "But it matters not, as long as you bring good news."

Caleth straightened and met the King's calculating gaze. Despite his age, the King's sharpness was evident. "Yes, Your Highness. I come with a proposal for an alliance between our nations."

The King's interest was piqued. "And what kind of alliance do you propose?"

"A marriage between one of your daughters and our King."

King Velmar's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and his expression shifted to one of amusement. "And what benefit would such an alliance offer us? Please elaborate, General."

Caleth maintained his composure. "Our nation would be committed to ensuring the prosperity and safety of yours, Your Highness. Ashyra's strength could guarantee Bahian's security and well-being, far beyond what you currently experience."

The King's gaze remained fixed on Caleth as he considered the proposal. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "For you to stand before me today, you must be aware of our alliance with Eridian."

Caleth met the King's eyes, acknowledging the statement with a yes.

The King leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Do you understand why, General?"

"I have my suspicions, Your Highness," Caleth replied calmly.

The King reclined back in his chair, an intrigued look crossing his face. "Then you must know that we entered this alliance out of sheer necessity. We had no other options."

Caleth remained silent, allowing the King to continue.

"But General, I'm not convinced that a marriage alone will resolve our predicament. Unless you're suggesting a joint military action against Eridian. They would retaliate, and they would cut off their supply to us," the King pointed out.

"We are prepared to support you in that endeavor, Your Highness. We can help end your dependence on Eridian," Caleth assured.

The King's brows furrowed; he was still unconvinced. "Why choose this route instead of planning a counterattack, if you were aware of our situation? You could easily defeat us if you wished."

Caleth met the King's gaze with unwavering resolve. "Our aim is not to defeat you but to offer a mutually beneficial solution. We believe that a united front can achieve more than conflict alone, and we want to ensure stability and prosperity for both our nations."