BEORF King of His Kingdom VI Another War

Slowly, difficult days were approaching for Tammuz. Every great empire slowly fell, and Dagous's kingdom was also facing a slow disintegration. On

June 16th, the army was ready to attack Ibin. That same day, Dagous summoned Beorf to deliver some news. The marshal arrived at the king's on time, which quite surprised him. Beorf had been very busy in recent days. So much so that he was supposed to learn from the king what was happening far from Hamit. Upon entering, he bowed and, without question, sat comfortably in his armchair. The marshal did this quite often, and Dagous allowed him to. A man who won wars for him could afford certain deviations from generally accepted principles. Dagous stood at the map, as he often did, and watched Ahad, very excited.

"Do you know why I summoned you here?

" "Does this have anything to do with the army being ready to march?"

"No. The matter is of a different nature," Dagous turned to him. "Our strongest opponent has certain problems. I learned that some time ago, the king of Ahad, Esun, fell gravely ill. He may die soon. Your spies couldn't reach you, so they came to me with this.

" "Indeed, this is interesting news, but why should it be so good for us?

" "Oh, if you had listened to your spies lately, instead of sending them to me, you would know. Without Esun, Ahad is weak. And when he dies, power certainly won't pass to... someone equally strong?

" "And whose?

" "Beorf, you are a great warrior, but your greatness has been declining lately. After your father's death, Ramne, his daughter, will take over Ahad. I don't need to mention that it's worth taking advantage of these facts. This situation won't be favorable for us for long.

" "I'll try to go to Ahad today to assess the situation personally."

"What about Ibin? Who will lead the campaign?

" "General Aren. I prefer to go there personally. If we must strike at Ahad quickly, I need to know how strong our enemy is. There won't be much time to replenish our strength.

" "Agreed. Go then. If Esun were still alive, you can probably guess what you would do?"

Beorf smiled faintly and left the chamber hastily. In the corridor, however, he paused for a moment. He had made a grave mistake. He had been too busy organizing the army, and many of his men had gone to Dagous or Milon instead. His tasks were slipping out of his control, but Fagril was in charge. His most trusted man, so he could rest assured.

He couldn't go to Ahad alone, but who could he take with him? This mission required help. So he went first to Amex, his loyal friend. Despite their recent quarrels, he knew he could count on him; besides, he would get a break from the hustle and bustle of war, which had already troubled many generals.

He didn't want to barge into the room as was his habit, so he knocked and waited for a response.

"Who's there?" Amex said after a moment

. "It's me, Beorf. May I come in?" The door opened. Amex was a bit surprised by this behavior and Beorf's visit in the middle of the day.

"What brings you here? Apparently, you've been busy lately.

" "I'll need you. But not as a general.

" "I wonder." Amex closed the oak door and they both sat down in their chairs. "What do you need me for?"

"I'm leaving for Ahad today. Esun is dying, and I have to be there for several reasons.

" "What are these reasons I have to go with you?

" "A change of ruler means a change of policy, and Ahad is our most powerful neighbor. We need to thoroughly assess the situation; I can't handle it alone, and the spies in Ahad... won't be able to handle it either.

" "And who else will be going?"

"Nougatu and Kudor.

" "What about Ibin? You were supposed to lead the attack."

"Aren can certainly handle it. I'll need you, though. "

"Very well, I'll just give the appropriate orders to my banner and prepare for departure.

" "Thank you," he smiled. "We leave in two hours."

Beorf left the chamber in a hurry, as did the entire Gestator palace. Finding Nougatu, who was bustling around the city, and Lieutenant Kudor proved easy. As planned, they left Hamit and headed straight for Voj. Fagril also left Voj with them, but he had other errands and went to Beorf.

They traveled under escort, so everyone knew who was coming. This state of affairs lasted until they reached Pik'Yxado, where the four crossed Lake Hu to Huzet. From Huzet, they set off on their own, straight for Caside. This surprised everyone somewhat; they expected to head straight for Eket and then on to Ahad, but Beorf had other plans, which Nugatu partially understood.

In Caside, at the court of Lord Zipre Xema, another spy of the Marshal was waiting for them. He already knew his employer's plans. New horses, a merchant's wagon, and merchants' robes were waiting at the court. Beorf placed all his spies in merchant caravans or transported them to other cities. However, this caravan was to be composed entirely of spies. According to the Marshal's instructions, appropriate goods were placed in the wagon and news from the places they had supposedly visited before was prepared. All this was to ensure they were perceived as ordinary merchants.

Two days later, the caravan was ready to depart, and in the morning it set out for the borders of the Kingdom of Ahad. However, Beorf did not head directly to Tugeh, although the road led directly to that land's capital. They traveled to Yba, a city south of Tugeh.

The journey was long, but they encountered no difficulties. Amex and Beorf didn't speak much. Their friendship was slowly crumbling. But for Beorf, this wasn't an obstacle to his quest or his planned war.

After nine days of travel and covering some 600 kilometers, they reached the wooden palisades of Yby. There, they were initially received with reluctance. After all, they had come from Tammuz, which was feared and otherwise disliked. But no one showed it. Thanks to Nougat's experience, they quickly gained the favor of the locals and began trading. And so it began. Four Tammuzans, selling or buying goods, struck up friendly conversations. In this way, they learned much about Ahad, the country's defenses, the mood of the people, and many other such matters. Beorf had intended to stay in Yby for three days, but when he learned that the cavalry would soon arrive, he decided to stay. He had to observe them; this formation could ruin many of his plans.

On the fourth day in Yby, a hundred cavalrymen arrived. They made quite an impression on Beorf. Amex, who was also speechless, accompanied their arrival.

"Look at them, how gracefully they move," Amex choked out

, "Like our Chemos infantry. This will be a tough war for us. We must find some weak point… let's try to talk to the commander." The cavalrymen rode into Yba's central square. As Beorf approached the commander, he said,

"Not now, merchant, I will announce something first." The officer didn't look happy. Beorf already guessed why, and he and Amex fled into the crowd. "A sad day has come for us," he said to the crowd. "Two days ago, our great ruler and King of Ahad died. As you know, he was seriously ill, and his time has finally come. But do not be sad, soon the rule of the land will pass to his daughter Ramne, who will ensure us a bright future and a life of prosperity."

This news came as a shock to the inhabitants. Their great and beloved ruler had passed away. The marshal was somewhat pleased; this news meant that the future campaign and mission would be easier.

"Amex, we have nothing more to do here, we're going to Tugeh," he whispered to him from the sidelines.

"The coronation will take place soon, we must hurry."

"Gather our men. We leave today."

Ramne's coronation was to take place soon, and Beorf was determined to make it on time. And he succeeded. He arrived in Tugeh on the eve of the coronation and the day after the king's funeral. The city was still in mourning for its ruler, and all the people wore sad expressions. Although Ramne would soon become the Bleeding Water of Ahad, this did not lift anyone's spirits much.

Beorf and his companions quickly met the other spies. They had long been respected merchants. The few years they had spent in Tugeh, along with the support of Dagous and Tamuzu, had allowed these initially ordinary people to grow wealthy. Although they disliked the war plan because of the profits they derived from trade, they remained loyal to Beorf. Ultimately, thanks to him, they had risen from commoners to the wealthiest merchants in Ahad. The Marshal was now to utilize the money and influence they had gained at Esun's court.

On the evening of their arrival, Beorf sat in a cart in the courtyard of Wukan's house. Wukan was the man who ran the entire network in Tugeh and one of the wealthiest residents. All of the Marshal's men were resting in his villa, and Beorf decided to meditate in peace. There were no guards in the square. The city was completely safe, almost as safe as Beorf or Eket.

He thought about everything he had seen in Ahad so far, trying to formulate a tentative plan of action. He analyzed the cities' defenses, their organization, the soldiers' training. But the Ahad cavalry was his greatest concern. He knew it was a formation that could determine the course of battles, yet he had never ordered its formation. Now he regretted it and wondered why he hadn't. His peace was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps.

"The coronation is tomorrow

." "Ah, it's you, Amex. Yes, this is a good time to get to know our enemies in detail.

" "Will these wars ever end?" The question surprised him greatly.

"What do you mean?!

"Don't you think this will ultimately be our undoing? That Dagous will destroy what we've built so far? Don't you think we should rest for a while? After all, we've been fighting for some time now, neglecting trade...

" "You're partly right," Beorf lowered his head. "Dagous is a bit crazy; he doesn't see the exhaustion of his troops." But we are winning. Besides, who can stop us?

"I hope you know what you're doing and that Daax will help you. But in my opinion, it's time for peace and a return to our city." Beorf stirred slightly. He wanted to remind him that this city, after all, bears his name, but refrained. Amex and Kiseaso were equally responsible for the greatness of Chemos and later Tamuz.

"Tomorrow, everything will be revealed. If I decide that victory over Ahad will be too costly and risky, I will personally tell the King.

" "I fear he might not listen to you.

" "He will have to. He won't win without me. And he knows it perfectly well.

" "You too, without an army." Amex gathered himself and left.

Another attempt to reason with the Marshal failed. And Beorf had new things to think about.

The next day was sunny and clear for the time of year. Perfect for trading. But that day, Wukan and the other merchants were not setting up their stalls. Ramne's coronation was to take place that evening, and everyone was preparing for it. Beorf, however, still didn't know what she looked like or what kind of ruler she might be. This troubled him greatly, and this knowledge seemed essential to him. In fact, everyone he met knew little. Thanks to Wukan, however, he had met many important and influential people: generals, officers, merchants, and officials.

He already knew enough about Ahad that plans for the army's march were already well-prepared in his mind. Attending the coronation was slowly becoming unnecessary, but something, some force, was drawing him to the palace for that evening. And he could not have imagined the profound impact it would have on his plans, the fate of all of Tammuz and the northern part of the continent.

Evening was approaching ever faster. At 6 p.m., Beorf, Amex, Kudor Nugatu, and Wukan went to the palace in the center of Tugeh. The palace was merely a royal residence, not a defensive structure like the Lords' castles in Tamuz. A vast, wide staircase led inside, at the end of which stood a four-meter-high glass door. Flowers were everywhere, and soldiers dressed in their white best were everywhere. Beyond the door lay a small hall with white walls, and another staircase, like the one outside, only twice as high. These led to the second floor and another smaller door. Beyond them was another, much larger hall. The white walls were so vast, and the lighting so intense, that one might have thought it was sunlight. The hall contained two rows of columns. Along the sides of the hall were several terraces from which one could observe the city. At the end of the hall stood Esun's throne, as beautiful as the entire hall. All this made quite an impression on Beorf and his other companions. Ahad amazed them at every turn; it was an extraordinary land. With the possible exception of Wukan, who had already been here more than once.

"Your castle in Beorf can hide," Amex said, speechless

. "I guess you're right. I'll have Kiseaso remodel my house a bit," Beorf laughed. "

Look, sir, how many guests are here! We'll have our hands full," Wukan interjected, pointing to the crowds

. "Then let's get to it right away. You, Kudor, will come with me. We'll meet under the throne when the ceremony begins."

They headed into the crowd. The guests were just gathering. For two hours, the spies met new people or talked to those they already knew, extracting vital information from them. No one suspected anything. Because how could they?

Finally, the trumpeters entered the hall, and the center of the hall leading from the door to the throne was empty. Soldiers stood along the corridor that had formed, preventing anyone from passing. A long red carpet was unrolled between them, and the trumpeters began to sound trumpets. Beorf, Kudor, and Amex found themselves on the right side under the throne, while Wukan and Nougatu were on the opposite side. It all took a moment.

Four figures appeared at the throne: Wer Xonum, commander of Ahad's army; Lutin, governor of the city and the most important figure in the state after the king; Lumban, chief advisor to the deceased Esun; and a fourth, unfamiliar figure in a hooded cloak obscuring his face. But Beorf knew he recognized him from somewhere. As the figures took their places by the throne, the trumpets resounded again, filling the entire hall with their beautiful sound. The main doors, through which Beorf and his companions had entered, opened. However, through the crowd gathered, the Marshal couldn't make out what was happening there. Trumpeters continued to sound as the figure and several officers behind it slowly moved toward the throne. He guessed it would be the Queen, but he wasn't sure. The figure slowly approached the end of the Hall, and Beorf grew increasingly impatient. Amex tried to calm the Marshal with modest gestures, but in vain.

Finally, the figure appeared before the throne and Lutin. Her face remained turned toward the governor, hidden by a blue veil anyway. Ramne was about one and seventy centimeters tall, with long, slightly black hair, and dressed in a long white gown with gold trim. She knelt before Lutin, while Lumban took the crown from Wer and approached Ramne. Lutin removed the veil, took Ahadu's crown from Lumbagu, and placed it on the new Queen's head.

"As temporary ruler of Ahad, by the power granted me by the recently deceased Esun, I proclaim you Queen of Ahad!" Lutin roared in a deep voice. "Thereby I pass on to you this symbol of power." Lutin placed the crown on her head, then left, and Marshal Wer Xonum took his place. He drew a silver short sword and said.

"This sword is not for fighting, but a symbol of power over the army and the entire land. And as commander of the army, I pass on to you this symbol your father entrusted me with before his death. May my service be worthy of you and this land, O Queen." Wer gave her the sword, then knelt before her.

At that moment, Ramne raised her bellows, then Wera once again proclaimed Marshal of Ahad. Then she turned, raising her sword. The crowd began to cheer their new ruler. Despite the perceived threat from Tamuz, the people rejoiced. Some remembered Chemos's attack on the bandits of the Dead Hills and Beorf's great victory. But most believed that when the Red Lord attacked Ahad, he would do it differently, and that the army led by Ramne would defeat the attackers.

Beorf froze as the people cheered with joy. In that moment, he saw Ramne in all her glory. Her face was as beautiful as the face of an angel Daax sometimes bestowed. Ramne's beauty was so incredible to Beorf that he couldn't move and could barely breathe. He had never felt as he did that day; great happiness filled his heart at seeing this beautiful woman.

"Amexie," Beorf whispered after a moment amidst the cheering crowd, forgetting the names they used in Ahad.

"What is it?

" "Look…

" "At what?

" "At her. How beautiful she is." The Marshal stared at Ramne, standing by the throne, as if at a painting. He slowly approached the throne, his world frozen in his gaze. For those few moments, everything ceased to matter to him. "I've never seen such a beautiful woman," he said to himself.

"Beorf, are you all right?" He turned to Amex, who grabbed his shoulder and squeezed his arms. For a moment, the general thought Beorf would scold him for calling him by his real name. It was a great risk.

"I must meet her! I must meet her!" Amex was surprised. Lord Chemos's face was as it had been before. It looked like the face of a young officer, full of joy and ideas. It was brighter than even when they had served together under Kunugi. This pleased Amex. Meanwhile, the crowd began to move, heading towards the tables set up by the servants. For the moment they were both talking, Beorf hadn't even heard the queen's speech, he was so speechless. When they finished, the Marshal turned his head to look at her beauty again.

"She's gone! Where is she?! We have to find her.

" "Don't panic, she couldn't have disappeared. She's definitely here somewhere. We'll look for her soon."

"We'll take care of that right away. I'll just find those two inept spies," Kudor interjected. He preferred not to interfere too much in the conversation, but he noticed what was happening.

"Okay, let's split up." Beorf moved blindly into the crowd, while Amex and Kudor searched for the remaining spies. He found them quickly enough.

"You are to find the queen and inform Beorf of my whereabouts," he said to them and quickly left.

"Yes... yes," Nougat didn't finish his answer, and Amex also disappeared into the crowd.

Everyone dispersed throughout the Hall, but they couldn't find Ramne. After about thirty minutes, many guests took their seats at the tables. But Ramne and Beorf were nowhere to be found. Beorf, devastated by this, found himself on one of the terraces, from which he could see most of the illuminated Tugeh.

He stood there for a moment, pondering new matters. Many difficult matters. Suddenly, a warm, gentle voice reached his ears from nearby.

- When I'm depressed, I also come here - Surprised, Beorf suddenly looked to the right and saw Ramna in all her glory.

"Your Highness," he replied, slightly frightened. He hadn't expected this sight; for a moment he didn't know what to do, then suddenly bowed low.

"Stand up." She laughed. "I'm not used to being a Queen yet." Beorf lifted his head and looked into her blue eyes. That moment would forever remain etched in his memory. He felt mesmerized, as if in a dream, unsure what to say. "You're not very talkative?

" "Not that… that's not why." He still felt embarrassed. "I've never had the opportunity to meet a Queen."

"So now you have the opportunity," she smiled again

. "And such a beautiful one at that.

" "Thank you. My name is surely familiar to you…" She didn't have time to finish

. "How clumsy of me. I didn't introduce myself. I'm Nylit Nurtux." A merchant from Jabedeu, Your Highness

. "Call me Ramne

." With great pleasure, Beorf slowly regained his strength and confidence.

"So you must have seen many interesting places?

" "Yes, but this will be the one I remember most.

" "Why is that?

" "I've never seen such beautiful halls and such beautiful Queens." Ramne blushed.

"You're very kind." Beorf himself was surprised he could manage such words

. "This time, I thank you."

"You don't look like a merchant to me, despite your attire.

" "And who?" The Marshal felt a pang of horror . "

More like a statesman. An officer, a general, but perhaps I'm wrong

." "Why do you think so?" – Beorf felt for a moment that he had been seen through

. – Looking at you – she smiled, and Beorf too – at your behavior.

– A beautiful night. – Beorf quickly changed the subject, afraid that the queen might guess who he really was by continuing this conversation. Or at least that she was only a spy here. But he still wanted to stay with Ramne.

– Yes, the stars shine brighter than usual today.

– The gods herald new days, better ones

. – I would be glad of that. – A look of sadness appeared on Ramne's face.

– What happened to your smile? Surely it wasn't because of me?

– No, of course not. I don't want to talk about it. Today is a happy day, so let's go and have fun. – Ramne smiled and took Beorf's hand, but he remained where he was

. – Let's stay here for a while longer. – Beorf knew what was upsetting Ramne, the fear of Tammuz. – If we go back there, we'll return to everyday life. You'll be occupied with politics, and I'll be occupied with my own affairs," Ramne rejoiced.

"Fine." These words delighted Beorf.

They talked for a long time. When Amex spotted Beorf talking with Ramne on the terrace, he set off to find the rest of his companions. He hadn't even suspected the profound change that had taken place in the Marshal on that terrace. So everyone returned to carrying out their previous orders and gathering information about Ahad.

Eventually, however, Ramne had to return to the hall and finish the ceremonial dinner. Beorf sat next to her, as the Queen herself had desired. Amex, Kudor, Nougatu, and Wukan sat nearby, still waiting for Beorf. However, at some point, Kudor noticed the Marshal sitting next to the Queen.

"General, look," Kudor pointed at Beorf .

"Aha, now everything is clear.

" "What is clear?" Wukan asked

. "We're the ones waiting for him, and he's sitting next to the Queen. Well, let's get back to dinner."

Beorf spent almost the entire evening in the company of Ramne and the highest-ranking officers of Ahad—all except the figure in the red cloak and hood. The others, except Amex, thought he was extracting important information from them, but they didn't discuss politics or related matters at all. They were having a wonderful time, though. The evening was wonderful for Beorf, and it couldn't have been more wonderful.

The entire celebration ended a few hours later. All the guests departed for their rooms or homes in Tugeh. Most of the guests were said goodbye by officers or other high-ranking officials. Only the most important were bid farewell by the Queen. All the most important, and a certain ordinary merchant, which some found strange. Even Wukan, the wealthiest merchant, was not personally bid farewell by Ramne. This individual received a kiss from the Queen, which only added to his happiness.

For the rest of the evening, the cold and ruthless Marshal Tamuzu was beaming and happy, like a child who had just received a long-awaited gift. Amex had never seen Beorf like this, not even when he was rapidly rising as a guard and then Lord in Chemos.

As everyone was returning to Wehen's villa, Amex finally asked Beorf:

"What did you talk about with the Queen?" Beorf didn't answer

. "Marshal, what's happening to you?" Kudor asked suddenly. He had previously been afraid to ask the Marshal such questions. It simply wasn't becoming of an officer, but now he saw what was happening and couldn't bear it.

"What was that about?" Beorf suddenly woke up

. "What did you talk to the Queen about?" Amex asked again. "And what did you learn from her?

" "We weren't talking about politics." This statement surprised everyone

. "So what were you talking about?! We're busting our asses to find out who the enemy is, and you're wasting such an opportunity. Have you gone mad?" Amex was furious. He didn't want this war, but he carried out his duties conscientiously, and he still wanted to do so.

"And what did you learn?" Beorf didn't react to Amex's words.

"Nothing!! We thought you'd be able to get more information." The others listened to the argument in silence.

"Relax, I have a plan ready." So we sat and talked. Anyway, we know enough – Amex lowered his hands and everyone moved on in silence.

The next day, Amex and Beorf left Tugeh on their own. They headed for Beorf, where the festivities marking the sixth anniversary of the dedication of the Temple of Daax were soon to begin.

Nugatu, Wukan, and Kudor remained in Tugeh. But while Amex was preparing their horses for the journey, Beorf gave them entirely new orders than they had been previously given. They were to remain in Tugeh and… nothing, they were to trade and be near the Queen. Nothing more. It was a strange order, but for the Marshal, whom they considered the highest authority, even greater than Dagous, they were prepared to carry it out to the best of their ability.

During the journey, the two commanders spoke little to each other. Yet Amex was slowly beginning to understand what had happened on the balcony of the palace in Tugeh. This event could greatly aid in the realization of his and Aren's plans. Beorf could side with them, but how could he convey this to him? Besides, what the Marshal had decided to do was still a mystery to him.

The last few days had shown him to be utterly unpredictable.

During the journey, Amex noticed, however, that with every kilometer traveled, Beorf's infatuation began to fade. He seemed less and less pensive and smiling. But Amex was wrong, and very wrong; Beorf was simply beginning to formulate new plans. Plans that were very difficult to implement.

On September 5, 4823, they returned to their old city. They were both greeted by cheering crowds and a shower of adoration. Thanks to Lord Beorf, Chemos was a place of life dreamed of by many a Ketanian.

After many days, Beorf met with Fagril, Kiseaso, and many others who, with him, were building the strength of this small land. He was finally home, back to his city, his palace, and his old friends. Yet something was still missing.

The next day, he focused on preparing for the celebration. However, he couldn't stop thinking about this extraordinary woman. About her beautiful hair, her magnificent, deep eyes, her sweet touch, and that one wonderful kiss.

But at that moment, Beorf began to be tormented by other dilemmas. He realized he had fallen in love with this woman, but what next, what was he to do? As Lord of Chemos, he could simply go to Ahad and seek her hand. As a nobleman and such an exceptional man, he would certainly have great chances with her. He was also Marshal of Tamuz, Dagous's vassal. His trip to Ahad was solely to prepare for war. The kingdom of Ramne was to become the next target of invasion. After conquering Ibin, the entire army was to be sent to rebuild, then to the border, and that same year to attack Ahad. At least that had been his plan before he met Ramne. But now he couldn't do it, not to her.

Despite this, he remained commander of Tamuz's army, and Dagous was the ruler of Tamuz. To him he was loyal and believed in his work as if it were his own. But he couldn't just attack Ahad and hand it over to Dagous.

Over the next few days, the ruler of Chemos was plagued by dilemmas. What should he do, as Beorf, as lord of his people, and also Marshal of Tammuz? He spoke repeatedly with his officers, Amex, and Kiseaso, but to none of them mentioned the dilemmas that plagued him. Even though everyone could see that something was wrong, Amex, often questioned about it, could only offer his own speculations.

On the eve of the ceremony, Amex and Kiseaso decided to speak with Beorf. Not only about his worries and actions, but also about the future of Chemos and all of Tammuz. They both arrived at the palace, but found no one there. Fagril told them that the Lord had left the palace without a word a few minutes earlier and set off for the city. Where he might have gone, no one knew, so they decided to wait. Beorf set off in his usual nobleman's attire, not his armor, so he didn't stand out from the crowd. And although everyone knew who he was, he passed unnoticed. He went to a place where no one expected him. He went to the Temple of Daax.

He stood before the Temple and hesitated for a moment to ascend its steps. Finally, he gave in and slowly began to climb the steps. The Temple was locked, and the guards weren't letting anyone in, but they didn't even dare to pay their lord any attention. Once he reached the center of the courtyard, he walked more smoothly. There, near the pool, he paused for a moment, then continued on to the great gates of the Temple's main building. Within the gates were a small door for those who visited the Temple outside of the festivities. He opened it and found himself inside.

Inside, everything was ready for the upcoming festival, with only a few priests bustling about. They looked at Beorf and stood frozen as he appeared.

"Leave the Temple," he said loudly but calmly. The priests, without even considering his words, left the hall and the entire Temple. Beorf slowly approached the altar on which rested the Godstone, given to him by three angels, Daax. He knelt and bowed his head. "My God. Daax. I ask you for help," he said quietly.

"What do you want from me, my son?" the voice of Daax's corporeal form appeared beside Beorf.

"My Lord," he rose and bowed before him, "I need your help."

"So tell me, what help does my most faithful servant need

?" "Do you know my thoughts, my dilemmas?

" "I do."

"So tell me, what am I to do with all this?

" "And what do you expect from me, since you've already made your choice?

" "But which path is right?

" "Only Daax's path is right. And whether you walk it alongside Dagous or Ramne... it matters little. Besides, you probably already have a plan ready, don't you?"

- Yes... I have an idea.

- Which one did you come up with while traveling with Tugeh?

- Yes

"So, as I was saying, your decision has been made. So do what you have decided and remember to follow my path. The rest is unimportant.

" "Thank you, my lord," Beorf said, pleased. His most powerful ally and patron of his land was on his side.

"Then go ahead. Your plan requires much preparation and sacrifice."

Beorf bowed again and ran joyfully from the temple. Uninterrupted by anyone, he ran all the way to his palace. He ran the length of the city, his love guiding him.

Only when he reached the outer wall of the palace did he stop to rest and learn that Amex and Kiseaso were waiting for him. After a while, he regained his strength and went to join them. Much would change that day.

Amex and Kiseaso sat in Beorf's chamber, drinking the wine brought by the elves. They were already quite happy; more than one bottle of this fine wine had been opened before Beorf arrived. When the Lord entered the chamber, his face was filled with great joy.

"Greetings, my dear friends." He quickly walked between them and sat comfortably in his armchair.

"Why are you so happy?" Kiseaso asked. Amex remained silent

. "That's not important for now. It's good that you have come, because I have many important things to tell you. Many of them concern us, Chemos, all of Tamuz, and this entire part of the continent." These words clearly intrigued Amex, who straightened slightly and asked

, "What is this important information?

" "Let's start with the most important thing. First of all, I wanted to say that my plan has the approval of Daax...

" "Have you spoken with him?!" Kiseaso interrupted, and Amex himself visibly moved .

"What did God say?

" "That he agrees to what I've already decided." Amex," Beorf said to him

. " I'm listening. "

"My dear friend, our relationship has deteriorated somewhat recently. I know that this was influenced by many of my decisions, as well as the King's, which I accepted and you rejected. " "I admit, that was true. " "But now, despite this, I must ask for your help. Dagous has begun making bad and rash decisions. " "And not just recently. " "I know that Wiriem, Refin, and Ubidys will follow me, but they won't be enough. " "For what?" Kiseaso asked . "To overthrow Dagous," Amex replied. Beorf was surprised by these words, not because Amex had spoken against the King, but because he knew what I meant. Kiseaso was a little frightened, but he trusted them enough to support their plan. "Dagous must go. And nothing will change that. " "So what is your plan?" "I won't introduce him to you just yet. First, we need to gain the support of the rest of the generals. " "And all this just because you decided Dagous was no longer fit to be King? Suddenly, after your visit to Tugeh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Beorf looked a bit confused

. "I'm asking what happened to make you suddenly decide to overthrow the King, to whom you were so devoted and loyal? You could have done it much earlier, under much better circumstances. For example, back in Hamit.

" "I had to... think things over.

" "Is she worth it?" Beorf blushed and froze for a moment. He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

"Who? And finally tell me what this is about." Kiseaso grew impatient with the silence that fell

. "The Queen of Ahad. Our Lord and Marshal has fallen in love." Amex smiled, followed by Kiseaso.

"So that's what it's about." Kiseaso burst out laughing, and Beorf lowered his head. Suddenly, however, his expression paled. "But we're supposed to attack Ahad, and we're talking about a rebellion, a civil war."

"That's why I'm asking Beorf if she's really worth it. I don't know her, he does.

" "She's worth it," he finally managed. "Besides, I don't want Dagous to destroy that country, or ours, with his policies

." "You forget that you yourself were the executor of that policy. Remember the suppression of the rebellion in Talgidra and what you did then.

" "So you know?

" "I know. Everyone knows. Even beyond our borders. And I'm asking you if you're willing to sacrifice the lives of these people, the people who believe in you as Marshal. The people to whom you'll tell that this war, like all the others, was just. For one beautiful woman. Who you don't even know if she reciprocates your feelings. You think all the soldiers and generals will follow you when a real reason to overthrow Dagous appears.

" "And you?

" "This isn't about us. It's about our soldiers, about their lives.

" "One way or another, we have to overthrow Dagous." He will destroy this land. And now would be the perfect opportunity.

"I hope this mysterious plan of yours is a good one. If we join in this great game of yours, our fate will be in your hands. You have my support," Amex said these last words with apprehension. Kiseaso nodded.

"Then we leave for Eket the day after tomorrow. Now go get some sleep. Tomorrow, September 8th." Beorf smiled, and Amex and Kiseaso left the room.

Some time after they left, Beorf called one of the guards and ordered Fagril to be summoned. As usual, he arrived as quickly as he could. He was always ready when Beorf was nearby.

"Lord?" The door to the chamber opened.

"Yes, Fagril, come and close the door.

" "You summoned me, what is it?

" "I have certain orders for you. This will be a long and difficult mission." And I probably don't need to add that it's extremely important.

What should I do?

"You will go to Golsod, to my brother and the Gestator. They must arrive in Huzet as quickly as possible. They must do this secretly; it is extremely important. Besides this, here is a list of people you will also inform of this." Beorf pulled out a small parchment and handed it to Fagril. "They must all arrive in Huzet after the council in Eket, secretly. Tell my brother that this concerns major changes.

" "And what exactly is this about?

" "You will learn when you arrive in Huzet. Remember that you cannot be seen; this is a very delicate mission. Although you are my adjutant and no one has the right to stop you, it is best not to invoke your position. This mission must remain secret.

" "But from whom?

" "That is irrelevant, for now.

" "Okay, I won't ask.

" "You will learn everything along with the others." You will leave immediately after the celebration in Daax's honor. We will leave the day after. And remember… no one but the addressees must learn of any of this.

"Yes, I know. I will try.

" "You are not to try, you are to carry it out.

" "An order!"

It was already night. Fagril left the chamber, and Beorf went for a walk. He couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about Ramne. Her face and wonderful figure constantly flashed before his eyes. He tried to recall their first conversation and that wonderful kiss. Even though he had already made his decision, he was still tormented by doubts. The marshal left the city and went for a walk around the area. He returned only in the morning, when the city was coming to life. And although he hadn't slept all night, he didn't feel tired at all.

The morning was warm and sunny, except for a slight mist from the Bay of Demons. The city was incredibly busy. All the shops and offices were closed that day. Despite this, the streets were crowded with people, as everyone gathered in front of the Temple of Daax, and those who couldn't find a place there gathered at his shrines scattered throughout the city. It was similar throughout Tamuz, with all those faithful to Daax celebrating the festivities. Lord Chemosu rushed to the castle, quickly donned his armor, and, accompanied by Amex and Kiseaso, set off for the Temple. The ceremony itself lasted about two hours. Afterward, there was nothing but great celebration. The party lasted late into the night, but Beorf and Amex returned to the castle early. Only Kiseaso remained, partying until dawn.

At dawn on September 9th, the two set off for Eket for a council of war with the King and his generals. Dagous was already in the capital, while the army under Aren's command captured Zakaxo, the capital of Ibin, located on the Oprob Highlands on September 10th. Another land fell under the yoke of Tammuz. The next day, most of it set off back to Tammuz's capital. The army was exhausted after the prolonged fighting, as had been evident long before. The soldiers bore no resemblance to the great force they once had. However, this force could be quickly rebuilt. Beorf, as did his enemies, was aware of this.

Nevertheless, Aren greatly feared further fighting. It was true that Dagous would soon be overthrown, but the generals knew nothing about it yet. Amex, on the other hand, feared they might break and overthrow Dagous themselves without waiting for him. The situation with the army wasn't as certain as before; Amex feared that too many would support Dagous. Therefore, he had to have Beorf on his side; almost all the soldiers would follow. The reinforcements General Fehli was building in Eket at the time were weak, though numerous. Two thousand soldiers were waiting for their training to finish, and new orc banners were to be assembled. Everything was happening quickly; Beorf, at Dagous's behest, wanted to attack Ahad that year. The king saw this as a great opportunity, though he was aware of the army's dire condition. Aren again saw only the possibility of a great defeat. But since Beorf had changed so much, the fate of this war remained uncertain for him. The generals and Dagous, however, didn't know, and couldn't even guess, what had happened in Tugeh. On September 18th, all the generals were in Eket, and Wehen and Gestator arrived in Huzet. Fagril relayed Beorf's news of the council in Huzet as quickly as he could. The army was on its way. The machine of destruction, weakened, still worked and prepared for another battle. However, sand appeared in its gears. Beorf began his game. For the woman he had known for only a few hours, for her, he decided to risk his life and the lives of many others. Only he could understand his plan, so strange and complex. If he didn't want war with Ahad, and moreover, wanted to overthrow Dagous, why was he planning this war? This was the question Amex asked himself, but soon others would ask him the same question.