Chapter 113: Side Story 7: A Promise Finally Met

Esmond glided through the corridors of the Obsidan castle like a wraith. It had become the main place for his work after receiving it. Pushing open the door he saw, sat reading a book, his son, a man in his late twenties. Much like himself, he had eyes that reminded people of a snake the way he looked at things. "I have a job for you. A test to see how you have grown." Esomnd’s family, The Underwell family, had always been a strange one within the noble circle. They had no real wealth to their name and nor a way to produce it.

No mines nor great farmland. Despite this they had always held a great level of power, even making those of higher rank wary of them. Everyone knew, however, how they kept it. They had close proximity to the royal family for all their history, carrying out the work that was dirty or had to remain unseen. But alongside this was the deep archive of secrets they held on all families and potential enemies to the throne. To some they were the true guardians of the Lindonfall Dynasty, destroying threats before they could even occur.

His son raised a finger, stopping his father as he finished the page he was on. Horace was someone who would always finish the task at hand before he engaged with something else and his father knew this, patiently waiting. He slowly closed the book placing it on the side. "What is it?" His voice was whispering, making anyone feel dread hearing it.

"I need you to deal with the Commonwealth. I must keep tabs on the new lands and its people. They are the primary threat to the stability of the Empire right now, but I know that Snowid won’t miss this opportunity to fan the flames." Horace nodded receiving the order, yet Esmond didn’t leave yet.

"Whilst you keep tabs on the situation of the Commonwealth, find a way to begin creating tension. His Highness proposed fanning the cultural flames and inciting anger through that. See if it’s possible, if not target the nobles. They are dissatisfied with Snowid right now." Horace nodded once more getting Esmond to leave.

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Isra didn’t know why she had been called to the courtyard. She was going about her normal duties when suddenly Alfred had summoned her. She had assumed at first that it was to help him with some things, but she quickly realized that wasn’t the case when walking through the Palace halls. Two guards opened the large doors that led into the courtyard and there stood a woman with black hair wearing the admiral uniform of the Empire’s navy. Sasha saw Isra walk in and gave a kind smile.

She had been hastily summoned by Alfred and arrived within a few days. Her mother had pushed her heavily to go, taking her away from the seas for a while. At first, she was confused, and when Alfred asked her to teach Isra the sword she was even more so. From the little interactions she had with her and the tales she heard from her mother, she had assumed Isra to be like her mother, a woman of high society.

Despite her feelings, she didn’t say anything and would take the job seriously. She didn’t want Alfred to find out and be annoyed but more so her mother. The Empress and her were friends. One comment and it would have Sasha in Catherine’s bad books for a while.

Seeing Isra walk in, she threw a wooden training sword towards her, which Isra caught quickly. Sasha was a little surprised expecting her to fail, but put it aside. "His Majesty has ordered me to teach you the sword. He said you would enjoy it."

Isra looked down at the wooden blade in her hand. She dragged her fingers alongside it, gently stroking it. After so long it felt strange in her hands. How many years had it been? She didn’t remember. But it felt nice to have it in her hand once more. She tried to pick up the sword again after coming to this world, but her father had forbidden it when she was younger. Then when she came to the Kingdom, they stopped her, afraid she may injure herself, in turn angering the Sultan. Finally, she got pregnant and had to deal with Edward.

In this life, she could probably count on her hands how many times she had properly picked up a blade. She smiled happily looking at it. She was happy Alfred finally was taking his promise seriously. Swinging it several times felt natural, but a little heavy. Her body wasn’t like the one in her old world. She could feel how out of tune she was, compared to her past.

Sasha watched as Isra swung the sword as if she had used one before. It was weird. Everything she knew about Isra didn’t suggest a time when she could have ever used one. Despite this, she saw the flaws in her test swings. "Your form is good. Your swings however lack the precision and power necessary for a sword." She walked forward speaking to Isra.

Isra stopped looking at the blade and gave a sigh. "I know. I have gotten out of shape since my pregnancy. Even then I haven’t trained my body to wield a sword in so many years."

"These things can be solved by a steady regime. I can provide you with the one I use. Our bodies aren’t too dissimilar."

Isra shook her head. "Thank you for the offer. But I have my own way. It’s fine." Sasha shrugged her shoulders and nodded hearing this.

"Okay." She raised the wooden sword in her hand and pointed it towards Isra. "How about a little spar. So I can have a guess of your level before we begin." Isra smiled hearing this, taking the unique stance of her old world. Holding the blade in one hand, she turned her body sideways, pointing it towards her.

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Alfred watched everything from a window overlooking the courtyard. He watched as the two clashed. It was obvious to anyone trained that Isra lost the moment it began. She lacked the power to match Sasha and her moves were sluggish, as if she was trying to get back into something she had done before. She only kept up with the woman thanks to the experience of her old world.

Despite this Alfred saw her having a smile plastered on her face that showed how much fun she was having. He felt bad looking at it. He had deprived her of that for so long. Treated her like a delicate object. His strange dream had been a wake-up call. And now looking down it was another. He was selfish. He had failed to keep his promise to her.

"She looks like a natural." William walked up behind him and looked out the window. He could see instantly that Isra had some prior experience using a sword but didn’t question anything. It wasn’t his place.

"How are your injuries?" Alfred turned away taking a seat on the sofa. He poured himself a drink whilst William lit his pipe.

"Fine now. I have been resting for so long that my son has started to complain." He took a hit of his pipe filling the air with smoke. "That being said I did come with a reason. A couple actually." Alfred flicked his hand indicating him to continue as he leaned forward giving his full attention.

"First. In regards to my role as General. I’m getting old. I can help with tactics but my place on the field is done. The fight with Nasr showed that." Alfred gave a nod upon hearing this, not upset or disappointed, understanding. "I think it’s time to start considering my replacement. It will still be a couple of years but it’s never too early."

"Any suggestions? Their your men."

"Marcus," William answered instantly as if waiting for the question. "He’s young, a good warrior, has a keen insight for battle, and is loyal. He takes the ’Soldiers Pledge’ seriously and will be a great ally. He also has the respect of the entire military despite his age."

"Okay." Alfred didn’t bother fighting it. He knew of Marcus and although not as well as William, he had an understanding of his skills. If William trusted him then he was sure he could. "What else?"

"I will also begin to hand over my responsibilities to Issac. He needs the experience and I wish for him to get it when I’m alive so I can cover for him. With that being said, I want you to include him within the inner circle." His request made Alfred fall into deep thought. Alfred trusted the man, but it was a case of having to prove himself. Everyone in it had proven themselves in one way or another.

"I don’t doubt his loyalty, William. But he has to prove it fully to join. The Pirate Lords. Get him to get them to agree. If he can do this then I’ll accept him." It was a tough request and this time William fell into deep thought. It was risky but something that would show his skill. William hesitated, however. His son was his heir and any harm coming to him would be catastrophic.

"I’ll think about it. You understand my hesitation." Alfred nodded pushing the topic to the side. "Finally it is about new ore deposits. Silver. We found it within the old Aragon territories. My men are guarding it right now but I wonder how you wish to proceed."

"Silver is your family’s thing." Alfred put his hand on his chin. "How big do you think it is and can you spare men for it." Alfred thought of the main territory in the Flanders Duchy, Silverhaven. It got its name form the rich silver deposits found there and what had propelled the Flandes Dynasty into such wealth and prestige within the early days of the Kingdom.

"Around the size of our medium-sized ones. I can spare the men but it will be an annoying process because of the distance."

"I’ll have Abu see if he has the men to spare. If not I’ll ask the guilds in Far Mile. I would rather not as they are con men, but we’ll make all the money back. Same as always we will do a 50-50 split on all ore." William was the one person he didn’t mind giving such a generous contract to regarding precious ores. The Flanders family was the largest producer of valuable materials, not including the new Safrid Lands, and was vital to keeping the economy running. They had deals like this with the Royal Family since both of their establishments and what allowed the peace to be kept for so long.

William nodded accepting. "That is all. If you have nothing more to say I will take my leave."

"Just get the affairs with the military ready. If you are true about stepping down I want you to keep a good eye on anyone who can potentially take your place." William nodded, standing up and leaving. Alone Alfred went back to the window overlooking the courtyard watching Isra’s training.