The Ancient World Order

Chapter 6: Wilfred Mandos of The Empire

Alone in the ancient throne room, where Magnus himself had passed out laws and judgement, Wilfred and Fredric met, as they never had been apart. They were standing in front of the Purple Throne, soon to be Fredric's.

Their voices echoed in the massive room. The ceiling seemed to be higher than even the city walls themselves and the entire walls, floor, and the ceiling were covered with paintings and arts of mosaic.

They had started casually, with a small talk regarding the inns and castle's Wilfred had visited along the Imperial highway. As that topic was covered, they carried onto childhood memories. Then to more serious matters. Wilfred expressed his regret of missing out on Fredric's father's burial, Emperor Ulric.

"He was a true father to me. I wished he forgave me in the end." Wilfred said to Fredric, with tears in his eyes.

"And you were a son to him as well." Fredric replied, his voice shaking with sorrow. "He said his deepest regret was that he couldn't make you stay in Avenheim. Well, after Maximillian..."

That cursed man murdered my brother! Wilfred's sorrow turned into anger. He felt his heart pumping.

"But he never held it against you..." Fredric continued. "Even though he meant for you the chancellor position. But he understood. We were all in sorrow. Unfortunate as life turned out to be. Cursed by fate as rulers, why are doomed to wage war on our families..."

Of course, he couldn't hold it against me. How could he ask a man to live in the home of his brother's murderer? Wilfred got more upset as Fredric spoke.

Maximillian himself had delivered the sword stroke that ended his brother's life during the battle of Heaven's bridge. The wounds were buried deep within Wilfred's soul.

It was fifteen years ago, I must let it go. Wilfred told himself, as he had done thousands of times before. But he couldn't forgive himself, he knew he was responsible for his brother, James, death.

During the battle at Heaven's bridge, James had defied Wilfred's order and charged head-on at Maximillian's army's right flank. It was in fact a brilliant move. He saw a weak point and punch right through it, obliterating the entire flank. It was so successful that James had pierced right through, all the way to the centre, finding himself facing Maximillian himself. Wilfred hadn't realised it soon enough to act upon this opportunity. James and his men had been surrounded, as the centre had fanatically defended Maximillian. By the time Wilfred's vanguard had cut their way through to them, it was too late. Wilfred watched as Maximillian thrust his blade into James' chest. Wilfred had been given the credit for the victory, but if it wasn't for his brother's sacrifice, he knew that he would most likely have lost. Wilfred always wondered if James knew that his move would cost him his life.

"I couldn't stay, he knew that." Wilfred said. "Every day I would have been reminded of what his son... Your brother did to mine. No one can ask that of a man. Your father was wise enough to see that."

Fredric gave him a long and sorrowful look. "Unfortunately, he didn't give me that wisdom."

He cannot mean it! Wilfred already knew what Fredric would ask of him.

"As I get crowned, I want you by my side, as Imperial Chancellor."

"Damn you!" Wilfred snapped at Fredric. "You dare ask this off me!"

"I have thought long and hard about this, months even. There are no other options."

"There are no other options? I can name plenty of more suitable chancellors. I never wanted this, I never asked for this, even if it wasn't for James, I still--"