| PROLOGUE
She could not believe it. She simply could not believe it. The prospect that she was to be to perform a vow she had dreamed of performing ever since she was but a mere girl, when she would have childish fairy tales read to her as much as possible, when she would sit on her mother�s lap and they would talk so foolishly about this very particular event, of the importance behind it and yet the great happiness of it. Every day she would smile with great pride of the day of this vow, for her there was no more important vow than this one, not by a long shot. She smiled with great pride when she finally realized that she was going to get married. She, Princess Alladra of Galbadia, was going to exchange vows with Duke Fredrick Zarakan, the wealthiest, and youngest, land holder in the whole of the nation. Of course, he inherited it all after his father, the previous Duke, died in a hunting accident, but that didn�t deter the fact from Alladra�s mind that the only man richer than Fredrick was her father. And he was such a charmer. Some would call him a lady�s man, but Alladra certainly wouldn�t. So what if Duke must have had seen nothing less than a hundred possible spouses since he was fifteen? A Duke, or anyone of any status beyond that of a beggar on the streets, sees a score of possible lovers before settling down. Fredrick just saw more than most had anticipated. The Princess was still very much surprised that the man hadn�t lost his virginity by now, with his appearance of seeming to have been brought down from the heavens as a babe. His tanned skin, hairless face, deep blue eyes that resembled that of the blue beaches, finely woven brunette hair that the Duke himself manipulates every morning with a variety of fashion products to make look as stunning as possible. Needless to say, Fredrick looked like a son of an ancient deity. And by the night, the two of them were to be married, to join union as one. By midnight, she, Alladra, and him, Fredrick, were to become husband and wife. After twenty two years of eager anticipation, Alladra was to perform the greatest event every virgin woman dreamed of performing. She was going to be married. Even after grinning happily as she nipped on her thumb as her attendants prepared her wedding gown, which was to say the least absolutely astounding, after staring into a mirror for hours as her hair was addressed by the finest hair dressers in the nation to complete perfection; she simply could not believe that it was happening. She was getting married. Alladra giggled countless times over the day whenever the phrase would go through her mind. Despite the fact that whenever she would ask any of her close friends or relatives if it was truly happening, and they would give her a yes quickly followed sigh, the phrase seemed far too good to be true. Of course, it wasn�t too good to be true. It was not even close. There were no catches, no secret political plots, and no horrible plot by her lover. Fredrick loved her. He loved her with all his heart, and Alladra loved him. The way he held her hand, the way he would look into her eyes on the beach they would walk so carelessly on, the way he would massage her hair so delicately with his hand. The facts all pointed to one verdict, that Fredrick was not marrying for riches or power, but for love. She was getting married. The Princess smiled again when the phrase popped into her head for what was undoubtedly the millionth time. She had a strong feeling that the immature glee would only evaporate when she actually was married, and then she dreaded that she would be confronted with the notion that she was married. �Will it ever pass, I wonder?� Alladra mused as she stared over the balcony of her father�s grand manor, looking down at the main streets and alleyways that made up the capitol of Galbadia, Edomfray. The city was decorated fiercely, with hundreds, if not thousands, of banners, signs, and rainbow-colored tents populating the main square, with each individual tent holding a merchant and dozens of banners and miniature flags for the consumer to wave at the parade that the to-be-weds would be involved in prior to the more formal ceremony. �I wonder who is more excited� the young Duke asked his fianc� as he walked onto the balcony, his wedding robe trailing behind him as he tenderly wrapped his long arms around Alladra�s neck. �Us or the city? Just look at them Allie.� �I see them Fred� the Princess smiled affectionately as she stared back at her lover. �I think they�re more excited about this than we are.� �I�m not surprised. After the Malorian War, I think everyone is just too tired of bad news. When something grand like this happens, they�re going to act like it�s the coming of the Christ.� �I wish Mother was here to see this�, Alladra mourned softly. It was not so long ago when Alladra�s mother died in a car crash caused by the paparazzi. The entire country went into mourning and even the Emperor of Arcadia, Maximilius Aborsarr, who usually showed so little interest in the personal affairs of other countries, showed his sympathy to the Galbadian royal family. �And I wish the same for my father.� The two lovers remained silent for a few moments, allowing their memories to return to them of their father and mother. Both would have so wanted to be there right now, but the couple to be was certain that they�re loved ones were watching happily from above. �Come Allie� the Duke said pulling on the Princess� arm. �Let�s head inside before someone takes pictures of us. I�m not really in the mood for the paparazzi right now.� �Ditto� the energetic bride to be agreed, and followed her Duke behind the balcony doors, closing the doors behind her. * * * * * In all of Galbadian history, there was never a royal marriage parade that went as smoothly as the one between Alladra and Fredrick. Of course that was all in Alladra�s biased opinion, one she was certain her Duke shared equally as well as they waved to the citizens of Edomfray as their float drove past them. The fact of her biased thoughts certainly didn�t drive away the feeling of perfection in her mind, which showed the Princess being either very persistent or as stubborn as an ass. The Princess smiled at the thoughts. It was a well known fact through out the palace that Alladra was a bit more rebellious than the standard heir to the throne. One fine example would be her fashion senses: instead of wearing extremely expensive clothes made of fine silk and denim, Alladra insists on wearing clothes just like the commoners; usually silk like shirts with emblems of flowers stitched into them; jeans and sneakers were her common wardrobe. Of course she tended to her hair as if it was the only thing going for her- after all, even the most out careless of girls cared about their hair - but beyond that she was very rebellious towards the standard princess stereotype. And yet, despite the fact that Alladra was so different from so many of Fredrick�s past relationships, despite the fact that she barely fit into �tradition�, Fredrick decided to choose her, and only her, as his wife to be. Whereas the others were kind and slow to the point, Alladra tended at times to be harsh and quick to the gun. Whereas others managed to be shy, trying to seem proper, Alladra was as loud as hurricane, always laughing, giggling, and making jokes and making appropriate physical contacts with her friends. Despite the fact that Alladra had been scolded since she was a tween by her mother�s maids that if she continued this �obnoxious� behavior, she would never find a spouse proper for a princess of Galbadia, Alladra has stubbornly persisted to be the last, stubborn moment. The thought struck her again: she was getting married. Her stomach quickly formed into a multitude of knots and twists as she thought of the upcoming wedding. Just another hour and they�d be at the Chapel, if her math that was as good as a roughneck was correct. Alladra just shrugged off the fact of her horrendous mathematics skills, and just focused on one fact: one more hour. Just one more hour, and her wildest dream would come true. It was corny in Alladra�s mind, but it was the best words her beating heart would allow her mind to form. She was getting married in just one hour. Not two, not three, not one and three quarters even, but just one hour. Just sixty more minutes and Alladra was certain to prove to all of Galbadia that she was going to have the happiest marriage they had ever laid their ears on. Or perhaps they already knew it? Perhaps they already knew that this union between Fredrick and Alladra was going to be a prosperous one? Perhaps after so many years of living in dread during the Malorian War forty years past, the people developed a keen sixth sense for happiness that no other group of individuals could clone. Drum-men slammed their drums in a unified choir as Alladra leaned over to Fredrick. �You were right Fred. I think they are more excited about this than you and me. Look at them. Just look at them.� The Duke just shrugged at the revelation and continued to wave to the people. The parade had just taken a tight turn around the city plaza, going around the massive bronze statue of Lord Karli Galbia, the first ruler of Galbadia, when Alladra realized that they were nearly at the chapel. �We�re almost there� Fredrick revealed to his bride as he gently grabbed her hand. Of course both knew the fact, but the Duke just couldn�t help but tell Alladra ever single detail. If he didn�t, Fredrick feared his beating heart would implode. Alladra just smiled at her groom, patted him lovingly on his shoulder, and continued waving to the people. When at last the parade arrived at the chapel, a large crowd cheered and clapped as Fredrick and Alladra walked down from their float, both holding each other�s hands as delicately as possible, and walked up the stone staircase for the enormous chapel doors. Trumpets roared, enormous drums were beaten, and people cheered all the more as guards dressed in magnificent robes opened the massive iron gates. The two entered, followed by those that would fill up the chapel, and the doors were closed. And then the crowds surrounding the chapel were dispersed, for the couple deserved their privacy now. The royal family and those invited by the Duke were the first to take their seats in the chapel, and once everyone was seated the Duke and his Princess walked down the aisle, holding each other�s hands as lightly and affectionately as possible. They walked down at what Alladra sensed was a snail�s pace. She wished that she could just run down the aisle, get to the minister, do the vows, and finally get married. She was not exactly one to rush things, but the anticipation in her heart was getting nothing less than ridiculous. But, they have rehearsed how this would be done countless times, and there was a certain way a royal wedding was going to be done. And alas for the bride and groom, running down the aisle was out of the picture. After what seemed like eons, the two reached the alter, and the minister sensing the urgency of the two young lovers just by seeing the look on their faces, was quick to begin the ceremony. Of course, both just couldn�t help but be somewhat mesmerized by their partner�s face, and several times the minister had to prompt for a response from both of them, and hushed chuckles, and the occasional giggle, were quick to fill the chapel. Finally, after so many years of waiting, the near final words were being recited to Alladra�s ears. �Do you, Princess Alladra of Galbadia, take Duke Fredrick Zarakan to be your husband?� �I do� was Alladra�s immediate response. She would have had it no other way. �And do you, Duke Fredrick Zarakan, take Princess Alladra to be your wife?� �I do.� �Then� the minister concluded and slammed his book tight. �You may now kiss the bride.� With that Fredrick pulled Alladra close to him, and kissed her. She could not believe it. She was married. * * * * * IN-COM, a somewhat infamous name in the world of news media. IN-Com was the home to Galbadia�s team of what could as politely and formally as possible be described as news manipulators, a team of individuals whose job were to make sure the public didn�t know as much about the politics of Galbadia as they should. Now granted, Galbadia�s history have seen few political scandals, with few politicians and those of royal authority involved in back alley bribes or sexual affairs, but it never did hurt to let the public know only the material that is safe. Some things are just too dangerous for the common ear. The General allowed the thoughts to run a muck in his mind, for he believed that they would do little harm there. It was only when such feelings reached the soul that they became dangerous, and as General he was certain he was not going to allow that to happen. The chatter and echoes of computer keyboards stood at a standstill when the General emerged in the fairly large room. Some of it was divided into booths, but the majority of it was free and open, giving the reporters� and media annalists� easy access to every office hardware and fellow helping hand in the room. When it came to keeping the publics ears safe from harmful information, time was of the essence and those inside IN-COM�s complexes saw little need for booths. Just as quickly as the typing and chattering stopped, acknowledging the General�s all too familiar presence, it had continued anew. As one ex employee of IN-COM once said, IN-COM was like a giant merry go round. Nothing there ever stood still for too long. Even the lights would be always be on in the somewhat massive structure, an obvious bane to the nearby residents that wished they would be able to sleep at night. After all, hundreds who worked at IN-COM operated during the graveyard shift, so it had to stay lighted in the late hours of the night. The rushed and perhaps a tad bit underpaid workers of IN-COM gave the General no other signs of recognition him as he bumped into what had to be nothing less than a dozen overly excited, nicotine fueled and caffeine driven reporters on his way to see an old friend of his, if a friend only in the way that the man helped him out of many hot spots in politics. The individual in question was the detective Gabri, a man who was good at one thing: finding information. If there was anything a man would need to know, and if that man had a good amount of credits held to his name, Gabri was the man to seek. There was hardly a secret that could be hidden from this detective of detectives. Gabri was not very imposing physically, with his rimless glasses, long face, a nose that could best relate him to a hawk, and muscles that would impose only a rat. But it was his voice that proved most dangerous to anyone. It�s said that if he wanted to, he could make a cat crawl up a wall, or make a man cheat on his wife, if Gabri thought such treachery would further his goals. When the General entered Gabri�s booth, the sly detective greeted him a puff of cigarette smoke. �What can I do you for, Alex?� the man smiled, with a grin could be similar to that of a demon�s. �Two things Gabri. One, only my friends have the privilege to call me Alex, and I assure you�� The General approached the detective in his chair, easily able to crack his skull in two if it would have pleased him. And indeed it would have, for the snake before the General had ruined a hundred too many lives in his career as a detective, or more accurately, a rat that didn�t care whose privacies he violated. Alas, Gabri was far too valuable a pawn in the chess of national politics to be killed so recklessly. �You are no close friend of mine. And two, I want to see the news shot from Arcadia that is going to air tonight.� �Bad day, Alex?� Gabri said mockingly, knowing he could have called Alexander a horse shit if he wanted to. Gabri was protected too much by politics to be hurt in any way by Alexander. �Shut up and show it to me.� �All right, all right! God damn Alex, you need to control that temper of yours.� Gabri rolled his chair around to his computer, bringing out an envelope from one of his desk draws. He opened the already ripped surface, producing a computer disc and slipped it into the computer. A media playing program appeared a few moments later, and it started to play the newscast almost instantly. The newscast was apparently shot in a city foreign to that of Galbadia. Most likely once a marvelous city, the scene was now a horrid battle field, with dozens of ruined structures in the background. The reporter had obviously seen a good share of the fighting, with his white shirt covered in mud and blood. His head was bandaged as well, right across the forehead, and it was obvious that blood had once dripped from the wound. Now the blood had dried, giving the reporter a most ghastly appearance. Despite the circumstances, the man gave a proud look in his brown eyes, with his straight back and steady arm. �He would have made a good soldier� the General mused to himself. �In a decisive battle today, the invading armies of the Arcadian Empire have taken ninety eight percent of the capital city of Aldrix. The king of Aldrix, Vijil Karmi, and his family, and royal guard, are holed up in his mansion in the heart of the city.� Suddenly, just as the reporter finished the revelation, there was the sound of an explosion and the camera and the reporter fell to their sides. They weren�t dead, that much was evident by the reporter�s face; just merely shaken a little. More dust covered the screen, and the sounds of people screaming and tearing metal and glass filled the viewers� ears with a certain sense of dread. The screaming and yells never truly died away by the time the reporter and his cameraman got back to his feet, but it did die down by then. The news caster held his microphone close to his mouth while he tapped fiercely at his ear piece, and giving the distant look in his eyes, he was listening to some sort of conversation. �Ladies and gentleman� he said at last, gasping for breath between words. �I have just received word that the mansion of the late King of Aldrix, Vijil Karmi, has just exploded. No wait, my apologies, it has imploded. It blew up from the inside. I repeat, the late Alrixian King Vijil Karmi has been killed by an explosion from the inside!� With that the screen went black, and Gabri recovered his disc from the computer, slipping it back into the envelope. �Hey, I know that look of yours Alex� Gabri noted, seeing the flare in the aging General�s eyes. Alexander rubbed at his long blond hair and pulled on his goatee, an old thinking habit of his. �What are you up to?� �I�m going to see the King.� * * * * * The old king, with his aged features and wintry beard, looked as wise as an ancient sage, which unfortunately was an obvious exaggeration. He was a good, honest man; that much was true. But King Vizier was very naive, even in his thirty fourth year as ruler of Galbadia. By now one would think he would of have learned that an honest heart and politics did not mix, but alas Vizier still seemed to hold onto the ideal that corruption in politics was a rare side effect. The King was always quick to dismiss the proposal of any political corruption in his country: over a hundred political scandals and errors were never investigated. The King, for whatever reason, seemed to believe that every man in power held the same moral beliefs as he did. It was ludicrous to be sure, but somehow Vizier held onto the same youthfulness and enthusiasm as a young prince would. Alexander, however, was hoping that just this one time his old friend and comrade would see thing his way. He was intent on showing Vizier things outside of the box. �Alex!� the King greeted his loyal general with open arms, bringing Alexander to a set at Vizier�s paper filled desk. It was evident that the King had somehow managed to get himself a decade�s worth of work in a few week�s time. If Vizier had one good trait as King, it was that he was an over achiever. He never did seem to want to stop working. �What brings you so early? We don�t have our weekly debate match until next Sunday.� When Alexander agreed to take his father�s place as Vizier�s head general, there was only one irregular condition that he had to follow: a weekly debate with the king in his quarters. Sure, there agreement seemed simple enough: the young Alexander didn�t see how long a fifty there year old man could debate for. But after debating with the King for nearly twenty seven years, Alexander learned how wrong he was. After they debated one time on the existence of demons and angels through breakfast, lunch and nearly half of dinner, Alexander did his best to avoid nearly every single one of their weekly debate matches. Alas, he would be foiled every time. After being found in the youngest prince�s, Luzzu, playhouse posing as a statue to avoid being caught for hiding from the debate, the King knew all of Alexander�s best hiding spots. �Alex, we both know you are not here to debate, unless my daughter brainwashed you again with one of her potions. Now, why are you here?� �I have fears concerning Arcadia.� The king sighed. �Explain yourself Alexander.� �Look at this map, your majesty.� Alexander drew out from under his arm a map of Galbadia and all of the surrounding nations, mostly those that seemed to form an incomplete circle of provinces and city states surrounding the old nation. All but one of these nations, the naval and air port nation of Revarr, was circled with a permanent marker. �These nations are those that have already been invaded and conquered by Arcadia. I have fears that Revarr will be next, with all of its naval ports and airports.� �I understand that Alexander, but what is the point?� �The point is this: Arcadia is surrounding us! If Revarr is conquered, we will be surrounded by countries under the influence of Arcadia. Arcadia is planning an invasion -our invasion.� �Foolishness! Our two nations have been allies for a thousand years at the least. Why would Arcadia break that bond now?� �My king, may I speak freely?� �You know the answer, Alexander.� �Vizier, don�t be such a fool! The evidence is right in front of you! Arcadia doesn�t give a damn about our past!� �But you do. Alexander, we all know of your ill feelings towards Arcadia, and I must agree on some of those terms. But I will not send my people to war! They have suffered too much already! Too much!� �I never said war. Not once did I ever say for us to go to war.� �But you want us to Alexander, and that is just as bad, if not worse. My�our people have suffered for too long. I want them to be happy. And they are now. For the first time in forty years, I can honestly say to myself that my people are happy.� �And would be the cost of that happiness, if Arcadia invades?� �Arcadia won�t invade.� �What proof do you have of that Vizier? What proof do you have that Arcadia won�t invade a weak, unsuspecting nation?� �Nothing�and everything�� * * * * * �I hate Fridays� Fredrick mussed to his wife. It had been three months since the two were happily wed, and the media were quick to bombard them with requests for interviews about their feelings on marriage, family, parenting, stuff that Alladra was always quick to answer while her husband would stare at objects at the room, trying his best to move on to the next question. And then he wouldn�t have an answer for that question and the cycle would continue anew. Of course, right now wasn�t an interview; right wasn�t being pressured by the media to answer questions that Fredrick didn�t have a clue on how to answer. Right now was Fred and Alladra trying their best to spend time together the only way a new royal couple knew how: by watching T.V. Too others it would sound as a cheap and pathetic way for any couple to spend time together, but to Fred and Alladra it was the best way. If any of them even hinted of leaving the Palace together, the only thing the paparappzi would be on was a major fire that would spread throughout the whole of Edomfray. And the worst part of all was that there weren�t even any good shows to even watch. A week of being apart, thanks to Fredrick being bombarded by paparazzi, the media and politicians concerning his thoughts on Arcadia�s invasion of Aldrix and Arcadia in general, despite the fact that Fredrick said the same thing over and over again: although it was not of any business of his what Arcadia decided to do, he felt that Arcadia was running too much on it�s luck and asked that they stopped. Not that it would make much difference, but at least it made Fredrick look good in the eyes of the people. �This just sucks� Alladra complained. When they first got married, Fredrick was so shocked at his Princess� varied vocabulary, but quickly got used to it. He always did know that if Alladra was to be featured in a dictionary, her picture would be printed right next to informal. �A whole week of barely getting to see you and there�s not even any good shows on!� Alladra sighed again as she headed for the sink, getting herself a glass of water. �It�s crazy.� �Yeah, it�s Friday! Shouldn�t all the good shows be on right before the weekend?� Fredrick nodded his head. �Not that. I mean, how people seem to think what I think matters.� �Yeah, it�s like people think what you say will change everything.� �Yeah. I guess I�m still getting used to being royalty.� �I don�t think anyone can Fred. It�s not like you just wake up one day and say �I�m royalty.� It�s just like a sense, not a feeling, but like a new sense.� �You think I�ll be a good king, Allie?� The question caught Alladra off guard, and she squirted some water out her noise. �Wha?� �Will I be a good king?� �Sure you will!� �You so sure?� �You bet! I mean, look at you. You�re an honest man, always trying to do the right thing, how can you not be a good king?� �I don�t know. I guess it just occurred to me�that one day I�m going to be king now. I was just never prepared for it; you know what I�m saying? I mean, your brothers have been taught by your father since they could walk how to be King, and then I come into the picture without a bloody idea how to rule his people? How can I be a good king? How?� �It will come to you, Fredrick.� �How do you know?� �How do I not know? Fredrick I know I�m stupid a lot of times; I know I act first and think later, but I�m your wife, and more importantly a woman. We tend to know a lot of things a hell lot better than you men, you guys one of them. Can you trust me, your wife, when I say that you�ll learn to be a good king?� ��Yeah. I can do that.� * * * * * �God dammit.� Four months had passes since the wedding of Alladra and Fredrick, and General Alexander was at his seat, the only man at his seat in the long meeting hall in the royal palace. It had been several hours since the seats down the hall were filled, and Alexander did not approve with the decision his fellow advisors to the King came upon several hours before. After hearing word that Revarr, as Alexander had predicted, was invaded and conquered by Arcadia, Vizier summoned his closest advisors to discuss the situation. Alexander was certain when he walked down the halls towards the meeting room that he could convince the assembly that Arcadia did intend on invading Galbadia, and that they had to stop them beforehand. The General was proven wrong once again. Despite his patriotic view on the matter, that war was the only way to be assured peace for Galbadia, his fellow advisors, and perhaps the rest of the nation as well, was not yet ready for war. For one reason or another, they programmed into their mind that a third team of poorly trained and experienced diplomats could convince Arcadia to put a sudden end to its campaigns, and a possible invasion on Galbadia. And when Alexander questioned why they followed the same path their predecessors walked when they faced possible conflict with the Malorians forty years prior, and Alexander took a good measure of time to point out that the path of diplomacy too ended in failure and war, the advisors assured the king that the Arcadians were very far from being barbarians. �Barbarians from one side of the story� Alexander mussed out loud to himself. As the General allowed his mind to wander, he became tired and it wasn�t long until he fell to slumber. Alexander was awakened an hour later by a voice that he was all too familiar with, but haven�t heard this close in nearly four months. �Tired today, Alex?� the young voice of Alladra comforted the somewhat fatigued General as she tenderly shook him awake. �No, Princess� he answered with a yawn. �Yeah, right. Now what�s bothering you?� �Vizier didn�t tell you?� Alladra raised one of her eyebrows. �Since when did my dad tell me anything that had to do with politics?� �I would think he would start now considering the Duke is heir to the throne.� �I wish. Now, what the heck is going on? And you�d better tell me now, or if not I�ll start another rumor about what type of boxers you wear.� Alexander let out a large chuckle, knowing very well that even though the entire palace knew Alladra never saw his boxers, her ill researched opinion would easily be considered fact. �Arcadia invaded Revarr yesterday.� �And you think we�re next, right?� �Right. It just all seems to fit...I mean, Alladra look at this.� He dug through a pile of political papers and brought out the same map he had shown Vizier a few months prior. �Palem, Marlich, Thurlimn, Galaria, Aldrix and now Revarr.� As he said the names, Alexander pointed to each individual country, all of them circled. �I suspected, in the order they were invaded, counter clockwise, that Arcadia would invade them, all because they surround us like a giant circle.� �Uh huh�� �And now, it looks like Arcadia will invade us from everywhere. It looks like we�re done for now�that it�s too late to prevent an invasion.� �But is their hope? �What?� �Hope� the Princess repeated again with a smile on her face. �My mom said that hope is the last thing we got in this world. So, is there any hope for us to survive an invasion?� �Yes�if somehow we keep Galbadia to invading us only from the east�� �The Potomac� Alladra whispered, knowing her history. �Yes, that ancient fortress. Despite the fact that we would be overwhelmed, it would be so tight we would only have to face only about three, or maybe if they�re lucky just four hundred at a time.� �What about the air?� �Unless they want to send the fortress falling on both our and their heads.� �So we would have a chance then.� �We would. But the question is, how do we keep them in the east?� �I guess all that we can really do is pray.� �And if that doesn�t work?� ��You don�t believe in God, do you?� �No your highness�� �It�s Alladra, Alex. You�re a friend of my fathers. The way I see it, you can call me anything that doesn�t end in ass.� �All right, Alladra, look I�m a soldier. I�ve seen things people should not see. I know the real truth about this whole fiasco.� �And what would that be, Alex?� �God is just an imaginary friend for adults. Something that man needed to get through the early days, when we were all a bunch cavemen. But we don�t need some mythical God to give us hope now. I don�t see God making any miracles. The only one I see that creates real miracles is man.� Alladra didn�t say anything to the General; she didn�t know what to say. For these six years she had heard a score of philosophical figures debate on the existence of God. One side would always give a huge amount of scientific evidence that points to the existence of intelligent design, while the other side would give just as much, if not more, evidence to prove that there was no existence of a God. Alladra always knew the palace staff was split on the debate, her father�s personal advisors in particular, but never did she think she would hear those words from the very man her father trusted with his life. Alladra didn�t say anything to Alexander; she just left the room, and the General couldn�t help but feel bad. * * * * * Six months to the day honoring the marriage between Alladra and Fredrick, the whole nation was caught up in a righteous uproar. Representatives of the royal family had confirmed that rumors circulating the newest royal couple were indeed true, that something many had speculated would not occur for a year at the least had occurred. Alladra was pregnant. * * * * * Vizier�s once proud and sturdy hands shook fearfully as the King re-read the letter for what must have been the twelfth time. �Attention King Vizier of the nation of Galbadia�� Attention�the word made the letter seem more like an ultimatum than a formal political letter. �The democratic council that represent several collected provinces ruled under the Arcadian government has determined, after much debate, that it is in the best interest of those respected provinces that any diplomatic or past allegiances or affiliations with your nation of Galbadia is to be dismissed as of now. We request in the best interests of both the nations of Arcadia and Galbadia that all offensive military units on the borders of either these provinces that were newly acquired by Arcadia, or in any areas that could possibly pose a threat to these provinces, be removed immediately.� The letter was quick and to the point: it did away with unnecessary lengths to make Galbadia feel �better�. It was quite obvious to Vizier that Arcadia saw no threat with Galbadia, thus why need to make them feel good. �What a fool I was!� the King understood now what Alexander has been trying to tell him. It was all part of Arcadia�s plan: what seemed to be an unconnected series of conquests were just the opposite, Maximilius Abarsarr�s formal assurances that Arcadia had no intent of conquest was a lie meant to hide the truth. Vizier knew now that Arcadia meant to conquer Galbadia, and he began to wonder if it was too late to prevent the inevitable. �It is too late�now there is only war. I can save my people only through their blood�� Blood�how could it have come to this? The King couldn�t see how it could have: he was so sure he was doing the right thing. He was so sure that God was guiding him down the desirable path of peace. Now it seemed the only path he could follow now was covered in blood. Vizier sat back in his chair, his mind overwhelmed by the recent series of events. �War�� * * * * * �What is our situation?� Thus were the first words that came out of Alexander in the nearly immediate meeting Vizier called for all of his advisors of war. Despite the fact that Alexander wanted to say many things to Vizier, most of them curses, he knew now was not the time. Now, he had to formulate a plan to somehow defend his country from an army that could drain a river in mere hours. �Arcadia�s army is edging on the borders of our once friendly neighbors. They are slowly, but surely, surrounding us.� The Advisor sighed with obvious regret. �As you predicted General.� Alexander, being the plain man that he was, only crossed his arms and nodded. �However� one of Alexander�s fellow generals intervened, �there is some good news. Its winter season in most of Galbadia, and luck is surely in our favor: a blizzard went through the northern, western and southern portion of Galbadia. Not severe enough normally to cause any alarm, but it is bad enough out there to prevent Arcadia from invading us from those areas.� �They may wait it out, and invade once conditions better favor them� a second Advisor rationalized. �No, they will not wait. Their emperor is too inpatient to wait. He will strike soon�or not at all.� �What shall we do then?� Vizier questioned his loyal General. �We make our stand at the Potomac.� �The Potomac?!� everyone in the room asked in unison. �The Potomac�that ancient that in our nation�s history we would so easily run to like headless chickens at the first sight of any sign of danger�always cornering ourselves, always throwing our sorry backs against the walls. But this time things are different. This time, we don�t run to it: this time we�re drawing the dangers to it�. �Why run to that ancient fortress. Alexander?� �My Liege, the Arcadian army is numbered at nearly a million soldiers, not to mention their super soldier division, the WARRIORS. Our armed forces add up to barely a quarter of that amount. We need some way to divide their numbers, and the way I see it, the Potomac is the best way to accomplish that, with it�s tight walls our troops will be able to face only three hundred, or four hundred at the most. On top of that, it will remove the possibility of air strikes, unless Arcadia wants to send the Potomac crashing on both our and their heads.� Not all of the Generals and Advisors, however, were not yet convinced by Alexander�s argument. �And yet Alexander, you have forgotten that the Potomac is less than a day�s march to Edomfray, and if the Potomac falls we will have no time to retreat.� �Would you rather have my men face certain death on any other battlefield?� �There are other fields of battle!� �I must protest!� �You always protest, Alexander!� Soon, the entire room was caught in a heated argument, with neither side using few proper arguments to support their opinion. One could say it was large children arguing over which toy they get to play with. However, a King can take an argument for so long, and with a shout from Vizier the room was silenced. �I have seen many troubles as king of Galbadia. I have seen disputes in politics, in land arguments, the Malorian War twenty years ago; but none is as great a threat to my land, my people as this invasion from Arcadia. In times of war, there is great risk, and no such thing as guaranteed success. As such, we must be prepared to take risks, so that we can hope that we can stay free. And the Potomac is such a risk that I am willing to take: it is close to Edomfray, dangerously close, but it has a better chance of victory than any other field of war.� �We fight at the Potomac.� * * * * * The old King rubbed his frosty beard as he pondered on the request that Fredrick had just made to him. It was a great commitment the young Duke and heir to the throne had just made to his country, and the King was all but totally understanding of it. �You are sure about this Fredrick?� The young man nodded eagerly. �Absolutely Vizier. I cannot just stand by and watch as our people are killed.� �Alladra would never forgive me if anything happened to you, Fredrick. I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you.� �I know.� �Then why? Why risk so much?� �Those are my people that are going to lay down their life so I have a chance to be a king they may never want. I can�t just standby, wait, and just pray. I�am no soldier, but I have a love for my people, my land. I love Galbadia, and I want to fight for her, and her children.� �And the other condition of asked�why do you want take control of the defenses of the Potomac?� �Because I am going to be king soon, Vizier. I need to know how to plan.� �And risk so much?� �War is nothing but risk, Vizier. Alexander told me that much.� The old king chuckled at how his old friend appeared to be so influential on everyone in his household. �Very well, Fredrick, you will have your battle�and Alexander is your general.� * * * * * �I can�t believe it! I can�t believe it you�re going!� Fredrick didn�t say anything to his crying wife. He just ignored her as he configured with a standard rifle, doing his best to get as familiar with it as possible. �You�re not even a soldier, so why are you going? You don�t even need to be there! Don�t go! Do go Fred! Please, please don�t go!� �I have to� he finally said as Alladra was tugging on his pant leg. �I can�t just stay here and wait and pray to God that we win. I have to go: I won�t be able to forgive myself if I don�t.� �And what of our son?� Alladra patted her large stomach, indicating their as of yet unborn child. �What if you die, and he comes into this world without a father?� �I�ll survive. I promise you, I will survive. I will come back. Can you trust me when I say that?� Alladra couldn�t say anything, because she was still in denial. �What is he thinking, going to battle like this? He doesn�t even know how to hold a gun! He�s going to die, I just know it, I just know! He�s going to die!� �Alladra, can you trust me? Can you trust me?� �I�trust you Fredrick. Just come back, please, just come back.� �I will. I promise you that, I will.� * * * * * Three weeks after Fredrick�s speech before a large collection of soldier in the very heart of Edomfray, in which he reminded the soldiers before him to remember their fathers and ancestors who fought and died to preserve the independence of Galbadia, Alladra stared at her lover on his death bed; Medical droids were attending to his every need, and many tried to sooth the emotional princess, saying �He�s strong, he�ll make it� and �Just pray, your Highness.� But even she knew that Fredrick wasn�t going to survive the week. The battle at the Potomac was a disaster: Arcadia used their carriers to send the ancient fortress falling on top of everyone inside, Arcadians and Galbadian alike. Amidst the chaos, a stone shard pierced Fredrick�s chest, and Alexander, after removing the shard from his body, dragged his unmoving form to safe ground and painfully ordered a massive retreat. Of the thirty thousand that left Edomfray, only ten thousand remained alive, and many would not survive to see Arcadia proclaim Galbadia as it�s newest province in the coming months. �Princess!� an unfamiliar maid called out to her. �General Alexander has just killed your father!� Alladra�s mouth fell. �What?!� �We have no idea why! He�s raving madness, saying the King betrayed us and other ludicrous ideas.� �Where is he now?� �Tied up and gagged somewhere in the palace. I never actually saw the event; some other people told me and I knew I had to relay the information to you.� �Dad�dead? He�s dead? No�no�no�not him too�� �You�re Highness-� A series of explosions rocked the maid off her feat, and both knew that the siege of Edomfray had begun. They failed. �Your Highness, we must leave!� �No.� The maid was taken completely off guard by the reply. �What?� �I�m staying right here�with Fred. Everyone else can leave, but me and�Fred are staying right here. After all, I don�t know anyone else I�d rather spend my final days with.� |