Long Live The King

Chapter One

Twenty Years Ago

Charming,

Old friend, I am calling on you now because we are desperate.

For how long have we called each other brother? Has there ever been a time I have failed to come to your aid? I can scarce find a time when you have failed to do the same for me.

But this war has been waging for five years.

The kingdom of Midae is trying too hard to expand, and now Sirnia is the closest to their borders. Your kingdom has swallowed up Shina, Tren, Silva and Claos. I can't bear to think how many people must have died. How many people suffered and hurt because your king wanted more.

I know Sirnia must be attractive. We may have strategic defences and resources that Midae lacks – but you of all people should know that we'd be happy to trade with you at more than reasonable rates. You're one of my oldest friends. Please, talk to your king. He's a goddamned self-obsessed bastard, but he's a smart self-obsessed bastard, and he knows war. Maybe you could teach him about trade.

Sirnia has tried to hold off his forces, but his armies are better trained and better fed. They're used to hardship and rigorous training, and there's only so much the Sirnian people can do before they start to lose hope. We're isolated now that the other kingdoms have fallen. There's little we can do, no one else we can call on for help or forces.

Villages have been lost. Countless lives have been lost.

Our King has even enlisted his own sons to fight. He knows what may happen to them, but he's closing himself off to us all. He won't speak to me, or to his wife, or to any other advisor. He's willing to let his sons die.

Why should so many die in such a pointless war?

We will give you anything, Charming. We'll give you land, resources, money...what do your people want from us?

Please, help us. Talk to your king.

Hope is wearing too thin.

Your dear friend,

Julius