They were shown to their places as the door closed, and everyone remained standing as Prime Minister Othor looked at them apologetically from across the table. “The king is used to speaking his mind, as is his right. Ironically, it is here without him that we can do the same. He is a good man but still smarting from our change decades ago into a constitutional monarchy where he no longer has the power he once held. And he quite chafes at all displays of ceremony. It is all worsened because he has been host for some years now to an absolute monarch, as he was once, but he enjoys pointing out that he, at least, still has a kingdom to rule over.”
Othor turned to the man who had been fidgeting earlier. He was no older than them, tall, well-built, and confident. He wore a waist-length cloak similar to Othor but of different colors and style, being more ostentatious. His tailored tunic was embroidered, and he wore multiple rings on each hand along with a ceremonial dagger on one hip. Something about his brows and intelligent black eyes reminded Anna of a hawk, like the symbol on his breast. The pointed jaw and thin nose helped, as did the air of proud regality that shone from his bearing and mannerisms. And yet he seemed somehow uncomfortable, as if out of place or unsure what level of authority he held.
“Ellorians,” began the Prime Minister, “this is His Majesty, King Sondin of Kingdom Aker. It is at his behest that we have summoned you, and as the quest is his, I will leave to him to lead our discussion.”
King Sondin smiled graciously and with more genuineness than anyone so far. “I am so very grateful that you have come. Please be seated and be comfortable.” Everyone did as he asked before he gestured to the young woman in the seat beside him. “This is my sister, Princess Miara. We have other members of our family here in Thiat, which has been gracious enough to host us for several years, but we’re hoping you can put an end to the need for this.”
As a servant put a plate of pastries before him, Eric asked, “What do you need us to do? Your Majesty.”
The king waved that off. “We can be informal here in this room. I need you to restore us to our rightful place in Aker. I must assume the throne.”
The champions exchanged a glance and Anna asked, “May I ask, why are you not there now?”
He gestured for goblets to be filled and indicated the map on the table. “This explanation will be thirsty work, but let us begin. Here we are in Thiat, across the Pumian River to the west. Beyond it, all this land you see is the Kingdom of Aker, a human power, though we have fair numbers of halfings, some elves, and a few dwarves. The river is our western border with Thiat, down to the ocean in the south, north to the mountains, and to near the eastern forests. That is where the dark elf Kingdom of Kiarven stands to our northeast. Years ago, the dark elf king broke a longstanding peace treaty and attacked Aker. I am sad to say we lost the unexpected war, and now all of Aker stands under dark elf control. However, we are still considered sovereign. No one recognizes Kiarven’s claim to our lands.”
Map of the Kingdom of Aker, on the world of Eridos
Anna wasn’t sure what that meant but suspected Eriana would be expected to, so she chose her words carefully. “This can be different across worlds, so we want to be sure we understand. Are you saying you are still seen as the King of Aker?”
King Sondin nodded. “I was a prince. My father, the king, died a month ago here in Thiat, and I have since become king.”
“I am sorry for your loss. May I ask how it happened?”
“A tragic accident.”
A petulant Princess Miara added, “He never should’ve been on a horse at his age, but I, for one, am glad it happened. Now perhaps we can go home.” She had sorrowful brown eyes and a dreamy quality about her, as if she entertained romantic fantasies that had recently suffered a blow. Her freckles accentuated her youth, as did the braided hairstyle that exposed her round face and its remaining baby fat. She might have barely been twenty and gave the impression of impetuous emotion, whether born of immaturity, status, or frustration. Anna sensed the princess was restraining herself while silent, but then she spoke and said things she should not have, which she seemed to realize and then find herself caught between embarrassment and defiance about it.
“To an answer your question,” began the king, laying a gentle hand on his sister’s arm, which she pulled away, “other kingdoms must recognize sovereignty. While Kiarven is long recognized, their possession of Aker is not. We have found our kingdom to be contested territory, but there are no kingdoms who recognize Kiarven’s claimed right to Aker. It is still seen as Aker, and I am the rightful king, living here in absentia and unable to return to my people, or to free them. As for my sister’s remarks, our father wanted us to return but did not see it as possible. He has been content to wait for an opportunity, but my sister and I were more adamant about creating such a chance, which is why we have summoned you now that I am king. We should not wait longer to restore peace due to the conditions in which our people continue to suffer.”
Fingering the food, Eric asked, “The dark elves are not peaceful rulers, I assume.”
“Not to humans, no. They have plundered what they can of Aker. Our people have
