Chapter 6: Incompetency (Click here to access Chapter 6)
Chapter 6; Incompetency
/The Rolan Manor, Kenneth
‘How could The Triad have come here? In these perilous times of the Hothras war, how could they have taken an escape route and come here? Loazer’s concerns should be trivial to them.’ Keran said, walking with Rothrin, about the giant corridor outside Keran and Lady Arabella’s hall, in the Rolan Manor.
‘Father, the war is taking place between Kaandor and Linteres’, on ships across the Hothras river. Three missing warriors, be it The Triad or not, will not make much of a difference to them. Besides, Kaandor is losing their grip on the war—The Triad wouldn’t be able to help either way.’ Rothrin said.
‘Bah! Rubbish, I tell you. All of ye believe that Kaandor are losing this war, I say Q’esta Racha! It’s all lies made up by the messengers.’
‘Father, that is impossible. Our own spies have investigated it. Linteres’ Kingdom are winning this war.’
‘And you think that The Council of Kaandor can’t fabricate that? You think those thirteen bastards don’t know how to create a lie?’
‘Alright, even if it is a lie, how is it that you are the only one who can see through it? Are you calling the entirety of Loazer blind?’
‘Because none of the other idiots in this kingdom have gone through what I have! None of them have had to face the entire fekhin world all alone, and none of them would have won like me. I see through the rubbish.’
He’s wrong…it’s impossible, Linteres’ are far ahead in this war, our funding and soldiers have pushed them beyond the grasp of Kaandor. They’ll win this war, and then I’ll ask father about the “rubbish” he spoke of. He thought.
‘Back to The Triad, father. Perhaps they are not coming here in bad blood. Perhaps they come here to negotiate peace.’
‘If they were here to negotiate for peace, Emran would have come to talk, not the bloody Triad.’ Keran said. Emran was a member of The Kaandorian Council who was responsible for all inter-dimensional affairs, and he was slightly… calmer than the rest of the members of The Council.
‘Father, that did not work out last time did it?’
‘Oh you’re probably right, like always…’
Rothrin did not know how to respond.
‘We believe they’ve come in terms of peace for the same reason. After all, why would they? The War of Hothras is going on. No other possible explanation could make sense. And they are preparing Snakes, but the strength of their vicers and men is weak, er, in other words, they’re losing their claim. The Hothras War has been heavily taxing on them, and so they require help.’
‘It still is mad if they have sent the Triad to try and win my favour. To Chronisc’s grave with them! Let the dairy farmers annihilate them.’
Rothrin wanted to contradict that, but he saw some sense in his father’s words. The day Loazer became allies with Kaandor would be the day that Keran would be regarded in the light of evil by all his subjects, for if he were to do that, he’d betray his alliance with the Linteres’ Kingdom.
‘Alright, father, then I will meet with them and discuss—’
‘No, we will meet with them and discuss what needs to be discussed.’
‘… Of course.’ Rothrin responded.
‘You had said that we have more matters to discuss?’ Keran asked.
‘Yes of course. I’ve word from Nathanial.’ Rothrin said. Lord Keran’s face lightened. They hadn’t heard from him in a long time.
‘What of it?’
‘He is well. In brief, he may have to stay longer to form the alliance. The Gr’Erhinians are apparently reluctant. They seem to want neither peace, nor war, according to him.’
Keran was simply relieved that his braves son—the greatest specimen—was alright, all else plainly seemed trivial.
‘Although, oddly enough, from my men over there, I have been informed that the alliance and peace treaty has already been signed by the Gr’Erhinians. Apparently, Nathanial stays in the North for some sort of… er…personal ambition.’
‘Expected from a man like him,’ Keran said, smiling wide and proud. Even though Nathanial was younger to Rothrin, Keran had put him down as his successor to the Lordship of Loazer—without refute from Nathanial.
‘I am sure he will manage. How many men of yours are with him?’ Keran asked.
‘Three hundred, and a thousand guards from King Tristan have been assigned to him.’
‘You know, when I was his age, I didn’t have a single soldier by my side. I was out on the streets,’ Keran said smirking, ‘And my son, next in line, has thirteen-hundred following him around!’ He laughed along with Rothrin. Rothrin was happy to remain the war commander and head of the army of Loazer. He never felt jealous of his younger brother Nathanial for being chosen by his father as next in line; He was sensible and knew his role. He knew that Nathanial would make a better leader than him.
‘Alright, tell me about the other matter,’
‘This will be a tad bewildering to you, but scarred Kaandorian vicers have been spotted. Two hundred of them. Your… short spy commander has informed us.’
‘My oh my, why does Kaandor wish to interfere in our affairs? First the Triad and now the sending of vicers! Do they not have their own wars?!’
Keran’s expression darkened.
His father took a moment, deep in his own thoughts. He ordered for a goblet of wine from his paige before he said it.
‘Kill them all.’
Is he losing his mind? Rothrin thought.
‘Father we cannot. That would be a mass—’
‘Kill… them… all.’
there was a moment of silence. Rothrin was shocked at this insane command. He knew that his father had always been violent, killing his previous family, but this was taking it too far, although Rothrin didn’t dare defy a second time. He just told himself that his father knows better and said, ‘Yes, father.’
Kill… them… all. The words repeated in his head. He nodded and walked out the corridor, exiting through the grand doors.
Father’s lost it. He’s lost his mind. I cannot let him do this! He thought.
***
‘He’s cruel! And he loathes me!’ Lothar whined, a tear or so flowing in his eyes.
‘Why does he never ask me for my help? Why does he always ask only Rothrin or Nathanial? Inept both of them are!’
‘Your brothers are the farthest from inept.’ Arabella, his mother, said, ‘They listen to every word your father tells them. Did you not tell me about your encounter with him yesterday? About how you have found a new sense of respect for him? Why must you behave uncouth? And you know why he doesn't engage you in his political affairs, after what you did.’ Arabella said. She sat on a chair beside her bed, reading some script on prophecies. Something she’d been doing an awful lot over the last few years.
Lothar sat on the bed, legs dangling, staring and fiddling with the quilt on top of it, ‘What did your father and Rothrin speak about? Did you hear?’
‘No mother! I was too far…’ He whined. She rolled her eyes.
‘But when will father ever love me? Or have some respect for me? Perhaps never…’
‘…I have not the right words to say. Or at least…the words you want to hear.’ Arabella responded.
‘You never do… You just spend all your time in your chamber talking to no one.’
‘Lothar! I mean to say if you go down this path further and further, I feel no likeliness that you will succeed in what you pursue.’ Arabella said.
He frowned, confused as he shifted about.
‘No! He loves me… he knows of my competency.’ Lothar argued.
‘The closer you are to accepting the truth, the better are your chances that will find your path to success. Maybe your destiny is not farthest reaching with your family.’
Lothar frowned, but understood what she meant. He didn’t want to accept it, but deep down, he knew that she was right. He knew that he was probably never going to get along with his family.
‘He will never love me… And neither will he forgive me, even though I was just a boy! Just a boy when it happened!’ He cried.
Arabella did not know how to respond. Lothar was frowning.
‘Your father does not appreciate the little good you have,’ Arabella said, honestly, yet kindly, ‘he only ever looked at your cruelty, and he only ever will if you do not show him otherwise. You have turned to bad ways, turn back! Be the sweet, loved one you were, once, long ago, before the accident. Not this demonic version!’
He knew what she meant, though tears trickled down his soft white cheeks. He knew that she was right, that he wasn’t in his skin anymore. No more grace was left within him.
‘You have good in you, so show it! Present them, do not hide behind the shadow of this altered personality you have created. You are not this person you claim to be.’
So many words, so many opinions… Lothar had no idea how to respond.
‘…Yes mother.’
They know nothing. I am greater than they’ve ever made me out to be. He thought.
‘Do not fret. In time to come, you will do what you must. Whatever it takes, you will do it, and you will find your way in this life of yours, my son.’ She said.
Lothar frowned in suspicion; she knew so much about everything. It was… odd.
Frowning and frustrated, he walked to the door, making a swift exit.