80 A Duel Between Kings (1/2)
With a long sigh, Corco stretched his arms behind his back. With an agreement reached between the three princes, all of their differences had been overcome. The nobles' assembly had ended soon after, amicably. However, the the first prince had still spent the better part of the night trapped inside the Pluritac mansion. First was the improvised coronation of the three new kings. Caelestis had come over from the ancestral hall to represent the imperial family during the proceedings. If nothing else, the old man had shown enough shame to keep it brief and avoid eye contact when he put the freshly cast bronze crown on his head, but it did little to alleviate his anger. At least Corco had accomplished the signature of the two laws he had demanded right after. It had still been enough to ruin his mood.
The Arguna weather was clear for once, trying its hardest to soothe his mood. The full moon stood high above the head of the new-crowned King of Southern Medala and illuminated the surroundings in a noble silver glow.
”Congratulations, King Corcopaca,” Fadelio welcomed his master back. Of course no warriors would be allowed inside the assembly of lords, not even attendants, so the man mountain had waited outside all day. Since their conversation in the spy's hideout, he had been stiff and formal in all of his actions.
”Thank you.” Corco looked at his attendant with a frown. He really didn't like his friend's new attitude, but there was little he could do for now. Some appropriate distance would hopefully let the warrior rethink some matters. ”Time to go. There's still lots to do tomorrow, and I'm exhausted.”
”Halt! Southern King! This heroic king has further matters to debate on!”
Corco stopped in his tracks, halted by the blaring noise from behind.
If only I had a voice like that, then I hadn't needed to invent that megaphone, the king thought before he turned to find Pachacutec, King of Central Medala closing in with large strides, his golden peacock armor gleaming in the moonlight and his long, tied-up hair dancing in the fresh breeze like a military banner.
”I've got an exam tomorrow. Can't we do this another time?” By the time Corco had finished his pointless in-joke, the peacock had already reached his front and built up his frame in a broad stance. Corco looked behind his uncle to see the rest of the assembly eject themselves from the mansion. The curious bystanders had already started to form into a crowd, with Amautu and Caelestis at the very front of the pack. It seemed like someone had expected the peacock's outburst and prepared the witnesses in advance. Unperturbed by the attention, Corco's uncle continued with a smirk.
”Impossible! There is still the matter of the borders to be cleared!”
”...what matter? You get all the land south of Arguna, along the Argu, Nawi Lake and the Tears. I get everything south of Sinchay. We've been over this.”
Corco frowned as he stepped back over to his Uncle Pacha, back in front of the crowd. He had a bad feeling about this.
”That may be true.”
”Then-”
Corco raised a finger to speak up but was droned out by another ear piercing shout from Pacha.
”However! There is still one piece of land that remains undeclared by the treaty. Right between the two isles, the Narrow is as of yet unclaimed.”
”What are you even talking about? The Narrow from Qarasi castle down are south of the Narrow Sea's coastline, so they belong to Sachay. It's been like that for generations.”
”However, Qarasi Castle has been part of the Pluritac estate even throughout the War of the Isles thirty years ago. By right, it has not been part of Sachay during the encounters and thus should be considered a part of Sinchay land!”
Corco stared at the audacious peacock. Again, he had proven his shamelessness.
”How is that even a coherent argument? Anyways, now it's too late. The land is set. Maybe you could have thought of this before the coronation.”
Pacha's prideful look turned sinister, much closer to the mother's side of his family, as his eyes narrowed and his mouth widened into a smirk.
”...this heroic king forgot. However, there is enough doubt about the southern claim over the castle. Thus, this heroic king will challenge the decision.”
”You're insane! Are you trying to start a war right out of the gate?!”
Corco was shell-shocked by the crazy plan his brother had hatched, or been tricked into. Qarasi Castle was built along a river, right at the mouth of the Narrow, the connecting piece between the two isles. North or south, it was a perfect place to defend from all attackers. Even an army five times the size of the defenders would struggle to cross the sturdy walls. After the civil war, House Villca had been forced to deconstruct their Lacari Castle on the opposite hill, Qarasi Castle's mirror on the Sachay side. Thus, Qarasi was the only way for Corco to do his duties as king and defend the Narrow from northern invaders. Without its halo, all of Sachay would be open for the armies of the north. This warmonger was trying to take over the south not even minutes after he had taken power of the center. In defiance of the quiet night around them, a storm began to brew in Corco's heart.
”At this point, only the elders will be able to mediate,” the peacock continued, ”what would Elder Caelestis say could be a good way to solve the conflict?”